F.A.Q.s

Why do you always say “Hey Kids” at the start of a video, it’s condescending and I’m not a child?

Ah well to be honest I do somewhat regret using that phrase now as it has given me nothing but grief! It was originally intended as a quirky catchphrase opening to my videos (which in truth I stole from another You Tube channel called “Old Man Triple” – go check him out!). I gave no thought to the fact that in these politically correct days it could cause me trouble. I thought it was just a fun way to open my videos and I know from my marketing background that people love a repetitive catchphrase and it, and other repeated phrases I use, are what people come to know and expect from the channel. I have experimented with not saying it at the start of videos and I always get complaints in the comments for dropping it. If I leave it I get (fewer) complaints about me addressing, let’s face it predominantly middle aged men, as “kids”. So my view is to hell with it, I like it, it’s staying! Out of interest I also stole “Stick around and stay tuned” – that came from Del Boy’s Garage (and Del has kindly told me I can keep the phrase!) and “Until next time, this has been the …..” came from a talented young Vlogger who stopped making videos some years ago and I can’t even remember his name!

Why don’t you have any reviews of “such and such” a bike?

I can only ride and review bikes that are available to me. Please bear in mind I am not a professional journalist, just a fella in his garage who likes motorbikes the same as you! So I don’t have a way to borrow certain bikes and don’t (yet) have many contacts in to the motorcycling industry that can make certain machines available to me.  This is changing as the channel expands though so hopefully, in time, there won’t be such glaring gaps in my review coverage.  All that said, I will continue to try and ride older and classic bikes (because they’re fun!).  I have had the chance to ride some older bikes and if you search on my channel you will find them.

When are you going to review some second hand/older/classic bikes?

I’d love to review some older bikes, be they a decade old or a hundred years old! The issue is that I’m just a normal private individual like you and have no special way to get hold of bikes to review (I don’t have the network of contacts that say bike journalists have, although over time I’m building some!). I have tried to get some older bikes to review through my “Readers Rides” series but this is logistically very difficult to do and quite time consuming to set up.

You seem to like all the bikes you ride, why don’t you ever say bad things about a bike?

Well the truth is that most new bikes these days are good! I do try very hard to be objective in my bike reviews and if I can, try and point out the negative aspects as well as the positive. Trouble is the negative aspects don’t always become evident on a quick test ride! …when I get to keep a bike for longer I can do more in-depth reviews, and it is in these videos where I always list the pros and cons….

Why don’t we see you on bike launches?

Several reasons, firstly I don’t regard myself as a motorcycle journalist (I’m just a bloke who likes bikes and likes making videos…I’ve never claimed to be an expert, I’m just an enthusiast). I think part of the appeal of my channel is that I am just an ordinary bloke and “ordinary blokes” don’t get invited to bike launches! Secondly the journalists that go on launches get paid by their respective publications to go and so it is worth their while, if I went , it would take at least 3 days of my time (for example) and I would make one video out of it – in that time normally I can make two or more videos – I also wouldn’t get paid for the time, so in short, it wouldn’t be good use of my time. Thirdly whenever these launches take place there tends to be a rash of videos from the various publications and vloggers all showing the same locations, bikes and in some cases shots….those guys will always do a more professional job than me, I’m not actually that great at producing flashily edited videos (you may have noticed!). Fourth reason is that I’m not a great rider, often these launches involve testosterone charged track days and they simply aren’t my thing, nor is hard core off-roading or pulling wheelies on the road. Fifth reason, I make TMF for fun, and the idea of sitting in a Powerpoint presentation for half a day hearing why a new spirving bearing effectively reduces side fumbling in a bike isn’t what I call fun. Sixth reason, I like my own bed. …and last but not least – I very rarely get asked to go on launches (I wonder why!!!), I can think of only three to date, all of which I’ve turned down for the reasons stated. Does this make me a bad person? Doesn’t stop me feeling a bit miffed though when I see manufacturers invite other You Tube vloggers and much smaller motorcycle channels to launches and not me – can’t win can they!!!

In your kit corner reviews you never say anything bad about the products you review, why?

This isn’t strictly true but I do take the point. I only review kit that I genuinely have used for a period of time and rate myself as good. One of the good things about having a You Tube channel is that often manufacturers do send me items for review, and often for free, if I get something which I think is rubbish (and it happens quite often!) then I tell the manufacturer so and ask if they still want me to do the review….surprise surprise they normally say “no”! I’m aware that my channel does have influence and I’m not in the business of impacting other people’s businesses negatively, if I would give a mostly negative review I always give the supplier the option to veto my review for this reason.

What is your day job?

Well I guess these days you could say being a YouTube creator is as that’s what I spend the vast majority of my time doing, although sadly it’s not how I make my full living – although the income from things like sponsors, Patreons and Google advertising is very helpful and without it I could not continue to produce the channel…I make half a living through YouTube.

What is your real name?

Andy, pleased to meet you.

What are your favourite bikes?

