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Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Slakewell on November 13, 2014, 10:19:11 am

Title: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Slakewell on November 13, 2014, 10:19:11 am
I like to see some more late 70's KTM's and a few more rarer Euro's. Maybe some early 80's works bikes.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Nathan S on November 13, 2014, 11:00:59 am
I really liked the articles the mag used to do on run-of-the-mill bikes. The ones that were sort of an "owner's guide", usually accompanied by a feature bike. Think about the MX125C article all those years ago or the RM250/400N article in one of the really early issues.

I love looking at shiny/rare/exotic bikes, but it all becomes like looking at Ferrari brochure after a while.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: shelpi on November 13, 2014, 11:21:51 am
sidecars the history of sidecarcross, starting from the begining (1920's) :) so a small article every now and then and then something like you did on Matt Malony and cover the outcomes like you do for NATS, CD10 and the like, ie Who won what at the Murray Williams CUP, and Who is Murray Williams  ;)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: jerry on November 13, 2014, 11:35:57 am
I met Ken Smith recently and obviously discussed his fine rag. Just send him an email with what you want and any other ideas you may have. He is most receptive. J PS I m a big fan of any early "werx" stuff!
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Hoony on November 13, 2014, 12:38:04 pm
how about some more acticles on the greats of the sport from the early days (Ray Fisher, Geoff taylor etc etc)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Graeme M on November 13, 2014, 12:56:32 pm
Trailbikes!  I know it's VMX and not VTB, but I was always a trailrider and would love to see some well restored trailies - DT250Bs, TS185s, a TS400 or two etc. Even some articles on the history of such bikes would be neat.

Does anyone even restore these things? I was at a local bike shop last year and they had a really original DT250B for sale.

Very very cool.

To me.



Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: jerry on November 13, 2014, 01:31:24 pm
Graeme if you want a DT 250 B I know a bloke who has one. It's pretty straight. J
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Graeme M on November 13, 2014, 02:52:11 pm
Thanks, but I don't want one (well, I would happily have one, but I am not in the market for one!). I would just like to read about them  :)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: suzuki59 on November 13, 2014, 03:45:11 pm
Anything but those articles about German enduros.......
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: 80-85 husky on November 13, 2014, 06:06:09 pm
maybe dredge up some stories of legendary Milledge Yamaha enduro's in the 80's. ive got lots of results pages...
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Rosco86 on November 13, 2014, 08:48:30 pm
While I know it has an international market it would be good to do a profile of a past champion in each issue. It would then serve as a bit of an anthology of Aussie mx/vmx. Geoff Taylor, Dave Basham, Flood family,  Per Kitland, Jack Pengelly, O'Brien father and son, Karl Morlang eat perhaps link it to bike types.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 13, 2014, 09:12:11 pm
Don`t start me up about VMX Magazine and where it should go in the future, its only scratch the surface. there is more stories out there, than the main riders that you have mention.
Motocross is not just about the open meetings that ran around melbourne, there was northern centre, western district, Gippsland centre. there where a lot of past champions in those
centres.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: mposs on November 13, 2014, 09:41:43 pm
A few interesting local bikes, perhaps....

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/IMG_0022_zps01179c97.jpg~original) (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/mposs/media/IMG_0022_zps01179c97.jpg.html)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/IMG_0018_zpsae79d63f.jpg~original) (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/mposs/media/IMG_0018_zpsae79d63f.jpg.html)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/IMG_0025_zps9243767a.jpg~original) (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/mposs/media/IMG_0025_zps9243767a.jpg.html)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/IMG_0027_zps88da0a5e.jpg~original) (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/mposs/media/IMG_0027_zps88da0a5e.jpg.html)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: jimg1au on November 13, 2014, 09:46:08 pm
more dirt track
stories on riders who were a grade races in the 70s and still on top of the heap in the 2010s.we even have a member who was a grade at 18yo and in his 50s he is a no 1 plate in the usa and also current aussie champ as well.
and of corse more pre65 bikes of all types
jim
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: pancho on November 13, 2014, 09:48:07 pm
how about some more acticles on the greats of the sport from the early days (Ray Fisher, Geoff taylor etc etc)

   Yeah!
 
 And like Jim says!
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: John Orchard on November 13, 2014, 09:54:20 pm
I reckon they should ask readers to send in pics with a short story, whether it's old events, old riders, current rebuilds or industry stories.

Call it 'Your pages', could come up with some very interesting stuff.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: oz555ktm on November 13, 2014, 09:57:41 pm

 I Loved the Home Brews a Good read..

Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Nathan S on November 13, 2014, 10:10:02 pm
I think mposs has found the first couple of feature bikes for Graeme. :)
And Home Brews were good!
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 13, 2014, 10:40:13 pm
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad275/albrid3/003-1.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/albrid3/media/003-1.jpg.html)

here is a story and some history for vmx mag , two young champions winning titles.

The yamaha that Ross is on, was Trevor Floods race bike, when he rode for Mileage Brothers.
Ross still owns the bike and races it.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: GMC on November 13, 2014, 10:54:57 pm
You have to remember it's a International magazine and they need content that will appeal to a worldwide readership.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: brent j on November 13, 2014, 11:28:11 pm
What about an occasional bike test from the 70's. it would be interesting to see what they thought of our pet bikes when they were new

With regard to copyright of course
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: 80-85 husky on November 14, 2014, 02:28:17 pm
feature one of the great races each issue such as the 4 day, finke, mt ebeneezer etc.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: bigk on November 14, 2014, 04:08:14 pm
A few years ago, one of my clients sent some photo's in of his restored '86 RM80 MX side car out fit that they raced when they were kids. He was knocked back as it was "too modern" for the magazine although I see a pre'90 bike on the cover of the latest issue. I guess it's a hard call, but personally there's been little content of interest to me in quite some time.
K
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: sa63 on November 14, 2014, 04:25:51 pm
id like to see more shootouts - like was done with evo 250s a while back, with modern interpretations on the bikes - ie updated shocks /pipes or whatever, so say  pre 78 open or 250 shootout, pre 75,85 or 90 all interesting.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: FourstrokeForever on November 14, 2014, 04:47:31 pm
More AUSTRALIAN content please. I understand that the mag has a world wide audience, so how about showing the world how we do it in Australia. There are plenty of great bikes, ex champions getting back into VMX, very good club riders etc. here in Oz that could easily feature in the magazine. Some content about local club scenes and Vinduro's would be great to see as well. Veri get lots of euro exotica and nicely restored japs. I for one am tiring of all the OS content.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 14, 2014, 05:09:25 pm
Here is another top A grade  from geelong Tom Kingston, there could be a story on the western district race meeting.


(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad275/albrid3/TomKingstonYamahaYZ360ALakeGilearWarrnambool02-03-1975.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/albrid3/media/TomKingstonYamahaYZ360ALakeGilearWarrnambool02-03-1975.jpg.html)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 14, 2014, 05:13:51 pm
Here is another story 1972 Gary O`brien testing the new prototype Montesa VR 250 in spain, skies to limit on history here in Australia, gee, I should own VMX Mag.

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad275/albrid3/10327319_473751002771763_1463951923_n2.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/albrid3/media/10327319_473751002771763_1463951923_n2.jpg.html)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: jerry on November 14, 2014, 05:19:48 pm
I love the Victorian stuff too Dave but you have to remember the mag is pitched to an International audience as well. Perhaps more so now they have gone digital. J
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ken 737 on November 14, 2014, 05:49:51 pm
Lester Rowley's CCM. Watching (and feeling the vibrations in my gut) him race around Tivoli just behind Gunter and Gall was amazing and gave me my love of thumpers.
Ken
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: FourstrokeForever on November 14, 2014, 06:52:41 pm
Here is another story 1972 Gary O`brien testing the new prototype Montesa VR 250 in spain, skies to limit on history here in Australia, gee, I should own VMX Mag.

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad275/albrid3/10327319_473751002771763_1463951923_n2.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/albrid3/media/10327319_473751002771763_1463951923_n2.jpg.html)

You certainly have a great archive of the history of early MX Dave....
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: VMX247 on November 14, 2014, 07:33:13 pm
Going for more legends with a page each instead of the usual 1/2 pages..People have more to share than half a page :)

also those special frames and builders out there who ever they maybe
http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=29826.0

Heres the list attached via vmx mag site..work back from that perhaps with suggestions
http://www.vmxmag.com.au/08_what_bike/vmx_what_bike_listing.html#k
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Paul552 on November 14, 2014, 08:40:40 pm
Marlboro yamaha team bikes.
I would love to see real detail from those bikes in there day
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: FDR on November 15, 2014, 08:18:53 am
More features on legendary riders and the machines they rode.
Also hate looking at polished turds lets see some real race bikes
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Slakewell on November 15, 2014, 09:46:58 am
Well there is a bunch of great idea's. A pre 78 shootout today verses what DB did back in the day would be a Fav for me.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ted on November 15, 2014, 10:15:24 am
So are you offering up your KTM 8)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: 80-85 husky on November 15, 2014, 12:59:44 pm
I rekon an 80's versus 2014 bike article would be good... I saw  something in ADB a while ago but It had the smell of lets bag this sh*tter and praise our new sponsored ride feel about it. I reckon the older bikes are easier to ride in some conditions (except brakes...). no doubt about brakes being better.

