Idea for a motorcycling TV progamme

[Pedrostt500]

This is just an idea I want to float to the KB Comunity.
I would like to see a TV Programme dedicated to Motorcycling and all facits of it. I thought a Motor Cycle version of the BBC Top Gear show.
This could be a good way to win over Joe and Jane Public, change some attitudes, & give some air time to our Kiwi top riders in their various feilds of the sport, both Nationaly and on the World stage.
This would be good for the Motorcycle Industry to sell their Products, ie bike road tests, and off road tests, accessorie tests, safty gear tests, and demos of all of the above, the hows, whys and where.

So ok Guys and Gurls let me have your views, and if you like the Idea and work in the TV industry, or are a media student please run with it if you choose to do so.

If you dont like this Idea please say so to.

Thanks
Pedro

[Big Dave]

Problem is the potential viewing audience isn't big enough to attract the advertising revenues that Top Gear style production values demand.

[Boob Johnson]

As long as Katmouse or the Moron Few don't feature in it then it sounds great :bleh:


But seriously now, sure the viewer numbers are gunna be low but it doesn't mean it can't happen. I for one would support it as much as I could. It may even spark some interest in more motorcycling events actually taking place or at least being filmed.

[McJim]

You sir are an idealist. This has allowed you to view the world backwards.

It's a great idea - make the programme and change peoples perceptions while making a programme that you would enjoy.

The reason it's backwards is that producers (the people that pay the unfeasibly large sums of money to make, market and air television programmes) need the demand to be there first. This means that the audience drives the programming. This is why television is full of so much shite....like soaps, game shows and other chewing gum for the brain.

They televise drifting now...has this made me change my opinion on drifters and think "Hey they're really neat guys that have made tasteful changes to their vehicles"? No. I still get angry at fuckwits dragging gravel across my apexes in their silly lowered pieces of shit.

So while it's a nice idea....and it comes from a world I'd like to live in...I'm currently in the real world and it's a bit of a non starter I think.

Go prove me wrong :) Best of luck.

[hellkat]

I agree a bit with McJim ... in principal its not a bad idea, but one has to wonder why its not being done already.

Ya could get Richard Hammond to do a star turn, seeing as how he seems to be the one Top Gear peep who shows a proper interest in bikes ... I'd happily polish his leathers any day ... from the inside ... with my tongue :drool:

The demand for the programmes ought to be there - its just a matter of finding the right person ... I remember when that chopper-building thing first came out - I only ever read about it on the Horse Back Street Choppers forum, every week the guys on there would dissect what was being done. It looked like it was just going to be major engineering and custombuilding geekage amongst the chopper-building world.

But then somehow it got some attention, maybe the showy oafishness of the irredeemably nauseating Paul Teutel seemed to catch fire (I wish his moustache would!) ... and suddenly people who had NO interest in bikes whatsoever were suddenly reckoning it was the best programme on telly.

How about suggesting topics for a series, different aspects of bikerness, see what crops up amongst the pros and cons of each one, the possible revenue streams you could attempt to get to sponsor each programme, and THEN see whether or not its viable.

Much like any media thing, though, you'd have people vying for more airtime in the programme than they really merit ... depending on how much they had contributed in sponsorship.

Maybe keep it to a similar format, short clips of different aspects: racing, track stuff, cute engineering, touring, custom building, etc.

[McJim]

Here's an idea to grab the attention of the masses - naked biker chicks on bikes. that will get the ratings up :rofl:

[hellkat]

It didn't do too much damage on the Men and Motors channel. Decent petrolhead programmes, interspersed with saucy-girlie things (albeit scantily clad and/or heavily made up, rather than actually naked, LOL) Many is the time I have endured some programme full of tartybints, whilst waiting to get an eyeful of some decent bit-of-rough beefcake in a bike programme on that channel.

Off you go, then Pedro ... go and make us a format for a series. If you based it on the Top Gear format, or looked at what bike programmes are shown on Men and Motors ... it should be easy enough to fill your series schedule with relevant things bikerish.

Then "all you have to do" is figure out who to pester for sponsorship of each sector :scratch:

[Conquiztador]

Sadly only way for any programme to be viable in NZ is to get NZ On Air funding. Apart from the reality programmes that sadly now are the go, the "make a star" ones and the ones that appeal to a vide cross section it would be hard to get more then a cult following for something like this. And that would mean off peak time and that then would mean a lack of sponsorship/advertising.

I would like to put my neck out and say that there is quite a few of us bikers in NZ who have no real interest in the latest and greatest in bikes. Me for ex, I am a big HD fan. But anything after the Showel makes me go to sleep. Also factory bikes are considered to be a little of a drag by me and many I know.

So even if you started to calculate the bikers in NZ that could watch the programme, you would soon find that it might only appeal to a small % of us??

But hey, I have been known to be wrong at times.

