Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: MacGlennon on January 29, 2016, 06:18:18 PM
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I like Motorcycle Consumer News- it's a decent mag (IMO) and I like that supposedly they aren't swayed by advertiser's dollars. But I have to say that the latest issue left me scratching my head about the magazine's future.
So- on the first opening page in the editorial Dave Searle announces that he's leaving the magazine. OK- that's interesting but in of itself not troubling- editors come and go all the time in publications. Joining him though I found later on is Dr. John Alevzios, who does the Medical Motorcycling column.
What really signaled trouble though was the fact that on the cover was that issue's featured bike (Indian Scout 60) which under normal circumstances would lead me to believe that within the magazine would be a test of that bike. Bizarrely there was no test- it just wasn't there.
The last thing that raised a red flag was that there normally is a little box on the back cover giving a little preview of the next issue's features/ tests. That also wasn't there.
Didn't these guys just have a big sale/offer on subscriptions?
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I have been taking MCN for years but recently it has been concerning. Besides this months issue, what was it a couple of issues ago that they announced they would not be doing actual speed runs, etc. Content is way down from issues of just a few years ago. Hope it is not going down.
GliderJohn
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Print media like magazines and newspapers are starting to look like buggy whips in this internet/computer age.
Whatever is going on with the changes at MCN is more than likely due to money- or the lack thereof.
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Even Cycle World has been on a forced diet , no longer the 800 lb gorilla , more like a 125 lb monkey . Sign of the times unfortunately . Oddly enough , more focused mags , like the BMW mag , seem to be doing alright . Hot Rod and R&T are not what they were 10 years ago either .
Dusty
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The publishing industry in general is hurting because of competition with free content across the internet.
Newspapers are on life support.
Technical publishing is being assaulted by piracy.
And magazines are fighting for advertiser dollars.
Thing is, MCN accepts zero advertising dollars and it's got to be a struggle to continue to publish on subscriber dollars.
I wonder if they could make a go of it with all electronic publishing. The savings in printing and mailing would be significant.
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The new generation of motorcycle riders are more into social media than reading magazines IMO. They get recommendations and info from other sources and unless the writers are of the same age group or relateable there is little attraction.
With an iPhone who needs to read a magazine when they can go out on some quiet road and know for sure how fast a bike can accelerate, stop and all that? Then with helmet cams, they can share riding experiences, just look on YouTube.
How many magazines do more than gloss over pretty significant design or manufacturing defects? But you can run a search and find out in seconds and not have to wait for some monthly publishing effort.
They don't need a magazine when they can check out places like Revzilla for tests of gear.
New generation wants interactivity, not just to read what seems like self appointed experts have to say.
Just the way it is. Magazines failed to adapt.
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MCN is a great magazine. I hope they offer a digital only option rather than stop writing all together. Frankly, I don't even read at the paper magazine, I read it "cover to cover" on the ipad. The concept of printing articles on paper and mailing it to people seems incredibly stupid and wasteful given the world we live in.
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Same concerns about MCN. The editor's departure without introduction of a replacement is ominous.
From 1974 to 1994 I worked at SKI Magazine, while the paid circulation grew steadily from about 350,000 to about 450,000, with a full-time editorial staff of ten. Then I was asked to create something called a website, a whole new concept in publishing. The result, SKInet.com, grew at an astonishing rate: readership rose 20% per week for two winters and went on growing after I left to do websites for Microsoft. Today the paid print circulation of the magazine is under 100,000 and the company gives away another 100,000 subscriptions to keep the advertisers happy. Editorial staff is three. An era has passed. SKInet lives on, still carrying a payroll of one.
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After being a subscriber for many years, I gave up on MCN a couple of seasons back. Though they still did their best to remain objective, their long-of-tooth staff's personal biases had crept into the content. This created some predictable conclusions and stale copy. It was a grand concept that worked for many years, but I expect they exceeded their expiration date.
Too bad, really. I'll be keeping all my archived issues...
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I honestly only read Classic Motorcycle anymore. When it comes to product reviews, I'd much rather watch a video on YouTube than read an article since it takes less time. The availability of free means of reaching everyone by video kinda makes magazines obsolete, but most of the reviewers and writers for those magazines probably don't have any ability to do video reviews so they're in a catch-22 situation.
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I honestly only read Classic Motorcycle anymore. When it comes to product reviews, I'd much rather watch a video on YouTube than read an article since it takes less time. The availability of free means of reaching everyone by video kinda makes magazines obsolete, but most of the reviewers and writers for those magazines probably don't have any ability to do video reviews so they're in a catch-22 situation.
Yes it's the free content that's killing the publishing industry.
But the sad thing in a case like MCN if that they took the time to verify specs that manufacturers provide and measure specs OEM's don't. On doing so they created a table of apples to apples comparison data much of which is not available anywhere else, and certainly not by the free content sources.
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These are ominous developments, BUT their subscription web page is still up.
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Print media? How so 80's.
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Really hard to hold a computer while lying in bed :laugh:
Dusty
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After being a subscriber for many years, I gave up on MCN a couple of seasons back. Though they still did their best to remain objective, their long-of-tooth staff's personal biases had crept into the content. This created some predictable conclusions and stale copy. It was a grand concept that worked for many years, but I expect they exceeded their expiration date.
Too bad, really. I'll be keeping all my archived issues...
that is exactly how I felt when I gave up on them - 10 years ago!
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but nothing is "free". Losing those journalists means degraded content.
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I believe the editor said something about "spending more time with the family". Famous line used by everyone forced out in just about every walk of life. I had to go back an look about no Indian content even though it's on the cover, that's really bizarre.
Figures, I recently re-upped for a couple more years through Amazon, they had some deal for like $12/year.
Should be interesting how this plays out.
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but nothing is "free". Losing those journalists means degraded content.
:1: Good writers need to be paid .
Dusty
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Good writers need to be paid .
How about hot women!Let's face it,that all the internet is good for.
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:1: Good writers need to be paid .
Dusty
Yep. I sold them a couple articles. When they quit buying them, I quit reading their content. Funny how that works. :laugh:
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but nothing is "free". Losing those journalists means degraded content.
LT Snyder is a local. His writing is much more likable than his in person presence, in fact I don't know many people who can stand to be around him for more than five minutes.
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Really hard to hold a computer while lying in bed :laugh:
Dusty
Tablet.
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Tablet.
Still awkward .
Dusty
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Still awkward .
Dusty
Not really something like an iPad or Amazon Fire is pretty small. Hell, I can read it on my phone.
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Not really something like an iPad or Amazon Fire is pretty small. Hell, I can read it on my phone.
Yeah , easy for you pups with no arthritis , holding a small hard surface object gives me cramps .
Dusty
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Yeah , easy for you pups with no arthritis , holding a small hard surface object gives me cramps .
Dusty
And a book or magazine wouldn't also?
So prop it up on something.
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And a book or magazine wouldn't also?
So prop it up on something.
When your hands get old and banged up you will understand grasshopper :laugh: Propping a tablet up requires lugging something else around , I just prefer a book or magazine . No glare , works in any weird position , doesn't need a cord or a battery .
Dusty
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When your hands get old and banged up you will understand grasshopper :laugh: Propping a tablet up requires lugging something else around , I just prefer a book or magazine . No glare , works in any weird position , doesn't need a cord or a battery .
Dusty
I've then my hands up pretty good between wrenching and martial arts. There are times it's been painful to use turn signals on bikes for weeks.
You don't need to lug anything else to bed, prop it up on the back of your other hand/first. Use a tablet cover with a prop.
You don't need a cord, unless the battery has run down, but then again if it's dark out a book would need a light.
I dunno, seems much ado...
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The current issue is also a dozen pages shorter than normal. I'm hoping it's a temporary glitch due to staffing changes mid-issue.
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I dislike taking a computer or tablet into the bath room for my morning cycle reading fix!
MCN is still the only objective one regardless of their slight imperfections. also they go the extra mile with their tests and mention all imperfections in the bikes.
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I think that all of the motorcycle publications, including MCN, are captured by the industry, and that the reviews are worth nothing.
Independent reviewers on YouTube and elsewhere are perhaps the way forward, starting with this review of the Triumph Bonnevile: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RsKFsce5phw
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I think that all of the motorcycle publications, including MCN, are captured by the industry, and that the reviews are worth nothing.
