Writing reviews

**WarlockNZ** · 7th February 2007, 17:04

Can anyone out there give me some pointers on writing Bike ( and stuff about bikes) reviews ..

A friend of mine is setting up a magazine and I've been asked if i wanted to have a column.

Now anyone that knows me realises that i can just go on and on and on and on .. well you get the idea .. but the first thought that sprang to mind was that this is an awesome chance to not only ride some hot bikes (oh YEAH!!) but also to get some issues out in the public arena ..

So.. in that vein, can anybody give me some pointers or advice or whatever ..

what would YOU, as riders like to read about ?? .. bikes, gear, specs, hot chicks !! .. LOL .. what ???

You tell me and i'll write it.

**gijoe1313** · 7th February 2007, 17:50

You go on? Do go on! (er wait..the small electrical H20 heating device is calling the cast iron cooking utensil a negative shade of white!)

Excellent, will be good to see your demented (no, not DMNTD) brand of subversive viewpoints in print!

Just write up anything related to biking, biking politics, general ravings...er wait...that sounds familiar

Kawaii asian macho combat biking babes would be a good first column

**James Deuce** · 7th February 2007, 17:54

First up, set a word limit and then stick to it.

Agree on deadlines and stick to them.

Think of something that isn't necessarily bike related to illustrate your point (s).

Use paragraphs and punctuation and Oxford English spelling.

Find no more than 7 things about the item being reviewed to discuss in your review.

Make sure your review is based on personal experience and not other people's anecdotal blather.

Have fun.

**WarlockNZ** · 7th February 2007, 17:54

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

You go on? Do go on! (er wait..the small electrical H20 heating device is calling the cast iron cooking utensil a negative shade of white!)

Well yes

.. although i do feel that it would be in my best interests to let that one slide .. not having your splendiferous vocabulary, I fear i would be outclassed by the eloquence of your speech.

**Hitcher** · 7th February 2007, 17:59

Everything Jim2 said. If you make what you write interesting and entertaining, people will read it. Develop your own style. The one thing I hate more than plagiarism is people who copy what others have written. And the Dutch.

**WarlockNZ** · 7th February 2007, 18:00

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Everything Jim2 said. If you make what you write interesting and entertaining, people will read it. Develop your own style. The one thing I hate more than plagiarism is people who copy what others have written. And the Dutch.

Don't forget the French ... cheese eating surrender monkeys ....

**James Deuce** · 7th February 2007, 18:02

Now that was plagiarism.

**WarlockNZ** · 7th February 2007, 18:04

Originally Posted by Jim2

"Like a heat-stroked renegade cowboy with a bad attitude, Buell's Lightning Super TT kicks open the doors of the saloon, smacks the barmaid on the ass, downs a double-shot of liver-killer, lays a smoky burnout around the piano before rolling into the street, burning out sideways, flat track style, and heading due west into the sunset waving a middle finger in the air."

and what do you call this ??? LOL

**WarlockNZ** · 7th February 2007, 18:07

Seriously tho ... I know what i want to read about when it comes to bikes ... and i want to see hot chicks draped over them like a form fitting set of leathers .. (with boobs) .. oh yeah .. did i mention that hot chicks are involved as well ??

But what do the rest of you want to read ?? ... or is that pretty much it ?

**gijoe1313** · 7th February 2007, 18:37

Hmmm hot bikes, hot chicks, hot gears and twisties where we can go to ride (both?

) what more? Except invite us out on a press junket so we can

with you too

**WarlockNZ** · 7th February 2007, 18:40

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

Hmmm hot bikes, hot chicks, hot gears and twisties where we can go to ride (both?

) what more? Except invite us out on a press junket so we can

with you too

LOL ... but of course my fine, slightly yellow, friend (as long as you promise not to ride off a clliff)

... there will but some plugs for KB in the mix as well ...

The more people we have riding, the less change we have of being hit by a cage

**Bob** · 16th February 2007, 04:43

Originally Posted by Jim2

First up, set a word limit and then stick to it.

Agree on deadlines and stick to them.

Think of something that isn't necessarily bike related to illustrate your point (s).

Use paragraphs and punctuation and Oxford English spelling.

Find no more than 7 things about the item being reviewed to discuss in your review.

Make sure your review is based on personal experience and not other people's anecdotal blather.

Have fun.

Everything Jim says, plus remember: copying from one article is plagarism, copying from two is research! Also remember that if you copy someone's words, well, word for word, then you are stealing their work, committing copyright theft and WILL get taken to court.

The art of the precis is vitally important when researching your topic.

But... bear in mind that if you say, for example "The Honda CBR600 engine cannot make the bike move from standing under 2,000 revs" - and it can - then you are opening the magazine up to be sued.

My editor at Motor Cycle Monthly loves to tell me the story of the Yachting magazine who published a review that specifically said that an engine could not do something which it could (something which would stop people buying it) -and the title was sued, lost the court case and was closed down as they went bust.

So be very careful - perhaps the thing to do is to have your column as an opinion piece, with a disclaimer of "Nothing Warlock says reflects the opinions of this magazine... or anyone else", if they want to play safe.

But you should be agreeing maximum word count and what subject matter you're allowed to write about with your editor. No good your sending in a review of a bike for example, when the other staff has already covered it.

If you want to look at lots of reviews (no copying anything in there!), then take a look at Motobke.co.uk - I'll always happily read something someone wants to say and if it fits the bill, I'll cheerfully publish it.