If I was passionate about doing this I would find a backer, get NZ On Air interested and provide advertising oportunities in the programme for potential backers. And who knows, with a low budget and some knowledge in doing film to keep the costs down you might succeed??

Try to appeal to all sectors:
Weekend bikers
HOG types
Females
Racers
Dirt ones
Classic
and so on.

Have a "Biker of the week and his ride" piece where a interesting charachter with a odd bike would be allowed to be him/her self.

Have some interesting new gear
A NZ custom bike
Euro/American bike
Jap bike
Maybe even a Chinese one??

And then try to get feedback what ppl like and change the format to increase the numbers..

See what U done, now I am starting to warm to this...

[mowgli]

I'd watch it - good idea.

[Kickaha]

Problem is the potential viewing audience isn't big enough to attract the advertising revenues that Top Gear style production values demand.

Didn't Bentman feature on one a few years back?


No. I still get angry at fuckwits dragging gravel across my apexes in their silly lowered pieces of shit.


They have drifters in Invercargill? anyway thats an issure for track management, no problems at Ruapuna with it


I agree a bit with McJim ... in principal its not a bad idea, but one has to wonder why its not being done already.

No money in it




Maybe keep it to a similar format, short clips of different aspects: racing, track stuff, cute engineering, touring, custom building, etc.

That was vaugely how I remember the program that was on a few years ago, one in a similar format has run on SKY but only featuring different forms of racing

[homer]

This is just an idea I want to float to the KB Comunity.
I would like to see a TV Programme dedicated to Motorcycling and all facits of it. I thought a Motor Cycle version of the BBC Top Gear show.
This could be a good way to win over Joe and Jane Public, change some attitudes, & give some air time to our Kiwi top riders in their various feilds of the sport, both Nationaly and on the World stage.
This would be good for the Motorcycle Industry to sell their Products, ie bike road tests, and off road tests, accessorie tests, safty gear tests, and demos of all of the above, the hows, whys and where.

So ok Guys and Gurls let me have your views, and if you like the Idea and work in the TV industry, or are a media student please run with it if you choose to do so.

If you dont like this Idea please say so to.

Thanks
Pedro

Funny you post this as just a week ago i had wondered why theres no motorcycling show , dedicated to motorcycling in nz.
be a damn good idea .
After all it would be good to replace the high performance car show on inthe sunday arvo.
Ive watched it but , its quite boring watching fuckn cars drifting sideways for like half a fucken hour.
At least it could be useful tips .
my 2 cents

[mowgli]

They have drifters in Invercargil?
Vagrants more like ... with poor spelling :bleh:

[Maha]

This is just an idea I want to float to the KB Comunity.
I would like to see a TV Programme dedicated to Motorcycling and all facits of it. I thought a Motor Cycle version of the BBC Top Gear show.
This could be a good way to win over Joe and Jane Public, change some attitudes, & give some air time to our Kiwi top riders in their various feilds of the sport, both Nationaly and on the World stage.
This would be good for the Motorcycle Industry to sell their Products, ie bike road tests, and off road tests, accessorie tests, safty gear tests, and demos of all of the above, the hows, whys and where.

So ok Guys and Gurls let me have your views, and if you like the Idea and work in the TV industry, or are a media student please run with it if you choose to do so.

If you dont like this Idea please say so to.

Thanks
Pedro

I also had this very idea in April (well the idea came to me months before) have a read through my thread. I got as far as to talk to a Producer friend about it and then my mind switched to something else. If you want to know what a TV Producer thinks about it..pm me.

Here is my thread
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=71402

[slowpoke]

I'm another "knocker" I'm afraid.

To appeal to a sizeable audience it would have to have "something for everybody" just like most of the bike mags do....which is exactly why I don't buy 'em. I won't waste my hard earned cash or time watching/reading something that is 80% boring. I couldn't care less about the latest scooter low emissions breakthrough or how a full dressed tourer handles two-up, or what the roads are like some place I'm never gonna go.

Basically I am a niche market within a niche market so unless something targets my specific motorcycling interests then I'm not interested.

On the upside they somehow manage to get "Poker" on TV and anything has gotta be a step up from that.....

[1 Free Man]

There's an old saying "From tiny acorns mighty oak trees grow". I'm sure Graham Sinclair went throught the same thing when he started his fishing show and now it is well watched in NZ and off shore to I believe.
You have the acorn all you need to do is plant it in the right place feed it with some bullshit place some pretty ladies around it, some bikes to, and go for it!:clap: I'll watch this space.:niceone: Don't forget the scooters and the old farts on their 250's just getting into the riding fratenity. (Looking for a spot on the show LOL). The cruiser guys and Don't forget the Ladies that ride. It's awsome some of the bikes you see the girls riding they are worthy of a spot in the show and the trike riders/drivers as well.
:2thumbsup

[1 Free Man]

I'm another "knocker" I'm afraid.

