Which is the most read NZ bike Mag?

[cave weta]

when a bike mag rings you and says that you should be buying a full page advert because they are the most read bike mag in the country. What do you do?

Well if its going to cost you $1800 +gst, you ask around a bit first.....

So, please tick a box if you buy any of the listed mags regularly every month
( by subscription or through the shops ) And help me decide whether the 'fourth estate' is worthy of my support.:rolleyes:

[shafty]

While I was a subscriber, and contributor to BRM from Issue 1, since Glen sold it I've found it's all wheelstands and racing;

KiwiRider on the other hand covers manyy bases real well.
I enjoy real ride reports and touring stuff, as well as road tests and news.

I do accept everyone's different!

[one fast tl1ooo]

I get the Motorcycle Trader Magazine

[Blackbird]

While I was a subscriber, and contributor to BRM from Issue 1, since Glen sold it I've found it's all wheelstands and racing;

KiwiRider on the other hand covers manyy bases real well.
I enjoy real ride reports and touring stuff, as well as road tests and news.

I do accept everyone's different!

Yep, I thought it was much better than KR under Glen. Don't buy any of them on a regular basis now.

[nallac]

don't buy any mags regular any more(tho do read M/C trader every month as i print it:clap:)but do buy KR occasionally.

Should add i just bought a 6 month subsription to KR cheap off Trademe.

[martybabe]

I buy most of them but the only must have is motorcycle Trader . Good tests, good articles and listings of all the best bikes and offers from the dealers.

A lot of stuff written these days is just an adventure into the authors own ego, I don't wan't to read an auto biography every time a new bike comes out, a personal touch is fine but waxing lyrical in a hip hop stylie for 6 glossy pages just sucks.

Their is a certain publication from the UK that I never bother with, it's called (super fast performance mega bike adrenalin pumpin top tune wanky rider monthly) or something, it's written every month by a new team selected from amongst the drunken drugged up party time ladyboys and hooray Henrys leaving the soho nightclubs on a Friday night.Only independently wealthy mommy's boys in white leathers with purple mohicans need apply. Three bloody pages of how great theyare, written in text speak, before they even mention the bike which is only worth mentioning if it's 0.00006 of a second faster than the last model::headbang:

Sorry that was a bit ranty wasn't it, I was largely ignored by Santa this year:clap: Anyway back on Topic,Motorcycle Trader FTW.

[P38]

Used to be a regular subscriber to BRM but only purchase occasionally now. Seems it just doesn't hold my attention anymore.

Shame really as it was a good mag.

[McJim]

I miss MCN

[duckonin]

Don't have time to sit and read Weta, plus more info on the puter if needed, not as costly...:msn-wink:

[red mermaid]

Have to be Bike Rider magazine, cause they gave me a bike in there subscriber draw.

[Maha]

MCT, KR just turns up in the mail box.

[crazyhorse]

I enjoy reading the Kiwi Rider mag, but often buy the motorcycle trader as its good to keep up with bike prices and whats out there :)

[p.dath]

I stopped buying bike mags. I suggest you spend your $1800 on web advertising ... how about www.kiwibiker.co.nz?

[Big Dave]

I have seen the latest scan data.
I am happy.
:-)

[crazyhorse]

I stopped buying bike mags. I suggest you spend your $1800 on web advertising ... how about www.kiwibiker.co.nz?

Bit hard to take the computer to the toilet with me when I like to sit and read a mag :rofl: .............. you :tugger:

[Big Dave]

KR just turns up in the mail box.

Over the last 25 years of publication KR has built a large subscriber base.

We'd like more. There is a Gear prize running currently. (http://www.kiwirider.co.nz/subs.html)

[Big Dave]

Bit hard to take the computer to the toilet with me when I like to sit and read a mag :rofl: .............. you :tugger:


I've wiped more bums than any of youse :-)

[Big Dave]

I suggest you spend your $1800 on web advertising [/URL]

What a great idea.

I have several page sponsorhip opportunities open:
[url]http://www.kiwirider.co.nz (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz?)

Or can do a combined Press and Web Campaign for the best bang for buck.

