best/favorite motorcycle magazines

[dannyleo]

Something I read on the PP board prompted this. What is your favorite bike magazine and why? Multiple choices allowed. Moderator: feel free to add as you see fit.

[kbasa]

I wish Cycle was still around. Erudite writing, excellent technical advice and some terrific photography made it the benchmark in motomags.

These days, I get Cycle World so I can read Egan, Motorcyclist (Lord knows why, it's not the same since McQuide died) and ON, of course. I like to read OTL as well, mostly because they seem to have the best intelligence.

I've got 25 years of motorcycle and car mags spread around our atrium right now. I like reading the old columns and looking at the pictures of the old bikes back when they were new.

But, I've got shelving up and am sorting through the mess so I can read them and enjoy them all again.

[99007]

Hey , Road Bike just converted to being all metric all the time. I liked it so much I subscribed. it is now my official #2 bike mag. you ought to give it a look see.

[gsanderson]

If I was on a desert island and could get only one magazine washed up in a bottle every month, it would be Cycle World. It has good overall coverage of the motorcycle world, great photography and writers.

I used to subscribe to MCN, but gave it up. I currently get the AMA, MOA and RA publications as part of their membership perks.

[YB in IN]

I'd rather read any of the British bike mags any day over the drivel (except for Peter Egan) that the commercial American motorcycle press puts out every month. In order to get really good coverage of motorcycle racing around the world, you have to turn to the Brit mags. The American mags are so focused on AMA racing that the more interesting series are sorely neglected. Also, the reporting on new bike launches seems to be better, and the comparison tests that they do are way way cooler. Like an 1150 GS, a TransAlp, and a KTM Adventure going head to head. You just don't see that kind of stuff in the American mags as often. Just my $.02 worth.

[jgr451]

How about OTHER , Cycle Canada?

One of the BEST.

[mcmxcivrs]

Originally posted by jgr451
How about OTHER , Cycle Canada?

One of the BEST.

This makes it two votes! I don't read too many of the US publications anymore. The dollar conversion makes the subscriptions way too high, plus I prefer having the Canadian industry news, pricing, and advertising. I've been getting Canadian Biker latley also. I like its Western Canada focus for rides and news, but it leans a little too far towards Harley favouritism for me. Of course the ON is a favourite read too.

[MarkF]

I like "on the road" stories more than the head to head what's new stuff. That's why I read Rider and ON.

I also get OTL. It's not in the same league but very entertaining none the less.

I would probably get a Canada mag or two if they weren't so darn expensive in the states.

MarkF

[kbasa]

Originally posted by SlashFiveTourer
KBasa...you got any old ROAD RIDERs in that stash on the floor of the "atrium"??

Sorry, but no.

I was too squidly for RR.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by dannyleo
Something I read on the PP board prompted this. What is your favorite bike magazine and why? Multiple choices allowed. Moderator: feel free to add as you see fit.

I added Cycle Canada and put up a vote each for jgr and '94-RS.

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by GSAnderson
If I was on a desert island and could get only one magazine washed up in a bottle every month, it would be Cycle World. It has good overall coverage of the motorcycle world, great photography and writers....

Except that they walk on eggshells, afraid to raise the ire of any manufacturers. Kind of like another magazine I can think of. I find CW little more than an advertising arm of the major manufacturers, except for Peter Egan. The British Mags, OTOH, seem more honest and unbiased.
For instance, go back through some back issues of CW looking for references to "surging" regarding the F650GS. IIRC, the CW phrase in their "long term wrap up" was "initial problems that have been corrected by the factory". BIKE, OTOH said something to the effect of "the pig was almost unridable" which was a lot closer to the mark for a few unsuspecting buyers. And as WE all know, it has never been corrected by the factory.

And I have to admit it, my "one magazine" choice wouldn't involve motorcycles!

[LORAZEPAM]

I like Road Runner, it is a touring magazine, and I like the tank bag maps they have in the back. The writing is not the best, and they are a bit weasely on the bike reviews, but they do have some really nice destination ideas in the magazine.

[dannyleo]

I should have added Sport Rider (I can't seem to change the poll once I've posted it). The Feb 04 issue is great with stuff on suspension setups and adjustments, downshifting, and aftermarket wheels (including explanations of Moment of Inertia, etc.)

[jgr451]

Originally posted by dlearl
.

And I have to admit it, my "one magazine" choice wouldn't involve motorcycles!

Yeah and every once in a while in THAT OTHER magazine there is a picture of a motorcycle..come to think,one of its recent winners was rewarded with a R1200;wonder how she liked it??

[kbasa]

Originally posted by dannyleo
I should have added Sport Rider (I can't seem to change the poll once I've posted it). The Feb 04 issue is great with stuff on suspension setups and adjustments, downshifting, and aftermarket wheels (including explanations of Moment of Inertia, etc.)

I added Sport Rider and put a vote in for you, danny.

Sport Rider varies pretty widely for me. Sometimes there's super useful stuff in there and sometimes it's yet another UFO shootout.