probably need a older rider to appreciate the dungers.

would take some work as you would need a good 20 minute loop of hard terrain to give everyone the feel for how these things work in the tough stuff. be a good read. I see all the clips on utube of all the riders on fourfitties slapping in and going over the bars... didn't happen that much to the older bikes (wernt doing such big jumps I guess either.)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Husky500evo on November 15, 2014, 01:05:49 pm
id like to see more shootouts - like was done with evo 250s a while back, with modern interpretations on the bikes - ie updated shocks /pipes or whatever, so say  pre 78 open or 250 shootout, pre 75,85 or 90 all interesting.
        I was going to post a similar reply to this one , Sean. VMX issue number 31 was the one with the 250 Evo shootout and a nice Maico AW440 on the cover. It was a good read and probably one of my favourite editions. I would like to see an open class Evo shootout, with possibly riders of the calibre of James Deakin, Dean Burt, Geoff Ballard doing the testing and offering their opinions. Maybe a Classic Dirt event would be the best time to do something like this, when all these riders and a range of bikes would all be together in a non racing, no pressure environment. There is always a bit of banter on this forum about YZ465s supposedly being better than Maico 490s and this would be a good opportunity to get unbiased views from good riders about this. It would also be good to have some other bikes in the comparison, like some RM400s, Huskys (maybe even a 510 fourstroke),some KTMs and maybe even some dark horses like a Can Am MX6 400 or a big bore A5 Kawasaki. Any Evo shootout would be different from magazine tests done back in the day, because you are in some cases comparing different year model bikes and also with modern technology component improvements. Pre "75, Pre '78, Pre '85 and Pre '90 shootouts would also be great reading, but obviously not all in the same issue.
        I was very interested to watch and listen to James Deakin at CD10, where he rode a range of bikes, including a CCM, some Husky fourstrokes and a HL500. He gave ride impressions after each bike, tips on setup and seemed to be enthusiastic and enjoying himself.   
         
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ted on November 15, 2014, 01:20:53 pm
The only thing wrong with this 35 year old comparo is the state of development each bike is in.

Some will be set up for 100 kg riders, some for 80 kg riders, some jetted well, some not, some standard and some race built by modern professionals using components from today. It would be too hard to get a fair and honest appraisal of each bike.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: oldfart on November 15, 2014, 01:42:22 pm
Teddles ...  we would be using yours as a test mule  ;D
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Hoony on November 15, 2014, 02:21:03 pm
how about more Busty Blondes  "Serge style models" in the articles
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ted on November 15, 2014, 02:30:14 pm
Teddles ...  we would be using yours as a test mule  ;D

You can test the pilot jet and first gear. You'll be too scared after that ;D
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Kane Mcguire on November 15, 2014, 03:18:17 pm
I cant stand too many articles of sheds full of bikes that don't get ridden. Yes I know each to his own. I am allowed an opinion.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: 80-85 husky on November 15, 2014, 03:34:01 pm
I cant stand too many articles of sheds full of bikes that don't get ridden. Yes I know each to his own. I am allowed an opinion.

you could feature my 400...looks like it was ridden everyday since 1984.... ;D even tho it was partially restoed a while ago...haven't even washed it since the last ride....ala terry....Alzheimer's 200kdx never washed it apparently.... ;D ;D
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: bazza on November 15, 2014, 09:23:59 pm
History of MR motocross
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Nathan S on November 15, 2014, 11:19:02 pm
Terry Schultz. In 2010, I briefly spoke to the bloke who owned Terry's KDX at the time (and I assume still owns it). He'd been using it in modern competition with a reasonable degree of success.

--------



Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 16, 2014, 07:39:58 am
how about more Busty Blondes  "Serge style models" in the articles

Seconded  :)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Chilly on November 16, 2014, 09:26:08 am
Budget specials, you can probably have more fun on a old TS185 or XR200 compared to a $5000 restored weapon. You don't care if you crash and there are cheap and readily available spares, no one cares if it looks as if it was just dragged out of the chook shed.

I actually find VMX mag a bit elitist. We cant all afford big dollar restorations so please more stuff for the average punter.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: jimson on November 16, 2014, 01:38:45 pm
I'm with Chilly big end bikes with loads of money spent it's just like the Summer Nats.
I like seeing old dirt bikes scramblers being built in sheds by people with passion. This is only my view I have all the VMX mags & have been to 8 CDs & still will carry on I just don't like the bling side of things I suppose. Jimson
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: shelpi on November 16, 2014, 04:28:57 pm
I'm with Chilly big end bikes with loads of money spent it's just like the Summer Nats.
I like seeing old dirt bikes scramblers being built in sheds by people with passion. This is only my view I have all the VMX mags & have been to 8 CDs & still will carry on I just don't like the bling side of things I suppose. Jimson
right on brother, you only get original once ;)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Berwick Boy on November 16, 2014, 09:08:56 pm
Dave #14: "skies to limit on history here in Australia, gee, I should own VMX Mag."