See my “Top Bikes” list….although this changes from day to day!

What camera kit do you use?

I use a Nikon D700 DSLR with various lenses for filming in my garage and for livestreams, I use a GoPro Hero 4 for capturing video and audio on the bike and a GoPro Hero 7 black for pieces to camera when I’m out and about.  I’m always changing various elements of my kit and the current equipment at any time is listed below the videos I post.

How do you get such good sound in your on bike videos?

See my video “ How to set up your helmet for motorcycle vlogging” here >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld34m5CR9sQ&t=41s

How much does You Tube pay you?

In my case I seem to get about £1 for every thousand views I get on a video, but this varies according to time of year, video subject, and so on – more of an art than a science. Being a small You Tuber isn’t a good way to get rich!

How long do you spend making videos for your channel?

Actually making videos doesn’t take that long – say it’s a bike review where I ride a bike from a dealer on a test ride, a typical “first ride” type review. That might take 30mins to set up on the phone/via e-mail, an hour of prep for me to learn the spec of the bike, 3 hours to get to the dealer and film the review and get home, 3 hours to edit and another hour to upload and optimise. Then say another 30mins promoting the video on social media. So overall about 9 hours for one of those videos. In depth reviews take far longer, kit reviews a bit less, biker scran longer, trips and tours waaay longer and so on – it varies by video but that’s a rule of thumb for me.

The stuff that takes most of my time are the bits you don’t see – answering hundreds of e-mails, YouTube comments, Facebook messages, Twitter comments and Instagram comments every day. Posting on social media. Developing upload schedules. Arranging interviews. Arranging trips and tours, accommodation and travel. Finding and negotiating with sponsors. Monthly invoicing and book keeping. Researching videos. Analysing view performance. Writing for MCN and this website, etc, etc. I tend to start my day answering messages from overnight at 7am and usually finish around 11:30pm – I reckon I spend 12 hours a day, 7 days a week running my channel. It’s much more work than it looks, is far more demanding on my time than any “proper job” I had previously, and to make a go of it you really have to like all aspects of it.

If you could only own one bike what would it be?

Easy – My BMW GS. Not the most exciting bike in the world but to date it’s the best do-it-all bike that is pretty good at everything that I have found.

What Information Do You Collect From Me?

Welcome to our website, if you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our Privacy Policy govern relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

• The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
• This website uses cookies to monitor browsing preferences. If you do allow cookies to be used, the following personal information may be stored by us for use by third parties:

Google Analytics

• Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
• Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
• This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
• All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website.
• Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.
• From time to time, this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
• Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

How long will my order take?

We print all orders on demand, please allow up to 72 hours for processing. If you require an order by a certain date please inform us….you can add notes at Checkout.

Can I track my order?

In short the answer is yes, to track your order you can log on to My Account and track order or go to Track My Order.

Only orders larger than a large letter will be tracked via our courier network, full tracking details can be found in My Account.

When can I expect my order?

We aim to process all orders within 5 days (Monday-Friday). All orders are dispatched (UK and International) using a courier network and Royal Mail postal services. 

Delivery times are estimated below but will vary:

UK – 2 to 10 Days (Monday – Friday)
Europe – 3 to 10 Days (Monday – Friday)
USA – 7 to 30 Days (Monday – Friday)
Australia – 7 to 30 Days (Monday – Friday)
Rest of the World – 10 to 30 Days (Monday – Friday)

What Payment Methods Are Accepted?

We accept all types of debit and or credit cards which can be entered at the Check Out area.

Do I get a Refund?

If you require a refund within the 14 days of receipt of your order please Contact Me….dont forget to complete the required fields.

Refunds will be arranged within 7 working days of receipt of item via the same payment method as purchased.

How do I place an Order?

Placing an order is a simple as tying a shoe a lace….thats if you know how to.  Visit our shop and select one of the awesome products you desire, choose the size (if required) then select ADD TO CART.  If you want some more items then please feel free to roam this awesome website and add more products. 

Once you have finished, visit the cart/basket/trolley and select Checkout, do this after reviewing your items.  Enter the necessary details and then choose the PAY button.

Its as simples as that – dont forget you can track your order by visiting My Account.

Do I need an account to place an order?

Yes, an account is an awesome way in creating a profile and remembering what you ordered….also how else would we communicate? 

Who should I to contact if I have any queries?

You can contact us by visiting our awesome Contact Me page and completing the necessary fields, be careful in selecting the right subject though!

How Can I Cancel Or Change My Order?

You can do this at any time, however preferable before we send your awesome parcel.  To do this contact us by visiting our Contact Me page and completing the necessary fields.

How can I track my order?

In short the answer is yes, to track your order you can log on to My Account and track order or go to Track My Order.

Only orders larger than a large letter will be tracked via our courier network, full tracking details can be found in My Account.

How Can I Return a Product?

You can return a product/order at any time within 14 days of receipt, but you must let us know that you wish to do so by entering the following information: