Bike magazines - value for money?

**jamiey** · 18th August 2008, 20:18

Not only do we all love riding bikes, some of us like reading about them too, talking crap about em, discussing them on the net, watching them on TV etc etc etc.

Having my monthly fix of a decent mag seems to be becoming more difficult. I find KIWIRIDER Ok, but after reading the first 1/4of the mag (10mins) the rest is for Dirt riders, adventure riders, kids section then adverts. Now I don't think the sections shouldn't be there - I know each to their own, and alot of people probably like the dirt / adventure / KR kids sections, just not for me thats all. I also find the bike reviews are a bit short, uninformative and not that well written. I know I couldn't do any better myself and fully respect the journos that get to travel the country riding great bikes, I just think sometimes they could be a bit more thorough.

So my other choice for a NZ read is BIKERIDER MAG. I feel this is a better read for me, better bike reviews and often has some good articles to read, but its quite thin and I probably get about an hours decent reading from it.

My other choices in my local supermarket, service station are the Aussie ones, TWOWHEELS etc. Again there OK but nothing that really grips my interest for any longer than a few minutes, so after a few months of reading, spending my cash on them I finally decided I would stop my expensive addiction and just go witjout or "borrow" other peoples.,

That is until however I was in my local BP last night. (Don't worry I didn't buy any gas from these robbing thieves, who always increase gas prices for others to follow - oops i think this is off topic). Anyway i was having a browse at the mags. There i spotted SUPERBIKE, a UK mag. Had a quick flick, saw loads that I wouldn't mind reading so I took it to the counter.

F*****NG $16.

I nearly passed out, but not wanting to look like a cheap fecker, I handed over my hard earned (ok-hardish) and walked out with my $16 mag in hand.

Anyway got it home and got my nose into it. Ahhh nice, i can sit here ignore the wife without been growled at and read in almost peace and quiet. So i had some gr8 quality extensive reviews to read about all kinda bikes. A 600 supersport shoot out between 6 600's, articles on the best bikes ever, IOM racing, interviews, tech help, jokes, mods, product reviews, etc etc etc - hours of fun. Oh and naked women on bikes in the centre pages - just perfect, hours of reading I can spread over a few days.

But my enjoyment is somewhat dampened by the fact it cost me $16. $16 for a mag, daylight robbery the thieving scumbags. BUT.......

Roll on next month for the next copy

**pete376403** · 18th August 2008, 20:21

Subscribe to Cycle World (USA) It's so cheap at the moment you can overlook the ads and so on

**Pedrostt500** · 18th August 2008, 20:28

The Motorcycling comunity in NZ is still to small for spacific targeted magazines, ie sports bike only or MX only mags, so they have to have a finger in every pie, but I like this as I enjoy reading about the different disiplines of Motorcycling in NZ.

**toebug** · 18th August 2008, 20:29

Buying UK mags is not cheap! First you have the currency conversion then you have shipping. If you find a mag you like subscribe to save a bit. I find UK mags to be good quality and informative. I subscribe to Streetfighter mag since I like modified bikes, and I read it from cover to cover.

Locals mags probably struggle and need to cover lots of topics to attract as wide an audience as possible. I'll buy one if they feature my bike!(anyone?)

**Rockbuddy** · 18th August 2008, 20:38

Originally Posted by pete376403

Subscribe to Cycle World (USA) It's so cheap at the moment you can overlook the ads and so on

+1 i got a two year subscription it cost about $30 i think, not expensive at all

**Big Dave** · 18th August 2008, 20:40

Originally Posted by toebug

Buying UK mags is not cheap! First you have the currency conversion then you have shipping. If you find a mag you like subscribe to save a bit. I find UK mags to be good quality and informative. I subscribe to Streetfighter mag since I like modified bikes, and I read it from cover to cover.

Locals mags probably struggle and need to cover lots of topics to attract as wide an audience as possible. I'll buy one if they feature my bike!(anyone?)

We'll have a look. 3 good pics and 600 words about it and send to editor@kiwirider.co.nz

we pay $150. (I think.) if it runs.

**jamiey** · 18th August 2008, 20:41

Originally Posted by Pedrostt500

The Motorcycling comunity in NZ is still to small for spacific targeted magazines, ie sports bike only or MX only mags, so they have to have a finger in every pie, but I like this as I enjoy reading about the different disiplines of Motorcycling in NZ.

Yep, 100% agree. And if you want a bike specific mag you gotta be prepared to pay for it. Perhaps somebody on KB who has publishing ability could start a knida cheap monthly newspaper. Get reviews, articles, event news etc from everday bikers here on KB, wanna be journos etc. A few 100 to subscribe at a few bucks a month would cover any costs, maybe a tiny profit. Could be perhaps a cheap read for those who need a regualr fix??