If ever you publish a mag, Dave, I will be the first to buy one.  It would be an astonishing read ...
from many different angles.  An instant classic!
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Slakewell on November 17, 2014, 09:27:25 am
So are you offering up your KTM 8)

Bill has a better version of a pre 78 KTM 250 than me. Mine is far from standard even if it doesn't look like it.
Be cool to get two Pro riders and cut some timed laps on each bike. And then compare to the test back in the day and how that holds up. My only idea on how to get riders and bikes together in one place would be the day before/after classic dirt.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Nathan S on November 17, 2014, 09:46:29 am
Maybe an era shootout? Take a bike from each of the racing eras (possibly including a modern) and compare them, maybe even including lap times across a number of riders. Obviously, you'd want to comparably set up bikes, and you'd want the better bikes from each era (not much point in comparing a TS400 to an MC490...).

And yes, I'd be happy to supply bikes - could almost do a 125 era-shootout with bikes in my garage...
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ted on November 17, 2014, 10:10:05 am
Wouldnt be fair on the Maygo 8)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Colin Jay on November 17, 2014, 12:50:12 pm
Maybe an era shootout? Take a bike from each of the racing eras (possibly including a modern) and compare them, maybe even including lap times across a number of riders. Obviously, you'd want to comparably set up bikes, and you'd want the better bikes from each era (not much point in comparing a TS400 to an MC490...).

And yes, I'd be happy to supply bikes - could almost do a 125 era-shootout with bikes in my garage...

A a preview of this 125 shootout test, how about re introducing the What in Your Shed type articles, but do it with the average guy, not the mega dollar collectors who have the shine collection of big dollar bikes in a garage / shed / workshops we can only dream of.

Of course to deter the scumbags who would see this as advetisment for where to nick some nice old bikes, the location would have to be described as "in a secret location", and owners would have their faces pixelated to maintain the anominity.

CJ
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 17, 2014, 04:24:20 pm
whats in your shed was pinched from my magazine., the selection in CDBM, was called (In the Shed ), and it was about the budget scrambler.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 17, 2014, 05:02:42 pm
whats in your shed was pinched from my magazine., the selection in CDBM, was called (In the Shed ), and it was about the budget scrambler.

Dave for those of us trapped on planet earth  ::) who pinched the what's in your shed ? and why did you stop producing your magazine ?
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 17, 2014, 05:49:23 pm
You need to remember that my magazine CDBM was out there before VMX Mag, and I had a page called ( In the Shed), which I did a article on riders VMX bikes being built. The reason I discontinue I was going through a Marriage Break up, But Ray Ryan also wanted CDBM to become part off VMX when he started, the promises from Ray never happen.
 
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Slakewell on November 17, 2014, 06:26:53 pm
It's hard not to say The magazine was a keeper I telllls yeh.
This is only my version of events and may well be incorrect.
Dave had a very nice news letter of which I subscribed ( not really a magazine ) But a nice little thing with a classified adds section in the back. Ray was getting VMX mag together and thought it was in both Dave's and his interest to buy Dave out. This is what Ray told me at the time. Dave stopped his news letter and VMX came out.
Ray gave the new VMX mag's to all Dave's subscribers for a while to honour Dave's contracts.
I'm sure both parties were never 100% happy with how it ended up.

My 2 cents.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 17, 2014, 07:03:17 pm
It's hard not to say The magazine was a keeper I telllls yeh.
This is only my version of events and may well be incorrect.
Dave had a very nice news letter of which I subscribed ( not really a magazine ) But a nice little thing with a classified adds section in the back. Ray was getting VMX mag together and thought it was in both Dave's and his interest to buy Dave out. This is what Ray told me at the time. Dave stopped his news letter and VMX came out.
Ray gave the new VMX mag's to all Dave's subscribers for a while to honour Dave's contracts.
I'm sure both parties were never 100% happy with how it ended up.

My 2 cents.