Independent reviewers on YouTube and elsewhere are perhaps the way forward, starting with this review of the Triumph Bonnevile: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RsKFsce5phw
How is MCN a slave to the industry or OEM?
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How is MCN a slave to the industry or OEM?
I didn't say that MCN is a slave to the industry. I said that it is captured by the industry, which is not the same thing.
If you want to understand what I'm getting at, watch the YouTube review that I referred to. Whether you agree with it or not, there's a level of integrity that none of these publications provide, and what's more, you'll get a smile from it :) There's a reason why, as a review by someone with no video rep and no "motorcycle reviewer" rep, it has over 800,000 views.
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Print media? How so 80's.
...as is the local infrastructure supporting cable TV and wired internet, i.e., non-existent. For those of us so afflicted, mobile hotspots or satellite provide psuedo-high speed access, but with metered data plans. Even the re-introduction of ATT's unlimited data plan excludes mobile hotspots and tethering.
Just glad I was able to put into storage the kerosene lamps last year....
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Yes it's the free content that's killing the publishing industry.
But the sad thing in a case like MCN if that they took the time to verify specs that manufacturers provide and measure specs OEM's don't. On doing so they created a table of apples to apples comparison data much of which is not available anywhere else, and certainly not by the free content sources.
I hope MCN survives, largely for the reason Kev cites, although it doesn't look good. That said, their recent announcement that they would no longer do real world performance testing (too much police exposure at their "secret" test road location) but use computer modeling instead, was not reassuring. I did email Dave Searle today, but have had no response. Of course, I only had his editorial address at MCN, and if he's already gone, no telling who got that email. Time will,tell.
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This past Wed or Thur my new (Feb 2016) issue finally arrived, much later than usual. I called the phone number shown inside the magazine, it ended up being the publisher's office. I asked to speak with someone at MCN and they put me through. I only got a voice mail (to someone whose name is listed as being on the editorial staff of MCN, nobody that has ever written a column), but I left my name and phone number, and asked about what is happening and how if this is a sign of the times it might affect my decision to continue subscribing. I've not received a return call. I've subscribed for about 10 years, but if this gets butchered down in quality and content, I will probably throw in the towel.
Even before Dave's retirement announcement, they've had other columnists/contributors come and go in short order. I don't recall their names now, but Dave's last two "right hand man" co-editor-types didn't last more than a year or so. And I'll miss the medical column, I've learned a lot there, both from Flash Gordon and from Dr. Alevizos.
Fred Rau- I used to really enjoy reading his column, but a couple years ago something snapped in his writing and frankly I can pretty much do without him anymore. Most of his recent writing has been rants about personality types that show up in his guided tours.
All good things come to an end...
Steve.
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I didn't say that MCN is a slave to the industry. I said that it is captured by the industry, which is not the same thing.
If you want to understand what I'm getting at, watch the YouTube review that I referred to. Whether you agree with it or not, there's a level of integrity that none of these publications provide, and what's more, you'll get a smile from it :) There's a reason why, as a review by someone with no video rep and no "motorcycle reviewer" rep, it has over 800,000 views.
OK, I sat through that and I'm going to have to admit I don't know what you mean by "captured" then.
But here's the thing.
That was a review all right (which is by the way, never the reason I read a publication about vehicles of any kind). But it was a review that cannot be done by a professional journalist working for a publication because it was the result of OWNING THE BIKE for thousands of miles which is unrealistic for a journalist review. It's unsustainable.
It was also a comic presentation, which is fine and entertaining if that's what you're looking for.
But it was nothing more than you can find, for free, on any enthusiast forum.
When I did read motorcycle magazines (and I am a current MCN subscriber, but I don't "READ" the articles except for rare occasions) I was only looking for the pictures and the specs anyway.
And I think it was the growth of forums combined with the quick availability of specs from OEM websites that basically stopped me from reading any bike (or car/truck) mags in the first place.
The one things that MCN provides or provided was 3rd party measured/verified specs and an apples-to-apples platform for spec comparison which was wonderful.
And, with a lack of advertising money, they were at least free to express any opinions they wanted without fear of penalty from the OEMs.
But yes, they are still part of an industry, a business, that is trying to make money and if that's "captured" ok, but arguably that's true of any business.
