Bike magazines long term test bikes?

[lukemillar]

Anyone wonder what happens to these after they get returned? From the mags I read, every year they get a whole load of new bikes to "test". Each issue they add on 1000s of pounds worth of exhausts, rearsets, power commanders, dyno-time, expensive shocks etc. which I'm pretty sure the journos aren't forking out of their own pockets for. Then they disappear and the new batch turn up So what happens to the old ones with all the bling? Do the manufacturers get them? Do they sell them on?

Anyone know?

Quite often they throw them down the road before then

[the_lone_wolf]

they go back tot he manufacturers don't they? the brands keep a stock of bikes to lend to journalists. dunno about the bling, i assume they just take it off and flog it before returning the bikes, pretty sure they add the accessories they want out of their own pocket

[lukemillar]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

they go back tot he manufacturers don't they? the brands keep a stock of bikes to lend to journalists. dunno about the bling, i assume they just take it off and flog it before returning the bikes, pretty sure they add the accessories they want out of their own pocket

Really? They spend loads! I'm pretty sure journo's aren't THAT well paid to be able to blow 1000+ on a full exhaust system + dyno time for a bike they are going to have to give back in a year.....

I know the manufacturers get them back, but what do they do with them?

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by lukemillar

I know the manufacturers get them back, but what do they do with them?

give them to the next journalist

maybe the guys are loaded but do this job for fun? maybe the magazine pays for the upgrades? i dunno, but i can't think of many who've spent over a grand on an exhaust system though - sounds like the exception rather than the rule...

[lukemillar]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

give them to the next journalist

maybe the guys are loaded but do this job for fun? maybe the magazine pays for the upgrades? i dunno, but i can't think of many who've spent over a grand on an exhaust system though - sounds like the exception rather than the rule...

I'll have and around tonight and post some examples...

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by lukemillar

I'll have and around tonight and post some examples...

if you really want to find out the answer just look up the contact details in the back of BiKE mag and email the guys with the bikes...

Ask Soulkiss - he's a bike journo

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Caddy2000

Ask Soulkiss - he's a bike journo

I'd imagine at some point they get passed into the dealer network and sold. i know that the bikes that the Travelling Marshalls use for the TT/MGP are disposed of this way.

[Essex of Essex]

My understanding is that they are returned to standard prior to returning them to the importers and they are then sold off, you occasionaly read that a journalist has purchased the bike or see them winge that they were not able to.