Neil's July Editorial

[Paul955I]

I was not too impressed by the Donny Petersen piece in the June issue. But rather than complain better to just ignore him. Then I read Neil's editorial in the July issue. To suggest that we need to take space in Cycle Canada to represent the subset of motorcycling that Donny Petersen represents stretches incredulity...I'll believe it when Easy Rider profiles Valentino Rossi. Nice try Neil, but it does not compute. Thank goodness for your strong pedigree as a Cycle Canada staffer and thank goodness for Uwe. Your combined talents are why I will keep reading.

Paul Clarry
Aurora, Ontario

[toomanycrayons]

I was surprised to see a certified hooligan interviewed, too, but after I calmed down, I realised that neither Al Gore, David Suzuki, nor Amanda Lang had cited him for all the evils of the world. What a relief.

I'd never heard of Petersen. Apart from thinking-At what age does "D[o]nny" not work?-I was left with the impression that I don't have to like everybody who rides a bike.

I suspect that not everyone likes me, either. ( "I lay awake long nights worrying about that.") I'm sure D[o]nny does, too. He obviously loves that beautiful old motor. I like it, too. If you have to be human, then there's something to build on.

Thanks for the exercise, Neil.

[Smiley]

Neil, you don't owe us any explanations and definitely don't apologize for a well written, interesting piece.

To the rest of you hand-wringers see my post under the "Hells Angels are you kidding?"

There is a very slim line between an HA thug and some of our "captains of industry".

Now how about an interview with the very accomplished HA top fuel drag racer, just to stir the pot!!

[Paul955I]

No disagreement about the slim line between the criminal element and some of our captains of industry. But I'd object to them being profiled in the magazine as if just because they ride they are somehow deserving of more air time than any of the rest of us. What's next, a profile of some motorcycle riding rapist or pedophile?

[TimP]

What's next, a profile of some motorcycle riding rapist or pedophile?

If otherwise law-abiding and socially upright individuals rode their bikes dressed as rapists (however that might manifest), yes, that would be an interesting connection worthy of observation and debate by other motorcyclists. If one's public presence screamed "pedophile" as one rode down the street, you'd think that rider might want to consider the implication to his/her fellow citizen.

[Smiley]

As I'm the only devil's advocate here and this thread is an ongoing white hat- black hat rant, let's look at it another way.

Say we find out that RamJak (subsidiary of Union Carbide) has been quietly but knowingly poisoning the air and water for decades and that the 2 headed children and three penis'd dogs are in fact a result of said poisons. Not to mention the countless cancers for many miles around.

It turns out that the hero CEO of RamJac,who has made many shareholders rich beyond belief, has an interesting hobby. He is an enthusiastic and talented enduro rider.

Our hero tackles the Dakar and finishes in a very respectable position. Neil Graham runs an interview with hero.

Do CC readers rise up in similar ire as expressed against the DP piece?

I didn't think so either.

[Paul955I]

Huh!!!!

So we are picking on DP because of his HA connection? Are you assuming we would not pick on a murderous captain of industry just because he has a white collar? Give the readers some credit that they do more than just have a knee jerk reaction to an obvious criminal element. You are completely missing the point that the HA is not deserving of the respect implied by a profile in a respected publication like CC, nor should anyone else with a sketchy history benefit from the opportunity to use someone else's money to plead their case for respect or understanding to which they are not entitled. Let DP and the HA write their own story and pay with it themselves, not with my subscription and not with advertiser's dollars.

[Smiley]

Nope, you're not "picking on" anyone here (except maybe Neil), you're all preaching to the choir.

As for the white collar bit, no I do only see "knee jerk reaction" and highly doubt it would generate the response I read here.

Because I disagree I am "completely missing the point"?

The only point I see here is that sheep sure like to follow.

I too am a subscriber and have the right to say that I think Neil is doing fine with my subscription dollars.

Let's let the advertisers have their own say ok?

[Paul955I]

Smiley

I accept your proposition and did not mean to suggest that there is only one acceptable position with respect to the issue...I am just passionate about it too.

[HudsonRT]

Neil your latest editorial was a particularly good whine. I've read CC for a few years because I like the Canadian content and, for a long time, your reviews were an excellent source for comparison on Makes, Models, Parts, Accessories. You've also done some great work on interest pieces. The whole why we ride and Zen of motorcycling stuff is great bedtime reading.

Initially I wasn't going to bother writing in at all. You're the Editor now. You're the guy with the vision to combine the metaphysical feel of the new magazine with the economic realities advertisers look at to reach a certain readership. But okay you asked, so here's my take on CC's current direction for what it's worth.

Of late, CC seems to be mixing the Zen and the factual together. Perhaps trying to emulate the provocative style and content of various British mags. A great example was your article on the HD 883. More form than function, but in the case of a 50 year old bike, what's a reviewer to do. The 883, and Harley's lineup in general, are all about form with little relevant function.

While it's entertaining, it can also backfire, (and does frequently for the British Mag's), when the reviews become nothing but form. Take the two pieces written by Mel Gantly. He spent 5 pages of content telling me about the roads in California reminded him of back home, his Hobbit-like stature and just about everything other than talking about the bikes.

When he got around to talking about the 1300S he opens by telling us he had a stomach ache and didn't quite get it done on the test ride. Really, a tummy ache after a Press gathering the night before. Maybe content better suited for an interest piece on the finer points of riding after too much Ale and Song the night before?

The end result was an article that provided the same marketing fluff easily gained from BMW's website. Well done Mel.

In contrast, the Ducati article in the same issue was a classic no holds barred assessment of a machine. The Tester rode the machine to the edge and wrote about it.

You guys get the track time and have the ability to ride circles around me, the Reader. That's what I want to hear about in a review and I want know that you consistently ride the tires off even at a Press launch so I can make my own assessment on whether the bike merits a look.

To get that I had to look through a couple of other publications to get any kind of feel for either of the BMW's. These were written by guys who were way out in front of Mel on the so called Press launch.

I'd love to hear from Mel if he wants to write about his beloved B.C. roads. Just don't lose the consistency in the reviews. As a point of interest, I ride and get great enjoyment out of the British Mag's - about twice a year.

I read CC cover to cover every month.

[YellowDuck]

Great post, Hudson. Agree 100%.