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Even a magazine that carries no advertising needs to maintain a civil relationship with manufacturers, distributors and retailers -- if only to maintain access to test products and even news. Consider what would happen to a publication or journalist who so alienates a segment of the industry that companies refuse to lend products for review or even to send in press releases and photos.
In some industries, or if the publication is well-enough funded based on a huge paying audience, editors may be able to buy products for review (Consumer Reports for example?). But if the stock-in-trade is expensive products sold to relatively few enthusiasts (motorcycles, aircraft, boats, sports cars) that's not happening.
This is a well-known bias in news organizations, too -- veteran reporters have often soft-pedaled political critiques in order to maintain access to newsworthy politicians and bureaucrats. You don't have to be corrupt to be complicit.
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Even a magazine that carries no advertising needs to maintain a civil relationship with manufacturers, distributors and retailers -- if only to maintain access to test products and even news. Consider what would happen to a publication or journalist who so alienates a segment of the industry that companies refuse to lend products for review or even to send in press releases and photos.
In some industries, or if the publication is well-enough funded based on a huge paying audience, editors may be able to buy products for review (Consumer Reports for example?). But if the stock-in-trade is expensive products sold to relatively few enthusiasts (motorcycles, aircraft, boats, sports cars) that's not happening.
Come to think of it, I think I assumed MCN followed the same pattern as CR with regards to purchasing the reviewed vehicles vs. press fleet, but maybe that was a bad assumption.
At Chilton we used to use press vehicles, but we'd also purchase vehicles to tear down which was relatively inexpensive because they could be put back together and sold again which meant only a small net cost per vehicle.
Do we know for certain MCN was only using press vehicles?
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Magazines should print on Toilet Paper if they want to stay in the printing business and relevant.
12 Roll = 1 issue, sounds about right. Get your daily read-on or two and dispose of it. Hygienic, environmentally friendly, entertainment at your fingertips, and you get pick which article deserves first dibs at the cleanup duties.
Jokes aside, I do think (as many here already said) regularly printed materials are soon to be a thing of the past.
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Jokes aside, I do think (as many here already said) regularly printed materials are soon to be a thing of the past.
Which brings up an interesting problem that lots of publishers have been facing for a decade or so now, the devaluation of the content.
When some publishers started giving away CD's or E-copies of a book or magazine ALONG with the print version, people started to form the opinion that the only thing of value was the printed copy and the E-version should be FREE.
That makes it hard to transition to an E-only format.
Now the E-format IS often cheaper to produce, especially if delivered over the internet (as opposed to a CD which still has to be produced, packaged, shipped etc.).
And with the proliferation of free content on the internet, it's hard to convince people to PAY for content.
The scholastic publishing/textbook industry really should be the leading the way to E-books. There are a lot of high school and college kids who would be thrilled to carry a single tablet instead of backpacks worth of books. But scholastic publishers are leaders in the margin game and worry (despite the captive audience) about the devaluation of an E-copy of a $50 book, not to mention the additional exposure to piracy and passing around the E-copy on campus.
But yes, as I glance around my office and look at the hundreds of repair manuals on bookcases lining my walls I realize that a very large percentage of that data is live on the internet available via subscription. And it really makes sense.
I for one enjoyed a resurgence of reading for pleasure when I starting putting E-books on my phone after the birth of my younger kids. How convenient to have it there at my fingertips at any time.
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With regard to MVN reviews, while they may be a part of the industry as it's getting defined in this discussion, it seems to be the most objective of the American publications.
A for reviews in general I'd like to think we take them all with a grain of salt. The U Tube Triumph vid is entertaining but what makes any of those things valid? For instance, in a general way, how often do we hear that the V7 in underpowered,. behind the times, or the Norge is WAY behind the BMW RT because it does not have cruise control and 27 riding modes and all that?
Or all the flack on the Street Tracker for being, LORD FORBID and how dare they, LESS hp than the old model?
This would be a fun discussion over beers and pizza, way too much to type, but what I'm saying is that SOMEBODY must like this stuff well enough to buy it.
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What a lot of publishers did was to use the most inept and unqualified people on the planet to write for their on-line editions. Readers simply looked elsewhere, not just away from print but away from the big branded names too.
Why read some trash from a big name publisher when you can get as good and likely better from someone who experienced what they are writing about?
