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Joined: Feb 20, 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Palos Verdes Estates, California
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:45 am Post subject: Classic/Vintage Bike Magazine - a poll......
Guys (and gals
I figure most of you would love to have a really well-done classic magazine from a U.S. publisher on at least a bi-monthly basis. I'm not saying the current crop aren't good. But I'm talking about something with stellar stories, excellent writing and killer pix - sort of a U.S.-angled version of Classic Bike but with a more of a '70s/'80s (and mostly Japanese) feel.
[Much cheering, pounding of fists, etc....]
Yeah, we feel the same way.
But there are obstacles, the major one being advertising. Yeah, I know....if we build a great magazine with plenty of circ, advertisers will come. True enough. But I'm not sure any publisher I know of is willing to have that level of patience. It may take a year or two, and millions of dollars, before that level of circ can be achieved. So that's the biggie.
The second question is this: Should it be all street, or a mix between street and dirt?
I'd very much like to hear from as many of you as possible. I mean, would you pay for a superbly written, glossy-papered oversize magazine that would cost a lot on the newsstand - say $10 a copy?
Let's get the conversation going, b/c someone's going to do this the right way, and I'm hoping it's us.
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 362 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:53 am Post subject:
There IS such a magazine - Motorcycle Classics. Not sure what you mean by "really well done" vs. what's out there now.
I believe it started up about a year ago. It's published bi-monthly. I found it on the newsstand in its second issue and subscribed right away. Been getting it ever since.
Yes, I would subscribe to another one.
I agree with your target material: not just more 40s thru 60s American and British machines. And as for street vs. dirt - I think it should be both. There are lots of neat dirt or dual-sport semi-classic machines that I'd like to read about - Elsinores, SLs, DTs, early YZs, the first gen of watercooled MXers, etc etc.
Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548 Location: Marshall, MI
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:37 am Post subject:
Too late. Motorcycle Classics is doing just that and doing it well. They are present at major events like Mid-Ohio and are genuinely interested in 60's, 70's and 80's bikes.
Joined: Jan 10, 2006 Posts: 158 Location: Green Oak, MI
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:44 pm Post subject:
Steve Searles wrote:
Too late. Motorcycle Classics is doing just that and doing it well. ....
I've been a subsriber since before the first issue... they have a nice mag, and I hope they keep it up. I also subscribe to Classic Motorcycle Mechanics (UK).
...but $10 per issue? Unlikely.... _________________ (1.) '75/'76 KZ400D - Commuter
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Winterized
Joined: Oct 11, 2005 Posts: 400 Location: San Diego CA
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:21 am Post subject:
I would welcome a new magazine but $10.00 per issue might be cost prohibitive for many folks. I think a combination of street and dirt would fill a nice niche.
Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548 Location: Marshall, MI
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:14 am Post subject:
Congrats, BoldorBoy. You are published and famous. Can I have your autograph? I have been published in numerous magazines and books, I mean my bikes. (I am too ugly for pictures.) Anyway, the 1982 CBX, 84 Nighthawk and Yamaha RD 350 are in Memorable Japanese Motorcycles and the CBX is in the latest Guide to Honda Motorcycles by Doug Mitchel. It gives gratification to a lifelong passion.
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 362 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:53 am Post subject:
Speaking of Motorcycle Classics - I just got the latest in the mail with the BMW on the cover. What a great issue. Love the article on the '75 Gold Wing.
85 pages. Like Boldorboy mentions - pretty dialed in...
Joined: Mar 30, 2007 Posts: 57 Location: Grand Junction, Colo.
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:37 am Post subject:
Not famous because of being published... I'm actually a managing editor for a national mag and know how little goes into getting someone in them... I just thought it was cool so my family could see what I was up to...
I just love the magazine though... the M.E. over there has got a great product that cover the vintage bike niche very well. _________________ Boldorboy
Joined: Feb 04, 2007 Posts: 48 Location: Seymour, CT in beautiful and cold New England
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:35 am Post subject:
Butcher, you mean like a "Classic Motorsports" for old bikes? _________________ Original Owner 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R1 ELR
145,000 mile 1979 Honda CB750F
A pile which will someday be a Blue 1983 CB1100F
www.cb1100f.netwww.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject: Classic/Vintage bike mag
Hi guys
Interesting post from Mitch, and hugely rewarding to read your replies about Motorcycle Classics, which I was lucky enough to launch with Ogden Publications almost two years ago. We've been really well received by old bike fans, and it's great reading your posts and discovering that you know about us and like what you're seeing. The mix in the mag will continue to evolve, so if there's something you're not seeing enough of right now, it's probably coming in the future. For instance, we're lining up more dirt-oriented articles, which a lot of folks are saying that want to see.
We'll be visiting various bike shows through the year, and right now I know we'll be at Vintage Motorcycle Days in July, the Bonneville GP in September and Barber in October. If any of you make it to those shows, drop by our booth and introduce yourselves. It'd be great to meet you. And in the meantime, feel free to drop me a line any time with your thoughts on the magazine.
Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548 Location: Marshall, MI
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:54 pm Post subject:
Glad to have you on our little forum. This has been a great addition to the motorcycle community. Keep up the great work on the magazine. A little more dirt and enduro is a good suggestion. The Honda Elsinores, Suzuki TM's, Yamaha DT Enduros and Suzuki TS machines. Oh the Kawasaki Big Horn. They are some hard core Maico and Bultaco dudes also. Something that is coming up is us baby boomers and a little newer bikes like the early 80's stuff. Examples of course include the 1981-82 CBX, 80's Nighthawks, 900F's, Yamaha XJ's, Suzuki GS1100's, Kaw KZ1000's. V65. The Japs made some good equipment in the 80's. I would love to talk to you about my ideas and maybe submit some articles. I have been doing this since I was 12 and cannot finish my list of bikes that I have owned. I am over 300 and still going. Just bought a 84 Honda Nighthawk 650 shaft drive, hydraulic clutch yesterday. Collection is growing. Keep in touch. Steve Searles, Mar-Creek Motorsports, Marshall, MI 269-781-7788. stevesearles [at] hotmail [dot] com
Joined: Jan 16, 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Amston,CT
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:18 am Post subject: Re: Classic/Vintage bike mag
murphus wrote:
Hi guys
We'll be visiting various bike shows through the year, and right now I know we'll be at Vintage Motorcycle Days in July,
Thanks guys,
Richard Backus
Editor in Chief/Motorcycle Classics
rbackus [at] ogdenpubs [dot] com www.motorcycleclassics.com
What booth will you be in for VMD? We'll be there and would like to stop by.
Thanks _________________ Beth Braun
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