**Griffin** · 18th August 2008, 20:44

BikeRider magazine is my favourite - they have a dollop of each discipline and some very informative articles. They put out a survey last month asking what readers wanted too so that says that they are looking to improve and grow to incorporate more ideas etc.

True, its not the fattest mag on the shelf, but give it time (tis only young) Im sure it will become the NZ fave... and written by kiwis for kiwis... cant beat that IMO.

**toebug** · 18th August 2008, 20:44

Originally Posted by Big Dave

We'll have a look. 3 good pics and 600 words about it and send to editor@kiwirider.co.nz

we pay $150. (I think.) if it runs.

Cheers BigDave!!! It will be refinished next week and blinged to hell, I'll get some pics and send an e-mail while its still very clean!!

**Swoop** · 18th August 2008, 20:49

Originally Posted by jamiey

Perhaps somebody on KB who has publishing ability...

There might be someone on here that is a bit of a dab hand at photo-journalism stuff...

**jamiey** · 18th August 2008, 20:51

Originally Posted by Griffin

BikeRider magazine is my favourite - they have a dollop of each discipline and some very informative articles. They put out a survey last month asking what readers wanted too so that says that they are looking to improve and grow to incorporate more ideas etc.

True, its not the fattest mag on the shelf, but give it time (tis only young) Im sure it will become the NZ fave... and written by kiwis for kiwis... cant beat that IMO.

Suppose buying it, supporting it, staying with a kiwi mag it will get fatter, better etc

**Darth Fader** · 18th August 2008, 20:52

I know how you feel... I have the same problem here in Cape Town. I have actually stopped buying magazines all together.
I ride a cruiser (M1800R), but all you read about are superbikes and Harley's (no disrespect to the Harley and superbike riders). I am also not into adventure riding, and I feel that there are more than enough magazines that cater for that segment of the market, so why should it be forced down my throat everytime I buy a bike magazine? As for the rest of these magazine's content, it's always reviews of bikes that the average man in the street will never be able to afford...eg. Ducati's and other expensive Italian makes.

I think I'll start buying porn magazines...at least I'll get excited with every issue...

DF

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 18th August 2008, 21:01

I agree mate, UK mags are alot more flash than NZ ones. The amount of biking public in th UK is massive compaired to NZ this is born out by the number of publications on there shelves. I guess if you want quality you have to pay for it and until the demand for better mags over here grows we shall have to keep paying premium prices for the pomy stuff.

**Padmei** · 18th August 2008, 21:01

ill haf a go at this jurna... jonal... writtin thig

**Muppet** · 18th August 2008, 21:02

Originally Posted by jamiey

Not only do we all love riding bikes, some of us like reading about them too, talking crap about em, discussing them on the net, watching them on TV etc etc etc.

Having my monthly fix of a decent mag seems to be becoming more difficult. I find KIWIRIDER Ok, but after reading the first 1/4of the mag (10mins) the rest is for Dirt riders, adventure riders, kids section then adverts. Now I don't think the sections shouldn't be there - I know each to their own, and alot of people probably like the dirt / adventure / KR kids sections, just not for me thats all. I also find the bike reviews are a bit short, uninformative and not that well written. I know I couldn't do any better myself and fully respect the journos that get to travel the country riding great bikes, I just think sometimes they could be a bit more thorough.

So my other choice for a NZ read is BIKERIDER MAG. I feel this is a better read for me, better bike reviews and often has some good articles to read, but its quite thin and I probably get about an hours decent reading from it.

My other choices in my local supermarket, service station are the Aussie ones, TWOWHEELS etc. Again there OK but nothing that really grips my interest for any longer than a few minutes, so after a few months of reading, spending my cash on them I finally decided I would stop my expensive addiction and just go witjout or "borrow" other peoples.,

That is until however I was in my local BP last night. (Don't worry I didn't buy any gas from these robbing thieves, who always increase gas prices for others to follow - oops i think this is off topic). Anyway i was having a browse at the mags. There i spotted SUPERBIKE, a UK mag. Had a quick flick, saw loads that I wouldn't mind reading so I took it to the counter.

F*****NG $16.

I nearly passed out, but not wanting to look like a cheap fecker, I handed over my hard earned (ok-hardish) and walked out with my $16 mag in hand.

Anyway got it home and got my nose into it. Ahhh nice, i can sit here ignore the wife without been growled at and read in almost peace and quiet. So i had some gr8 quality extensive reviews to read about all kinda bikes. A 600 supersport shoot out between 6 600's, articles on the best bikes ever, IOM racing, interviews, tech help, jokes, mods, product reviews, etc etc etc - hours of fun. Oh and naked women on bikes in the centre pages - just perfect, hours of reading I can spread over a few days.

But my enjoyment is somewhat dampened by the fact it cost me $16. $16 for a mag, daylight robbery the thieving scumbags. BUT.......

Roll on next month for the next copy

Dude, check this out...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=171655236

Lots of good reading, am making room for the next 10 years worth!!!!