A magazine might publish an article or review about a certain bike and gloss over most of what is important. Then some rider takes the same bike out and gives you their impressions and backs it up with video to boot. Why would you want to read the filtered stuff from the branded magazine?
MCN and the others could have followed the future instead of living in the past. They didn't so that's the way the cookie crumbles.
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You guys read BIKE and MSL? Very entertaining.
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People don't want to pay for the full boat anymore, or at least I don't think. Music is the same way. iTunes, Amazon, etc. People used to buy a new music CD when it came out, but now, if you are still one buying music, then you may just buy a song or two. 99 cents or whatever it is to get just want you want, instead of $10 or whatever for the full CD to get maybe 1 or 2 other songs you like and 8 other songs you'll never want to listen to.
Magazines should do the same. If you want to buy all articles that have to do with a Moto Guzzi from any magazine, then you should be able to search a collective motorcycle magazine database with your phone app or whatever, and buy individual articles of Moto Guzzi sorted by year or publisher, author, instead of paying for an entire issue or yearly membership of something that may be filled with everything but what you had hoped for.
Granular media delivery.
Anyway, that's my million dollar idea. Somebody make it happen and pay me royalties on the creative concept :cheesy:
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What a lot of publishers did was to use the most inept and unqualified people on the planet to write for their on-line editions. Readers simply looked elsewhere, not just away from print but away from the big branded names too.
Why read some trash from a big name publisher when you can get as good and likely better from someone who experienced what they are writing about?
A magazine might publish an article or review about a certain bike and gloss over most of what is important. Then some rider takes the same bike out and gives you their impressions and backs it up with video to boot. Why would you want to read the filtered stuff from the branded magazine?
MCN and the others could have followed the future instead of living in the past. They didn't so that's the way the cookie crumbles.
True, but it's not just a case of crap editors or crap content on the web.
Magazines for enthusiasts were based around a couple of concepts:
1. Photos/Specs/Reviews of new products (vehicles etc.) that their readers didn't readily otherwise have access to.
2. Advertisers to pay the bills.
Looking specifically at vehicles (but the model probably holds true to other areas) the entire content of the press kit, text and photos, is usually available online from multiple sources by the morning after the embargo date.
And the OEMs put a heck of a lot of it on their own websites too.
That just leaves reviews.
Now MCN and CR and what not attempt to provide additional objective data which I personally find attractive.
But the majority of most reviews are just subjective thoughts from someone who has had access to the vehicle for a week or two.
AND THAT can be found for free, and in MUCH GREATER DEPTH on motor vehicle forums. Penned by enthusiasts with a lot more experience in that model than a journalist can ever have if it's just an assignment. Sure the content is often biased as well, but at least committed bias and you know to expect it.
That leaves nothing unique for the magazine to deliver, effectively making it obsolete UNLESS it can come up with unique data/copy.
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Geez, I don't know what that says about me, then. I rather enjoy reading the different publications and most of the time think I can separate the fact from fantasy. I had no idea I was so far behind the times. No, wait. I did. My children tell me all the time!
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Don't get riled up-that was a joke.
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Ha ha, jokes aside, there's nothing wrong with still enjoying it.
I mean, it could certainly be easier than tracking down the forum/enthusiasts for every bike in which you have any interest.
And if you like the reviewers and generally agree with or understand their leanings, then you'll likely enjoy what they write.
But it's not a sustainable pattern with the competition of other online sources.
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One thing about the free stuff on the internet , you get what you are paying for .
Dusty
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True, but it's not just a case of crap editors or crap content on the web.
Magazines for enthusiasts were based around a couple of concepts:
1. Photos/Specs/Reviews of new products (vehicles etc.) that their readers didn't readily otherwise have access to.
2. Advertisers to pay the bills.
Looking specifically at vehicles (but the model probably holds true to other areas) the entire content of the press kit, text and photos, is usually available online from multiple sources by the morning after the embargo date.
And the OEMs put a heck of a lot of it on their own websites too.
That just leaves reviews.
Now MCN and CR and what not attempt to provide additional objective data which I personally find attractive.
But the majority of most reviews are just subjective thoughts from someone who has had access to the vehicle for a week or two.
