As with all our shootouts,...
As with all our shootouts, the outcome can be swayed by only one vote.
I just received the new mag in the mail and there is a test on the four-stroke 250s and I'm thumbing through the test and come to the test rider score sheet.
Has anyone looked at the scores for the test riders on this? Did anyone notice how completely out of whack Matt Armstrong is on his conclusions? It skews the whole test! His lows are so far out that he shouldn't even have been included in the population!
Does anyone else see the impact of his scores. If you threw his scores out of the test what would be the results?
This guy did the same thing to the 250 two-stroke comparison. I can not believe you let him ride for you again!
If this was a statistical population, and you received a score that was that far out of parameters, you would chuck it because the outcome would be false.
I don't know the guy, I don't even care what his issues are, but I do know that a national mag with a good reputation is running a risk allowing this to continue. It is so glarringly harmful to the results of the test!
Matt Armstrong's opinions...
Matt Armstrong's opinions are as valid as anyone's; we give you the breakdown so you can make your own decisions about the bikes.
Matt's scores reflect exactly how he felt about the bikes. We do pay attention to the numbers, and his opinion is as valid as mine or anyone else's in that shootout. We do throw out test rider's scores when they are out of whackMatt's are not. I ride with these guys, listen to what they say and read their opinions and scores to make sure everything is as fair and level as a subjective test can be.
That is why there is a name next to each score. That way you can disqualify him yourself if you feel the need. He represents a certain demographic of the magazine and is a well-rounded, experienced test rider. If he wasn't, we wouldn't use him.
I hope this better explains how we do things, even if you don't agree with our testing methods. Our intention is to give you enough information so that you can make the decision on which bike is the best for you... not necessarily the one we pick as the winner.
See the shootout scoring of our 250cc Four-Stroke Motocross Comparison yourself in the February issue of Dirt Rider, on newsstands now.