29-06-19, 04:42 AM
(This post was last modified: 29-06-19, 04:44 AM by Millietant.)
I've had MCN every week since I was a teenager, over 40 years ago....until January this year, when I finally got fed up with it and haven't read it since......a very sad end to something I once wouldn't miss for the world.
Like others have said, they lost their way and all they really seem to be doing today is promoting new bike sales and trying to convince us all that paying huge "deposits", low monthly payments for 2 or 3 years and then massive balloon payments (or handing back a bike leaving you with absolutely nothing after 3 years but a big hole in your bank account), so that we've paid 50% more for a bike than what it would cost to buy....is the best way to go motorcycling......and they've not gone ballistic at the likes of Arai/Shoei for only selling helmets that cost more than some bikes :eek , not to mention the protective clothing makers.
I remember reading results from a huge number of national/club events every week, with most of the editorial articles aimed at the typical "rider of the day", plenty of tests and info on affordable bikes/gear and real world info (not stories of what the latest bikes are like to ride in the sun on a press launch in Portugal, in winter......) and that's why I loved MCN.............But not any more, too commercially tied up with the manufacturers and even maybe too "elitist". I think they've forgotten their roots (or their audiences roots) !
Right now, its Practical Sportsbikes and Classic Motorcycle Mechanics for me.
Like others have said, they lost their way and all they really seem to be doing today is promoting new bike sales and trying to convince us all that paying huge "deposits", low monthly payments for 2 or 3 years and then massive balloon payments (or handing back a bike leaving you with absolutely nothing after 3 years but a big hole in your bank account), so that we've paid 50% more for a bike than what it would cost to buy....is the best way to go motorcycling......and they've not gone ballistic at the likes of Arai/Shoei for only selling helmets that cost more than some bikes :eek , not to mention the protective clothing makers.
I remember reading results from a huge number of national/club events every week, with most of the editorial articles aimed at the typical "rider of the day", plenty of tests and info on affordable bikes/gear and real world info (not stories of what the latest bikes are like to ride in the sun on a press launch in Portugal, in winter......) and that's why I loved MCN.............But not any more, too commercially tied up with the manufacturers and even maybe too "elitist". I think they've forgotten their roots (or their audiences roots) !
Right now, its Practical Sportsbikes and Classic Motorcycle Mechanics for me.