AND THAT can be found for free, and in MUCH GREATER DEPTH on motor vehicle forums. Penned by enthusiasts with a lot more experience in that model than a journalist can ever have if it's just an assignment. Sure the content is often biased as well, but at least committed bias and you know to expect it.
That leaves nothing unique for the magazine to deliver, effectively making it obsolete UNLESS it can come up with unique data/copy.
:thumb:
What magazine could match the reviews given out right here? None I think.
It costs a lot of money to keep editors and writers in tap. Their business models got left behind. They contributed value, just not the value a lot if people want to pay for anymore.
IMO , not too sure that the best editors or writers could do much better than most of the reviews done right here.
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Tablets and e-readers don't have any character. Give me a wrinkly, crinkly, paper cutting, bug swatting magazine, anytime.
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I'll agree with that. More than 10 minutes with a reader or tablet is painful for me. I also like the sensation of the paper or magazine.
That said, look at the masthead of several of the magazines. One, at least, is down to just THREE staffers. Best indication that the writing is on the wall.
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I know some prefer paper, but you're in the ever dwindling minority.
I tell ya, being able to hold a newborn son on your chest, in bed, next to your wife who needs to be sleeping and read a book in the dark, on your phone, for hours, is a both a situation and a luxury I never dreamed of as a child, but I'm glad I had.
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Paper books will be around until at least stardate 5928.5 , we know this because Picard likes to read paper books .
Dusty
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Warts and all, MCN is the best motorcycling magazine out there IMO. And I get tons of bike magazines. I don't read all of them cover to cover, but look for unique content. For example, the Duke 690 was reviewed in three magazines this month. You never get the predictable article in MCN.
Yeah, I was surprised Searle was retiring. Forgot about LT Snyder. The medical writing is good. Bike reviews are the most in-depth and credible compared to the others. Condon gone and Hough back was a wash for me, as both are total gurus. Their letters section isn't just a circle jerk of praise, but real useful or interesting comments. Articles go where no other publications go, for better or worse. Like the three part series on blue printing your motor? I'm sure some nerds really loved it.
I do think Dave Searle was the glue. Fred Rau still has some good perspectives, but he's gotta be getting fried after all these years. Glynn Kerr design trends are pretty good reads.
Bottom line, I started getting MCN around 2002 or 2003, shortly after I started riding. It's been in my hands every month as I've gone from newbie to whatever it is I am today! I'll subscribe even if it devolves into a quarterly newsletter. But I sure I hope that doesn't happen.
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OK...I'm going to really date myself. I started reading MCN back when it was Road Rider magazine. I believe in the early-mid 70's. Been reading it all these years as well as all the other cycle magazines that have come and gone. I still have most of my magazines from 1967 and on. It's a kick to go into my archives and pick out an issue from the 60's and 70's and read it again.
I like others have said find a pleasure in holding a magazine and thumbing through it. Reading on a PC, phone or tablet is not the same although I'm guilty of doing so.
Anyway sure hope MCN can survive and continue publishing what I think is one of the better magazines.
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I pay for the Classic Bike, Bike, Motorsport and Classic and Sports Car, and get them on my iPad.
I like magazines better but these are very expensive in paper, and the issues on the stand are 2 months old.
The iPad versions are pretty much the same as the paper things ave always been. The US mags re also available that way but are much reduced compared to 20 years ago and really do't hold my interest-like MCN...
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:thumb:
What magazine could match the reviews given out right here? None I think.
I find this forum, like most others dedicated to a single marque, to be much more biased in one direction than magazines. Brands other than Guzzi are regularly sneered at here, seemingly often without direct experience of what is being criticized.
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As an aside, Paul is looking to buy a Chinese 250. A must read is the story in the current issue of Motorcyclist by Joe Gresh about touring on that bike. It's fantastic and you'll laugh as you read it. That story alone is worth the price. I've never seen anything remotely as entertaining on an internet review.
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OK...I'm going to really date myself. I started reading MCN back when it was Road Rider magazine. I believe in the early-mid 70's. Been reading it all these years as well as all the other cycle magazines that have come and gone. I still have most of my magazines from 1967 and on. It's a kick to go into my archives and pick out an issue from the 60's and 70's and read it again.
I like others have said find a pleasure in holding a magazine and thumbing through it. Reading on a PC, phone or tablet is not the same although I'm guilty of doing so.
