March - Bike Magazine

[TonyDevil]

<!--quoteo(post=148863:date=Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 12:47 PM:name=Geordie Guy)-->QUOTE(Geordie Guy @ Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why did he not reflect this in his magazine then !!!!!!!<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
ash him that?
and see if he'll print it in the letters area?

[peterkelly]

<!--quoteo(post=148863:date=Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 02:47 PM:name=Geordie Guy)-->QUOTE(Geordie Guy @ Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 02:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->This was Mike's reply .........

<!--sizeo:2--><!--/sizeo-->Hi Ivan, thanks for the response.

The comments on the TDM were intended to highlight its genuine usefulness. It is a good bike. But, at the same time, it's not as young as it used to be - suspension and equipment levels have progressed significantly in recent years and, while 900 is still clearly capable, it hasn't quite the polished edge of newer machines.

Obviously, on its own, away from the microscopic world of magazine tests, there's nothing to complain about. And, personally, I've a soft spot for the twin - we ran one on a previous magazine I worked for, and it was the office favourite whenever someone actually needed a 'proper' motorbike!

Thanks again, and hope you continue to enjoy reading Bike.

Mike<!--sizec--><!--/sizec-->

Why did he not reflect this in his magazine then !!!!!!!<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I got exactly the same reply back when I sent THIS yesterday:

<i>

Mike

Why is it that your magazine's New Bike Guide still seems to show the TDM as being too dull to get enthusiastic about and asks"who actually buys these?"

Perhaps the TDM is bought by who appreciate

- decent performance around 80bph
- light weight at around 190kgs dry
- incredible value to buy and run
- brilliant fuel economy (50 -70 mpg)
- supreme comfort
- utter reliability
- ability to cope easily with luggage and passenger

If this bike had been fitted with BMW or Ducati badges on the tank (and £3000 more on the price) perhaps it would be more appreciated.

Given a few bends, a TDM, ridden with vigour but safely, will hold its own with the vast majority of bikes in the real world!

I am speaking from my own experience of about 80,000 TDM miles on daily commuting trips, tours, rideouts and of course, Isle of Man TT visits.

Keep up the good work, but please give buying advice for real-world bikers who actually want to use the machines they are going to invest in.

Pete </i>

I tried to keep to positive and am pleased to see he has replied to us. I genuinely hope that the media does take note of TDM-types in future and if we write to them perhaps they will.

Pete

[Studley Ramrod]

What if......hehe, someone actually sent him an email totally agreeing with his words of wisdom, slagging off the TDM big time ? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

Be interesting to see how he responds...........hmmmmmm.

[tdm850rider]

<!--quoteo(post=148845:date=Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 05:05 AM:name=pete7)-->QUOTE(pete7 @ Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 05:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->What is interesting is that, despite the media sports-bike fixation, the "adventure" market as a whole is growing faster than any other. It might (possibly) herald a change in emphasis to motorcycle media across the board.
D. O'Saur<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Even Ducati has the 'Hypermotard'... I never thought Ducati would make anything but sportsbikes.

[geordieguy]

<!--quoteo(post=148875:date=Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 02:44 PM:name=Studley Ramrod)-->QUOTE(Studley Ramrod @ Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->What if......hehe, someone actually sent him an email totally agreeing with his words of wisdom, slagging off the TDM big time ? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

Be interesting to see how he responds...........hmmmmmm.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Well volunteered Studley [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif[/img]

[Guest]

If the TDM is so crap, how come the sports bike ridinmg numptys can't get away from them on real roads and twisties?

I don't subscribe to any mag 'cos they're all as bad as each other.

[steve-evans]

Like many others, I gave up buying mags ages ago because they are mainly written for 'power ranger' types and had little to offer practical bikers like us; I even cancelled my subs for MSL last year because I thought it was becoming stale. However, as far as the 9er is concerned, it now has a very high price tag and other manufacturers do produce newer alternatives which cost around the same or are only a little more expensive, many of which most of us have not had the opportunity to test ride and compare.

[JONNYBRAYY2K]

Do you think Dandy could outrace a journo on a modern 600 with a standard TDM 900. THat would make a top class article.

Could put a top box on it and dress in him fluorescent textiles.

Not sure how plausable this is. But would certainly be good to read about.

[TonyDevil]

could have someone waiting with his zimmer frame for when he gets off the bike....

[wicklamulla]

FFS this topic is pointless imo, why get baited by some article in a bike mag ? Ivan yer turning into Pict.

[geordieguy]

<!--quoteo(post=148944:date=Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 10:54 PM:name=wicklamulla)-->QUOTE(wicklamulla @ Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 10:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Ivan yer turning into Pict.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

cheers, Wicky [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif[/img]

It might be pointless, but so is a blunt compliment.

