My perfect bike magazine....

**slowpoke** · 30th March 2007, 16:09

Another thread got sidetracked talking about the merits or otherwise of various bike mags, with the suggestion made to start another thread, hence this thread.

It's easy to sit back and knock 'em but that doesn't really help them improve the product iunless we don't tell them what appeals to us. So, here's my perfect Kiwi bike magazine contents page:

1/ An interview with Bob Toomey, Dave Hiscock, Glenn Williams, Graeme Crosby, Stu Avant or similar interesting figure from the past. (apologies if any of these people are no longer er, "available"...). Who do you remember from the good ol' days?

2/ Have a road/track test of a serious performance bike by a respected racer. C'mon Shaun, tell us what you really think of a ZX10R.

3/ Have a track test of a top level NZ championship bike, comparison of several bikes, or an interesting contender. I saw an ex-Craig Flood supermoto bike at Taupo a few weeks back and the thing was pretty amazing for something that started out as an XR650.

4/ Profile/interview of a promising up and coming young racer.

5/ Feature a nicely modified readers ride, more than just a slip on and rearsets, something like the old Katana with an USD front end and monoshock rear outside Manfeild at the Nats.

6/ Show/suggest/ride/detail great roads and/or bike routes in NZ. Did someone say Cliffhanger...?

7/ An article on degreeing cams, or shimming valves, or rebuilding/modifying an engine over a serious of issues and evaluating the results. Something a bit more than chain maintenance or wheel alignment.

There's lots more that would have me reaching for my wallet but I can't fit it all in one issue. What would make you go back for a second look?

**Big Dave** · 30th March 2007, 16:19

Cool. There is a letters to the editor link on http://www.kiwirider.co.nz

**jim.cox** · 30th March 2007, 16:24

Originally Posted by slowpoke

Another thread got sidetracked talking about the merits or otherwise of What would make you go back for a second look?

Good topic mate.

I'd be back for a good write up of an interesting backroads trip through a part of the country I dont know

**Dooly** · 30th March 2007, 16:27

I like the idea of articles featuring normal riders and their rides, whatever it may be, even stock new bikes, and their honest opinions formed about their bikes.

**avgas** · 30th March 2007, 16:34

i got most of that from an aussie mag unfortunately

**Blackadda** · 30th March 2007, 16:42

free give aways

free motorbikes to give away

naked................women...........to give away

oh and something about motorbikes I spose!

oh, and things on riding skills, maintenance, bike doing up thingy's, moto gp, riders, more pics, advice, where to get stuff, blah blah blah.... generally more of what's around but bettererer!

**Big Dave** · 30th March 2007, 16:47

Originally Posted by Dooly

I like the idea of articles featuring normal riders and their rides, whatever it may be, even stock new bikes, and their honest opinions formed about their bikes.

Published numerous invitations for kiwi ikers to submit all that - only got a few responses.

**slowpoke** · 30th March 2007, 17:02

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Cool. There is a letters to the editor link on http://www.kiwirider.co.nz

Done diddly done done (10 characters)

**toymachine** · 30th March 2007, 17:03

Playboy with a bike around the back page..

**jim.cox** · 30th March 2007, 17:06

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Published numerous invitations for kiwi ikers to submit all that - only got a few responses.

Dave

a few years ago a did a number of "quick fang" reviews

The idea was borrow a bike for a lunch time and write it up

Happy to do it again....

**slowpoke** · 30th March 2007, 17:18

Originally Posted by Dooly

I like the idea of articles featuring normal riders and their rides, whatever it may be, even stock new bikes, and their honest opinions formed about their bikes.

Hmmm, for my money I want to read about something a bit "special", be it an interesting rider or interesting bike. I wouldn't pay money to read about what I can get standing at the top of the 'taka's or at the Flying Fish cafe. But that's your opinion and that's cool.

Maybe get an average road rider we can relate to (rather than the road test demi-gods) to contribute to the comparison tests? This could be run as a regular prize, to participate and contribute to the next comparo?

**Maha** · 30th March 2007, 17:20

Originally Posted by slowpoke

1/ An interview with Bob Toomey, Dave Hiscock, Glenn Williams, Graeme Crosby, Stu Avant or similar interesting figure from the past. (apologies if any of these people are no longer er, "available"...). Who do you remember from the good ol' days?

Certainly the Hiscocks'.....David (Alive) and Neville (RIP)....both first cousin's of my father..i have great memories of David at Wanganui....along side the likes of Holden/Freath (our very own doc') and Croz to name a few. Spoke to a guy up here a few years ago and he was telling me that Neville was an 11/10ths rider going over the Takas'...would be awsome to here from some of the riders from back then....

**cowpoos** · 30th March 2007, 17:31

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Cool. There is a letters to the editor link on http://www.kiwirider.co.nz

last time I email ross I got no reply....or my letter published!! but it was a bit shall we say opinionated and fruitfully topical!!

**slowpoke** · 30th March 2007, 17:44

Originally Posted by maha man

Certainly the Hiscocks'.....David (Alive) and Neville (RIP)....both first cousin's of my father..i have great memories of David at Wanganui....along side the likes of Holden/Freath (our very own doc') and Croz to name a few. Spoke to a guy up here a few years ago and he was telling me that Neville was an 11/10ths rider going over the Takas'...would be awsome to here from some of the riders from back then....

Yep, those were the days: 500GP bikes (Stu Avant) battling, F1 bikes (Hiscocks' plastic fantastic), vs hotrodded street bikes around Wanga's and Paritutu etc. Great stuff!!