Eccentricity

Two wheeled fun and the euphoria of speed.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Production Assignment Rationale

My Website: F1 Future The website I created was made using notepad and my knowledge of HTML and CSS. In a sort of relation to my blog's theme, the website affair was Formula One racing and the changes it has and will make. The main idea being "Formula One, going green". All my code was written in notepad, with the images being created in photoshop. Although rather simple, the website is supposed to be informative and give links to outer references. The layout is based on div design. There is one giant div containing all the other divs, with two larger divs separating the left from the right. Padding and auto margins are used to keep the divs neat and the website functioning properly. Certain links within the website load the current page, while external links open up a new tab. Links that load over the top of the website you're currently viewing is a pet peeve of mine so I was sure that wouldn't happen to something I've created. All the information I gathered for this task was found on mainly news websites, so their layout and design was nothing over the top, just a title with a wall of informative text. Straying too far from this idea would give people the wrong idea about the intentions of my website. Not that it's just another website about Formula One, but that's it's there to give the reader a deeper understanding of the topic and a starting point from which they can move off and start learning more about it. Not only did I view news websites, but the official Formula One and FIA websites. This helped me in gaining precious material for my informative reference page. Hosting the website was a different thing entirely. A free web host had to be found, the best I found being $0.00 web hosting. Giving me a fair amount of bandwidth for the amount of data I had, plus the ability to edit my files on their database. Hopefully the company keeps its profitable position in the world for the sake of themselves and my website. Whether or not this website will be crawled is a different thing. Although it is linked via my blog and back again, so perhaps the network I've entered at the moment find it informative and share it around. As a website convention, mine follows it simply yet well enough to not have to go off on a crazy new age tangent. Personally, I believe the colours and lack of images to be aesthetically boring, but it's reminiscent of an earlier time for websites. I love that everything works and not overloading on code means it will continue to work. No bug outs or glitches in those thousand lines of code. I also used an external style sheet meaning changes are easy to make. My website could almost be seen as a combination of related works all in the one easy place to see and read. The external references then make for an excellent gathering garden of resources. What I can hope for is for it to not go totally unnoticed in the large world that is the internet.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Meta Post

My Tumblr blog was about motorcycles and the style behind them. Motorcycles around then and now interest me, as do all fuel injected toys. The reason I chose this topic is because I was interested in writing my own blog about the experiences I had while delving deeper into this two wheeled world. I found I could answer questions like; what is a good first bike, how to maintain your bike, how to stay safe on the roads. All these things came together to produce my blog. The three posts I have chosen for marking are linked below: Motorcycles & Their Style The Great Learner Debate The Safety Of It All Google Analytics has shown me that 99% of my traffic was coming from Australia. This means that my blog is local, which isn’t such a bad thing. However, it could be beneficial to try and extend the blogs reach, trying to link it with other motorcycle related goodness from other countries. My main audience seems to be a few people rather invested in my blog. The amount of new visitors to my blog is around 12%, with returning visitors dominating at 88%. This means those invested people are coming back to my blog and staying for an average of 7 to 8 minutes no less. Either they’re quite slow readers, or the content of my blog is keeping them enthralled. The bounce rate is fairly high as well. 60% of visitors leave from the home page, but considering that there are only two pages on the blog to date, it is understandable they don’t want to read something twice.

Given that a lot of the visit data shown is large in the same areas, such as browser and language, it is safe to assume that I have found a niche network that my blog pleases. I felt that appealing to this network continually was my best bet at creating a successful blog. I feel that this is a fine approach to keeping viewers entertained and enticing return. A few followers of my blog, although few, showed that it was being looked at by users of tumblr. Whether this then means that it will be passed around the larger tumblr community or go unnoticed is something that time must tell. A Facebook widget was added to get those who were constantly visiting the blog to like and share the posts they enjoyed most with their friends. In terms of Facebook users it is safe to say that a majority of people in the world have, and regularly use it. Having a link between my blog and its viewers and then again to their friends can create a chain that results in people that would not otherwise hear about, or visit my blog. The bounce and return rate indicates a small viewer base that enjoy returning. My blog’s theme then is centred around this idea. The theme was created to give the impression of a semi organised garage. This is not your typical garage. Not oil overed and concrete everything. Well buffed wooden floors and piles of notes on your latest project, not a speck of engine grit. This area is for displaying your precious rides, not working on them. You cannot deny the importance of a garage in which you polish chrome instead of changing oil. The idea being that those who also see motorcycles that way will be drawn back to the blog again and again. The above is the reason I didn’t use a dirty garage type theme. That and not only was the blogs theme motorcycles, but style as well. I couldn’t fit the dirty and the stylin’ all in the one look. The simplest way to do it was to go with style as this has the benefit of a much better looking webpage and an easier way to view the information. Elegant and nice to look at, the theme is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Trying to work my own HTML and CSS into the theme was troubling until I fully worked out how it was all laid out. All in all, I was pleased with the views of my blog and to keep those enthralled viewers from leaving, tailored both the posts and the theme to what I felt was similar to what they wanted. The network I entered myself into, although it seemed not to be of motorcycling fans, was kept happy by my posts and their references to style.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