Anyway sure hope MCN can survive and continue publishing what I think is one of the better magazines.
:thumb:
Me too! that's when Roger Hull, Bob and Patti Carpenter did real world tests of new bikes. usually 1000 - 3000 miles. none of this 30-100 miles crap you see today.
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I like others have said find a pleasure in holding a magazine and thumbing through it. Reading on a PC, phone or tablet is not the same although I'm guilty of doing so.
I'm pretty much the same, but I never keep more than a couple of the most recent paper copies. That's where the e-versions come in handy. Way easier to store, and the ability to search them is invaluable.
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I find this forum, like most others dedicated to a single marque, to be much more biased in one direction than magazines. Brands other than Guzzi are regularly sneered at here, seemingly often without direct experience of what is being criticized.
No no - you want to learn about a Harley, you go to a Harley site. A BMW, you go to a BMW site, etc.
Each time you KNOW they're biased. BUT at the same time, they will tell you the straight poop about their bike. "I had to fix this bitch bitch bitch, I had to change that whine whine whine, this broke complain complain complain."
Much more so than any journalist just because of the time and miles involved.
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No no - you want to learn about a Harley, you go to a Harley site. A BMW, you go to a BMW site, etc.
Each time you KNOW they're biased. BUT at the same time, they will tell you the straight poop about their bike. "I had to fix this bitch bitch bitch, I had to change that whine whine whine, this broke complain complain complain."
Much more so than any journalist just because of the time and miles involved.
Sample sizes of one are pretty much useless.
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I can't imagine more than a small percentage of said YouTube followers even ride motorcycles, never mind are actually Ducati customers.
The biggest lesson I'm taking away from social media is that we're learning to distrust everything we see and read on it.
I blame that on the crack pots that are everywhere from science deniers to morons who think Mark Zuckerberg is going to give 10% of his fortune to someone in FB that liked his post.
I've also come to the realization that I probably don't want to know which of my own friends or family IRL fall into this category if I want to interact with them again.
<shrugs>
But it is interesting to see where all this is going.
It seems to me that when I was a child I could reasonably trust that what I was told by a news source (professional journalist) was likely true. At least more often than not their stories were fact checked, even if they were sometimes biased.
Today half the "news" feeds we get are from tiny, unvetted sources, all too often telling half truths or outright lies with an agenda. Use Snopes to check the old stuff, now wait, there are articles discrediting Snopes... Grrrr
Woke up to post this week from a "friend" of one of Jenn's sisters. I liked this quirky person well enough before she started her farmstead live off the grid blog (see the irony) and could look past her militant vegan ways (did I mention she and another "vegan" family member were found crouching over a hotel pan of ribs after our wedding looking like a pair of blood lusting vampires on a binge, hey we served good food at our wedding!) But seriously, if you're following the tragic effects of the spreading Zika virus and the believed link to Microcephaly in newborns in South America (chiefly Brazil) then her anti-vaccer post regarding the TDAP - being the actual cause would be enough to make your head explode or at least want to pull the plug on social media.
What's that coffee mug making the rounds with a lot of Jenn's actual friends say "No your Google Search does Not Equal my medical doctorate".
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Really? Yesterday, a Canadian motovlogger took on Ducati on YouTube, so far with 86,000 views.
Will be interesting to see how it plays out: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MF996juVd
I guess I should have added, useless to ME. I though it would have been obvious. I have no idea what is useful to others. But I would rather hear the kind of thing that comes from new product intros where many journalists get to ride and then, often, give a collective opinion.
PS, I am also Canadian, and quite possibly know the person you are referring to, but the YouTube link is invalid.
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MCN lost Ken Condon to Motorcyclist about a year ago and brought David Hough out of the nursing home (I do like David's writing).
And CycleWorld and Motorcyclist are now both owned by Bonnier so there is bound to be some consolidation there. MC just lost Peter Egan
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David Hough's writing has taken a strange turn of late. After many years as the dean of motorcycle writing about riding techniques, and many awards, he has become obsessed with the idea that the motorcycle industry is pursuing a conspiracy to falsely portray motorcycling to new riders as "safe". Initially, he focused on the adoption of a European-style tiered licensing system (probably a pretty good idea), but he has since devolved into rants that the sport is essentially too dangerous to enjoy. He is 78 years old, and no longer does any riding to speak of (see his responses on the subject of "Fear" in the February MCN), but I'm sorry to see what appears to be the loss of the perspective he demonstrated for so many years.
