You definitely have to manhandle these things around in the road. Jumping from my Honda CB500F commuter, on to my Shotgun certainly highlights that!

I was gonna comment on this offering, but didn't know what to write..., as you've already stated all the reasons why i'm here... and gladly keep coming back. Your only "niggly" phase (well, 4 me) was back when you were having trouble with the sound, upon which I picked you up on a couple times, but that has been the only negative since I started, and has since been successfully resolved. Like many, I came because I was looking for Thunderbird content, found it here, and ended up staying for all thet's come since. Thx 4 all so far, and what you have planned for the future. Wish you a happy, healthy and successful 2025, Steve.

Good content

Some good points there, and advice I can take on board as I try to make my way through the KZbin creator jungle! I'm still very early days with my channel. I used to chuck up the odd ride video every so often, and then last year I did a France trip with two friends. The first video of the series (four vids in total) is currently at 11k views and that blew me away! I gained over 200 subscribers from that video alone, and I'm currently sitting at just over 300 subs. That one video gave me the push to try and keep going with creating content, but like most of us, I have a full time job and other commitments so I can't commit to posting even once a week - so I've tried to get a video out every fortnight - but even that's a struggle sometimes! I'd like to add a "point 5" to your list if I may - that is to try to stop worrying about the mysterious KZbin Algorithm. I've had videos that I thought would perform really well end up with hardly any views, and others, like you have experienced, that have performed so much better than I thought they would (albeit still only in the "hundreds" of views, not thousands). I think if you enjoy creating the content, then just keep creating what you enjoy doing - don't let it become a chore, and I truly believe the enjoyment will come through in the end product. Anyway, that's enough waffling from me - Happy new year to you and yours, looking forward to watching more of you in 2025!

Hi Matt, we just bought a dji camera at xmas, osmo action 4 and just wondered what you use to do your editing? Is it best to do it on your phone or download to a pc , many thanks.Not gona do a youtube channel its just for messing about when out on my scrambler 900 and or family stuff etc, cheers mate really enjoy your channel its always crystal clear and great audio.

I’ve watched Itchy boots over the years, don’t bother anymore as it’s same o same o. Not so fond of bike videos where presenter is riding bike and chatting.

I'm happy to hear that you're seeing evidence people care more about content than presentation. I occasionally see comments about video quality and lighting, and I began to assume that I was in the minority not really caring about that stuff. I completely agree about sound, I have clicked off many videos after a minute or two of trying to hear someone speaking over wind noise.

Have a look at a Harley Softail M8 Street Bob or a ST, before you pull the pin on a Sports??

Well said Matt. My most watched bike video I just chatted about my first impressions of a bike getting 17k hits. I got 30k hits on my other channel building a pull out bed for a small room. I do most of my filming on my phone with apples basic editor. I do have a GoPro but. I don’t use it much anymore.

So agree with Paul and everything you say. I follow you because I sort of like you and can relate to you even though I've never met you lol. Your vlogs are intetesting but normal lol. I also like the fact you talk about normal bloke stuff we blokes sometimes dont talk about . I turn off if i dont find someone intetesting and especially if it's just someone riding around! Great stuff Matt, keep it coming. Hope you've had a great Christmas and have a fantastic and safe New Year. 😀

Hi Matt. KZbin is a platform for ordinary people to show what they can do and over the years i watch KZbin more than i watch TV. I am interested in the motorcycle content being a rider myself, but yes as you say the person behind the content is interesting and keeps you drawn in to follow. typical example the Ewan Mcgregor and Charlie Boardman long way up down and sideways lol. They had a team following them to produce what they do. you guys don't. what you see is everything you have produced pretty much in it's raw form by you alone. Some of the content seen deserves an award for the presentation and it does help. i do agree 100% if the audio is crap it's a turn off or the person's voice comes across annoying. The personality of the person who is natural in front of the camera just being themself is someone we feel we can connect too, hence why we keep watching. a lot of KZbinrs have their own format and style. the music they use the way they show their content on screen. You keep doing what you want to do and people will still watch and get involved. that's one thing that is good with KZbin you can comment. some people not so nice though in their comments which is a bit of a knock to the person producing the content. Your content is good and interesting, hence why i watch and enjoy.