End Of A Journey, Start Of An Age

The end of the assessable part of my blog is over. Whether or not this means the end of my blog is up to that lovely person in Sydney who is constantly viewing these delicious posts. There are a few kids in Canberra too who have been helpful but I know of a special someone who has been keeping up do date with my blog from the start. I just want to say thank you. You will forever be in my heart. To the others, better luck next time.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.

Hunter S. Thompson

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Motorcycles & Their Style

Motorcycles are seen by most as a form of transportation. Much like cars, people go for affordable, cheap to maintain and the discreet. What people don't see is that quite a few people dedicate their lives to these "it gets me from A to B" motorised, wheeled contraptions. Some treasure their bikes highly while others carefully construct their own from their blood and sweat.

The Style

For the people that see the creative aspect within motorcycles, they usually end up defining their own style. Now people customise all sorts of bikes, but one of the most iconic bike customisation styles are 'choppers'. The name given due to the way in which most of the customisation is done. Parts of a bike are stripped down and other parts, either taken from yet another bike or custom built, are used in their place (chopped). These bikes mainly go for a long look with a stretched fork and low riding frame that usually attaches directly to the rear wheel. There are many people, and entire bike shops, that start their chopper from scratch. These rides often end up being unique creations, the likes of which have not been seen by the larger bike community.

The Stylish

Bikes themselves are becoming a factor in certain peoples lives, not as something for them to create, but as something they strive to take care of. As much an accessory to their person as the clothes they are wearing. One such company, Deus Ex Customs, takes many different bikes and modifies them. The bikes they have modified are beautiful, artistic creations and I doubt anyone, not even those who value only transportation, could say otherwise. Motorcycles can be the canvas for those creative enough to paint a unique picture. A task that not all can perform, and years to master.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Zeit Eco - Interesting Take on Personal Transportation

Kickstarter is a crowdsourcing website dedicated to the success of mainly indie projects. This project looks into the development of an electric scooter. Although not very fast and not very stylish, it is interesting. However, it's nice to know people are still looking out for the environment, thinking of sustainable ways to travel.

Zeit Eco is a new approach to individual transport and entertainment. It is electric, ecological and economical.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Mad Max 'n Mad Motorcycles

I recently saw the first Mad Max movie and man, was it over the top. I had no idea the film even featured motorbikes. They were ridden by an outlaw gang who terrorised the poor people of the Mad Max world. It's good to see bandits still take care when operating such dangerous equipment. Large leather jackets and RTA approved helmets.

Apparently most of the bikes ridden by the gang were Kawasaki KZ1000s. It must have been great filming the motorbike portions of the movie. Scared cameramen everywhere.

[deuscustoms-blog]

Deus x Zero Engineering salt lake concept

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Concept bikes are both scary and awesome.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Ninja vs CBR

In terms of beginner bikes, there are none more talked about than the Kawasaki Ninja 250R and the Honda CBR 250R. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you'll remember that I was talking about the different bike powers. 250cc is what was recommended as a good starting point for a first bike. These bikes are no exception, they are the most commonly used as a first time learner bike and it is easy to see why. Not only are they light, cheap and easy to maintain, but they offer a fair amount of features and are of high quality.

The Decision

There aren't too many major differences between the two. They weigh the same, the cost the same, they have the same power, the position of the ride is similar in height and poise. The engine is where it counts. The CBR uses fuel injection and 250 single thumper while the ninja uses 250 twins. The Ninja outperforms in a straight line but the CBR can handle speed in a much more stable way. Both bikes handle majestically, being able to throw them around bends at speed and come out again is an impressive feat. In deciding which bike to get, it comes down to personal preference. The Ninja comes in a fabulous green and black, while the instrument panel on the CBR is very well made, almost from a beautiful future bike.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Safe and obnoxiously loud. What more could you ask for? Go buy one today. Screaming Banshee

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

The Great Learner Debate

Before you can take a combustion powered trip through the stars on a two wheeled conveyance, there is something you first must do. Obtaining a motorcycle licence is an easy enough feat. The process differs in most areas but there is usually a practical assessment of your riding skills. Most aimed at absolute beginners, you will find it quite simple assuming you've ridden even a push-bike before. Once all the paperwork is out of the way, you can move on to the gear side of things.

