You guys ever notice that all the motorcycle magazines seem to test the same bikes? Which (if any) mags do you guys read and why?
tt

I get Rider and I don't see that.

tommyt wrote:
You guys ever notice that all the motorcycle magazines seem to test the same bikes? Which (if any) mags do you guys read and why?
ttProbably because the magazines are owned by the same publishing company.
I've noticed this with other mags. I think your best choice is too find the mag you like and stick with it instead of buying several.
I am a VW bug lover and used to subscribe to several VW mags. After the first year I realized that all those mags basically had the same articles except written by different writers. What a waste of money.
I also noticed they apparently run out of things to write about and repeat the same stuff over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over

Yep, I subscribe to Cruiser...(formerly Metric Cruiser) ...I see it. By the way, when did our 1700's become mid sized? (Thats what the mag says.) I know theres a couple bigger but damn. I remember when my 1200 was a monster.

A lot of it has to do with the way the manufactures do press releases. They invite all the publications to the same junkets. So it's not surprising they all write about the same bikes. Biggest bang for the buck for the manufacturers that way. The different mags are a matter of tastes as far as what they tend to focus on. Do you like photos of the girls with little clothing on, or the in depth research and detailed reviews... or something a little in between. Take your pick.

Mid size? What do they call all the Harley Glides, Mini bikes?

I have also noticed that 75% of the mags out there are also geared only for HD's. They might throw a metric in there every now and then but you see all of the great parts and you can't get any of them for our bikes.

I get different magazines but I will probably cancel a few because they are strictly HD mags.

Do they have to have a Victory in every bike comparison test.

tommyt wrote:
You guys ever notice that all the motorcycle magazines seem to test the same bikes? Which (if any) mags do you guys read and why?
tt

No

I subscribe to RoadRUNNER and Cycle World.

Cycle World for the Tech articles and reviews.

RoadRUNNER for the articles. They travel all over the world, have some really GREAT maps and information about different parts of the country.

I prefer CYCLE WORLD after trying most others....CW has very little Harley D. advertising...and last month none at all??? I maybe wrong, but I believe it is because HD does not like the fact that CW tells the truth. when it test rides different bikes against each other...like as I recall, a Triumph Thunderbird to a Harley FLH series (I think?) anyway CW said Thunderbird had better preformance and ride than HD???
before that if I recall CW road tested for "Cruiser of the year" a Roadliner to a Harley and the Roadliner had a better ride and preformance was better (I do realize that the Roadliner has a bigger motor)
this is not Brand Bashing??!!! I have had other magazines, like American iron, who I believe do not run comparison road tests of other brands of bikes and have plenty of HD advertising....which goes to prove the old saying "Do not bite the hand that feeds you"

Mike....
PS..I also like MotorCycle Classics mag:
it takes us old folks back to the days
when real men kickstarted motorbikes, and ended up with knee replacement??!!!

I like Motorcycle Consumer News. Kinda pricy ($22) per year, but Fantastic articles. THey review the same bikes as the others but have reag saftey articles, and they call a spade a spade. They have no advertising and no shiny pages.... just good stuff.
tt