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The March 2016 electronic version was in my email today. The cover bike- read all (little) about it in the World Motorcycling column. It's a one-off fantasy bike built up from a 15 year old Honda, using 4000 hours of design/build time. :huh:
The big, multi-page comparison article of the month- sunglasses.
Dave has a one-page column at the back all about potholes, just before Fred's article titled "Carpe Diem". Mark Barnes gives his autobiography, as inspired by Dave from a few issues back. Hmmm.
Next month, comparisons between v-twin cruisers from HD, Star, and Indian.
Still only 32 pages, 16 less than (what was) normal. These transition months should prove to be interesting, to say the least. There is no Page 2 editorial... there is no Editor. Yet.
Steve.
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The March 2016 electronic version was in my email today. The cover bike- read all (little) about it in the World Motorcycling column. It's a one-off fantasy bike built up from a 15 year old Honda, using 4000 hours of design/build time. :huh:
The big, multi-page comparison article of the month- sunglasses.
Dave has a one-page column at the back all about potholes, just before Fred's article titled "Carpe Diem". Mark Barnes gives his autobiography, as inspired by Dave from a few issues back. Hmmm.
Next month, comparisons between v-twin cruisers from HD, Star, and Indian.
Still only 32 pages, 16 less than (what was) normal. These transition months should prove to be interesting, to say the least. There is no Page 2 editorial... there is no Editor. Yet.
Steve.
There was still no article on the Scout 60 too. lol but as you noted it looks like that's next month in the V-twin comparo.
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Thats another reason I stopped taking m/c magazines. The use of the word(?), "comparo".
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But did the dip weeds, at least acknowledge the screw up of last month?
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But did the dip weeds, at least acknowledge the screw up of last month?
Not that I noticed in a cursory skim.
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I find this forum, like most others dedicated to a single marque, to be much more biased in one direction than magazines. Brands other than Guzzi are regularly sneered at here, seemingly often without direct experience of what is being criticized.
Sorry, I should have been clearer, I was referring to Guzzi motorcycles. The rest of what you said is spot on. :thumb:
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I should add that in my cursory perusal I noticed an article on design which includes (and I believe criticizes) the Nevada, as well as a historical piece on a racer that mentions Guzzi.
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I know some prefer paper, but you're in the ever dwindling minority.
Kev, I'm only dwindling in certain aspects (help me, help me, I'm shrinking).
On a brighter note, I'm very happy to hear David Hough is writing again. I left MCN quite a few years ago and the last I had heard about David was that he was quite ill.
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Read it off and on over the years. Not a surprise they are having a rough time making a go of it. Many "content" providers are - how many motorcycling websites have come and gone. The ones making big money right now are the ones that use other peoples content and don't make any of their own. Google and Facebook mostly. Can't fight the trend.
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Spoke to someone on the inside today about MCN and was told they are going down probably won't be around much longer.
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Spoke to someone on the inside today about MCN and was told they are going down probably won't be around much longer.
:sad:
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Spoke to someone on the inside today about MCN and was told they are going down probably won't be around much longer.
If it turns out to be the case, that would indeed be sad news. Not least of all because I renewed my subscription for 2 more years just last fall :cry:
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Krap - and I'll bet those of us with active subscriptions won't get our money back..
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I just received latest issue of MCN today. No road test of any bikes. Very thin issue.
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:thumb:
Me too! that's when Roger Hull, Bob and Patti Carpenter did real world tests of new bikes. usually 1000 - 3000 miles. none of this 30-100 miles crap you see today.
Road Rider Magazine
I lived nearby and visited the office a couple of times. Had my name signed on the signature wall. I miss that magazine, and those people.
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Yep. This months magazine was the first one I have ever thrown away after reading. Nothing in it worth keeping.
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Spoke to someone on the inside today about MCN and was told they are going down probably won't be around much longer.
Last two issues have been crap, obviously having problems and Amazon selling subscriptions for $5.00 can't be good. Really too bad, been a subscriber for many years and would hate to see it go away.