Anyone frustrated with magazines?

ClassCClairVoyant
Edited Date/Time 8/5/2012 8:14am
I realize that times have changed and people are more interested in tabloid type media but still, it is virtually impossible to get factual, technical information about bikes now. Manufacturers specifications appear to be written by their PR departments (nothing new there) and magazine editors obviously don't feel it is part of their job description to even attempt something as technical as weighing a bike, measuring the chassis, or doing a dyno test. Yes, I know MXA makes a lame attempt at doing it once in a while but it should be done consistently for every bike tested. I also question just how stock those bikes really are when they are being hand picked and specially prepped by the manufacturer before they are tested.
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Biscuit
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Biscuit 8/4/2012 11:38am
8/4/2012 11:38am
Wow!
rmpilot
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rmpilot 8/4/2012 11:40am
8/4/2012 11:40am
ClassCClairVoyant wrote:
I realize that times have changed and people are more interested in tabloid type media but still, it is virtually impossible to get factual, technical information...
I realize that times have changed and people are more interested in tabloid type media but still, it is virtually impossible to get factual, technical information about bikes now. Manufacturers specifications appear to be written by their PR departments (nothing new there) and magazine editors obviously don't feel it is part of their job description to even attempt something as technical as weighing a bike, measuring the chassis, or doing a dyno test. Yes, I know MXA makes a lame attempt at doing it once in a while but it should be done consistently for every bike tested. I also question just how stock those bikes really are when they are being hand picked and specially prepped by the manufacturer before they are tested.
why dont you just put the bike on you scale in your bathroom and post the results?
lostboy819 8/4/2012 12:10pm
8/4/2012 12:10pm
ClassCClairVoyant wrote:
I realize that times have changed and people are more interested in tabloid type media but still, it is virtually impossible to get factual, technical information...
I realize that times have changed and people are more interested in tabloid type media but still, it is virtually impossible to get factual, technical information about bikes now. Manufacturers specifications appear to be written by their PR departments (nothing new there) and magazine editors obviously don't feel it is part of their job description to even attempt something as technical as weighing a bike, measuring the chassis, or doing a dyno test. Yes, I know MXA makes a lame attempt at doing it once in a while but it should be done consistently for every bike tested. I also question just how stock those bikes really are when they are being hand picked and specially prepped by the manufacturer before they are tested.
mx_563
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mx_563 8/4/2012 12:19pm
8/4/2012 12:19pm
In my opinion, the kids have Transworld. The industry fans have RacerX. Norco has MXA. Haven't seen Dirt Rider in a while but Denison looks like he just got his pubes so I'm guessing he's still bedazzled by anodized aluminum and other forms of "bling". Jimmy Lewis' ego was a bit annoying but his ability to ride an XR400 fast garnered respect. Dirt Bike is a shell of it's former self but at least they still have Webb. Lawson was better when he raced competitively (ISDE, etc). Now he seems more interested in touring bikes. Eh, it is what it is.

I'd pay $30 an issue for a dirt bike magazine run by Rick Sieman. He's not qualified to test a modern bike, but he is qualified to critique a test report or an editorial. Just my two cents.

The Shop

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Ramrod
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Ramrod 8/4/2012 12:30pm
8/4/2012 12:30pm
I loved magazines but I read too much MX shit online plus podcasts. By the time the mag comes I'm over it...
4mxonly
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4mxonly 8/4/2012 1:03pm
8/4/2012 1:03pm
Ramrod wrote:
I loved magazines but I read too much MX shit online plus podcasts. By the time the mag comes I'm over it...
This.
ClassCClairVoyant 8/4/2012 1:25pm
8/4/2012 1:25pm
Maybe I am full of it here. The mags are probably catering to the needs of their readers perfectly and that means the old school section with real-world specs are no longer relevant. I miss that...
backinthesaddleagain 8/4/2012 1:34pm
8/4/2012 1:34pm
mx_563 wrote:
In my opinion, the kids have Transworld. The industry fans have RacerX. Norco has MXA. Haven't seen Dirt Rider in a while but Denison looks like...
In my opinion, the kids have Transworld. The industry fans have RacerX. Norco has MXA. Haven't seen Dirt Rider in a while but Denison looks like he just got his pubes so I'm guessing he's still bedazzled by anodized aluminum and other forms of "bling". Jimmy Lewis' ego was a bit annoying but his ability to ride an XR400 fast garnered respect. Dirt Bike is a shell of it's former self but at least they still have Webb. Lawson was better when he raced competitively (ISDE, etc). Now he seems more interested in touring bikes. Eh, it is what it is.