Anyway, that is all in the past, and I would like to move on, its I, who has to live with it all what went on, VMX Mag is a good coffee table mag, Australian motocross has a solid history and deserve more from  vmx mag,, and I am sure the rest of the world would like to see and read about our sport here in Australia and New Zealand. and I know from my oversea friends on my facebook, that they enjoy the pics, and story behind the pic`s that l upload.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ekka on November 17, 2014, 08:20:59 pm
To me sorry to say this but it's be shit of late , the only reason I brought the latest issue is cause of the harrow event but I guess it hard to please anybody
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: 80-85 husky on November 18, 2014, 07:23:50 am
Moto Villa? any thing been done on the 125's here in OZ?
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: foxy999 on November 18, 2014, 09:21:05 am
Why not do a club with its bikes and members in each issue ,yes they do cover the big events but club days are where it all grows from, gets the clubs out there for others to see.   ;)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Berwick Boy on November 18, 2014, 10:53:41 am
I bumped into Ken Smith at a cafe yesterday.  Told me he doesn't read this Forum ...
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 18, 2014, 11:14:37 am
I'm not an editor or a publisher so I have no idea of cost involved but I would imagine to put together and publish a magazine of the quality of VMX would not be a cheap exercise .

I also don't imagine the returns would be very high either all things considered as its target market is very small even worldwide .

I'm sure it would be really nice to see a lot more local content in the magazine , but is that going to sell the magazine to the larger markets who's purchases probably make the publication worthwhile ?

Its a bit like the price of petrol to me , people often ask me "did you see petrol's gone up again " Std reply no , because I don't care it is what it is . I need to buy petrol to run my vehicles , it cost what it cost .
The alternative is to buy a drilling rig and stick it in the back garden , drill for and hopefully strike oil . Then build a refinery and refine the oil so as to get my petrol , seems a lot of work and risk when I can buy it at the pumps ready made  ::)

VMX magazine arrives every 3 months for a few quid a year and has done since issue 2 ( bought issue 1 at the news agents) sometimes its great with everything that interest me , other times not so much to interest me but hey its still a good read .

Of course I could start my own magazine with all the things I like every copy, and hope I can sell enough to other people to cover cost  ;)

But in the modern world I have face book for that and it cost me fork all  ;D

Ken I know you don't read this but keep up the good work  :)

Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Davey Crocket on November 18, 2014, 11:27:08 am
That could be your most sensible post all year Bill.....keep up the good work. ;D
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: John Orchard on November 18, 2014, 11:38:12 am
With regards to the matter of 'local content not selling the magazine world-wide', I personally would love to hear about a club days or events in another part of the world, be it California or Russia, so I guess enthusiasts there would like to read about what's going-on in Australia's outback towns?

Having worked for a publication, I found that sometimes it can be a struggle to fill the pages with good content, just have to diversify a little, better to have a few readers not interested than all of them  ;-)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 18, 2014, 12:28:28 pm
You need to remember that my magazine CDBM was out there before VMX Mag, and I had a page called ( In the Shed), which I did a article on riders VMX bikes being built. The reason I discontinue I was going through a Marriage Break up, But Ray Ryan also wanted CDBM to become part off VMX when he started, the promises from Ray never happen.

Dave you are obviously the Oracle of Victorian MX from years gone by with a large inventory of photos from the glory days .

Why not start your own Face book page to showcase it all . It would cost you nothing but your time and there is obviously a lot of people interested in the subject  :)

Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ted on November 18, 2014, 01:10:05 pm
I'm not an editor or a publisher so I have no idea of cost involved but I would imagine to put together and publish a magazine of the quality of VMX would not be a cheap exercise .

I also don't imagine the returns would be very high either all things considered as its target market is very small even worldwide .

I'm sure it would be really nice to see a lot more local content in the magazine , but is that going to sell the magazine to the larger markets who's purchases probably make the publication worthwhile ?

Its a bit like the price of petrol to me , people often ask me "did you see petrol's gone up again " Std reply no , because I don't care it is what it is . I need to buy petrol to run my vehicles , it cost what it cost .
The alternative is to buy a drilling rig and stick it in the back garden , drill for and hopefully strike oil . Then build a refinery and refine the oil so as to get my petrol , seems a lot of work and risk when I can buy it at the pumps ready made  ::)

VMX magazine arrives every 3 months for a few quid a year and has done since issue 2 ( bought issue 1 at the news agents) sometimes its great with everything that interest me , other times not so much to interest me but hey its still a good read .

Of course I could start my own magazine with all the things I like every copy, and hope I can sell enough to other people to cover cost  ;)

But in the modern world I have face book for that and it cost me fork all  ;D

Ken I know you don't read this but keep up the good work  :)

The refinery idea has merit Bill. You could make yourself some 300 octane race fuel and roost away to unlimited moto wins. I could bring some back to OZ with me in a suitcase and run my B in Pre 90 over 263. Get digging 8)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Nathan S on November 18, 2014, 01:31:01 pm
Unlike petrol, if people don't see value in magazines, then they can easily stop buying them.

