Ideas needed for three unusual biking features

[Bob]

Hi All,

Thinking caps needed. There is a job come up at a major national motorcycle magazine here in the UK, for a features writer.

Now I think the CV stands up (worked for 14 years for various publications, written road tests, product reviews, features and news). But they also want 3 ideas for features.

I've got one idea - being to cover unusual places you could do mini-tours (like the one I did a couple of years back when we stayed in a Tipi!), but I need a couple of ideas.

So, what would you like to see written about in a bike mag? It could be a one-off or a series potentially.

Any ideas really appreciated. I've got to submit the CV early next week, so thinking caps on please!

Thanks all,

Regards,

Bob

[Gremlin]

Something I might be doing for a mag in the near future is writing up all my rides in build up prep for the TT2000 (http://www.tt2000.org/) so perhaps a feature on high mileage riders? The type of riding and distance they cover is certainly unusual? Ok, fine, my rides are always "adventures" :eek:

The usual gear suggestions, gloves, boots, heated equipment (perhaps the most useful heated piece of equipment, pitching gloves against vests etc?)

Perhaps the best of the best fabric, ie, best leather, or textile? Metrics inc abrasion, waterproofness, cost etc

And since I'm on the thought train at the moment, best lighting (longevity, cost, performance), ie, headlight alternative? +50 or +90 bulbs vs HID etc? Maybe best reflective material?

I guess, instead of the usual main areas, dig into a specific field that while most don't care about, either they should (and therefore find out about it) or appeals to a category of riders? Is best biker meeting place a regular item featured? Could ask for reader submissions, then judged, series would have a couple profiled every issue, so could extend for a lengthy period (depending on publication cycle)

roads, tyres etc, all done, perhaps look for unusual equipment as well? Best luggage? sounds a bit common tho...

ok... probably need to stop thinking now :sleep:

[thehovel]

Road tests on off-road bikes and gravel ability of road bikes. Basicly tests outside the usual parameters. Regards Richard

[FROSTY]

theres the old classic- basic suspension setup

[Mental Trousers]

Don't know how this would go in the UK but how about the crazy sort of machines that turn up on the racetrack down this way??

For instance people I've chatted to online about my bike (a Triumph TT600 running as a 450 ala Chris Osbourne) are incredulous and can't believe it runs let alone is competitive. There's also Jason Easton's Aprillia 550 engined Tigcraft and others if you go looking.

[tigertim20]

Hi All,

Thinking caps needed. There is a job come up at a major national motorcycle magazine here in the UK, for a features writer.

Now I think the CV stands up (worked for 14 years for various publications, written road tests, product reviews, features and news). But they also want 3 ideas for features.

I've got one idea - being to cover unusual places you could do mini-tours (like the one I did a couple of years back when we stayed in a Tipi!), but I need a couple of ideas.

So, what would you like to see written about in a bike mag? It could be a one-off or a series potentially.

Any ideas really appreciated. I've got to submit the CV early next week, so thinking caps on please!

Thanks all,

Regards,

Bob

dunno if this covers your bases, but I hate picking up magazines, and the focus is on brand new bikes, 600+cc. Fuck, not everyone has 20k + to spend on a bike, Id suggest features on bikes aimed at learners, eg features on new and second hand bikes up to 6 years old, that are good learner bikes. what to look for, popular mods etc.

also the same but for 600cc + bikes, that are 2-6 years old, that area is a big fucking market.

[Gibbo89]

tend to agree with tiger as mentioned above.

Sure some people like to see what is brand new in the bike scene etc but fuckin' eh... for people with shallow pockets a 'bargain' section would be nice. i.e. a section that recommends a solid learner that may be a bit older that is easy to maintain and still ticks all the right boxes. Or, instead of a learner bike, a nice 'classic' (classic could mean 1980's through to 90's) for people to get back into biking after a stint away from the biking world and have forgotten a thing or two about what is nice to have when re entering the bike scene.

:msn-wink:

[Bren]

I dont know what sort of mag it is but how about a review of good bikes ten years on, 20 years on and 30 years on... Bikes back then reviewed for today..ie how they stack up compared to the modern things, and hints/tips for people looking to buy these older bikes

For example...my list
1970 CB750four K1...the first of the "superbikes"
1980 Suzuki GS100S
1990 Ducati 750 Sport
2000 HAYABUSA..nuff said

[Smifffy]

dunno if this covers your bases, but I hate picking up magazines, and the focus is on brand new bikes, 600+cc. Fuck, not everyone has 20k + to spend on a bike, Id suggest features on bikes aimed at learners, eg features on new and second hand bikes up to 6 years old, that are good learner bikes. what to look for, popular mods etc.

also the same but for 600cc + bikes, that are 2-6 years old, that area is a big fucking market.

+1 for this
Also is there any IP on these ideas, seems like a pretty good way for the mag to harvest some good features ideas from a bunch of top candidates, even if they only give one of them the job.

Cynical ole me again I guess.

[Milts]

Another vote for Tiger's idea.

