The Prophet

August 15, 2010

More bad news for the formerly iconic Cycle World magazine:

Soup :: Ex-GP Racer Leisner Named To Head Cycle World :: 08-06-2010

Let's ponder the situation:

A.) An Editor (Mark Hoyer) who in a moment of irresponsibility declares to the motorcycling world the riding without any protective gear at all is fine. One can only think that he was attempting to ingratiate himself to the skull and crossbones sector of the posing (and subscribing!) world.

B.) A continual habit of finding "Letters to the Editor" from newbies or novices that they can ridicule, in-joke, and gang up on the sender. Wouldn't it be more mature to merely ignore the letter, and trash-bin it?

C.) Unbelievably bad "Tech" advice, based upon subjective, opinionated tribal knowledge, that can only be the result of cow-towwing to advertisers. "A .05% increase in HP at 14,000 RPM, for only $4,357.00! This is a great investment!" (say wha"?).

D.) The fantastic, and great writer and diplomat for the entire motorcycling world, Peter Egan, trapped in a periodical that struggles each month to find a niche in the ever changing bike world. Advice: be who you are, what you are best at, and what you used to represent. There are (and have been) a TON of silly, immature, useless half-porn pre-teen directed bike magazines that come n' go every year. Don't join the heap in the trash pile.

E.) The finest Technical writer on the motorcycle planet, Kevin Cameron, also trapped within the pages of a now hopelessly low-tech rag. Oddly, in many issues, someone else writes some lame article or reply that embarrassingly differs from what Cameron just stated in his column. Where's the Editor?

F.) A horrid "Forum" consisting of half a dozen bitter "Know-alls" that somehow the entire Motorcyling Industry passed on! If you read the threads with a sense of humor, I guess it's ok, but if ever any group of basement dwelling keyboard tappers were more full of themselves, the world would implode from the weight! To be read for sadistic (or sarcastic!) fun only.

In the end, a perfect recipe for disaster, which is unfolding. I predict (unless the unbelievable happens) a "new and improved" version of the once solid mag, this time with 95% advertisements, articles and reviews skewed towards the largest dollar advert accounts, more female skin - especially on the cover (sex sells, so they say), and Egan and Cameron suddenly "retiring" more or less, but still publishing freelance.(Read as "resign").

I currently subscribe to Cycle World, RoadRunner, and Motorcyclist magazines, so the loss of CW won't be a big deal, as we've seen this coming for roughly a year now.

Your thoughts?

Ride (and read) Safe!

Bob

__________________

• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
• Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me

motowebmaster

I've never been a Cycle World die-hard fan; my experience spans a few subscription runs that were allowed to expire.

All things change, and it would seem that an era has come to an end at CW. In reality, what would they do when Peter Egan finally did stop writing?

Maybe some new blood would help CW in the long run. It seems that all US-based motorcycle publications are going through some drama now. It is a good time for a progressive organization to step up and take a leadership role.

For the record, I haven't renewed Motorcyclist either. Still on the fence after the last fiasco.

__________________
Shawn
My Photos

Speedtrip

Haven't renewed mine either, done with Motorcyclist for a while.

Found this on another portal don't have a link though.

Quote:

Breaking: Larry Little Ousted at Cycle World by dean adams Wednesday, August 04, 2010 Longtime Cycle World Publisher Larry Little was ousted from his position today at Hachette Publishing. His departure was not related to the Cycle World/Ducati/Rossi/Misquote saga that unrolled today. Little was not the only Cycle World exec to leave, his associate Paul LaBella and others were ousted as well. This follows weeks of rumors that Hachette's New York and European arms were considering major changes at Cycle World. This follows longtime Cycle World Editor (In Chief!) David Edwards leaving Cycle World last October.

New blood may not be a bad thing Egan and Cameron have had a long run. I plan on keeping CW for the time being and maybe pick up another mag that is not as redundant as CW and Motorcyclist.

The Prophet

It all depends on what type of riding and other "stuff" you are into I guess.

I like touring, local history and longer rides, so my kids got me a subscription to RoadRunner. Maybe they want me to travel more often?

It's sort of for maybe an... older(?) crowd (read 45+, but maybe that's a tad judgemental on my part?). 90% Trip reports of guys (and gals) on Long Range type bikes touring hopefully unique places in the Americas. . Eventually you get the feeling these guys are maybe retired? Independently wealthy? On the Lam?

After the travel tomes, about 5% gear reports, and then maybe 5% Bike reviews

If you enjoy hittin' the road 'n travelling - fantastic rag. Chief Editor is a woman, so no Macho tough guy scenario's. 100% ATGATT for sure in this mag.

Not upscale nor snobby at all, and many of the Travel stories are from freelance or amatuer writers.

Light cardboard 'tear at perforation' maps for the tank bag are provided for the trips, and the reports vary from funny, to super serious to wierd.

No Choppers whatsoever, or "know-alls" to instruct you in detail exactly how you should live, ride and think.

Obviously, no gratuitous bikini layouts, nor any sultry, leggy types draped over fuel tanks, etc.

Good mag, try it.

Ride (and read) Safe!

Bob

Speedtrip

Road Runner is on my short list along with Motorcycle Consumer News. I also occasionally pick up sport bike rags at the news stand if they have something that catches my eye.

motowebmaster

I enjoyed the latest issue of CW at the local Barnes&Noble this evening. It had a "10 Best" that wasn't too dramatic, but like other mags crowned the BMW S1000RR with Top Honors.

It is a different magazine though. Interesting that it's competition includes British magazines that consumers will pay twice as much for here in the US.