[crazyhorse]

I've wiped more bums than any of youse :-)

?huh? .... with Computers or Mags ???????

[Big Dave]

?huh? .... with Computers or Mags ???????

We had some complaints that the gloss paper was too slick.

[crazyhorse]

We had some complaints that the gloss paper was too slick.

giggle, giggle, giggle.................:rofl:

And the computer? A bit hard to get into all the corners too huh???? :laugh:

[pritch]

A lot of stuff written these days is just an adventure into the authors own ego,



Sad but true.

If there is a test of a particularly interesting bike in a Kiwi mag I may buy it but I don't buy any regularly.

I have BIKE on order and think that's the pick of the bunch, but at $15.00 or thereabout per issue I sometimes think I'd be better off cancelling that and buying a proper book every two or three months. (Actually I do that too.):whistle:

I used to buy the odd Two Wheels Only but that turned into a mag featuring articles along the lines: Three of us went to France for a few days. We bought a big cask of wine. Here's a picture of Fred kneeling in his own vomit.
Oh, by the way, we took three bikes.

All of which was a shame because they had some very knowledgeable guys on the staff.

[Big Dave]

I read a comment on ADV rider about a Brit mag years ago.
'I'm sick of reading about these wanker's paid holidays.'
I have tried to avoid doing that since.

[slowpoke]

Here's some good news for the businesses considering advertising in the local mags: I don't buy any of 'em for the articles. I usually find there's only one or two articles I'm interested in and I just have a quick skim at the newsagent.

BUT, I'll actually buy maybe 1 a year purely for the product/service advertisements if I need something or want to know what is available locally.

[slowpoke]

I used to buy the odd Two Wheels Only but that turned into a mag featuring articles along the lines: Three of us went to France for a few days. We bought a big cask of wine. Here's a picture of Fred kneeling in his own vomit.
Oh, by the way, we took three bikes.


Yup, same here. Even out here at work I usually devour anything bike related that turns up in our magazine rack but the last Two Wheels mag was just an exercise in frustration. "How to lube your chain" or National Geographic type articles where motorcycling is secondary to the location just leave me cold.

I'd rather spend $15 and read every single line than $8 and read only half a dozen pages.

[Big Dave]

Been on a newbie ride and noted how many of them know how to maintain a chain?

[merv]

Over the last 25 years of publication KR has built a large subscriber base.


A loyal one too I'd say.

[pritch]

Been on a newbie ride and noted how many of them know how to maintain a chain?

Not only noobs. Tyre industry research indicates that most riders can't even inflate their tyres correctly. Chain adjustment must be something to aspire to.

Actually, observation suggests that just lubing the chain would be a start for many...

[Big Dave]

A loyal one too I'd say.

Yeah - I think so. And growing. The Scrambler and Kawasaki bike give away promos were quite successful and the ability to subscribe online has been popular.

Challenge now is to keep the quality as high as we can.

I'm on the cover of the next one so it will be a huge seller. :devil2:

Hear that Mr Weta?

I also do agree with Dath that KB is good media for suitable products.

[Motu]

I'm disapointed in Kiwi rider - most of the bike mags I read come into the lunch room with the name of the magazine cut out.I just don't get Kiwi Rider anymore - does that mean the shops don't stock them...or do they sell them all so I don't get to read the unsold ones?

[martybabe]

" or National Geographic type articles where motorcycling is secondary to the location just leave me cold.




With you there mate, how many 'trips through Peru on a c90' can you read before losing the will to live. Bloody marvelous for those involved, I just don't want to read what exotic local food they ate before exchanging some beads for the village virgin, loads of mags with that stuff in. Although I may be interested in a brief summary detailing exactly how many beads and where I should send them :apint:

[oldrider]

Bike magazines just lay about cluttering the place up before I give them away to some professional waiting room for casual reading material!

I usually skim through them at the Supermarket, while her indoors does her shopping. (regularly bought Kiwi Rider and a couple of others)

I look for interesting advertising and articles and if I see anything that interests me, I buy the Magazine and go and read it in the car park while I wait.

Now that Kiwi Rider seal it in an clear envelope, I don't buy it, in fact I don't even bother to look at the cover now!

