Letter of the Week: Playing Favorites - Dirt Rider Magazine

After reading your great magazine for quite some time I have noticed that people who point out typos commonly get recognized in your Letter Rip section. Since I am in need of a new set of rubber for my '08 TT-R125L, here goes.I was happily reading along in your 2010 250F shootout when I came across a typo. In the review of the 2010 Honda CRF250R, a mistake read, "CRF205R." So I got to thinking, how cool would it be if there were a CRF205X or, better yet, a Yamaha WR205F since I ride trails? It might just be the perfect step up from my TT-R125. It would be the four-stroke equivalent to something like a KDX200.Because I have an obvious brand loyalty to Yamaha, I was wondering if you guys at the magazine have brand loyalties of your own, or if you must keep an open mind about each brand to produce your great, unbiased shootouts. Finally, since I am very new to dirt bikes, I need some boots, so I'm asking your advice on what would be a good boot for me. I've been looking at the Alpinestars Tech 3 all-terrain boots, but I'm not too sure if that's for me or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.**Michael Casciola

State College, PA** _First, new rubber is available at great dealers and from many of the companies that advertise in this magazine. I suggest, since you are a sharp copy editor and a creative mind at that, you look for mistakes in the ads to and see if you can get a discount or even a set of tires out of it.__On to your second question, and the answer is yes. Everyone on staff has a favorite brand, and most of the time I can pick it out, but others are better at concealing their loyalties. Yet we never let that get in the way of judging how the bikes actually perform. And if it does, I promptly disqualify that rider's or editor's opinion, especially when it conflicts with my love for (insert favorite brand of the week here). No, really, it is hard not to have a favorite, we all seem to. But we each have different ones so in reality any bias tends to even out as well. BTW, did you see our sub-$200 boot comparison last month? We have you covered!_ **-Jimmy**Want to send a letter to Dirt Rider? Send us an email drmail@sorc.com. Heck, we might even send you a prize! But you must include contact info-first and last name and mailing address-in order to be eligible for the Letter of the Week prize. All letters may be edited at our discretion, and anything you send us may appear in the magazine, too!