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There is definitely an audience for ‘Average nobody testing parts’. Start a page, I’ll follow you. YouTube shorts/videos or Instagram clips, hell even Tik Tok. You would be amazed at how many views you can get in a short time. Can be short (for the ever decreasing attention spans) and write a caption in more detail. Bike shoot outs too. People are interested what the average Joe can notice between bikes. Legit bike shootouts are good when they include your average rider.

I’ve done testing for three different magazines (for free, of course), and that is truly who you know. I also know several riders who have done testing for OEMs. They are Southern California pros that were pretty fast, but not 450 main event fast. As their professional racing dreams are sunsetting, they make it known to someone they know who already works for an OEM that they are willing to grind out long motos all day long for little money to endurance test parts. If the OEM figures out that they are sensitive enough to notice changes and have mechanical...

Also once you get some socail media and post the tags on here and I’m sure you’d get a decent following to start. Guy above has some great advice. It’s easier now with the reach of the internet to do everything from home and not have to relocate etc.

What is your experience? How long have you ridden and at what level? Do you have enough knowledge to give back useful feedback? A lot of ex riders out there that would love to be a test rider.

I'm not a test rider per say, but I do design work for an E-bike company which inevitably leads to me testing said designs, so let me throw out a couple of things to consider. Getting in with a well known company isn't likely, especially not from a cold email or random inquiry. I would target a smaller company, especially one that is just starting out, and just offer to try some things for free and return the parts with feedback. A company that is local to you will be much easier, go and visit, talk to the people there...

Another option not yet mentioned that would be realistic, and I personally know a couple of Aussies that have done it. Is to move to Japan, learn to speak or already speak Japanese, do well in the Japanese national championship, and build a strong relationship with one of either Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Showa or KYB. There's jobs out there, but they are few and far between. I'd suggest pursuing a career outside the moto industry that pays extremely well so that you can create the time to ride as much as you want. It's more realistic.

I’d reach out to keefer. Seems like he’s great at what he does and also very personable and would lend you a ear if your dead set on that. Make a instagram test/review every single thing you have in your possession and keep on poking at companies to look at you.

I would start with whatever you feel you have the best understanding of and could elaborate on. Could be suspension, tires, levers, gear, goggles, tools. Doing quick IG videos is a good way to build short form content but you’ll also need longer form videos and written reviews. Your going to have to grind be really passionate and be willing to make no money/lose money for awhile.

I think it's one of those jobs that functionally doesn't exist as a full-time paying gig -- like travel blogger or nature photographer. I mean, yes, there are people who have carved out their niche doing those things for a living, and they have whatever path they took, but statistically their numbers are so insignificant amongst the broader populations in those persuasions that they essentially are a rounding error.

Kris Keefer has spoken at length about it and he answers every email that rando dumbasses send him. (He's responded to me multiple times.) kris@keeferinctesting.com

Be really fast, live in California, be a good writer, grind for free for a long time.

If you are starting out from square one with no real connections the best thing you could do is review and test products on your own and try to build a following. Writing and video reviews, make a website. Once you get a little momentum you can ask companies for product to test and if your successful they’ll begin to approach you.