And me being the geeky bastard I am, I'd love to see some real research based reporting in bike mags - articles on things like Proffessor Lamb's research, other academic/governmental/professional research into accidents, crash barriers etc, and tests on safety gear (for impact and abbrasion). Regular safety comparisons - eg one week on jackets, another on helmets, another on back protectors etc would also be nice. Could be in the minority there though.

[Old Steve]

Another vote for Tiger!

A comparison of 2 to 6 year old bikes, reliabilty, rideability and cost, across different segments. Don't know what the learners restrictions are in the UK, but something like learners bikes (up to 250 cc?), 'second' bike (600 to 800cc), bigger bikes, sports bikes, cruisers. You could make a five or six part series out of that.

[warewolf]

1) Low budget motorcycling.

Look at the cheapest way to get in to motorcycling: cheap bikes, gear etc. Give say 5 riders a $1000 (quid, pick a number) budget to buy a bike & gear, get them to explain their choices. Review say the cheapest helmets, look at features/models to avoid. Include licence costs eg for mandatory training. Compare decisions made by novices vs very experienced riders.

All too often reviewers say "buy the best you can afford" but what about getting away with the cheapest? What features do you really need, what ones are luxuries?

2) expanding on Mental T's theme: most unusual conversion/cross-over bikes. I'm an adventure rider and ppl are always modding road-ish bikes to make them more off-road capable. So unusual bikes could be like the guy who rode round the world (RTW) on an R1 rather than a R11xxGS. Putting knobbies on a GSX-R1100. Going the other way, customising/chroming a dirt bike. Unusual motard conversions.

Basically bikes that are used (successfully) far from their design brief.

[Smifffy]

Maybe a story pitched at those returning to riding, covering changes in technology etc from bikes in the 80's 90's to now.

[Mental Trousers]

2) expanding on Mental T's theme: most unusual conversion/cross-over bikes. I'm an adventure rider and ppl are always modding road-ish bikes to make them more off-road capable. So unusual bikes could be like the guy who rode round the world (RTW) on an R1 rather than a R11xxGS. Putting knobbies on a GSX-R1100. Going the other way, customising/chroming a dirt bike. Unusual motard conversions.

Basically bikes that are used (successfully) far from their design brief.

That sounds shit hot. Maybe something along the lines of Is ingenuity still alive in motorcycling??

[piston broke]

Hi All,

But they also want 3 ideas for features.

I've got one idea - being to cover unusual places you could do mini-tours (like the one I did a couple of years back when we stayed in a Tipi!),

Bob

i tried a similar thing here ages ago,
sadly not too many replies.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/86969-Cheapish-biker-friendly-accom-around-NZ

best of luck

[Gremlin]

We've now got more than 3 ideas. Can KB be hired as the feature writer?

[Milts]

You really think KB is capable of spelling well enough to write for a magazine?

[Gremlin]

You really think KB is capable of spelling well enough to write for a magazine?
hey, I speel gudder than moist. and them other dudes can correct, job creation :niceone:

Actually, jest aside, there are several members of KB whose jobs ARE to write for magazines. Wotcha tryin' ta say?? :stoogie:

[Bob]

"There are guys that actually write for a magazine" ME!

I write for two magazines, on a freelance basis. But the one that wants a new writer is one of the biggest titles in the UK, so a real step up if I get it/some freelance work out of it.

Thanks for all the ideas - they helped me frame some ideas (they wanted three, I submitted five!). Editor came back straight away and asked for examples of my work, so have sent in a road test, a product test, a feature and an interview with an industry figure.

So fingers crossed... and thanks again,

Bob

[Milts]

Hah! Good to hear, and best of luck.

[Bren]

"

Thanks for all the ideas - they helped me frame some ideas (they wanted three, I submitted five!). Editor came back straight away and asked for examples of my work, so have sent in a road test, a product test, a feature and an interview with an industry figure.

So fingers crossed... and thanks again,

Bob

So what ideas did you submit...cmon give up the goss....

[The Pastor]

things i'd like to see.

1. No more reviews on bikes not ridden. I hate reading a "bike review" that is 100% based off speculation and spec sheets and promo BS. Ride the bike then give me your honest opinion on it. I know this is next to impossible in order to be 'current' and there is a place for previews - but they shouldn't be the main feature of a bike review mag - i wanna know handling, reliability, fuel usage, finish, quality, suspension.

2. track test all bikes - again hard to do but a thing like on top gears lap times - its entertaining

3. ride reviews - go take some bikes and do something crazy on them - 50cc bikes the length of the country etc. sports bike up a mountain something fun.

4. small section on places to visit - cool bike pubs etc.

5. small bit on readers bikes - stock or custom - why did they buy it / mod it?

6. a regular maintenance section - show us how to change the spark plugs, set up suspension, change the air filter, remove an engine, do some valves, check timing, add mini indicators there is heaps you could do here.

7. bike for sale section.

8. bike mechanic / dealer / insurance / retailer review - undercover investigation etc, price comparison etc.

