I don't post alot here (mainly because I am at work), but I do read a lot of posts in here that interest me .

I want to express my support for ATV magazines, especially Dirt Wheels & ATV Sport. I think that they have done alot for our sport, by keeping us decently informed about current ATV models, aftermarket products, Racing and Ride Areas, the "How To's" and ATV modifications. They interview ATV racing and supporting personalities, bring us news on the changes in our sport, and they connect us with one another through letters and questions. They also cover National and International Events and stories whenever possible.

Yet they do all of this with a very limited magazine staff (2-3 editors and an art director). Yes, they have support personnel, but the main job of creating, covering or gathering ATV stories, ads, photos, press releases, letters and related materials falls on just a couple of shoulders. All of this material must be gathered, compiled, evaluated, edited and approved in (22) working days (or less) per issue. Whew!

Just in case you think I work for a mag (most of you won't), well, I run a small machine shop outside of New Orleans. But I love ATV's with a passion. Over the past (10) years, I have met with, and done stories with, editors of both mags. I have gotten to know several of these guys. These editors get very little support from their own publishers, the ATV manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers, or the ATV public. They pay for their own cameras and equipment and some other expenses, expenses that you and I think would be covered up by their own publisher. Yes, they get to test and ride the newest ATV's and try the latest products, but I think that they do their jobs because they love our sport as much as we do. Just like I like Honda, Yamaha, and the others, and ITP and Maxxis, and LRD and Curtis Sparks, and Lone Star and Laegers. They like Honda, Yamaha and the others, and they salivate over the latest greatest from each manufacturer, just like we do. They may rush to judgment, but rarely though, and probably when comparing products on their own merit and hype, and not against the competition.

Do they get "paid off" to print favorable stories on products? I seriously doubt that. But, I think they will be accused of taking bribes or being influenced by manufacturers and dealers for as long as opinions vary on ATV's and related products, and how they are compared to one another or on how they are rated. But, I will continue to subscribe (for over 18 years to DW), read, contribute and promote these mags as long as I know what I know now. These editors, and the mags they write for, are a big part of our sport. They are helping our sport grow.

And I also agree that we need their best efforts when writing and testing ATV products. Maybe we should expect more, but I don't know how to realistacally make that happen, except by terminating my subsriptions, which I will not do. What would I have as an alternative ATV read? Nothing except the Internet. Well the internet is great, but I can't hold it in my hand or show it my friends. The mags definately have their place! Think of the ATV mags as compared to the Dirt Bike mags, and think of manufacturer's support for ATV's and Dirt Bikes. Apples/Oranges? Vanilla/Chocolate? Different - Yes!

I had to speak up! I am tired of these mags always geeting ragged on repeatedly for being biased, yet most of us read them and depend on them to keep us abreast of our ATV world! It would be a tough task for most of us to do a better job.

Let the flames begin!

 

lol...are you reading my mind?

 

Bama,

Much of what you said is right on the money. On the other hand, I know one ATV magazine publisher that has two Editors on staff who had never sat on a quad before they started writing for the magazine. Kind of hard to be an authority when you know nothing about what you're writing about.

I do agree that, at least in the case of DW and ATV4WA that they don't let advertising influence their results. Neither do we.

 

Good post, about 90% of the people that say they get paid, are the ones jealous of the quad that gets rated high.

 

lol...you are absolutely right hondaracer305, they can't stand the fact that someone thinks their quad isn't the greatest ever

 

Yah, like when dirtwheels rated the 450r better or just as good? i havent got that issue yet so im not positive, but i noticed all the yfz owners saying (even though im most likely getting a yfz)" Dirtwheels is so biased, they take bribes from a company who just came out with a new quad", that is BS, SOME of them call the honda engine "little", well boys, that engine has a higher disp. than the ol yamaha. and since they have been supposidly frying engines, well, yamaha wouldnt have gave a crap about that, but honda is fixing it. And what about tim farr getting passed by a yfz450, well, its all the rider, hardly the quad.

 

Bama 250R,

Your post was excellent. Maybe the harsher critics of the ATV magazines and television shows will be able to gain added perspective by looking at the publisher's point of view. All to often, individuals go through life or view topics without trying to see other views than their own. Ultimately, this leads to a diminished understanding of the surrounding environment.

I look forward to picking up the latest ATV magazines, hoping to get my hands on a new piece of info. Oh and don't get me started on the GNCC racing on TV. It's great to see the sport you really enjoy being televised, let's hear it for the motorcycle camera. My 3 and 5 yr old girls would rather watch 4 wheeler racing rather than cartoons.

I think with continued support the magazines will get better and keep us informed. The reviews may be slightly biased because of new product release and perks of the job. But overall most writers and publishers do their best to provide a good magazine. With ATVs continually improving and more manufacturers getting into the game, the quads are getting better and the differences become less to the normal rider.
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I could not write ATV reviews for magazines, and neither could about 98% of the people in these forums. I am too biased.

I do like the articles, comparisons, and shootouts where some of the riders are very inexperienced. They seem to give pretty good reviews and it's a good average with the more experienced riders.

I do think some magazines are less biased than others.

 

AMEN....I agree completely...where would the sport of ATVing be without this support....I think DW does a great job....lets give them a break.....if you don't agree with a article, write a letter to the editor, but don't accuse them of takin bribes unless you have some VERY GOOD info to support that claim.

 

I agree too
or reason everytime something good happens when a yfz races it makes it yet more superior
and when something good happens when the trx is rated and raced something is always dug up to disprove it or try to make it not so great
personally, I think the trx will be really fast and great. why? because why would honda waste their time answering to the yfz with something that doesn't come close? that really doesn't make sense. although I do see very heavily modded yfz winning sometimes at the races, I also see them get their a$$ kicked very badly a lot of the time too regardless of how many mods have been done to them. heck, there's a lt250r at our local track and no yfz can keep up...even on straights he pulls away with killer power making them look like kids toys...thats an ice oval track btw with 80 yard straights. but with mx tracks, woods races etc it comes down to the rider and what they're riding on and how much money they have. stick someone who knows nothing about handling or about the machine at all on a yfz with a bunch of other stock 450's with riders that actually know what they're doing even when the yfz is faster and I guarentee you the yfz will still not win