The Balancing Act Blog #2

The Balancing Act

Blog #2

So I haven't really had time to write a blog since I started Keefer Inc. Testing so I decided that this Sunday morning would be a god time and let you know how it’s all been going. When I started this venture with Keefer Inc. Testing I knew it would be a tough task, but I have never been one to shy away from hard work. However, time delegation is something that I have been trying to get better at these past few months and let me tell you it’s a work in progress. Such is life right? As much as I would love to get you all tons of content everyday, the truth is I am only one dude and would rather put up quality tests than quantity. Being with the magazine for many years everything is “hurry up and get it up” and even though I did not like this type of “testing” it was something I was forced to do. It’s the nature of the beast when it comes to today’s media outlets, because everyone wants their shit up now and no one likes to wait. Hell, I am guilty of this as well, especially when it comes to Mrs. Keefer’s After Dark duties! :) Between getting quality content up for Pulp MX, learning this podcast thing and getting quality, informative tests put up right here on Keefer Inc. it has been tough. I have neglected some key things in my life that shouldn’t be neglected like family and friends so I could get this snowball rolling down the hill. 

 There are a lot more moving parts to my job now as I am now the editor, test rider and salesman for my brand. I am not very good at trusting just anyone and I keep my inner circle very limited. I worry more now that I am on my own because all that goes up on this site has my name is attached to everything that is performed. If there is one thing that I don’t negotiate with, it has to be my integrity. So when I left the magazine I offered a couple key guys that I trusted the most to come over here and help me create content. I get tons of questions on if we will be doing off-road stuff and the answer is “yes”, I am going to do some off-road testing. When I think back on how it all started when I was nine years old, it was with my dad out on the trails following him around. I grew up racing off-road and still love it so much to this day. Some of my best friends are off-road racers and I still follow it very closely. I brought my good friend Michael Allen with me from the magazine as he is the true epitome of an off-road guy. Michael could give two shits on what he looks like when he rides, he likes to go out on a trail ride for five to six hours, he’s willing to try and ride anything, he is very hard on equipment, he will have a beer after he rides and loves to bench race about the day’s events. To me this is the perfect guy to help me with my off-road program. You will get to know Michael more in an upcoming Husqvarna TE250i test here shortly.   

Keefer Inc. Testing Off-Road guy Michael Allen. 

Now just like most of all of you guys and gals out there you probably get burned out on your job at work right? Duh. I deal with that same thing over here except the difference is the burnout I feel at times with my work is also my hobby. Some days I just need a few days to NOT ride, talk and type about dirt bikes. However, at the same time I end up stressing out that I am not creating content for you all and I am leaving all of you enthusiasts hanging. I feel guilty! This is the balancing act that I am working on so that all of you out there will have continual information to feed your brain over here at Keefer Inc. Names like Michael Allen, Dominic Cimino, Tyler Bowers, Lane Shaw, Colton Aeck, Broc Shoemaker and Matt Bynum among others are not only good test riders, they are good people that you can walk up and talk to at the track and you will not get that “cool guy” attitude. I like good hearted people! I don't like snakes in the grass and guys that aren't real. I’ve had enough of that at other places. 

Shootout time is here! We will be doing 2018 Shootouts this year, but unlike others out there we will be doing it in a different way. I will be feeding all of you daily information (via the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Keefer Tested podcast) on what went down on each day of testing. I wanted to do a daily wrap up show from each track we test at so it’s like you were all right there with us. There will be no delay in information and you will all be able to hear how each bike performed at each track we tested at. For those of you asking about a written version of each Shootout, yes there will be a 250 and 450 MX Shootout up here on the website as well. The goal for me is to try and create more ways for al of you to hear and read the information we have to offer. 

I appreciate everyone comments I have received and also for you all visiting Keefer Inc., Pulp MX and listening to my podcast. We are only a couple months in and I see the numbers growing, so I thank you. Also, if you see me at the track don’t hesitate to come up and shoot the shit and ask any questions you may have. If you like what you read here and like listening to the podcast don’t forget to stop by the store and grab a couple t-shirts for you and your buddies.  

Long Live Dirt Bikes!

-KK 

Moving On….

Those two words can be really hard to do. Not just in a work setting, but in daily life as well. Moving on from a long relationship, a job, having a family member pass away, hell even getting rid of your old bike that you have had for several years is tough right? Well that is just what I had to do when I left Dirt Rider Magazine. It was time for a fresh start and really go somewhere where I can be myself. I look at starting your own company like purchasing a home. When you rent a home you're not gaining any equity because it’s someone else’s. When you buy a home you're hopefully going to gain equity and invest in you and your family’s future. This is what I wanted for keeferinctesting.com. I wanted to invest in myself and my family’s future. Dirt Rider gave me so many great opportunities, but sometimes with larger corporations there is always one ass hat that screws things up right? Now, I don't have to worry about ass hats and I can create great content for all of you that are interested in coming to a place where things are transparent. Maybe you don’t like me or maybe you will not like my testing and evaluations, but at least you know that you will be getting an honest review of each and every thing you see on this site. 

 Keefer Inc. existed, but not to the form that you see before you now. Much like a factory race team this site had key people that make it all possible. Two gentlemen in particular went to bat for me and did more for me than I could of asked. Ian Tucker created this beautiful place for me to talk shit with all of you. What’s funny about Ian is that he reached out to me (via an email) a couple years ago to do this. However, I was too busy with Dirt Rider duties to do anything about it. Fast forward two years later and Ian was still willing and able to help me create keeferinctesting.com. Ian doesn't even ride dirt bikes, but loves the sport so much that he was all asses and elbows when it came to building me this place. The motorcycle community (yes, that includes people that don't even ride, but love dirt bikes) are awesome humans. Ian was willing to do this for nothing and in return just wanted his skills of building a website shown to the world. Nothing is for free Ian, so you know that I got you something coming in return, even though my jobless ass is poor now! :) 

Chris Denison was the editor at Dirt Rider for many years and was not only my boss, but a guy I learned a lot from on the daily. He is good at all aspects of dirt bikes and would jump at the chance to race and try anything. This is what an editor of a dirt bike magazine should be! An editor who rides and doesn't just sit at a desk and write about dirt bikes! When he left D.R. the place wasn't the same. He lead by example and gave all of his employees a great atmosphere to work in. To this day I have never had a boss like CD. Dirt Rider was a better magazine because of him and he let his employees have creativity. Once he left our creativity was limited and all of us there were boxed in somewhat. CD gave me a ton of motivation to get keeferinctesting.com off the ground. He is transparent just like me and knows how to push my limits, which motivates me. He will be helping me with tests from time to time on here and I cant wait for all of you to get re-acquainted with him as a tester and a person. 

Just like in life you have your home team that gives you support and pushes you to make you better. Everyone that is affiliated with this website has a full heart, clear eyes and are great people. For you to be a part of this project, this is the first requirement on my end. You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with and I am proud to “move on” with the team of people on this site. Thanks for checking us out and I look forward to giving you all types of great information that you will see here at keeferinctesting.com. 

Cheers,

KK

You can always drop me a line at kris@keeferinctesting.com