Ideas needed for three unusual biking features

[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

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

[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?

[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?