As Disraeli said to a young lad who asked what he should do with his life ......... " Agitate ! "

Move over Pict there's a new kid in town [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/badgrock.gif[/img]

[chrislarkin]

<!--quoteo(post=148936:date=Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 10:31 PM:name=TonyDevil)-->QUOTE(TonyDevil @ Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->could have someone waiting with his zimmer frame for when he gets off the bike....<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I volunteer to be that someone!

[dicky1]

Putting a different angle on it I believe the TDM is a serious bike for doing serious travel. Unlike many of the flashy week-end toys TDM's get used and go places & get you back again.

Perhaps as a toy it's less exciting but now I've grown-up? I have less need of toys [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blush.gif[/img] well most of the time anyway.

[wicklamulla]

<!--quoteo(post=148948:date=Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 11:27 PM:name=Geordie Guy)-->QUOTE(Geordie Guy @ Tue 2nd Feb 2010, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->cheers, Wicky [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif[/img]

It might be pointless, but so is a blunt compliment.

As Disraeli said to a young lad who asked what he should do with his life ......... " Agitate ! "

<!--coloro:#FF0000--><!--/coloro-->Move over Pict there's a new kid in town [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/badgrock.gif[/img]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--><!--colorc-->
<!--/colorc-->


Oil drink to that [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/excl.gif[/img]

[vilguy]

I too have ditched my magazine subscriptions, ill buy maybe 3 or 4 of them a year as they all have the same reviews in that at the same time. Its silly.

Ill usually buy the mag because it contains an interesting article etc, usually a special etc that i like.

However the journos are simply pandering to the british markets, we brits have never taken into the whole big trailee thing in the way that many of the other european countries have, we're all too focussed on sports bikes etc. Ok, having said that, the trends are changing and the multi purpose bikes sales are increasing year on year, whilst sports bike sales decline, but the truth is, its still a predominantly sports bike orientated publication.

Most people still use their bikes as a weekend play thing and the TDM just doesnt fit into that image for alot of people.

I can perfectly understand why they say such comments in a magazine and ..well i just ignore them.

Most of my previous bikes are bikes that the press hate, so the prices of them remain low.. which is all fine by me! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

[geordieguy]

<!--quoteo(post=149060:date=Thu 4th Feb 2010, 11:14 AM:name=vilguy)-->QUOTE(vilguy @ Thu 4th Feb 2010, 11:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->and ..well i just ignore them.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Hi, vilguy from your cousin Geordieguy [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif[/img]

Fair comment, but for me there comes a time when enough is enough,

I traded a few e-mails with Mike the editor and the point was made,

I doubt he will print a retraction but like has been said above, the only thing the press understand is selling copies.

So boll@cks to them, my money is staying in me pocket.

I'll buy some Autosol and polish me bike instead. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif[/img]

Cheers, Ivan

[mcbodge]

<!--quoteo(post=148805:date=Mon 1st Feb 2010, 11:34 PM:name=Matlock)-->QUOTE(Matlock @ Mon 1st Feb 2010, 11:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I subscribe to Bike....For the last few months they should have changed the magazine's name to "1 Litre Sports <b>Bike</b>"! There have been individual tests of eack of the major manufacturer's 1000cc sportsbikes each month. Then a group test of 1000cc sportsbikes the next month. Then, when a new 1000cc sportsbike comes out and they test that. Then, next month, they do another group comparison with the new bike.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I agree. I bought a few issues and noticed the same thing. I'm just not interested in super-sports bikes.

The problem is that for most bike owners in the UK, a bike is a <b>toy</b> that is used very occasionally, and only in good weather. The mags reflect this with boring reviews about the microscopic differences between bikes that are all too much for most riders, that provide a bit of conversation in pubs and outside cafés on sunny mornings.

If my brother-in-law is anything to go by, the bike is owned for bragging rights more than riding.
ie. Commuting about 5 miles across South London on a track-biased Sports 600, <i>but only when the weather is within a very narrow temp and humidity range</i>,
Him: "<i>It's uncomfortable, but it looks good -By the way, how fast does your tourer <sic> go?</i>" [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img]
Me: "Well, I've had over 35mph out of it, so on that basis faster than yours" [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]

This post was last modified: 05-02-2010, 03:03 PM by mcbodge.

[shaftdrive]

the numptys at bike magazine should get in touch with an owners club and get a real world feed back on a bike, its the likes of a TDM that are the back bone of biking as in evry day all day biking [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif[/img]

[stu]

"Media publishes something not true" non-shocker. Lot of people getting worked up over not a lot.

Only time I want the bike to be popular and in demand is when I'm selling one. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ivortripod]

'Motor Cycle Sport and Leisure' is the only one I read [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drinks.gif[/img]