[Gibbo89]

"There are guys that actually write for a magazine" ME!

I write for two magazines, on a freelance basis. But the one that wants a new writer is one of the biggest titles in the UK, so a real step up if I get it/some freelance work out of it.

Thanks for all the ideas - they helped me frame some ideas (they wanted three, I submitted five!). Editor came back straight away and asked for examples of my work, so have sent in a road test, a product test, a feature and an interview with an industry figure.

So fingers crossed... and thanks again,

Bob

So what's my cut? :niceone:

[Bob]

... ideas submitted as follows:

"1. Biking on a budget. More and more features are covering top end goods (I know xxxx is an exception to the rule, with the gloves tests covering above and below £80). But how about expanding this, to see what kit is available to fully clothe a biker on a range of budgets?
2. Road tests of dealer used bikes. My current role at xxx involves sourcing and riding 2nd hand bikes available at dealerships. With the current credit crunch, knowing what is out there at dealers takes on increased importance. So what about some pure back-to-back comparisons of used bikes at dealers?
3. Unexplored Britain. Forget all the regular jaunts. What about unusual places to visit/stay? Possibly for a short/weekend break. Classic case was a trip myself and my wife did a few years back, where we stayed in a Tipi (tepee) in north Norfolk. From our base on the Norfolk coast, we came up with a range of short trips for the next few days, some top (biker friendly) places to eat.
4. Biker-Friendly Britain. A development of the last idea. Why not run some small reviews of biker-friendly venues? Again, not just the Ace Café’s of this world, but lesser known locations, recommended by the xxxx readership?"

There was a temptation to drop in "Why do Honda want to take away gears?" as a feature idea (DN-01, gearless VFR1200 etc), but the publishing house in question tend to be a little scared of getting in Honda's bad books (dates back decades: one of their titles really slated a Honda... so Honda retaliated by refusing to lend them any more bikes! They've been a touch careful ever since)

[Brian d marge]

tight arse biking , who has the most traveled for lowest cost ( best tight arse solution )

I don't even look at mags with a flash new bike on the cover , much more interested , in the ol dunger , that is still going after ,,,how long ......

Stephen

[flyingcrocodile46]

I prefer older bikes and would much rather see features about post classics and the people who are riding them.

When I meet classic bikers I like to find out a bit about their relationship with bikes, when they started, what their favorite memories of biking are and what sort of riding and bike events they are into, along with their bikes and in particular the mods they have made. I would like to see more magazines doing articles that cover the 'blokes and their bikes relationship' side of biking.


Also articles about some of the more unusual things people do with bikes (as in when using them) and articles about whacky design ideas and the funny people who come up with them might be an interesting/funny read.

[Racey Rider]

Do a feature on Replacement OME parts prices.

We know we can buy Bike 'X' for this much,
But what is that brand then expecting us to pay for replacement items?

Brake leavers,
Lower fairing,
Piston kit,
Headlight?

Compare similar models from the different Manufactures, and see whose taking us for a ride with parts prices!

[Conquiztador]

Only found this now. But FWIW here my input:

- Expand on Brens idea: Take a review of a bike say 10 - 20 years ago and look at how it measured up. Did the bike reviewed as a pig actually become a best seller. Or was he right? What else was he wrong/right about?

- Paint a biker: Take a guy/girl and tell us who he is (don't want to read but someone famous!) what he/she does and what bikes he/she rides. Clearly needs to be a colourful charachter. Someone that is outside the square (In NZ I could think of dozens!)

- Da bomb acessories! New and past. Something that someone came up with that is so awsome that everyone should have one!

- A club. Tell us re the club. The riders, their ideals, what makes them tick. Make sure you get around the country so you cover all areas, as this will give noobs somewhere to go. A winner!

- Low budget customizing. What can we do to make our bike different that does not cost us the shirt?

Shit... could go on. But there a start.

[Monsterbishi]

My idea:

Things to say and do, who to contact, etc when your bike gets nicked, and what to do if/when you get it back.

ie - The virtues of paying a bit extra to get Third party w/fire and theft cover verses just straight third party.

[Blackflagged]

tight arse biking , who has the most traveled for lowest cost ( best tight arse solution )

I don't even look at mags with a flash new bike on the cover , much more interested , in the ol dunger , that is still going after ,,,how long ......

Stephen

Are these "tight arse" riders/readers going to buy the Magazine?
Who`s your Market.Idea`s probably to sell Mags.

You could ask on here, when members last purchased (Not just thumbed in the shop) a M/cycle mag and why?

[Blackflagged]

Myself , last purchased was for New bike engine spec`s.
Also like suspension handling Features.
Race performance tricks (Real ones that work) reviews.
Setup like Performance bike (had last time i got one).
They also had a feature on Security once, testing locks by various methods to destruction. Not sure what issue , even rang them in the UK to see if i could get a copy, but they weren`t sure which it was. So if thats not been done since (Last 5yrs or so) could be ago.If you do that one let me know.

Also Classic bikes is another Penny Wrencher for me!.