Motorcyclist - RIP - ASAP

[SwollenRaccoon]

I agree with every single comment made. Boehm tried to be too cute, and Catterson seemed to have a superiority complex. The new young guys seem capable, but I think you all were spot on about making it into some sort of artsy-fartsy pretty-boy rag. I will not be renewing. The only reason recently that I kept renewing Cycle World was to read whatever Kevin Cameron wrote, and whatever the recently semi-retired Peter Egan would have for space. Whoever made the decision to head in this new direction made a big mistake, even though they've probably been promoted and don't realize the turd they've created. I'm done with them.

(And by the way, stating the obvious, we all know the only real, honest, truthful, unbiased information is right here, on this beautiful forum).

 

[BigOgre]

Both, Cycle World and Motorcyclist have turned into coffee table picture books. You don't need content for this. Pretty pictures, nice binding, that's all. Perfect compliment for the affluent hipster motorcycle owner....who takes his Thruxton or Ducati to the shop to fix the simplist of things because he doesn't even own any tools or know how to use them if he did.
So the importance of forums like this has just increased.

Just to put a twist on all this; thinking typing out loud. There's been plenty of talk about the future of motorcycling. Accepting that maybe us old farts simply aren't on the radar screen anymore, if pretty pictures lures more young people into riding, however one might define 'riding', maybe(?) it's a good thing??

 

[John d]

The latest issue of Cycle Canada points to its demise as well.

 

[Knifemaker]

Both, Cycle World and Motorcyclist have turned into coffee table picture books. You don't need content for this. Pretty pictures, nice binding, that's all. Perfect compliment for the affluent hipster motorcycle owner....who takes his Thruxton or Ducati to the shop to fix the simplist of things because he doesn't even own any tools or know how to use them if he did.

So the importance of forums like this has just increased.

Just to put a twist on all this; thinking typing out loud. There's been plenty of talk about the future of motorcycling. Accepting that maybe us old farts simply aren't on the radar screen anymore, if pretty pictures lures more young people into riding, however one might define 'riding', maybe(?) it's a good thing??

I'm sure there are some riders..owners of motorcycles that love the new format. They - Don't need any letter section, (they tweet) no "service" section (see my comment about tools) and nothing to technical.

Basically the "dumb blonde" version. But you do have a point.... so I hearby pledge to take all my remaining issues I receive and slip them into the magazine rack at doctors offices, dental offices, and even car service waiting rooms.

 

[FJR Flyer]

Cameron is posting regular videos to accompany his articles. He and Egan are the best out there.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I just received a notice from Motorcyclist to RENEW for 1 year for only $19.97 with instructions to Detach here and mail top portion in the postage paid envelope enclosed....which, of course, was NOT enclosed or I certainly would have used it to let them know how much I detest their junk mail filling my mailbox 6 times a year.

 

[ndivita]

I cancelled my subscription last month but I guess it hasn't kicked in yet.

I'm embarrassed to say that I ever subscribed to it.

I just received the latest edition. One of the articless featured on the cover story is entitled "Riding on Weed." 'Nuff said.

I flipped through this is edition just long enough to remind myself how FUBAR is this periodical.

It's really very badly done. They should be ashamed.

 

[RC65]

Add me to the list of those who have not reupped their subscription to the new coffee-table-like, picture-heavy, hipster versions of both Motorcyclist and Cycle World. The latest edition of Motorcyclist, which its aforementioned articles on Riding on Weed and other nonsensical stuff, was the final issue of my subscription taken out some time ago and, as well, a final affirmation that letting my subscription lapse was the right move for me. My sub to Cycle World also ran out with their last issue. I believe that makes Rider the only magazine left I have an active subscription to...a far cry from the five or six I had a half-dozen years ago or so (when Cruiser was still a viable magazine). I do like Road Runner magazine, but I don't really tour much, and prefer articles on bikes and other industry info rather than articles on trips I'll never take and typically have little interest in learning about.

 

[Bounce]

MCNews.com

 

[mech 1 twa]

MCNews.com

Good mag. Much info. So many don't know it exists.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Preaching to the choir. That's all we are doing. All we are doing is bitching like old ladies at the gossip fence. If it makes us feel better to vent to each other, fine.

I took it a step further.

For those of you that care, the email address is: [email protected]

I care. So I sent this:

Dear Ari Henning,

Sir I have followed your journey with Motorcyclist since the excellent article that brought you to California several years ago. I am a fan, I am an admirer, and I respect you. I have confidence in your riding and your writing.