To appeal to a sizeable audience it would have to have "something for everybody" just like most of the bike mags do....which is exactly why I don't buy 'em. I won't waste my hard earned cash or time watching/reading something that is 80% boring. I couldn't care less about the latest scooter low emissions breakthrough or how a full dressed tourer handles two-up, or what the roads are like some place I'm never gonna go.

Basically I am a niche market within a niche market so unless something targets my specific motorcycling interests then I'm not interested.

On the upside they somehow manage to get "Poker" on TV and anything has gotta be a step up from that.....

:Oi:I think Pedrostt500 is talking about TELEVISION NOT TUNNEL VISION.
NZ is a nation of KNOCKERS why don't you offer the guy some positive vibes. You never know you might get to like the show when it goes to air. you to may one day find yourself in the market for a nice cruiser and the information may be valuable.:calm:

[Number One]

:Oi:I think Pedrostt500 is talking about TELEVISION NOT TUNNEL VISION.
NZ is a nation of KNOCKERS why don't you offer the guy some positive vibes. You never know you might get to like the show when it goes to air. you to may one day find yourself in the market for a nice cruiser and the information may be valuable.:calm:


He Pedro.

Dirty Biarch says go for it! I think there would be enough interested parties. Include 'learners, road rules, safety, drills etc etc'

Triangle tele has a couple of free to air sections I think.

Would LTSA be interested in promoting motorcyclist education?

Could it be a dvd instead of a Teleshow?

Who could and would volunteer their service and involvement in such a project and how much credibility/credentials should they have?

Anyway, I'd watch it and I'd assist if I was able also :yes:

[Big Dave]

Didn't Bentman feature on one a few years back?

Yeah - I was on it too.
Bentman ad libbing to a handy cam taint 'Top Gear' huh.

Point remains: 'show me the money'.

[Big Dave]

I'm sure Graham Sinclair went throught the same thing when he started his fishing show and now it is well watched in NZ and off shore to I believe.

Fishing is the world's most popular 'sport'.

[hellkat]

I would like to put my neck out and say that there is quite a few of us bikers in NZ who have no real interest in the latest and greatest in bikes.

I think many of us are of a similar bent, we all have our specific interests. I like riding trail bikes (on the road) but I'd be terrified of riding off road, wouldn't mean I'd not be interested in watching other people doing it :niceone:

Neither would I be terribly interested in track or racing very much, or in high performance bikes, but I'd still watch it with one eye open. I've recently taken to watching old re-runs of Top Gear on cable again, despite the fact that its highly unlikely I'd ever be in a position to buy, for example, a Bugatti Veyron - or driving to the North Pole in any form of vehicle ... but it is still eminently watchable.


But anything after the Showel makes me go to sleep.
Are you sure thats not just cos you are old? :msn-wink:


So even if you started to calculate the bikers in NZ that could watch the programme, you would soon find that it might only appeal to a small % of us??
It would be a better thing to consider making it to appeal to the wider biker market, rather than just one small country. Possibly you'd have a wider range of sponsors or advertisers as well.


And who knows, with a low budget and some knowledge in doing film to keep the costs down you might succeed??
Although this is dissed further down by another poster, about some bloke using a handicam, these days some decent programming can be made on reasonably low budget machinery.


Try to appeal to all sectors:
Weekend bikers
HOG types
Females
Racers
Dirt ones
Classic
and so on.

Have a "Biker of the week and his ride" piece where a interesting charachter with a odd bike would be allowed to be him/her self.

Have some interesting new gear
A NZ custom bike
Euro/American bike
Jap bike
Maybe even a Chinese one??

And then try to get feedback what ppl like and change the format to increase the numbers..

See what U done, now I am starting to warm to this...

:laugh: Difficult not to, when you get passionate about something, innit.

A good start is to find a frontman with that passion, a character who will appeal to a broad range of viewers, but who might be mainstream enough to become a recognisable face not only within the industry, but with the general public. Who knew of Jeremy Clarkson before he got on Top Gear? He was a nobody, now he's just a famous overopinionated nobody. But everybody knows who he is, because of his personality and his passion for his subject. But sometimes its his personality that drives the programme.

[slowpoke]

:Oi:I think Pedrostt500 is talking about TELEVISION NOT TUNNEL VISION.
NZ is a nation of KNOCKERS why don't you offer the guy some positive vibes. You never know you might get to like the show when it goes to air. you to may one day find yourself in the market for a nice cruiser and the information may be valuable.:calm:

Does he want a fair and representative survey of who would watch it or does he want a distorted view? Bad information is worse than no information. If I was looking at starting something like this then I'd make damn sure I had accurate information, hence I'm telling it like it is.

I don't buy Kiwirider, Bike Trader, AMCN, Two Wheels, Road Rider etc 'cos I'm only interested in about 10pages (or less) therein...the same applies to a TV show where I'm not gonna hang about for an hour to watch the 10 minutes I'm into.