It’s really interesting to hear your views. I’m a fixer and an engineer so have used those skills all my life. I’ve often thought about sharing the knowledge gained and combine it with biking, motorhoming and the love of gadgets which are my passions in life to make some content on KZbin, thanks for the push. Interestingly I threw a video together years ago without any pre planning and that’s done 120k views, as you say simple content that somebody wants to watch is the answer.

Morning Matt, what you do with your channel is really good, the topics you cover intrests me. Absolutely love the Tbird videos but i would say that haha. Merry Christmas mate, all the best for 2025 😎 Looking forward to whats next. Keep doing what your doin.

These points are all good. I've watched a LOT of KZbin videos on how to make KZbin videos and I've had at least one successful channel (not this one!) and I found the same things to be true. I still like making a video with fun bits and transitions though. That's a lot of the fun for me.

As weird as it might be, my “like and subscribe” goes to you. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the bike as well. Oh, and I also delight in your “cinematic composition and colour grade and sound design and whatever…” videos. But the moment I click is an opportunity for me to connect with you, have my morning coffee with you, in this busy life that does not leave much time for friendly encounters. Keep it going. It has been a pleasant ride! 😊

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2025.What i see on KZbin it takes years to build a channel so i would say that stamina is essential.

Cost and time/effort just for the training and tests put people off. L plates on scooters are the thing because CBTs are cheap in the short-term. My tests and training cost me over £1000, not taking account of lost work hours. Unpaid. My 125 cost me nearly as much to insure, and i got an annual milage of 900 miles for my money. And im 34. When the CBT rules change, and doing multiple CBTs over years are banned, further training requirements will only push more people to ride illegally than spend the money. I fear the rules will change just to get them off the road. I consider myself lucky for now. The older generation of motorcyclists won't be here forever

100% channel is about the person.Came here originally for the turkey tour but stayed for you Matt as you come across so genuine in the world of KZbin fakery

Great video as always, like all your doing, wish you and the family all the very best for 2025 🍻

I subscribe to many channels, but I note over time you fade from some and eagerly wait for others. Sound is essential, as is a narrative, however there seems a trend to make videos longer. Viewer time is finite so as channels go for 40+ minutes my likelihood of watching wanes. Like your content, but joined on your journey to Greece. Keep up the good work.

I look alot of youtube. i see me self as a youtuber. without the cam & mic. Well i like your channel. so i see and hear it. will you do a Bristol English at some point ??? if there is one. Happy New Year 😀 Ps: Thanks for the entertainment by the way 👍

I always look forward to your videos whatever the subject may be. About the Thunderbird, put a new set of plugs..

Excellent points! You are correct, audio is important. If we can't hear it then it's kinda pointless. About 16 years ago I posted culinary school videos off a iPhone 3 and had plenty of views. I had only posted them for my fellow classmates, just for our semester exams. No editing, just posted them up as I did them. I finally took them downs Chef instructors moved on or retired. My favorite channels these days are about a sense of the motorcyclist community or just having fun. Happy New Year!

Good Evening Matt! Nice video, but ehh you are the channel, yes, but I need to say that the Thunderbird was the fact we started to watch your channel, that bike is definitely a star of the show. Also the way you film is a thing for me and my other half. Yes we are also watching channels with no talking, only a biker riding around on his/her bike into beautiful landscapes, but the bike is the star in that show. We are watching many videos of bikers travelling across Norway as we want to travel as well, in that case the way of filming it, is an important thing. Yes I understand your point, but don’t forget that for some people, the way of filming and rollplayers / actors are an important point for watching. We are also following guys just muttering around and yes they are the channel. Most important thing is that the person who runs the channel has fun doing it and wants to interact, just like you. I love the YT biker community and truly hope you continue with muttering and riding the bike🎉🎉🎉 I’m sure you will💪

Thanks for the good advice. I started my channel a year ago whilst I was learning to ride. Its a bit of a muddle between riding and travelling. More of a hobby, but recently, I have been focusing more on it, also getting hung up too much on editing, 4k, the KZbin mysterious algorithm, and basically have got a bit lost with it all. Thanks for sharing your experience so far. Your video has given me more enthusiasm and confidence to continue making content and to let go more and not get too overwhelmed. I am learning and enjoying it as i go along, and for me, now, that's the main aim of it.