Any magazine only has about 10 to 15% of each individual's attention anyway the rest only captures your attention because it's there and you have it open!

KR is though, IMHO, a "quality" magazine especially for the price but I wont buy or subscribe to it just by hoping there may be something of interest for me in it!

Lose the stupid plastic bag and invite your readers to participate in your magazine again KR. :spanking:

Oddly enough, KR is not the only Magazine on the shelf but it might soon be, all alone in it's stupid little (leave me alone) plastic bag! :doh:

[Big Dave]

Lose the stupid plastic bag and invite your readers to participate in your magazine again KR. :spanking:


They cost retail sales, but the ad revenue compensates and subscriber copies are already bagged.
Overall End of year sales figures are encouraging.

[kwaka_crasher]

It's time there was a 'Petrolhead' style bike magazine. Free & entirely paid for by advertising - that way you don't mind being advertised to but I'll be damned if I'm going to pay to be. This is the same reason I don't waste my time with "Little Wank's Toys".

[cave weta]

I'm on the cover of the next one so it will be a huge seller. :devil2:

Hear that Mr Weta?



A2 format?:Pokey::clap:

[Big Dave]

A2 format?:Pokey::clap:

Nah - it's not a head shot.

[oldguy]

Over the last 25 years of publication KR has built a large subscriber base.

We'd like more. There is a Gear prize running currently. (http://www.kiwirider.co.nz/subs.html)

Now if it were a new 2010 RMX450 Id be in.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Bit hard to take the computer to the toilet with me when I like to sit and read a mag :rofl: .............. you :tugger:

laptop, wireless network. sorted.

[HenryDorsetCase]

The only local one I get is KR. I subscribed last year when they were doing the Triumph Scrambler giveaway. I didnt fucking win, so had to go and buy one. :( still, great bike and I am happy with it so :) The acid test was whether to renew my subscription, and I decided yes, because I like the local perspective and market angle, and the ads are for stuff I might need. Plus when I am done with them they go in our waiting area. Its a nice counterpoint to the horrible old issues of Time, NBR and The Independent.

[P38]

Plus when I am done with them they go in our waiting area. Its a nice counterpoint to the horrible old issues of Time, NBR and The Independent.

Legend! :niceone:

A Six Month Old, Tatty As Womans Weekly with the crossword already filled in is about as exciting a magizine as I seen in a waiting room around here lately. :(

[naphazoline]

I prefer some of the UK books,over any locals.
"SuperBike" in particular.(It's not for the tight koonts,mind you.:lol:)
Still buy the Motorcycle trader,aswell.

[Big Dave]

The acid test was whether to renew my subscription, and I decided yes, because I like the local perspective and market angle, and the ads are for stuff I might need. Plus when I am done with them they go in our waiting area. Its a nice counterpoint to the horrible old issues of Time, NBR and The Independent.


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[The Everlasting]

I've read Motorcycle Trader for around 2 years on and off,Kiwirider about a year.

[Big Dave]

I'm disapointed in Kiwi rider - most of the bike mags I read come into the lunch room with the name of the magazine cut out.I just don't get Kiwi Rider anymore - does that mean the shops don't stock them...or do they sell them all so I don't get to read the unsold ones?

The obvious answer is sold out, but troof is No idea solly.

[Pixie]

I prefer some of the UK books,over any locals.
"SuperBike" in particular.(It's not for the tight koonts,mind you.:lol:)
Still buy the Motorcycle trader,aswell.

In fact BRM has tried to emulate Superbike with pictures of the Hacks taken with them pulling stupid faces.

[cave weta]

In fact BRM has tried to emulate Superbike with pictures of the Hacks taken with them pulling stupid faces.

If you want to see how far that has progressed.... look at their sister magazine- DRD. I swear that the editor spends more time in front of a mirror than on a bike...

[fliplid]

I miss MCN
Ah, much more absorbent than than glossy magazines.

KR, online sub, cos I'm lazy!

