Over the years I have subscribed to a number of motorcycle magazines, mostly UK related. Titles such as Performance Bike, Ride, Motorcycle Mechanics etc..
Back in the day they were a pleasant way to find out about bikes past and present; and who didn't like the monthly 'Ogri' cartoons by Paul Sample?
And dont forget his girl Mitzi, his daft mate Mal, plus the ever loyal hound.
Following a long bike lay off, my subscriptions lapsed as did my interest in the magazines.
More recently after the acquisition of The Welsh Flat Tracker XS650, I started to read the odd title again.
Apart from Classic Bike most of the bike magazines today lack real and meaningful content. It seems most of the 'journalists' are just happy to jump on the manufacturers freebie bike launches in far away places; load up on free hospitality, and ride around on the latest hot-shot penis enlarger, and enthuse wildly. Is it that they are unable to dissect the differences of similar machines from differing manufacturers, and give honest conclusions. Or are they just happy not to upset the providers of said trips and bikes in case they are ejected from the next trip?
Anyhoo; I bought an oldish copy of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics (September 2015) from eBay which arrived today.
Mainly because I had owned some of the machine types contained in the mag.
What a revelation. Far less advertising compared to the current stuff. Well written articles. Plus handy tips and interesting reviews of bikes from yesteryear and current at the time.
This is more like it, I might even get a newer edition / subscription if they still deliver content like this.
HONDA VTR1000 Firestorm: Had one for a few years and did a number of European tours on one.
Uprated suspension and Micron pipes (What a noise). Didn't even mid the limited fuel range, more stops for good coffee and cakes!
The the Africa Twin. Always fancied one of these reliable machines that were happy on tarmac and big milage desert trails.
The SUZUKI Gixer 750, was it really the last of the old 750 Superbikes?
Then the thing I got the mag for: YAMAHA XS650 Custom
I would be interested if any members have other opinions regarding magazines old or current. Are any worthwhile; and what titles do you support in your country?
Read on,
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Back in the day they were a pleasant way to find out about bikes past and present; and who didn't like the monthly 'Ogri' cartoons by Paul Sample?
And dont forget his girl Mitzi, his daft mate Mal, plus the ever loyal hound.
Following a long bike lay off, my subscriptions lapsed as did my interest in the magazines.
More recently after the acquisition of The Welsh Flat Tracker XS650, I started to read the odd title again.
Apart from Classic Bike most of the bike magazines today lack real and meaningful content. It seems most of the 'journalists' are just happy to jump on the manufacturers freebie bike launches in far away places; load up on free hospitality, and ride around on the latest hot-shot penis enlarger, and enthuse wildly. Is it that they are unable to dissect the differences of similar machines from differing manufacturers, and give honest conclusions. Or are they just happy not to upset the providers of said trips and bikes in case they are ejected from the next trip?
Anyhoo; I bought an oldish copy of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics (September 2015) from eBay which arrived today.
Mainly because I had owned some of the machine types contained in the mag.
What a revelation. Far less advertising compared to the current stuff. Well written articles. Plus handy tips and interesting reviews of bikes from yesteryear and current at the time.
This is more like it, I might even get a newer edition / subscription if they still deliver content like this.
HONDA VTR1000 Firestorm: Had one for a few years and did a number of European tours on one.
Uprated suspension and Micron pipes (What a noise). Didn't even mid the limited fuel range, more stops for good coffee and cakes!
The the Africa Twin. Always fancied one of these reliable machines that were happy on tarmac and big milage desert trails.
The SUZUKI Gixer 750, was it really the last of the old 750 Superbikes?
Then the thing I got the mag for: YAMAHA XS650 Custom
I would be interested if any members have other opinions regarding magazines old or current. Are any worthwhile; and what titles do you support in your country?
Read on,
Ads
