Possible Scooter Magazine !!!

Hi,

I know that we don't have a magazine for the large touring scooters, at least in the states. And the ones I have heard about usually are not just for the large scooters like the Silver Wing, but also includes the smaller Vespa type scooters.

I have had it in the back on my mind to try to start a magazine for our "Touring Scooters". I was just wondering if others have ever thought about something like this too. It would be nice to get a few people involved from different parts of the world since this has never been done, as far as I know. Articles on different scooters, rides in different countries and so on.

I'm just curious if others have ever thought about something like this before. If anyone else has ever thought about this please respond. And if you haven't ever thought of this but have some ideas I would like to hear them. I think it would be cool to have a "Touring Scooter Magazine" from contributors around the world. We would have to work on the different languages though, but that is pretty far off for now. Thanks for reading this and if you have any ideas or an interest please respond if you would.

Thanks,

JeffR

Hi JeffR,
i dont' know if you mean a "paper" or "online" magazine.

In France we have Maxi scooter magazine (paper) and many sites (scooter-infos , scooter station but for all scooters including little ones...) . I never bought Maxiscooter because for several years it has only been T-Max, T-Max, T-Max .

Now there will be real news in the maxi scooter world it could be more interesting...

Your idea of subjects on trips, road books, all over the world riding "touring scooters" is really interesting !

JeffR,

As I am a Web editor by profession, I would be happy to offer my proofreading and editoral skills to such an endeavor.

Jeff,

First off, I suggest you narrow your vision to an online magazine to start.
Production and distribution costs and challenges for a full color quality
paper magazine are expensive/extensive.

Second, because touring scooters are a niche market, and because you will only
get even a percentage of those that are interested, this must be a labor of love, with profit (if any, ever) being the icing on the cake, rather than the expectation.

Third, Even if I were passionate about this, I wouldn't bother wasting my
time unless at least some of the touring scooter manufacturers were
behind me in some way. Willing to give you not just press releases, but
also a direct line to their management for interviews, their top technicians
for specific questions that local techs can't answer, and things like that.

If you look at these boards, there are very few here who have not modded
their bike in some way. It would be a huge accomplishment, if the
manufacturers would get on board, by providing us access to their
techs that might comment on the right/best ways to do common mods.

Two examples:

1. Honda suggests you do not use the Kissan turn signal cancellation unit.
They have had reports of it not working properly with the ecu on 2002-2004
models, yet the aftermarket community worked around it. Wouldn't it be nice
if a honda tech said, "Here is why it will or won't work
on which model and here is how to safely install it on the bikes it will work on."

2. We discussed in another thread that the new Silverwing will have 12 more
horsepower. We don't have the knowledge to know what the exact motor
differences are and what it would take to upgrade the old engine to the new one.
But imagine if Honda assigned one of their people to contribute an article like that
directly, or at least to be interviewed and provide those details.


The kind of relationship with a manufacturer required to gain this level of trust,
cooperation and access is what you would need to gain the edge over a fanboy
publication, and become a leader in the maxi-scoot community.


Dan

just a word about the 12 more horsepower, it's only the difference between the 400cc motor and the 600cc one.

between the old an the so-called "new" 600 there is a difference of ............................................................................................................................................... 1 horse

I have no particular expertise, I used to be a journalist in a previous life but it seems to me a "Touring Scooter" magazine would be excellent.

Not just from the perspective of being a reader, it seems like an excellent avenue for advertising. Let's face it, when I first got my Silver Wing I hit the web searching for accessories and gear but it was tough to split out from all the motorcycle noise that came with it. There's a lot of overlap with MC stuff too, with clothes and helmets and stuff that all riders need.

There is so much cool stuff out there for the big scooters, and not just for "modders" like some of the people driving the cover of Quadrophenia around. Everyone wants a better windscreen. Everybody wants a more comfortable jacket or helmet. There are things that are nearly universal that 90% of scooter riders are interested in.

With the wealth of info here, and the pics and stories as well, who really needs a mag?
Most of my mags are full of junk advertising anyway.
The only time I find them useful is if I have to spend time in dirty Tennessee bathroom stalls.

There was a motorcycle touring magazine and web forum a few years ago.
There just wasn't a big enough readership to support such a specialist publication and there are even fewer maxiscooters.
I think forums like this one fulfill the role much better.

MikeO wrote:

I think forums like this one fulfill the role much better.

So do I, I got all infos I want on sites and fofo like yours ! BMW concept-C (for commuter), Honda mid-concept, all we need is to gather infos on the web !

I'll post a trip tomorrow !

Hi,

Thanks for all the reply's. If I were to undertake something like this I would want to try an "on-line" magazine first, and then maybe a print magazine. I know I used to really enjoy the magazine "Scooter Rider Magazine" that BJ Strauss put out. It was every 2 months and I couldn't wait for the next issue and even bought all the past issues I didn't subscribe to.

I think it would be nice to read, and see pictures, of rides that people do all over the world. Have riders with other scooters to give some pro & cons about their scooter, and facts on gas mileage, storage and things like that. I wouldn't want an bunch of "cheerleader" types that think only their scooter is the best. But just give some rational and objective opinions on the scooter that they ride.

I do know that many members were upset when BJ Strauss sold the magazine since it was really nice to read. It is too bad that the people who bought it didn't continue writing.

But I would get with the scooter manufactures on getting involved, selling ads to after market, or the scooter companies to advertise. I have priced printers and it isn't all that expensive. One gave an on-line quote of around $4,000 for 5,000 copies and they even mail them out for an additional charge. But the on-line site seems like it would work best at first.

I'm just running this by all of you and appreciate the reply's. I just think that if I decide to do this that will all of the members of the various scooter sites that this would be fun to do. Get at least one rider from each scooter to write an article about their ride, with nice high resolution pictures, from around the world. And it isn't so much about making a lot of money but just enough to cover the expenses and paying the riders to write an article. I'm sure the people who organize rally's would enjoy this too.

Thanks,

Jeff

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff, I would buy it, sounds like a good idea to me