I still buy petrol.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Simo63 on November 18, 2014, 03:19:07 pm
I bumped into Ken Smith at a cafe yesterday.  Told me he doesn't read this Forum ...

For real?  Interesting fact that. 

I am the first to say this forum is not the VMX community and if you want to reach the wider VMX community you had better do it through a variety of methods other than this forum but I would never discount it.

I would consider this forum to be a window into or barometer of the VMX scene and to not at least read and keep abreast of the general vibe is, in my humble opinion, quite a foolish approach.

Like Nathan, I still buy petrol and diesel.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: worms on November 18, 2014, 03:54:39 pm
I buy metho
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 18, 2014, 05:34:10 pm
I don't think I would read it either if I owned the magazine , if you tried to accommodate everyone on here you would have a magazine as thick as the greater London telephone directory and still it wouldn't be right for some  ::)

Over the years in the vintage scene the biggest growth I have witnessed is a sense of entitlement from those involved  ::)

This covers

Rules : Originally a set of rules were drawn up ,worked well and national championships were put in place and run and won . THEN over time   "why cant I use this or that " but its the same as last years model " " why" "why" "why"

Aftermarket Plastics: Who can remember when it was buy up what NOS was available and then get moulds made and make your own fibreglass copies . Then companies started making replacement copies in plastic and it was great , now of course "but there not quite the correct shade or contour" " there a bit orange peel" " "I have to mould them with a heat gun "

Magazines : We had none ( sorry there was Daves if you knew about it ) then we got VMX mag . Hallelujah its the ducks nuts, then sadly Ray Ryan passed and for a couple of years nothing again . A few enthusiast took the risk and invested in the magazine and gave us back our quarterly lifeline  8) But of course over time rather than be thankful to get our quarterly fix its much easier to start pulling it to bits , because we are entitled to what we want  ::)

Yes you still buy petrol , try writing on a forum to the oil companies and tell them that you want 105 leaded fuel at the pumps because that suits you . I'm sure they will roll over and make that happen  ;) after all your entitled  ::)

Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Davey Crocket on November 18, 2014, 06:14:18 pm
That's 2 very well written posts in one day Bill.....are you going for the hat trick?
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ted on November 18, 2014, 06:55:38 pm
His alter ego would say " fu..ck off Joan! Ya homo"
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: oldfart on November 18, 2014, 08:35:35 pm
Bill ... we as the buyer of the mag have the ultimate say in the end... If it's got what we like we buy it, if not it stays on the shelf.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: NSR on November 18, 2014, 08:36:10 pm
The thing is if they only put in things you think your interested in you would never get to see the things you didn't know about. leave it to them I say.
 
If you have a story you think they maybe interested in, put it together and send it to them and leave it to them if they use it or not.   Geez, it's not News ltd ::)  It's a couple of guys we all know who put out an export quality product about our fringe sport!

More German, French and Italian enduros, I reckon ;D   
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: allan hughes on November 18, 2014, 08:43:55 pm
i reckon more stories on race events
slighty agree with ekka
i would always support vmx mag
i think all bikes that interest me 1974-1980 yz yamaha
have already been in vmx mag
keep up the good work ken
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: allan hughes on November 18, 2014, 08:50:59 pm
dave 14 please have respect on this forum
for the editor of the greatest dirt bike mag in australia
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: craigclayton on November 18, 2014, 08:59:19 pm
If you could find info on a bike called EMX which was built in the UK in the late 70s, using all sorts of exotic parts. Mike Etough was the owner of the company but had previously worked for CCM as I think a frame builder. Never seen one for sale anywhere but they do have a clip on YouTube.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 18, 2014, 09:23:03 pm
   AMMEX 250cc MX (1976)

Gary Jones won four consecutive 250 National championships while racing for Yamaha, Honda, and Can-Am. When he suffered a leg injury at Daytona and Can-Am bought out his contract, Gary took the $70,000 and started his own motorcycle company. Not an easy task, but at the time, Cooper Motorcycles was going out of business, and the Jones family bought the Mexican based company and used the Frank Cooper designed enduro bike as a prototype for the first Jones-Islo (the name would later be changed to Ammex, which stood for American-Mexican).

Under Mexican law, 68 percent of the Ammex had to be manufactured in Mexico, so the pieces that would be out-sourced included Sun rims, Diamond chain, Mikuni carbs and ART pistons. To ensure that the Mexicans didn’t use pot metal in the castings and frame, Jones shipped American-made chromoly and aluminum to the Saltillo, Mexica, Moto-Islo factory. The Mexican metallurgy was always suspect, especially in the crankshaft and transmission.