Your new version of Motorcyclist sucks. I have been reading this magazine off and on since childhood and this is the worst it has ever been. For the first time ever, I read two articles and walked straight to the trash with your magazine. I have never done that with any motorcycle periodical. Truly I have not been this disappointed since I found out the truth about Santa Clause.

I realize that times change, that electronic publishing is The Future and that the target audience has evolved. Some of us dinosaurs have not evolved. Some of us still want to hold a paper magazine and read honest evaluations. Some of us still want to see dyno charts, quarter mile times and speedometer errors.

The only positive take away from the new format is that I anticipate you will soon be saving a lot of trees. I would anticipate the number of subscriptions dropping off and thus the need for paper diminishing. I certainly won’t be renewing my subscription.

Respectfully Disappointed,
Andrew Lewis

 

[HotRodZilla]

WHY do you guys keep talking about Santa Clause like he's gone. Its May. He doesn't come out in May.

 

[FastJoyRide]

And - if there's going to be some announcement about the Claus (aka MadMike) then MEM deserves the decency of a spoiler alert!

Dave

 

[Powerman]

Wife renewed it, it's her job. Forgot to tell her.

Now instead of looking forward to the mags, the mail box fills up and the Postal Service holds the mail.

My job I have been told.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I have not been this disappointed since I found out about Santa Clause.

HUH? What about Santa Claus ? mg2:

He uses FedEx to get a lot of his packages delivered on time.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

In a surprising update, I received an e-mail response from Mr. Ari Henning today. He was very understanding, he was polite, and he was honest. The magazine has been almost completely taken away from he and Zack Courts. They have less input and less control than they ever did. He suggested I look at the video work that he and Zack are doing, he says he is trying to keep that in line with the "Old Motorcyclist" and not in line with the new version.

I am impressed at how prompt and polite his response was. I will have to ponder this. I don't have to ponder renewing my subscription. That I refuse to do.

 

[BobbyBlue]

One of the ways I passed the time while disabled these last 13 years was going to the local B&N, drinking far too much coffee and perusing the many magazines on display...I always purchased something every few days, "paying the rent" as it were...my interest are varied and there was always something new to behold in the worlds of Motorcycling, Guitar Playing, Photography, Aircraft, Electronics as it relates to Audio, Bonsai and many other things...in 2010 I started to notice a real shift, especially in the US products...much more imaging, pictures and flashy graphics and less and less editorial content and sub par writing content with much more advertising per issue...being an astute observer of behavior I also noticed something else...folks were looking cover to cover in mere minutes instead of taking any time at all to actively read...this came in conjunction with the popularization of the smart phone and most seemed content to glance back and forth between them...I noticed the magazines shrinking in size as well as content...I had the opportunity to observe this both here in "military city USA", San Antonio, as well as the 'burbs of greater Seattle...it appears we are in the midst of another consumerism shift as us aging boomers must make way for Generation Next...millennials, hipsters and even Xers don't like the subtle art of perusal, shopping and heaven forbid, eye contact or speech with others of their species and find anything not on a touch screen... annoying... and the employees and managers have told me these brick and mortar giants may be on their way out altogether...the FedEx, UPS and delivery drivers require no smiles, nods or the annoying verbiage...I am old enough to know life is cyclical and things change...we see this everywhere and many of us will miss these things as our parents and to some extent grandparents missed their trappings and yearn for yesteryear...but we all know nothing beats the visceral wind in the face vibration through our bodies as the real deal...no image, graphic, or 3D impression will ever replace it....so it is, so it was, and so it doobie...

...and indivita, I agree about the "weed" article...superglide peyote will be my next ghost write..."tripping with tripping"...how annoying...

BobbyBlue

 

[Mr_Canoehead]

In a surprising update, I received an e-mail response from Mr. Ari Henning today. He was very understanding, he was polite, and he was honest. The magazine has been almost completely taken away from he and Zack Courts. They have less input and less control than they ever did. He suggested I look at the video work that he and Zack are doing, he says he is trying to keep that in line with the "Old Motorcyclist" and not in line with the new version.
I am impressed at how prompt and polite his response was. I will have to ponder this. I don't have to ponder renewing my subscription. That I refuse to do.

I actually quite enjoy the videos. Zack and Ari seem like decent guys and there is some chemistry between them. Their ride in Australia was pretty hilarious when they ordered a Vegemite sandwich....

John Burns wrote an interesting article on this subject (magazines, not Vegemite) and the comments are pretty uniformly negative: https://www.motorcycle.com/features/cycle-world-gets-redrawn-quartered.html