When I moved to the US from the UK, I started reading the US bike mags. While I still prefer the UK Bike/Ride mags I've found a couple of good ones here. However, Motorcyclist mag/tv is not part of it. Perhaps because I am used to writers being cynical about marketing, the difference was very VERY clear.
They seem to be very marketing oriented, saying what the manufacturors want us to hear, with no serious attempt to do anything except push product. The TV show is especially bad at that. I have'nt seen one bike review on that show that told me what I wanted to know. It all seems so 'nice' and I'm sick of it. The only way I am going to believe you if you say a bike is brilliant is if you don't say EVERY bike is brilliant. Any their lead tester, (name of Kusagi or something similar), has all the TV presence of a loaf of damp bread. Completely useless.
Since I'm on this rant, can I repeat my point about Dave DeSpain, made on an earlier thread. The man is a smiling, slimey mouthed, air-headed waste of air time.
Anyways, back to topic. I don't buy the mag anymore and I've stopped watching the show. I know MO has been going through some hard times, but at least you know when it reviews a bike it'll say what it actually thinks - which is bloody usefull.
PS. Did I mention that I don't can't stand Dave DeSpain?
PPS. Good to see that Johno is still testing, he kinda dropped off the radar for a while there. But what happened to his weekly rants? I loved the way they stirred up discussion.... or is he just lying low until the war is over, doing the politic thing at the moment? (And before I get flamed, that was a joke)