I'd pay $30 an issue for a dirt bike magazine run by Rick Sieman. He's not qualified to test a modern bike, but he is qualified to critique a test report or an editorial. Just my two cents.
+1 superhunky
GuyB
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GuyB 8/4/2012 1:55pm
8/4/2012 1:55pm
Frustrated? No. I don't read any of them, and haven't for quite some time. Smile
Elbows
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Elbows 8/4/2012 2:45pm
8/4/2012 2:45pm
I still get Transworld because my kids sell magazines at school. I usally just tear out the poster and throw it in a drawer. I don't like looking thru 20 pages of advertisements before I get to the first article. I know it pays the bills but Transworld has went overboard.
Marshj
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Marshj 8/4/2012 3:05pm
8/4/2012 3:05pm
ClassCClairVoyant wrote:
I realize that times have changed and people are more interested in tabloid type media but still, it is virtually impossible to get factual, technical information...
I realize that times have changed and people are more interested in tabloid type media but still, it is virtually impossible to get factual, technical information about bikes now. Manufacturers specifications appear to be written by their PR departments (nothing new there) and magazine editors obviously don't feel it is part of their job description to even attempt something as technical as weighing a bike, measuring the chassis, or doing a dyno test. Yes, I know MXA makes a lame attempt at doing it once in a while but it should be done consistently for every bike tested. I also question just how stock those bikes really are when they are being hand picked and specially prepped by the manufacturer before they are tested.
I had the same frustration and a realization that there were no honest reviews and product/bike tests without some industry back flogging and rub downs. So we fixed it and took the task on ourselves. Its been a blast to test new products each month. We buy all the products we review and do not have industry connections that make us show favoritism. We don't have a print magazine, but feel that is a dying art. But our website is becoming popular since our launch in March.

We try to review as many products as we have time to test, and running a new long term bike test annually as well as more short term tests coming. Judging by our traffic, ClassC you are not the only one who felt this way.

Jeff Marsh
ClassCClairVoyant 8/4/2012 3:26pm
8/4/2012 3:26pm
Marshj wrote:
I had the same frustration and a realization that there were no honest reviews and product/bike tests without some industry back flogging and rub downs. So...
I had the same frustration and a realization that there were no honest reviews and product/bike tests without some industry back flogging and rub downs. So we fixed it and took the task on ourselves. Its been a blast to test new products each month. We buy all the products we review and do not have industry connections that make us show favoritism. We don't have a print magazine, but feel that is a dying art. But our website is becoming popular since our launch in March.

We try to review as many products as we have time to test, and running a new long term bike test annually as well as more short term tests coming. Judging by our traffic, ClassC you are not the only one who felt this way.

Jeff Marsh
Awesome!!! I had read the neck brace review last week and had no idea who did that. Thanks...
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jmar 8/4/2012 4:29pm
8/4/2012 4:29pm
mx_563 wrote:
In my opinion, the kids have Transworld. The industry fans have RacerX. Norco has MXA. Haven't seen Dirt Rider in a while but Denison looks like...
In my opinion, the kids have Transworld. The industry fans have RacerX. Norco has MXA. Haven't seen Dirt Rider in a while but Denison looks like he just got his pubes so I'm guessing he's still bedazzled by anodized aluminum and other forms of "bling". Jimmy Lewis' ego was a bit annoying but his ability to ride an XR400 fast garnered respect. Dirt Bike is a shell of it's former self but at least they still have Webb. Lawson was better when he raced competitively (ISDE, etc). Now he seems more interested in touring bikes. Eh, it is what it is.

I'd pay $30 an issue for a dirt bike magazine run by Rick Sieman. He's not qualified to test a modern bike, but he is qualified to critique a test report or an editorial. Just my two cents.
So what you are saying is, that you like Sieman?
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bigborefan 8/4/2012 4:58pm
8/4/2012 4:58pm
You might like TBM out of the UK. They still know hose to test a bike IMO.
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pete24 8/4/2012 5:13pm
8/4/2012 5:13pm
i have every MXA from 75-2000 i love reading the old ones and i believe they try hard on tests, and Jody is a pretty hardcore mx er although he licks deCosters nuts big time, ya i agree KTM is putting money in two strokes and Jody loves them, but the for stroke bulldozers they make are complete shitboxes compared to the worst jap bike, LET THE RODGER D LOVE GO JODY, i dont buy mags any more i hae a new thing called the internet, o and after Super Hunky left Dirt Bike the only other mag was MXA , those other ones arent even good shit paper
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Hando 8/4/2012 6:03pm
8/4/2012 6:03pm
MXA and RacerX are the only ones worth reading

I stopped reading Dirt Rider when Ken Faught left, the older ones are good

TWMX.....Donn know's he's on borrowed time.
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Drtbykr 8/4/2012 6:59pm
8/4/2012 6:59pm Edited Date/Time 8/4/2012 7:09pm
Nope, but I don't get Dirt Bike because of Webb's "writing". nor MXA because that mag is good, but it makes me want to be mega-rich and get all the bling.

Subscribe to Dirt Rider for the good writing and tech. tips, and Cycle World. I don't even care about street bikes, but their enthusiasm and first class writing make it an awesome read, like a mini encyclopedia for motorcylists, love it..
Lewis's ego is big, but hey, Paris to Dakar!
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Ramrod 8/4/2012 7:31pm
8/4/2012 7:31pm
I get RacerX and MXA. I like the bike tests from MXA so I at least know whats going on.

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Scott167
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Scott167 8/4/2012 7:38pm
8/4/2012 7:38pm
Ya max for tests racer x for race reports write ups etc. transworld hasn't been the same since 06-07
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Drtbykr 8/4/2012 7:56pm
8/4/2012 7:56pm Edited Date/Time 8/4/2012 7:57pm
TW deserves props for getting rockets like my favourite, Ashley Sarto, Gina Montoya and DD to do video's and photo sessions. If I had any one of those girls, I wouldn't need a bike....no time!
Ramrod
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Ramrod 8/4/2012 7:59pm
8/4/2012 7:59pm
Drtbykr wrote:
TW deserves props for getting rockets like my favourite, Ashley Sarto, Gina Montoya and DD to do video's and photo sessions. If I had any one...
TW deserves props for getting rockets like my favourite, Ashley Sarto, Gina Montoya and DD to do video's and photo sessions. If I had any one of those girls, I wouldn't need a bike....no time!
This is true ... shwing
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Moto Soul Mag 8/4/2012 8:00pm
8/4/2012 8:00pm
I find it hard to believe there is less information now, rather than more. There are many more sources for bike tests than there used to be.
For bike weights, www.motorcycleusa.com seems pretty good, but they are still manufacturer specs. They also have decent bike evaluations.

Is it Cycle World that does all those technical articles on bikes with a bunch of graphs and nitty gritty technical info? It's cool but nobody reads that stuff, I hate to say.
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CR250Rider 8/4/2012 9:50pm
8/4/2012 9:50pm
Bauer
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Bauer 8/5/2012 1:52am
8/5/2012 1:52am
mx_563 wrote:
In my opinion, the kids have Transworld. The industry fans have RacerX. Norco has MXA. Haven't seen Dirt Rider in a while but Denison looks like...
In my opinion, the kids have Transworld. The industry fans have RacerX. Norco has MXA. Haven't seen Dirt Rider in a while but Denison looks like he just got his pubes so I'm guessing he's still bedazzled by anodized aluminum and other forms of "bling". Jimmy Lewis' ego was a bit annoying but his ability to ride an XR400 fast garnered respect. Dirt Bike is a shell of it's former self but at least they still have Webb. Lawson was better when he raced competitively (ISDE, etc). Now he seems more interested in touring bikes. Eh, it is what it is.

I'd pay $30 an issue for a dirt bike magazine run by Rick Sieman. He's not qualified to test a modern bike, but he is qualified to critique a test report or an editorial. Just my two cents.
Norco has MXA...Hahahahaha!
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jemcee 8/5/2012 2:14am
8/5/2012 2:14am
Ramrod wrote:
I loved magazines but I read too much MX shit online plus podcasts. By the time the mag comes I'm over it...
yep.. which does suck a bit I stopped reading them but couldn't bring myself to stop my subscription but it was getting ridiculous (see attached photo)

only the top one is open but I'm still gonna read em DC I promise haha
unknownmxr 8/5/2012 8:14am
8/5/2012 8:14am
If you look in a garbage can, you will only find garbage. The magazines exist to sell bikes and parts. This leads to a psychology of looking for issues with the bike instead of working on skill and fitness.

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