Safety Gear

Safety gear is an essential part of any rider's arsenal. There are plenty of good brands starting at many different prices to suit anyone's needs. In terms of what to buy, it is recommended to get a helmet, jacket, gloves and boots. Certain jackets peform better in the cold and others in the heat. What you must remember is to don this gear everytime you go riding. "I don't need to wear safety gear. It cramps my style." This is the exact mindset that DON'T want to be using. If another biker sees you out on the streets like this, you will be labeled a squid. A squid is just a rider who believes he is fantastic, generally a new one, but who actually has little skill.

The Cycle

Selecting a motorcycle is down to the rider, but if it is your first bike and you're starting off on your learner licence, you should stick between some guidelines. The power to weight ratio usually has to be below a certain threshold. 250cc seems to be the perfect power for a bike for a learner. Less is fine, but once you start getting up to highway speeds you may find the bike struggles a little and it becomes difficult to overtake which can become dangerous. 250s are generally light, can keep up speeds and are generally easy to ride. More power can be fine too, as long as it doesn't exceed certain power to weight ratios. In this area too, being a new rider can also mean that you can't handle certain bikes which is just an extra factor to take into account. Learning how to ride a motorcycle is just something you must do at your own pace. As with anything new to you, some aspects you may pick up quickly and others may take time to become fully developed.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

HEY, WHY WON'T OUR NICE FRIENDS HELP YOU. NOT COOL DUDE.

YEAH I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE THEY'RE JUST RUDE AND/OR MEAN.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD?

HEAVY METAL, MILK & CHEESE, GOING FAST.

[machusonline]

Reigning Champ x Deus Ex Machina Collaboration Riding Jacket 

http://www.machusonline.com/collections/new-1

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

That's one nice jacket. If only it wasn't so pricey.

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

Analytics & Its Sharing Of My Data

Google analytics is now up and running. Whether I am disappointed or not by the amount of views comes down to how interesting I can be, or if people are nice enough to stay on my blog for a minute. Even if it is out of pity. Every view counts. Self-esteem boat, away!

[motorisedeccentricity-blog]

The Safety Of It All

Motorcycles are renown for being a dangerous mode of transport. Yes, the rider is open to the elements, and yes, if the rider is involved in an accident there is a fall and a long, painful slide awaiting. This being said however, in any vehicle traveling at speed, there is always the possibility of being involved in an incident. The aim of the game then, is to minimise the chances of an accident occuring by being one of the most assertive drivers (riders) of the road. Break that stereotype of motorcyclists being silly daredevils and show that they too can be just as safe, if not safer, in the way they ride. The main problem with riding a motorcycle in thick car traffic is that drivers often suffer from selective blindness, not that it's necessarily their fault but people aren't used to looking for motorcycles when they pull out into traffic or change lanes. Motorcyclists can add to their visibility by wearing reflective vests, always having their headlights on and by angling their headlights to just below people's vision. Although this last option can annoy drivers, better they are irritated with a motorcyclist than to miss them completely. While riding, it is important to keep out of blindspots. Most riders have driven cars before and so they realise where they may be and so they can keep out of them. If the decision is made to overtake, one must not linger. Safety gear is essential as well. With the proper gear, if worst comes to worst and an accident occurs, injuries will be minimised and motorcyclists can walk away with their lives. A well maintened motorbike is also a safe motorbike. They are not the longest range vehicles and as such, need constant looking after. Changing the oil and cleaning the chain regularly are musts, while checking the tyres and brakes is an important check. All up, riding a motorcycle is great fun when care is taken. Put in the right amount of effort and you'll be having a fun AND safe experience in no time.

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Final Decisions

It has finally been decided. The theme for this blog will be motorcycles. It allows for a focus in a certain area, but also gives a chance to talk about a wide variety of topics. Such as the bikes themselves, the joys of riding, events they are used in and people's thoughts on the safety of such things. Motorcycles are generally looked upon just as a way to get some riding thrills. Although it is true that riding is great fun, it isn't for everybody. This being said, riding is a pastime that many enjoy, and something enjoyed is something worthwhile.