[NiggleC]

I bought the 1st issue of BRM, must of been in 2001 as i bought a bike a week later and it came with a years subscription. Continued to subscribe until 2009 as it seemed to be going the way of Performance Bike. Really just got sick of the seeing the latest CBR/GSX/R... - 600/750/1000 whatever, with its front or rear wheel pointed to the sky.
I am sure that given the tiny market we must be on the world stage that all the NZ based magazines do what they can with the limited choice of bikes they are given by the distributors. It cant be easy to assemble a group of bikes in this country for comparison testing hence the gate crashing of the Aussie based launches.
For what its worth the only magazine I buy these days is Australian Road Rider. Articles written by enthusiasts telling you what they feel about a bike, not if it weighs 10grams less than last years or what its (usually unobtainable) top speed is.

[Gizzit]

I subscribe to BRM & KR. I often buy Motorcycle trader ....

KR is my favourite read though. It covers most of what I want. :niceone:

Sometimes I buy Road Rider..... and it's not bad either .... for an Aussie mag. :D

I am a bit of a bike mag slut really ..... and enjoy checking them all out while I'm at my local BP station, waiting for my daily wild bean coffee .... well mon to friday anyway.

I like to read pretty much anything about bikes. I always have ....

[slowpoke]

For what its worth the only magazine I buy these days is Australian Road Rider. Articles written by enthusiasts telling you what they feel about a bike, not if it weighs 10grams less than last years or what its (usually unobtainable) top speed is.


Sometimes I buy Road Rider..... and it's not bad either .... for an Aussie mag. :D


Haha, each to their own but that thing is the most frustrating mag I've ever read. I read better reports on here and for some reason it prompts images of pipes and cardigan's.......

[shrub]

I've largely lost interest in Kiwi bike mags because the road tests are all the same - filled with praise. Maybe it's because all modern bikes are good or maybe it's because nobody wants to say bad things about an advertisers product, but I can't remember the last time I actually read anything that helped me decide what I thought of a bike. And articles about gear and accessories are just press releases from the suppliers and tell me nothing.

[cave weta]

I've largely lost interest in Kiwi bike mags because the road tests are all the same - filled with praise. Maybe it's because all modern bikes are good or maybe it's because nobody wants to say bad things about an advertisers product, but I can't remember the last time I actually read anything that helped me decide what I thought of a bike. And articles about gear and accessories are just press releases from the suppliers and tell me nothing.

In a nutshell matey!- I havent seen anything objective in any of them when it comes to a provided product.

[Big Dave]

There aren't any bad bikes any more. As I have said on 'ere repeatedly - they are fit for purpose.

Yeah - a Wide Glide is a crap track bike and a Gixxer don't go over well at the clubhouse. You wanna spend $10 to hear that?

My attitude is 'this bike suits this purpose' and write it for those who would be interested in the vehicle.

Objective that. :moon:

[shrub]

There aren't any bad bikes any more. As I have said on 'ere repeatedly - they are fit for purpose.
moon:

That's pretty much the deal, the only bad bike is one that isn't being ridden the way it was designed. A lot of people complained about the Rocket 3 Touring because it didn't have the kahunas of the classic, but it wasn't designed as an all out stupidly powerful muscle bike - it is an awesome, lazy long distance cruiser for people who like to relax on the road. People bang on about what crap bikes Harleys are but Harley Davidson make the best Harleys on the road, and in my opinion Harley is more than a make, it's a type of bike.:Offtopic:

[Big Dave]

Yea - I personally prefer the R3T for its 180 section rear end. It could do with a bigger tank though.

I've also just lived with an Electra Glide Ultra Limited and an XR1200X for the summer. Damn fine motorcycles.:offtopic:

[shrub]

The Classic is a barrel of fun - tapping open that engine is a guaranteed grin, but you're right about the rear tyre. The touring handles much better and that extra whallop of torque makes for very lazy touring. I rode one to the coast and back, and loved every km - even riding over Arthurs in the rain.

I confess to having never ridden a new Harley - must do something about that. :offtopic:

[peasea]

NZ bike mags are all much the same; full of wannabe Rossi riders with their knee down going forty k's around 25k corners. Nobody actually GOES anywhere, fuck all rallies are featured, bugger all touring stories and most features are about bikes being pushed by retail outlets who advertise in the said mags. Boring, boring, boring.

Sure, these clowns reckon they do a zillion k's per year testing this model and that but they all run to their motels when it rains and very few get more than 100k's from home in any given year. Corporate suckups, most of 'em. Damn shame really, so many bikers out there are screaming for a real bike mag.

[Big Dave]

screaming for a real bike mag.

These would be the 'real' bikers I suppose. :cool:

A real 'Biker' mag I can cop. My rag can't do it - we have a kid's section and shoot for a PG rating.

I contributed art to Twin Eagle. Was sorry to see it close. There ain't enough here.

[Muppet]

I've largely lost interest in Kiwi bike mags because the road tests are all the same - filled with praise. Maybe it's because all modern bikes are good or maybe it's because nobody wants to say bad things about an advertisers product, but I can't remember the last time I actually read anything that helped me decide what I thought of a bike. And articles about gear and accessories are just press releases from the suppliers and tell me nothing.

Totally agree with you. I think bike NZ mags are rubbish. Go and get a copy of 'Bike', a UK magazine. Have been buying it for 10 years, when you have a read, you'll see why.

[Big Dave]

when you have a read, you'll see why.

Naturally, as I produce a fair slab of content in four publications, I entirely disagree about the rubbish bit.

Bike is a nice production - but most local readers prefer local content. Some of their production/gimmick budgets would be nice too.

[James Deuce]

I enjoy Bike tremendously. It shows what you can do with a big budget and a direct line to distributors and manufacturers for bikes and gear. However, RuPaul, err, I mean Paul Rupert has gone mental. He used to be "the" performance bike editor for my tastes when he was at PB. He's now an angry eco-weenie with massive internal conflicts and what looks like imposter syndrome. Thankfully he's "just" a columnist, though he has conspired to run a Daytona 675 on apple sauce made by teenagers.

They also have Simon Hargreaves on board, though it looks like a number of factors have conspired to keep control on both his dissolute life and his editorial bent, for which I am grateful. He single handedly destroyed PB. Having said all that I love the way he writes and his fit at Bike is spot on.

However. They spend a lot of time making the tiniest differences in performance, ergonomics and overall character seem like irredeemable failings when the reality is that "normal" riders would be hard pressed to to choose between a ZX10, Blade, GSXR1000, or R1 except by looks and brand loyalty. Riding bikes is an overwhelmingly positive experience. I struggle myself to find anything "wrong" with a GN250, or a BMW F650GS, or a FZ-1. It's really easy to present the easily spotted "failings" of anything and go over and over them. It's much more difficult to present how a particular motorcycle defines the joy in going for a simple ride on a simple bike. You can have great rides on crap bikes, and crap rides on great bikes. The measure of decent critical analysis is knowing the difference and figuring out if the great bike masked the crap ride, or the great ride masked the (nowhere near as much as they used to be) crap bike. How you choose to present the finished article is a personal choice.

[shrub]

Naturally, as I produce a fair slab of content in four publications, I entirely disagree about the rubbish bit.

Bike is a nice production - but most local readers prefer local content. Some of their production/gimmick budgets would be nice too.

I have read some of your work, and as a professional writer i can say you write well. My comment about a lot of "road tests" appearing in local rags is they are little more than a short squirt and cover a couple of pages. I want to read a bit of detail in a road test and I'm afraid a lot say little more than "great bike, awesome on the Mandel loop". But then I guess the Budget word is always a problem in NZ and hiring the Nurbergring for a comparo is a little tricky.

[James Deuce]

The only way you could do that is to have a bike for a few months to cover off the demands presented by your normal riding. The longest I've been granted to get to know a bike is three days.The test bikes are typically some dealer's test bike. NZ distributors don't tend to provide press bikes in NZ. You need to go to Aus to access them. Who wants to do that? *shudder*

[Big Dave]

>> Who wants to do that? *shudder*<<

The 'factory ride' is the reason for the season. I have technicians to set my suspension dontchaknow.

[Big Dave]

I have read some of your work, and as a professional writer i can say you write well. My comment about a lot of "road tests" appearing in local rags is they are little more than a short squirt and cover a couple of pages. I want to read a bit of detail in a road test and I'm afraid a lot say little more than "great bike, awesome on the Mandel loop". But then I guess the Budget word is always a problem in NZ and hiring the Nurbergring for a comparo is a little tricky.

Thanks you. Hopefully Hampton Downs will afford better track opportunity in the new year.

One thing the Ruralman brought up over beers in Dunedin was fuel consumption figures.

Been pondering and I'm not sure how I can do that accurately - I weigh significantly more than the average joe and get lousy figures compared to the Jockeys. Plus I'm usually testing brand new bikes and the fuel economy changes noticeably on some of them as they progressively run in.

[slowpoke]

NZ bike mags are all much the same; full of wannabe Rossi riders with their knee down going forty k's around 25k corners. Nobody actually GOES anywhere, fuck all rallies are featured, bugger all touring stories and most features are about bikes being pushed by retail outlets who advertise in the said mags. Boring, boring, boring.

Sure, these clowns reckon they do a zillion k's per year testing this model and that but they all run to their motels when it rains and very few get more than 100k's from home in any given year. Corporate suckups, most of 'em. Damn shame really, so many bikers out there are screaming for a real bike mag.

Your opinion is as valid as mine but I'm seeing and wanting something totally different. Wannabe Rossi's? I find the complete opposite, with tests of bland every day bikes. It's not the road testers fault, how do you make a GSX650F or M50 make someone want to pick up the mag?

Rallies? What have piss ups in the middle of nowhere got to do with bikes? You could drive there in a car and have pretty much the same experience (so long as no-one actually found your car, haha). Same goes for touring and not running to a motel when it rains: couldn't care less. What has sleeping inside or outside got to do with bikes? Touring/Plodding along for hours on end is just an exercise in frustration. Anytime you need or want some tunes to relieve the boredom does not equate to motorcycling nirvana (for me), quite the opposite.



I enjoy Bike tremendously. It shows what you can do with a big budget and a direct line to distributors and manufacturers for bikes and gear......

........ The measure of decent critical analysis is knowing the difference and figuring out if the great bike masked the crap ride, or the great ride masked the (nowhere near as much as they used to be) crap bike. How you choose to present the finished article is a personal choice.

Not a big fan of Bike, it's just another "all things to all people and satisfying none" type publication. But that's just me, I know I'm more focussed (obsessive?) in my biking interests and have only really found one mag that "fits" me. Which is kind of apt really, after all don't we usually find the same with our motorcycles? Which is also why the whole idea of a "simple ride, on a simple bike" holds no appeal whatsoever. I don't care about the fuel consumption of a GN250, or that sitting up straight knocks the top speed down from 112 to 105kph, and I need more than just the wind on my face and any ol' bike between my legs to make me happy.

You motorcycling scribes are up against it really. Bikes have gotten more and more focussed, and more and more accomplished at what they are good at but it's just the same ol' lump o' meat on top of it, no increased computing power, no skills upgrade etc. Getting a KZ1000 to get the hippy hippy shake happenin' took far less skill than pushing a ZX10R until it starts to get untidy.

[shrub]

What about approaching dealers with used/demo bikes with a couple of thousand Ks on the clock? Fill the tank, ride to lights on and give it back. As for your physical substance, I am a larger gentleman myself and I think a worst case scenario is better than optimum. I'd rather think I had 250kms in my tank and really have 300 than the other way round. I know when I used to sell bikes I always quoted worst case tank ranges to customers.

[Big Dave]

Yeah - I guess I can stipulate this is with a 120kg, 195cm wind sock.

Most dealers are good with me borrowing bikes - but only short term and it's hard to gauge from 'a' tankful.

[Conquiztador]

These would be the 'real' bikers I suppose. :cool:

A real 'Biker' mag I can cop. My rag can't do it - we have a kid's section and shoot for a PG rating.

I contributed art to Twin Eagle. Was sorry to see it close. There ain't enough here.

I used to contribute technical articles to Twin Eagle. When it was sold I think 3 issues came out. And then there was a couple of American Wannabe mags that came out once or twice. That was the end of that and my NZ Bike magazine purchase. Now only read overseas ones. Favorites are MCM from Sweden and Greasy Kulture from UK, no tits and bums just decent customs. Sadly NZ does not have the population to make it worth someones while to produce a decent custom magazine. But I live in hope and would happily once again pick up the pen if need was there.

[BIG DOUG]

I read brm and kiwirider but we have these at work ,I subcribe to cycle source mag from the states a grass roots chopper mag and the editor chris callen is alway a good read also the horse backstreet choppers mag and heavy duty from australia and yea conquiztador twin eagle was a good read shame some people f**ked that up.

[Little Smurf]

I use to buy Motorcycle Trader, Kiwbiker, 2wheels, BRM, AMC, Superbikes and occasionally Rapid. It got abit expensive :lol: so cut it down to 2 AMC and BRM and brought the others when an article caught my eye. Really don't like MT or KB. I can safetly say that I get BRM every month. A very personal choice I know however seeing Mr Williams in fluffy slippers is abit of a scream :yes: the balance of racing and road is good. :)

Its tough when you get asked for advertising I do all the time and trying to find that right balance is a hard one, the net is surely the best way and a publication that you are passionate about seems to work for myself. Good luck.

[Big Dave]

heavy duty from australia

Brummy is a good bloke to travel with too.

Boris is also real good fun. At some of the launches there are heaps of 'moto-noters' from the region in attendance and it's a phat time.

[cave weta]

Google is my friend!- virtually all my customers tell me- " oh we just googled 'Dirt Bike tour''


New Zealands 'first dedicated dirt bike magazine'- you know- the one with 5 readers.... I advertised every month for a year and never got a phone call. I started to get a little depressed when I noticed that virtually every letter to the editor was from a 10 year old boy with a DRz 125 and they were asking for free stickers. :wacko: The final straw came when I picked up an issue in the supermarket and it had a two page article on 'How to perfect your look-backs' FFS! :tugger:

[Big Dave]

Are you just shooting the messenger?

Did your ad have the AIDAS ?

Attention - Interest - Desire - Action - Satisfaction.

[cave weta]

Dave - that was when the mag was sized to be read undercover inside school text books. frankly- had I known that that their target readership audiance was the under 15 schoolboys, I would have created an ad with more WANK - We'll Ask Nanna K? .....cos she is the one who bought you the bike in the first place.

[Jantar]

While I was a subscriber, and contributor to BRM from Issue 1, since Glen sold it I've found it's all wheelstands and racing;

....
+1. When BRM changed owners the content changed dramatically from a riders magazine to a wankfest mag. I no longer buy either BRM or Kiwirider.

[Big Dave]

Sorry - I can't offer anything constructive there Weta - other than I have good relations with all the NZ media and we're all doing the best we can for our customers.

PS - I added the 'he so excellent' tags. :-)

[peasea]

Must admit we attended a rally in 08 in the car, fuckin' funny. We were very well equipped though. As for "what have pissups in the middle of nowhere got to do with bikes?" Heaps I reckon. If you do it in the middle of town you get hassled no end, either by the cops or noise control and I'd much rather take the bike than the car to any event, be it a pissup, bike show, Tupperware evening or a Jo Seager bakeoff.

[peasea]

While I was a subscriber, and contributor to BRM from Issue 1, since Glen sold it I've found it's all wheelstands and racing

Ditto, I've lost interest completely, it's myoipc to say the least and every cover looks the same. Glen R was good at covering all the bases and he took a keen interest in anything with two wheels, whether it was a sidevalve HD, a BSA or a Velocette from yesteryear or a cutting edge superbike with anything in between being fair game for a feature. I don't think I've sent BRM anything for a year or more and unanswered emails piss me off to the max!

[Gizzit]

There aren't any bad bikes any more. As I have said on 'ere repeatedly - they are fit for purpose.

Yeah - a Wide Glide is a crap track bike and a Gixxer don't go over well at the clubhouse. You wanna spend $10 to hear that?

My attitude is 'this bike suits this purpose' and write it for those who would be interested in the vehicle.

Objective that. :moon:

Fair comment Dave. I pretty much think the same, re there aren't any bad bikes anymore. Some are more sophisticated in suspension or in other ways, but they don't make crap bikes that I grew up riding. Back in the 1970's, things were a lot different. I was hard to find good handling and reliable bikes until the japs started to learn stuff, and gradually get better and better. Even BMW's and Duc's have improved, not to mention the great improvment in Triumph !!!
Now it's just a matter of choosing a bike you can afford, and is suitable for your intended purpose. I really appreciate what's available these days ...... but I still really enjoy reading reviews of bikes and gear, simply because i love BIKES .. and gear !! :)

[Big Dave]

I'm stubborn about being open minded. :crazy:

[slowpoke]

The local racing coverage is one of the few reasons that I consider buying them at all, and BRM are to be applauded for backing the Summer series. Now that I think about it I'll make a point of buying an issue for that very reason.

I particularly enjoy Glen Williams' articles on ridng technique, with a lot of the information equally applicable on the road. Actually knowing the guy, and knowing how good he is, makes reading his impressions of such local delicacies as a Tigcraft Aprilia, GSXR450 etc all the more interesting.

So why so few tests of our own race equipment, which is quite different to most other countries? How different is a Pro-Twin from a road going SV650? How does Shaun Donnely's beautiful old Z1000 go? Chris Sales amazing XR500 fire breather? Johan's subtley modified Ducati 998 or the KTL 999? We've got some farkin' cool bikes out there, that no-one hears anything about.

[twotyred]

* none of the above...

[Big Dave]

<<so why="" so="" few="" tests="" of="" our="" own="" race="" equipment,=""><<</so>that no-one hears anything about.<<
<so why="" so="" few="" tests="" of="" our="" own="" race="" equipment,="">
We did several pages on Ray Clee's bike, and others recently. Rhys Jones reviews a classic bike every month too.

We also have in depth technical stories on race machines by Michael Esdaile who is 'the booka' on that stuff.
</so>

[carver]

when a bike mag rings you and says that you should be buying a full page advert because they are the most read bike mag in the country. What do you do?

Well if its going to cost you $1800 +gst, you ask around a bit first.....

So, please tick a box if you buy any of the listed mags regularly every month
( by subscription or through the shops ) And help me decide whether the 'fourth estate' is worthy of my support.:rolleyes:

you talk to ya old mate carver and enlist his help for $0000.000+GST

haha....

Il give ya another mention when i get one of the new KTM's

[Lula]

Seems the riding community is still reading the Motorcycle Trader and News magazine.

Readership is up 14% from from last year so good to see your still interested in knowing what's out there to buy :yes:

And not just relying soley on Trade Me.

(Please see the attached)

[avgas]

* none of the above...
what he said.

I know they try.......and good on them for the effort.
but mostly what they deliver I could get for free off the net.

[scumdog]

Bring back Twin Eagle!

[Big Dave]

what he said.

I know they try.......and good on them for the effort.
but mostly what they deliver I could get for free off the net.


A lot of people still prefer paper - for a number of functions.

[Big Dave]

Bring back Twin Eagle!


If I could see it working - I/we would but the numbers are too small.

[trailblazer]

i think brm is a good mag with good coverage of kiwi events. In my opinion it has a bit of everything from adventure riding, cruisers and sports bike i really only read about the adventure riding and the sports bikes and racing events. There are also some good product reviews aswell. Besides they support motorcycling in this country so we should support them or they won't bother to support us. my2c

[dilligaf_nz]

Been pondering and I'm not sure how I can do that accurately - I weigh significantly more than the average joe and get lousy figures compared to the Jockeys.

Hey, I'll volunteer my services to test ride any new bikes, to assist with fuel consumption calculations, my 85kg should put me in an "average" rider category. Plus I'll even string out a few words on the good, the bad and the ugly of the machine too. :yes:

[Conquiztador]

Hey, I'll volunteer my services to test ride any new bikes, to assist with fuel consumption calculations, my 85kg should put me in an "average" rider category. Plus I'll even string out a few words on the good, the bad and the ugly of the machine too. :yes:

You and the rest of us.