by Buzz Kanter-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Times are tough, and we all have to watch how and where we spend whatever disposable income we still have left. Even the sales of Harley-Davidsons have been way off in the last year, so you can imagine what challenges the smaller companies that support our passion face. On the other hand, gas prices have fallen from almost $5 a gallon last summer to well under $2 as I write this column in January. And it’s a great time to buy a new or used motorcycle, as prices haven’t been this low in years.
Dealers are selling models below MSRP, and might even throw in a free leather jacket or oil changes for life if you play your cards right.
When I see how battered the general economy and Harley market are, I’m concerned about how that will affect the future of
American Iron Magazine, especially now, with this jumbo issue marking our 20th anniversary. We’re pretty excited about this landmark event, and we are celebrating by throwing a birthday party and giving the presents, over $60,000 worth of great prizes, to our readers. I want to thank all the companies who are supporting this birthday giveaway with their products, especially knowing their businesses must be feeling the pinch, too. These companies, in alphabetical order, are American Micro Fuel, Big Dog Motorcycles, HHI, J&P Cycles, Michelin, Mustang Seats, Progressive Suspension, Renegade Wheels, Samson, S&S Cycle, Xena Security, and
www.GreaseRag.com. Please see page 170 or visit our web site at
www.AIMag.com for an updated list of prizes and all the rules.
20 Years Ago
So let’s go back to 1989 when
American Iron Magazine first appeared on the scene, just in time for Daytona Bike Week. It was another tough time for the American economy, and most Harley-Davidson-oriented magazines were more focused on skin than tin. The new approach to Harley magazines answered the growing demand of a whole new breed of Harley rider looking for real news and reviews, as well as practical tech and how-to information. American Iron Magazine, the first of this new style of Harley publication, went through typical growing pains in the early years of testing what the market wanted.
By 1991,
American Iron Magazine was in a financial life and death struggle. The owners, with priorities other than turning around the magazine, sold it to me. At the time, I was publishing
Old Bike Journal, a small, classified-ad motorcycle magazine. I purchased
American Iron Magazine a couple of weeks before Daytona Bike Week and the magazine’s second anniversary, then moved the operation from California to Connecticut. At the time, I had no idea where the Harley market would go, and I certainly didn’t expect
AIM to grow into the world’s best-selling motorcycle magazine on the newsstand, as it is today. As a rider myself, I just felt that Harley owners deserved a great read, and I hoped we could be part of it.
Now, 20 years later, we still want to support all of you who support us, so I’m pleased to announce that not only are we holding the newsstand and subscription prices at last year’s levels, but we’re working hard to add to the content and page count, too. We know there’s always room for improvement. It’s always been our goal to create the most comprehensive package possible, with new bike and part reviews, tech and how-to, custom and classic motorcycles, event coverage, and more.
Baggers & Bobbers Magazine
If you ride a bagger or bobber, or are thinking of building one, we have good news for you. In addition to our regular monthly issues of
American Iron Magazine, we publish two newsstand-only special issues every year. Our next special, called
American Iron Magazine’s Baggers & Bobbers, goes on sale April 21, 2009, everywhere that sells the regular
American Iron Magazine issues. As you can tell by the name, it will be focused on a couple of popular styles of customized Harleys.
Ride safe, ride smart, have fun.
April 2009-Tough Economy & A Happy Birthday 
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