The Ammex borrowed its plate-style shift system from Maico, the dual-use kickstarter/shift shaft from CZ and a Yamaha YZ250 top-end could be slipped right onto the Ammex cases.

Ammex had high hopes, but unfortunately the Mexican peso was devalued-dropping from 12 pesos to the dollar to 120 pesos in less that a week. Since Ammex was a Mexican company, it was worth one-tenth of what it was the week before. Gary Jones lost his money and his dream of building his own motorcycle. Produc

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad275/albrid3/amex.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/albrid3/media/amex.jpg.html)

Your not thinking of this Machine ( Ammex)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 18, 2014, 09:29:49 pm
dave 14 please have respect on this forum
for the editor of the greatest dirt bike mag in australia

What are you on about Elsinore, Respect you say, I have respect for the efforts that go into producing a Magazine like VMX also for Ken and others that put there time into it.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: albrid-3 on November 18, 2014, 09:31:09 pm
Thanks Dave , very good info . Never knew that .

Your welcome.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: GMC on November 18, 2014, 10:10:01 pm
The thing is if they only put in things you think your interested in you would never get to see the things you didn't know about. leave it to them I say.

Too right
It would be bloody boring reading if it was only about things I already knew about!

What was that old saying...
You can please some of the people some of the time
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: GMC on November 18, 2014, 10:14:01 pm
If you could find info on a bike called EMX which was built in the UK in the late 70s, using all sorts of exotic parts. Mike Etough was the owner of the company but had previously worked for CCM as I think a frame builder. Never seen one for sale anywhere but they do have a clip on YouTube.

EMX, I think there was a bike in Vic a few years back that may have been one of these, the guy used to race it.
It was CZ based but from a later era than your normal CZ, had lengthened forks and other trickery that made it more of an Evo bike.
I may have the name wrong though
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 19, 2014, 05:23:46 am
Bill ... we as the buyer of the mag have the ultimate say in the end... If it's got what we like we buy it, if not it stays on the shelf.

Agreed Stu  :) and obviously the BIG market is happy with what they are getting  ;)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 19, 2014, 05:27:20 am
If you could find info on a bike called EMX which was built in the UK in the late 70s, using all sorts of exotic parts. Mike Etough was the owner of the company but had previously worked for CCM as I think a frame builder. Never seen one for sale anywhere but they do have a clip on YouTube.

Theres a few EMXs racing in the UK , they come up for sale occasionally.
 
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: craigclayton on November 19, 2014, 06:19:33 am
I think I made a mistake, EMC was the make. Enough motor cycles, will try and find link on YouTube derrrrrrr
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: craigclayton on November 19, 2014, 06:21:14 am
F@€k.  Etough motor cycles
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: jerry on November 19, 2014, 06:49:18 am
I would love to see an article on the HRM. Often heard of but rarely sighted. Only 2 ever made but quite successful in British 500 cc series in 1977. J
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: vmxken on November 19, 2014, 07:31:09 am
Hi everyone, Roger told me about this thread, as he mentioned earlier, when we bumped into each other at Allambie Heights, so it sounded like I might get some useful ideas if I tuned in.  The first thing I said to Roger was something along the lines of 'Why are they telling the forum, why don't they just contact me?'.   If your mate needed a new muffler on his bike or had really useless footpegs on his bike, wouldn't you just tell your mate that, or would you go on the forum and say 'My mate really needs a new muffler and a new set of pegs'.  Maybe I'm missing something?

I'll come back to all the suggestions in a moment but yes, as Roger mentioned, I don't inhabit the forum.  I do inhabit tons of other forums and actually speak to people every day so I have plenty of 'barometers' on what is going on in the vintage community.  I used to come here all the time, but the place just became so toxic and was dragging down the vintage community.  I'd talk to people at events and they expressed hate for someone else at the event that they'd never even met, because of posts that had been made on the forum.  How is that doing any good for the vintage community?  You could tell things were just getting worse when it was proudly proclaimed that there was to be a Dumbgeon or whatever it's called.  Rather than being a success, that was the most pointed sign of the forum's failure, that it needed such a facility at all.

No other vintage forum on the planet requires such a facility, why is that, does anyone ever wonder?  The concepts of free speech and robust discussion were often thrown about but it was more like free rein, not free speech - free rein to put down others on the forum, free rein to tell bald-faced lies about others on the forum, free rein to endlessly bag the most trivial of matters, free rein to let the most supercilious personalities have a gold pass to stroke their own egos incessantly, free rein to.......ah, you get the picture.

So I tune in again on a thread that hopefully will be super helpful for the magazine and some of it is, no question.  Then there's someone calling me foolish, someone who has told me over the phone years ago that they would never buy the magazine again because it wasn't full of what they wanted (so I'm sorry but that sort of means that I just ignored everything you said, as you've vowed never to buy another copy so your suggestions are moot), and, some who seem to almost boast that they don't buy the magazine.

