Lately there’s been a lot of talk again over tae (shit) content. We’ve brought up this issue before. There seems to be a growing number of content about banking, speeding, and general reckless riding. The problem is this kind of subject matter may send the wrong message not only to the general riding public, but other aspiring motovloggers as well. Worse still, it also shows a general disregard for the law.
There have been a lot of discussions for and against the issue. We’ve already shared the arguments against it. Those that do upload this kind of content say it’s just the big guys picking on the little guys; that what these speeding motovloggers do is encourage other motorvloggers to get into the profession; that these kinds of videos get more views and more revenue; and that it’s the viewers to blame if they decide to follow in their footsteps.
It’s pretty clear that speeding and reckless riding content is not the best subject to build your motovlog brand around. If you’re after getting sponsored content, many big brands will avoid vloggers that promote illegal activities and reckless riding. Never mind what viewers will take from it. As a content creator, if you want to earn from your vlog, it’s your responsibility to police your own content. And wouldn’t you feel guilty if one of your followers met a horrific accident because he was imitating one of your top speed runs?
So what should these vloggers feature if not speeding or reckless riding? Constructive, educational, and informative content. We’ll go over some of the possible topics you can cover that send a more positive message, and impart something actually helpful for riders and the community.
Riding techniques
All of us have gone through that awkward stage of being new to riding. We were more concerned with keeping the bike upright and not crashing rather than banking through corners. As the motorcycle community grows, there will always be a large number of riders still coming to grips with these concepts. So why not help them out?
There are a lot of riding techniques that take a while to figure out. Some, like countersteering, are actually the opposite of intuitive to learn. As such, why not focus on teaching these concepts, such as the right way to hold the brake and clutch pedals, where to put your feet, how to hug the tank, and how to properly countersteer. Each of these can be an episode on their own.
Don’t just share your own experience, but check out what other instructors and vloggers are teaching as well. These pros have spent years perfecting the craft and dispense the best tried and tested advice. If you don’t know where to start, check out our articles here.
How a bike works
Not everyone is technically inclined. Many riders out there are simply after a bike the feels good, looks bad ass, or even shares a little bit of their personality. Naturally, knowing how a bike works and which part could likely be broken when it breaks down is incredibly valuable. Yet not that many riders will know this. So why not share tips on what to check, and more importantly what to maintain to avoid breakdowns in the future?
The bike is an inherently complicated machine with several components. So break down the major parts and segments into digestible, bite-size episodes. You can cover things like how brakes work and how they affect bike handling; how tires and tire choice does the same; the different kinds and sizes of engines; shaft drive vs chain drive; and even some modern conveniences like ABS, traction control, or riding modes.
We’ve covered quite a few of these topics ourselves, but admittedly, there’s still a lot more we have to touch up on. The best place to start is to think about what part of a motorcycle confused you the most. Chances are, you’re not the only one. So research on it and share what you’ve learned.
DIY repair and maintenance
Even with the best maintenance, bikes can and will break down or wear out. There’s a lot of things that the service center can handle, but there’s also a surprising number of repairs you can do on your own. So why not vlog about it.
A lot of riders don’t realize how easy it is to do simple things like changing the air filter, the bulb of a light, or even attaching an accessory or two. If you’re planning to do one of these soon, why not make a video about it? We’ve covered a few on our site as well. As boring as the subject may seem, you’d be surprised how many views the articles received.
Road rules
Easily one of the most popular topics to cover is road rules. There are so many covering the installation of aftermarket parts alone. There are also obscure ones like how lane-splitting is actually illegal. Finally even laws that have been around for a while are often forgotten by many riders, like what road markings mean. So why not take some time to explain these and save other riders from getting a ticket?
Sounds boring? Worried it won’t get views? It’s all a matter of phrasing it properly and making riders understand why they need to know these rules. Ever gotten a ticket for ‘disregarding lane markings’? More often than not, it’s because riders missed the left or right turn only arrow on their lane and went straight at an intersection. There are so many violations that can be avoided if riders understood lane markings alone. So why not offer these as tips to avoid paying an expensive ticket? It’s what any rider would be interested in.
Documentation
Another seemingly boring but potentially popular article is anything to do with motorcycle documentation. This means paperwork like a Certificate of Registration (CR), Official Receipt (OR), Deed of Sale, Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP), and even license. Not surprisingly, there are vey few videos about this because it seems like a boring topic. Yet how many times did you wish there was a video about transferring the name of your motorcycle via a deed of sale?
Many of these are confusing and frustrating processes for many riders. Any video that tackles this subject will likely be greatly appreciated. So take the time to learn how secure or process these documents. The more organized and easy-to-follow it is, the better. Take the time to learn the requirements, the proper steps in sequence, the offices you’ll have to go to, and even the amounts you’ll have to pay. If you can present these in an organized but accessible manner, you’ve got a potential viral hit on your hands, something that will stay popular for years to come.
These are just a few of our suggestions on what to vlog about. Granted, they’re not exciting or much to brag about. Yet riding in real life isn’t about heart-pumping activities day-to-day. Many times, you’ll deal with these matters too. And if you can help your fellow riders navigate these challenges, then you’ve truly contributed something positive to the community.