Motorcyclists aren't a general demographic like say Rugby supporters. A Hurricanes supporter will probably be (mildly) interested in most Super14 games whereas an adventure rider probably won't be interested in the latest Goldwing or Burgman and a BMW boxer owner isn't necessarily interested in motocross etc etc.

As for a "nice cruiser", that's an oxymoron if ever there was one.....

[Big Dave]

at least you got the order right.

[rocketman1]

A Motorcycling show would be great.. I for one would watch it whatever bikes were on it.
I dont think it is going to solely survive, on showing bikes & talking about the technical aspects of bikes, much as it would interest me.
The way of doing it in my opinion is to get a "Marcus Lush" Im not sure I have the name correct here but I mean the guy who did the thing on travelling around NZ on trains, and then did the Antartic thing, he has a great way of putting together an interesting show.
Who the hell is interested in trains not me but, I watched his show every week because he travelled to different places and talked about history, talked to interesting people, and about trains, and had a good personality, bloody interesting
Now this is the way to do it in my opinion.
Travel around NZ on motorbikes with a film crew filming things that interest people, and include the bikes as well. Good Luck

[Big Dave]

I see the future in these sorts of endeavours is in the new media and web.

[Renegade]

id love to see a show like this, i watch anything i can that is related to motorvehicles, discovery channel has a few, i enjoy british biker build off the most though followed by petrol heads.

[skidMark]

Problem is the potential viewing audience isn't big enough to attract the advertising revenues that Top Gear style production values demand.

Wot 'e said.

[Conquiztador]

Are you sure thats not just cos you are old? :msn-wink:




Watch it gal, you are not making friends here with that attitude... ;)

[kevfromcoro]

Fishing is the world's most popular 'sport'.

Fishing is the worlds 2nd most popular sport......

[hellkat]

Watch it gal, you are not making friends here with that attitude... ;)

I look forward to clashing zimmer frames with you, my dear :innocent: :whistle:

A bloke who can't think beyond Shovels can't be so bad, after all :not: in all honesty, I can't remember what came after Evo meself *doinks self on head wiv rubber mallet*

[Conquiztador]

I look forward to clashing zimmer frames with you, my dear :innocent: :whistle:

A bloke who can't think beyond Shovels can't be so bad, after all :not: in all honesty, I can't remember what came after Evo meself *doinks self on head wiv rubber mallet*

Sorry, there will be no zimmer frames. Have already told my oldest that if I ever get to that stage I will ride a bike over the cliff. (Have my whole life had this re-occuring dream re me riding off the road and flying with a bike and then falling...)

But back to the topic: Someone already mentioned re a niche in a niche market. And even inside that niche you will find a niche or two. I have also long ago stopped buying bike magazines that are available in NZ on the shelf. I might read one article and skip the rest. Today there is only 2 I get: MCM from Sweden and Greasy Kulture. And even in them there are articles I skip.

So to make a bike TV programme that pulls the crowd will be tricky. Probably why it has not been done.

Yep, I recon bikers are a complicated bunch (well, no bunch actually, heaps of individuals voicing their opinion by choosing to do what they love in their own way not really caring what others think)

[hellkat]

Greasy Kulture is now a mag??? :eek:
(is that the same Greasy Kulture as the website, originally started by a Pom called Guy?)

Oh dear, I have been away from the custom bike scene for a long time, haven't I...

[hellkat]

OMG, I just skulked off to the GK website (where I have not been for probably 5 or 6 years) ... wondrous things.
*impressed*

Thanks Conquiztadore for dropping that little gem of information in there.
:niceone:

[Conquiztador]

Greasy Kulture is now a mag??? :eek:
(is that the same Greasy Kulture as the website, originally started by a Pom called Guy?)

Oh dear, I have been away from the custom bike scene for a long time, haven't I...

Yep. Same.

Here: http://www.greasykulture.com/themag.html

and here MCM: http://www.mcm.se/

I sit here with #5 in my hand no stains and smelling of new printing ink (OK, so we get them late to NZ...)

A Triumph or 2, some Knuckles, an old Indian, a handful of sweet Pan's and even a Pan/shovel. And not a Evo in sight...

Never too late to rekindle...

[hellkat]

True enough, young man.

Blimey, I used to hang out on all the Iron Horse and related websites (including GK) when I was a real noob, all those guys are soooooo much my heroes, they probably remember my name, probably still think I'm a wannabe (and a shitstirrer: I fell out with Ghenghis Wong once online, typical internet flame wars, he still deletes my posts to this day ... LOL).

Been round the block a few times since then, still no further forward on in terms of engineering or custom-building knowledge myself (went in another direction in life, I guess) ... but ooooooo, how I used to fancy Guy something chronic, LOL.