First

Morning, just watched your video on the Shotgun, nice bike. Back in September I had a test ride on the Triumph speed 400, and the Enfield Guerrilla, after a 2nd ride on the Guerrilla I ordered myself one, should be here within the next couple of weeks, would recommend you have a ride on one, you'll be pleasantly surprised, obviously not got the power of my Hornet, but definitely looking forward to getting the Guerrilla out on the road. Having subscribed to your channel I'll be watching your trip around Portugal on the Interceptor, hope the weather was good for the trip.

I purchased a StreetGlide 2024...I absolutely love it. Buy what you want..

Do it life’s to short but you may want to try an Indian Scout or Chief

Triumph? The self proclaimed quality brand???? I was at the NEC bike show this year and went to both stands. Triumph twice the price, but not twice the quality. I own an interceptor and absolutely love it. Smiles per mile off the scale and my wallet hasn’t suffered a cardiac arrest. Enfield makes more bikes in a month that triumph do in a year. Triumph are too far up there own back sides for me. The enfield 650 twin is a peach.

You made my day saying the Yammie Fazer has no character..., thx. Never have liked Yamaha and never will.

Great video! It’s helped me decide on getting one next year. I’ve seen a lot of people attach these to their bikes on the side stand with the bike leaning towards them. Can you lean the bike the opposite way? I would be paranoid about the bike falling on me whilst asleep 🤣

I remember that rain in Turkey - I didn’t think that much water could all fall in one place at the same time! Impressed you made it through.

You gotta have what makes you feel happy! I'd like a "winter/daily" bike that's more adventure style - but I wouldn't want to give up my Interceptor or even my little 40 year old Suzuki GP100, and I only really have room for two bikes at home. The interceptor may not be the fastest thing around, especially for a 650 - so I guess it's a bit like a sportster (certainly an 883) in that regard - but it's plenty quick enough for the riding I do most of the time, and it kept up with my friends on a Harley Dyna Wide Glide and BMW R1200GS on a four day trip to France, but it makes me grin every time I ride it! And that's worth at least 20hp to me 😂

I'm a new sub to your channel, and I'm really enjoying the videos . I'm looking forward to seeing more trips and chats. Have a great Christmas 🎄

Incredible cars there! I say go for the Sportster, when you're able to. You'll regret it if you don't!

You've done a wonderful job with the channel, I appreciate the time and effort you've put in to it.

Dear Mr. Thunderbird . I can tell you i have had many bikes over 49 years of riding if you buy a Sportster you will never regret it. If I was stuck i would sell my two other bikes and a kidney!!!! Before selling the Harley. We are here for a good time not a long time. So buy a Sportster. 😊😊😊 . Ride and be safe.Ron from Ireland.

I can definitely say that the bmw r9t is worth a go. Great fun and the boxer is a peach

Harley makes every journey special and life is too short.

I completely get what your saying. Im lucky enough that my phone and my headset connects through my bike. Not android auto or apple car play, but i haven't discovered how the music plays, but i enjoy the sound of the road, engine etc and just the solitary feeling

Hi. Ive literally just disappeared your channel. Im a fellow Bristol resident. Unfortunately I have suffered with my own mental health. I have a fantastic wife, and like most males i bottle things up. But without my motorbike i just don't know where I'd be. My work life balance is difficult and can be challenging. Its really good to hear someone who sits and talks

If you have a Harley itch, maybe you should scratch it. Much has been said on many videos about 'character'. The character I like most on a bike is reliability Looked an interesting mix of bikes & cars at the meet.

That is one upmarket cafe!

Shame about the thunderbird. Get some stick coils. Make a world of difference

Enjoying your content buddy

DO IT. The “haters” have their own agenda. Either jealousy or they have never ridden one and just follow the pack. I’ve had R1’s, Blades, Ducati’s, GS and a Vmax. I recently took delivery of a brand new Low Rider S and it’s without doubt my favourite bike ever. It’s not about “the best”. It’s about what moves you, and nothing moves or stirs you like the sound and feel of a Harley, and I’ve had a lot to compare against.

How good does that Gulf colour scheme look?! That combination of blue and orange never gets old. Apparently, my dad's family came from Clevedon, but I've never been. Looks like it could be worth a visit next year (after the Haynes museum you showed the other day!).

Nice day out yer you dont ride em they dont want to start,get em on trickle and be tickled😍

Just do it! If you really want it you won’t regret. I was riding cruiser bike for the first time last month, hired Honda Rebel 1100 in Lisbon… and it shook my world… very nice bike, just missing v2 🤷‍♂️😉 So I would say listen to your heart and get yourself Harley 💪