To all the other suggestions, thanks, I will really try to act on them, even though everyone wants something different.  That's hardly a new problem though, it's existed since day one.  At best, any reader is only ever going to like most of the content, most of the time.  It is a tough gig putting together a magazine and even the best try their heart out and still can't make it work financially (as in Trail zone for example, sadly).  If I could, I'd like to offer my own suggestion and I'll start with the first post and maybe that will set the scene for most of the other posts.  Slakewell, my friend, good idea, and I'd like to include more late '70s KTM and early '80s bikes as well.  My phone number is 02 9452 1444 and my email is [email protected] and if you could point me in the direction of where to find some great examples of those bikes then I'd be only too happy to follow up those leads and hopefully get those bikes in the magazine.  If you're an expert on those bikes I'd also really like your advice and help with putting together an article as well, so we can get it right.

With any luck, I'll get a bunch of people contacting me with the offer of bikes, advice and help as after all, it's a magazine that's meant to be full of your "stuff", I just put it together.  Lastly, my thanks to those in this thread who have provided some positive feedback, it is much appreciated.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 19, 2014, 07:51:55 am
F@€k.  Etough motor cycles

Yep same deal , cool cottage industry bikes
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: redrider1 on November 19, 2014, 08:42:02 am
It may be a little off the VMX track but Shane Watts did a comparison of his 1997 KTM 125 and a new 2014 KTM 125 with suprising results. It shows that progress may not provide the leap forward as much as promoted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyEeIhf0j88
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: ola_martin on November 19, 2014, 09:04:54 am
Cotton EMX

(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o217/relicmx/Bikepics002-resized.jpg)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: ola_martin on November 19, 2014, 09:09:16 am
EMC

(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/TooFastTim/croppedMXIIbike.jpg)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: supersenior 50 on November 19, 2014, 10:07:51 am
Well said Ken !
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: shelpi on November 19, 2014, 10:17:11 am
Thank you Ken ;)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Nathan S on November 19, 2014, 11:56:45 am
Quote
... some who seem to almost boast that they don't buy the magazine.

The bikes you do or don't feature are only a tiny part of why I don't buy the magazine anymore.

The main value of the magazine was it's sense of inclusiveness and positivity - the magazine was for anyone with an interest in old dirt bikes - it didn't matter if you were a millionaire collector with a private museum, or an Average Joe trying to keep an old shitter race bike running, you could feel a sense of inclusion in the sport from the pages of VMX mag - you knew you weren't the only bloke on the planet with the same interests and/or challenges.

That feeling seems to have disappeared.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: KTM47 on November 19, 2014, 12:25:39 pm
Ken  From my own point of view, thank you for coming back onto the forum and giving your thoughts.

The forum has settled down a lot lately probably because of lot of members have given up.  I now take a lot of what is said tong in cheek.  There are members who like to shit stir and sometimes I fall into that category too.  Everyone should google "internet troll".  It is interesting.

Anyway from my point of view I would like to see more Maico stories.  I know Firko would love to write them.

As for those who say they no longer buy VMX Mag, I bet they stand in the newsagent's and read it anyway.
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Ted on November 19, 2014, 01:43:55 pm
Good idea the Maico thing Kev. You could fill the first installment with all the bits you have to replace to get them to start, brake, handle, be reliable and safe. Better still do it over three issues. You'll have them hanging from the rafters. 8)
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on November 19, 2014, 02:43:09 pm
Hello Ken - long time no hear from you - and as usual - well written  ;D

It is always, as said here previously, can't keep everyone happy all the time - and usually they are the ones who complain.  Maybe a bigger dose of 1/2 glass full is needed - if the mag has lots in it I go through from one end to the other - if not - well then there is next time.  I don't expect the world to cater for me!
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: KTM47 on November 19, 2014, 02:49:59 pm
Good idea the Maico thing Kev. You could fill the first installment with all the bits you have to replace to get them to start, brake, handle, be reliable and safe. Better still do it over three issues. You'll have them hanging from the rafters. 8)


No comment
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: William Doe on November 19, 2014, 03:26:47 pm
Good idea the Maico thing Kev. You could fill the first installment with all the bits you have to replace to get them to start, brake, handle, be reliable and safe. Better still do it over three issues. You'll have them hanging from the rafters. 8)

Where's the like button  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ted I hope your not trying to start anything  :o especially not a Maico  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What bikes would you like to see featured in VMX mag?
Post by: 80-85 husky on November 19, 2014, 08:50:22 pm
Amazing.....but not that suprizing.