[hellkat]

Am I gonna get points on my licence for wandering off topic?
:bleh:

[Pedrostt500]

Thanks Guys And Gurls for your in put, Yes I do realise that there are those of us who are hard core into Their specific niche of Motor Cycling, and good on you guys for being the way you are, but it would be a boring World should we all be only interested in riding Choppers, mostly I have found that Motorcycling is about Individuals & Individual interests.
I have yet to see a groupe of motorcyclists who own their own machines and as a groupe ride identicle bikes, dressed in identicle bike gear, how boring would that be.
About 95% of my Ideas never get passed the sketch pad for various reasons, this is one that I consider in the 5% that is worthy of putting out to the KB community and seeing what sort of reaction there is to it.
My reference to the BBC Top Gear programe is because I belive that is one of the best motoring programes that I ever Have seen to date, most who watch that particular programe would never be able to justify owning some of the exsotic sports cars the show tests each programe, most of us watch the show for the entertainment value.
Motorcycling covers such a wide spectrum, from the humble commuters to the Chopper fraturnity to the sports bike Guys and Gals, to those who are into their Motor Cross and Enduro eventing, and there are many more sub groupes of Motorcycling in New Zealand, some Individuals cross over from one groupe to another, with out the slightest interest in some other branch of Motorcycling. I know I can't keep every one happy by covering all the facits of Motorcycling in every show, as that would make such a Show to scizophrenic and to hard for most people to consentrate on, so applying the K.I.S.S ( keep it simple stupid )principle to a Motorcycle show, so my geuss would be may be two road style bike revues, ie Sports, Chopper, Touring, Comutter,etc. and then maybe two off road style bike revues, ie Motor Cross, Enduro, Trail, Quad bikes, etc. Then look at either a branch of motorcycling more in depth, or a specialty feild such as Trials Bike events.
With the price of fuel reacing all time highs and to be exspected to go up, alot of Joe and Jane public are going to be seriously looking at motorcycling as an alternative to running their Terrace Tractors to work, there are those who will never want to ride a Motorcycle, and those who never should.
A Motorcycling Show will not appeal to every one, I understand this, and I know that those who Believe a Green Suzuki GT380 from 1973, is the king of the road, and nothig else will compare, probably will have no interest in such a show, But good on that individual for being so into what He or She does.
I have no ridgid exspectations of what a motorcycling show will be like, should it ever eventuate, there is still along way for the Idea to move from Concept to reality, and many pit falls along the way.
I do not mind if this idea gains traction and becomes reality and takes off in a big way, with some one else picking the ball up and running with it, I will be a happy man just to see that happen.

[Grub]

I like the idea ... New Zealand is one of the places this could be made and made to work. We have a rich history of breaking moulds and doing stuff that nobody else could do. Fred Dagg, Peter Jackson, Peter Blake and Phil Keoghan all show it can be done - and done well.

The key is the star quality of the guy fronting it. Now for my damp squid ... in NZ, we would probably get it hosted by Jason Gunn :sick: - a sure way for it to bomb!

[TOTO]

Have a "Biker of the week and his ride" piece where a interesting charachter with a odd bike would be allowed to be him/her self.



this will mean that GiJoe will be on the show every second week with a new crack up biker story.

I'm all for the show. let me know when you need some audience or help carying projectors or even riding a bike for you. I'll sacrafice myself for the greater motorcycling good :niceone:

[discotex]

I like the idea ... New Zealand is one of the places this could be made and made to work. We have a rich history of breaking moulds and doing stuff that nobody else could do. Fred Dagg, Peter Jackson, Peter Blake and Phil Keoghan all show it can be done - and done well.

The key is the star quality of the guy fronting it. Now for my damp squid ... in NZ, we would probably get it hosted by Jason Gunn :sick: - a sure way for it to bomb!

The other ingredient is the camera work. Need a good (read Top Gear/Fifth Gear good) camera operator to donate their spare time for the love of bikes.


this will mean that GiJoe will be on the show every second week with a new crack up biker story.


He could be the red ninja stig...........

[Pedrostt500]

Do we have any members of KB who work in TV or for one of the TV programme production companies, if so I would be keen on hearing their views, or speaking to them directly about the possibilities of a motorcycle Show.

[Number One]

Do we have any members of KB who work in TV or for one of the TV programme production companies, if so I would be keen on hearing their views, or speaking to them directly about the possibilities of a motorcycle Show.
FFS if they will give money to those two fools Mark Ellis and Matthew Ridge to go round the world making cunts of themselves surely this idea could attract some interest?!

[Dave-]

I'd hate to see a lame performance car magazine DRIFT show type motorcycle thing where there's content amongst the advertising as opposed to advertising amongst the content.

where they have some fuck being all this is tre, his motorbike is awesome, test ride a suzuki on a suzuki sponsored show and the bike is given #1 best bike ever award, thanks for watching Suzuki<insert huge amounts of advertising>

[Biggles2000]

Dam fine idea. Don't forget to put a rental-tourism spin as NZ is a great place to tour and funding for tourism may be possible to get.

[mashman]

Tis likely long overdue. I hate most car shows, primarily as thy're just not as entertaining as Top Gear, the only reason I watch it. You could rip a few things off of Top Gear, fastest Mike on a reasonably priced Bike, the challeneges (like racing farmer giles across his fields on his ATV on a busa) aspect and X numbers of varying models from the same class having a loose comparison out of the box are the three that I enjoyed on Top Gear as they all sparked the debate, which is where the humour came from. May as well do something like, set up a camera on a tripod (good enough for the purposes) and film a group of guys debating the highs and lows of the bike/the ride, inability to ride etc... but from a pub... nothing too formal and highly Kiwi. There are vast numbers of rides you guys take that could be reported on... rip funny clips off of youtube... and then there are always the laws that you can poke and prod at and with KB's having such strong view points on them, there's bags and bags of material out there and not only from NZ, you just need the up front frontman, you could hold ausitions from here as there are tonnes of mad fucked up honest funny people on here... I reckon one thing you would need would a be a focal group for editing purposes, or a bloody good editor as it really is all in the editing... I dreamed of doing something like this in the UK years ago, but as per usual mad cow kicked in (I still detest my X, pretty much the only woman... nope and my mother in law, pretty much the only women i've ever detested) and my mind wandered off on to other things, such as suicide, other women and the pursuit of happiness... I hope it doesn't lie in the back of your mind and fills your veins with passion...

[Terminated]

This is just an idea I want to float to the KB Comunity.
I would like to see a TV Programme dedicated to Motorcycling and all facits of it. I thought a Motor Cycle version of the BBC Top Gear show.
This could be a good way to win over Joe and Jane Public, change some attitudes, & give some air time to our Kiwi top riders in their various feilds of the sport, both Nationaly and on the World stage.
This would be good for the Motorcycle Industry to sell their Products, ie bike road tests, and off road tests, accessorie tests, safty gear tests, and demos of all of the above, the hows, whys and where.

So ok Guys and Gurls let me have your views, and if you like the Idea and work in the TV industry, or are a media student please run with it if you choose to do so.

If you dont like this Idea please say so to.

Thanks
Pedro


I went delving back into my posts and the following is reproduced here, note it was a while back. The way the price of petrol is sky-rocketing, probably now than before, the opportunity exists out there with entrepreneural flare: I think with a good marketing investigative consultant approach and casting a net across Australia/Asia, USA/Europe, with the right 'hook' a major player could run with something. Left field thoughts - MotoGP and World Super Bike, sponsors would be a good start, think outside the box and internationally....a regular 'hub' could be New Zealand tourism marketing internationally as well.

From 16 November 2006:

Gidday All
Over at my 'Newbie Training Update' thread for wannabies and newbies popped up a theme.

With the introduction of YouTube now available on the internet it could be possible to 'produce' some reasonable training videos.

My initial reaction would be to target the production at good standard level and involving accredited motorcycle specialist. The video could be produced for DVD and snippet exposure on YouTube. I appreciate that ACC produced a video about Group Riding and it was quite reasonable and matter a fact. Similar training videos addressing and re-addressing the basic fundamentals of riding and progressing through to advanced skill levels could all be dove tailed into New Zealand 'tourism' and indeed cover the spectra of both islands in different seasons etc etc. Not quite Lord of the Rings production but indeed the scenery would be a wonderful factor.

Potentially within this Kiwibiker community a hub of skilled expertise could be brought together on a voluntary basis and any income derived from the sale of such material could be donated to charity/s.

On the other hand this could be an entrepreneural opportunity for somebody to run with. A twelve part or greater series of motorcycling around NZ with instructional and tourism themes.

I don't know where this idea could take off and who would want to be involved but I think we have some of the best motorcycle riding country in the world and running on the back of constructive and effective instructional technique could be a very positive.

Reality television well it has bouquets and bricks, but to have a national event drawing in entrants and team entrants with the whole theme of motorcycling skills and safety well it could perhaps be an angle.

Happy to receive PM messages at the supportive positive level, and by all means post in open forum any general comments.

Here is where and when the theme popped up yesterday:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=826064#post826064

Heads Up and Enjoy


It's late, I am off to bed, stone cold sober (on antibiotics) and would be happy to kick this around in a think tank more....there is a will and there is a way.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Bob]

Someone mentioned the Men and Motors channel earlier - I used to watch a few of the bike shows they ran. And to me, they all failed because they didn't make it interesting.

Two Wheels - which was their magazine show - was dull as dishwater. The original presenter (Jeff Stone, really nice guy and press man for the BMF) was less interesting than paint drying. And the two blokes on there who tried to be "funny"? Didn't work on any level. The other problem was they'd show a bike... going obviously slowly in a straight line!

Also, for a magazine show, they regularly failed to cover anything topical, or run any good new consumer news.

There was another show - a good idea in theory - where someone wanted to buy a new bike, but different from what they were riding. So the show organised a bunch of different bikes, which the customer would then take for a short test ride and comment, based on different criteria.

Trouble was... all the riding shots were.... you guessed it... in a straight line, going very slowly. Then the judging criteria would have categories like "reliability". Utter farce! Regular thing 'It is a Honda, so 9 out of 10 for reliability". THEY ONLY RODE EACH BIKE FOR 20 MINUTES! So how can you rate reliability?

I'd love to see a good, interesting and well presented bike show. But the challenge is to keep it topical, make it interesting and show off bikes with great photography (Top Gear has stunning photography, as well as great presenting).

Don't know who you could get to be the biking equivalent of 'The Stig', but you'd need someone seriously good! Is Aaron Slight allowed to ride now?

[Lucy]

I used to work in TV, not that it makes my opinion worth any more than anyone elses, but I also watch a lot of tv, and consider myself more of an average tv watcher than a 'film wanker'.

From what I can tell, the shows that start out with lots of advertising and sponsorship are the ones that are uninteresting and crap and don't last long, because they have to get lots of 'shots of the sponsors products in'. The ones that start out with a passion and good writing and personalities get to be popular and then advertisers want to jump on board. Think "Back of the Y" or "Eating Media Lunch" or the early Mikey Havoc shows, as opposed to "Five thirty with Jude". Although Jude was very popular I must say....

I remember seeing Jeremy Clarkson a really long time ago and Top Gear was nothing like it is now. Things grow and get better if they start with something good. A guy with a handycam interviewing someone interesting is better to watch (in my opinion) than lots of lovely pictures of bottles of oil or racks of tyres.

TV can be made for very low budgets nowadays. Yes getting paid is the hard part, but if you make good stuff, it'll get picked up, especially if it gets talked about and popular. TV stations are just as much like sheep as the rest of us.

[Bob]

I remember seeing Jeremy Clarkson a really long time ago and Top Gear was nothing like it is now. Things grow and get better if they start with something good. A guy with a handycam interviewing someone interesting is better to watch (in my opinion) than lots of lovely pictures of bottles of oil or racks of tyres.

I remember how Top Gear used to be... which is why it was dropped by the BBC. Then another channel (Five) hired the team - aside from Clarkson, who was trying other things for the Beeb - to start up exactly the same show 5th Gear. It started getting good ratings, so the Beeb went back to Clarkson to re-launch Top Gear - and the new format is a massive success.


TV can be made for very low budgets nowadays. Yes getting paid is the hard part, but if you make good stuff, it'll get picked up, especially if it gets talked about and popular. TV stations are just as much like sheep as the rest of us.

Look at the people that have launched their careers on YouTube or MySpace - a good idea is a good idea.

I still stand by the quality of the photography being an important part of Top Gear though. Same with the bke magazines in the UK - Bike has superb photography, which makes it stand out against most of the rest of the market.

Getting back to the bike show - how long are you intending it to be? Half hour or hour? Depending on time, your challenge changes. Half hour could see you struggling to cover anything in decent depth. Hour? You might struggle with the weekly content!

Things I'd like to see a bike show on TV cover:

1. A look at new bikes. Road test or two each week - maybe even a back to back as well.
2. Current affairs - anything new we need to know about? Or news about a dealership offing zero finance or a heavy discount on new kit?
3. Interviews with important people in the biking arena - this doesn't have to be a top racer, but someone like a major importer perhaps. Make it a "send in your questions" feature and you'd get some good information from them, as well as providing feedback they'd otherwise not get... which would make them want to come on the show.
4. Getting someone from somewhere like the California Superbike school on would be good - you just have to be careful not to preach. Same with teaching some spannering skills.
5. How about a small feature on something like touring? You can even take a sideways angle - for example, do you really need a sports-tourer for touring? Or would a big cruiser actually be better? Or even maybe a BMW1200GS?

The challenge has to be keeping it interesting - something the Top Gear team are fantastic at doing.

I'd say you don't touch racing at all - quite aside from NZ not getting the world championship stuff there, it is much better covered by a specialist show and could take up too much time.

All just my opinion of course, but having watched some of the attempts at this sort of show in the UK, I've seen a fair few fall, despite having a bit of money thrown at them.

The best show I remember seeing (and I'm kicking myself for not remembering it's name), was on a tiny little channel. It had a budget of peanuts - but the presenters were so into the show that it really came across and made for great viewing.

[CookMySock]

To appeal to a sizeable audience it would have to have "something for everybody" I think it would have to appeal to the masses, and ignore the niche bikers. Which means, cover the basics only.

I think the general public wants to ride, but they have issues with the ideas ;

1. I will fall off
2. I feel inadequate on a bike
3. Bikes aren't much fun
4. The skills required are too much for me
5. I could never wheelie like that blah-blah so I won't go there

I think a TV program could every day conquer each one of these and other ideas, and introduce ordinary people to the new-found freedom and lifestyle that we enjoy. I had no idea biking was like this, and I would hazard that many others do not either. Show them how it feels - start with total newbies and bring them up carefully. A group of ladies, a couple of responsible young fellas, a couple of giggly girls, a hardass racer, a cruiser couple.. away we go !

So, carefully crafted, I think such a show could be a winner, Pedro, and I would not relinquish it to the public domain so quickly if I were you.

It would lose credibility instantly, if there was a wheelie or a burnout, or some other display of unnecessary bravado or idiocy.

I'd help make it. I'd watch it because it was topical, but otherwise I don't watch TV. TV is junk, because theres nothing like this on it.

edit: add a couple of noob celebrities etc

DB

[BiK3RChiK]

I think in principle this is a damn great idea! Sure, it has it's problems, but they aren't insurmountable.

There was a film featured at our Little Theatre just recently that some local guys made and the local radio station ran with it and supported and promoted them along with the local paper. It was along the lines of what Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman did, but on a shoe string. I'll see if I can find out any details with regards to budget, filming, editing etc....

Cheers, ChiK

[Bob]

Pedro - did you take the idea any further? Hopefully all the feedback gave you some good stuff to put into the idea for the show.

Be good to hear how you got on.

[dubshack]

4. Getting someone from somewhere like the California Superbike school on would be good - you just have to be careful not to preach. Same with teaching some spannering skills.


This suggestion is very easily fulfilled as I am an instructor at this very school and I'm Auckland based.
That's one step done only about 999,999 to go.

I am currently working on some projects that may (very big may) be able to get regular air time but we are a very long way off at this stage.

[Pedrostt500]

Well sorry kids I havent done much at all with this, being a working class fool I and working 6 days a week I dont get much time for me let alone time to chase this, winning lotto would help the cause, but dont get me wrong, I do wish to see some thing of this happen but there will be times that nothing much will happen.

[JohnR]

Don't let the nay sayers kill your enthusiasm!
There are many organisations in NZ whose purpose it is to promote motorcycling (aside from the obvious ones with commercial interests).
Motorcycling New Zealand and BRONZ are two that immediately spring to mind and may be interested in assisting with such a project. Also the head of Documentary New Zealand on Sky is a keen motorcyclist... One or some of the local biker magazines might see an opportunity as well.
Maybe instead of aiming for anything as ambitious as a weekly "Top Gear" type show, why not look at a one off "magazine" type production and see how it flies.
As for production quality, I seem to remember the first episodes of Gone Fishin' were shot on a handycam and obviously low budget compared to the current format.
I agree that the "types" of motorcycling enthusiast are many and varied in their choice of mount, but all have one thing in common... they use two wheels to get from one place to another!:2thumbsup
Any that are "only interested in HD Shovels with red flame paint jobs" may have their horizons broadened:eek5:...or their prejudice may become more firmly entrenched:mad: lol. I for one will watch/read anything that has motorcycles as a vehicle (excuse the pun).

[Bend-it]

Hey, I agree with this and think it's a great idea!! I know a production studio that can help, but will need to be paid of course... And we can always get volunteers from KB to help out.

We could do a trial 40min episode, get some feedback and see how things go. I'm Welly based as well, so would love to sit and chat over lunch or coffee or something. :)

[JohnR]

And the ball starts rolling!?:2thumbsup
How many great things have begun with the phrase "Let's do lunch":lol:
Shame I'm in Auckland... but then the Strom's tank is full and it's not really that far:msn-wink:

Seriously though if anything goes ahead and I can help, I'd be more than happy to.

[Sparrowhawk]

Bloody great idea. I'm seeing more & more bikes commuting. I saw 11 bikes on the way home from work the other day, I used to see 2 or 3 a week. If you put a slot for noob riders, what gear to wear, some leaner-legal bikes reviewed.

I like the idea of the top-gear model. They do some great stuff like the 'buy a car for less than $5k', the famous reliant shuttle, and rocket powered ski mini.

As a extra feature at the end, take a page out of dobbo's book, and do a 'plays of the week'.

[The Pastor]

Hire the mormon few and you've got it set!

[carver]

dude, its coming.
safety, change public opionions?
fuck that, lets make them worse, the mormons really practice what they preach.

thats not what stimulates people...saftey, blah blAH

danger, and extremes are what we need

look to the mormon few stunt crew.

were gearing up to start a series soon.
PM me for suggestions.

also, fuck TV, and sponsors that may ties us back, the i-net (google vid) is the way of the future.

[Bend-it]

there goes the neighbourhood...

[Big Dave]

also, fuck TV, and sponsors that may ties us back, the i-net (google vid) is the way of the future.

Aye.

My you tube dribble - with $NIL production values - have had 500,000 views altogether and rate 4.5/5 stars.

Crazy stuff. Still haven't figured how to make a buck from it though.

[carver]

Aye.

My you tube dribble - with $NIL production values - have had 500,000 views altogether and rate 4.5/5 stars.

Crazy stuff. Still haven't figured how to make a buck from it though.

who cares, i do it for the love, the passion!

[Big Dave]

who cares,

My bank manager.

[carver]

My bank manager.

?

is that why you could never do it?