INACTIVE FORUM

[Jamie]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but looking at the turn out for last Friday's social, I could not help but wondering......what would the reason be for a very inactive (almost dead) forum such as we have here Sure, there was free food on Friday but everybody looks well fed to me so starvation was not the reason for the attendance.

The numbers and interest in the club's activities are certainly there, but looking at the forum, one could easily believe this club only consist of 10 or so members. What's confusing though, there are normally quite a few views but very little participation.
Are members perhaps scared to post and if so, for what ?

I for one certainly don't have the time enter into "chat room" style posting but surely there are hundreds of topics we all could benefit from -

- Safety aspects (dangerous road conditions on certain roads)
- Tyre wear (which tyres are used by members and why)
- Interesting places to visit/not to visit (It use to be discussed in the past)
- "How to" aspects on the technical side
- Updated photos of members on their rides and with their new bikes.
- General biking events taking place
- Common problems with certain bikes and models (there is provision for that on this forum)

and the list can go on and on.......

just asking.........?

[DP1200GS ADV]

Hey Jamie,

Fully agree with you.

My one posting had 279 views and only 4 replies !

I find this FORUM a great place but totally inactive.

I always appreciate people like Dave who post pics about Recce rides, Rallies etc. Always great to see.

I believe, also being at the Noggin on Fri, that we need to show people the Club Webpage again as there are so many new members. Perhaps this will also get others interested.

I also can't "chat" all day as I work for my salary. I do check the site EVERY morning just to see if there is anything new. There are a few regulars and that's it.

I sure we can use this facility a lot better. We have a great club with many interesting people.

[Jamie]

;D ;D ;D Thank you, thank you....there is life out there.

This was a classic illustration of member's hesitance to post - 17 views in just about 24 hrs show that there is movement but sadly only 1 reaction

Thank you Mr P, not for agreeing but for your reaction

Ping :

Renier (not sure I can ping the chairman but he is a regular), DottyP, Dave S (regular), Joe, leroy, Mud Pooh-bah (regular), pikkie, Sanet, slash and anyone that was not pinged.......still alive mmmmmmh ?

[GSing]

About a year ago I've done some training on how to use the club forum at one of our regular Friday socials.

But didn't get the result we hope .......... Maybe we should try it again!

I agree .....don't just visit this forum, use it! even if you just introduce yourself, need some advise, share your feelings etc.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Mud Pooh-bah]

Me thinks most BMW riders are BC (Before Computers). Therefore not a lot of interest !!!

[Dave S]

It would certainly appear that the club members are not 'forum junkies' who spend their times in chats etc.

What is noticeable - and is also what Deon said above - they seem to use the site for info only.

That can be see from the views on various topics.

So it would appear that they use the site for info purposes only.

[sanet]

Shew haven't visited this forum in a long long time (Renier's newsletter reminded me that it still exists ) but Jamie I am still alive ... hope you guys are well?

Maybe some reasons for an inactive forum could be that we are all too busy to work and to frequent other bike forums where we find a lot of interaction. Only way to get it active again is if we all make a concerted effort to start posting here too... I'll definately try and visit it more often as there are many technical thingy's about the GS that I would love to learn about.

[Rupert Richter]

Hi guys (and girl)

Your post, Jamie is similar to the one I posted a while ago on the forum about members not using it. I think Pauli's reply is one to consider. Maybe he should give us a few pointers at the club on how to use the forum (again) ;D ;D ;D

I also think we should maybe advertise the forum on the internet to get other bikers to also use it. It's a great way of communicating. (not only on BMW's) Maybe Pauli should design something for the forum to keep it open on your desktop, and see live responses as they are posted. People could then also respond quickly to that.

Think of something like Skype, but different???

[Joe]

Hi Jamie

Not so active in "organised" arenas as before, so dont visit this site often any more (not a member of the clug this year either ..)

Basically popped in now to take a look at some info, want to go to Pontdrif on Tuesday and remember from one of the noggins that a badge was awarded to somebody visiting the 4 extreme points with Pontdrift being one of them!

Until later
Joe

[David]

I am new to this club! As such, my post here might even be called presumptuous to some extent because I only get my steed tomorrow!

Yes, tomorrow this time I will be the proud owner of a white 1200GS Adventure complete with all the boxes and a Akrapovic titanium silencer! I am sure it is to be the begining of a long and passionate relationship!

Coming back to this club and specifically this forum, I'd like to comment from my experience at the similarly styled LCCSA. As an active member of the Land Cruiser Club of SA, I have made many a life-long friends, attended many get togethers and organised trips using this media. Of the 3000-odd members on there only about 150-200 are really active. By active I mean that they participate on a daily basis in all the diverse discussions going on and as such keep the forum very much alive! The back-bone of this is obviously their love for the Land Cuiser and the outdoors!

I am sure that our BMW motorcycles need not stand back one moment as the much beloved machines they are. Leading the hectic lifes we do, I find this media to communicate with like-minded friends a way to hang on to sanity!

[Dani]

To start with.. Congratulations DavidvB on your new toy!! May you have many happy miles!

As far as the inactive forum goes.. eish, what can be done??

Maybe a new look for the website as a whole? Any comments??

[Jamie]

Well let's go for a serious hijack here........being the poster, I don't mind.

Welcome Mr v(d)b ?, wow this is going to be a looooooong night.

I think a premature congrats is in order. You have chosen one of the finest machines money can buy.......shhhh.....don't tell the tall Mr P I said this....I'll never hear the end then. (see I'm from the other side ;D)

Anyway welcome to the club and I know you will enjoy your mean machine. May you have many safe km's. Also....enjoy the "night before".......it's part of the whole experience

ps. come and say hi at the club's next social on Friday 7 September @ Bavarian Motorcycles - 18:30

[Dani]

awww thanks Jamie.. for inviting proud DavidvB to the social! And he can show his new Adventure off on Sunday 9 September on the club ride! Either to Parys or with the GS group for training at Rhino Park. Ok ok I wont tell tall Mr P .. if only I could handle that big machine.. I'll stick to my 650!

[David]

Well thanks for all the good wishes!

Please remember that I am based on Windhoek, Namibia (Now I will probably be expelled!! )
As such I will be a relatively rare visitor to your events! Having said that, I am in Jhb at least once every 4-6 weeks and try to join whoever friends/s are available! So I might rock up one day on a rental BM! I have attended rides to the eastern Transvaal in the past with a few friends and see no reasons why it cannot be done again!

BTW, I just spoke to the BMW dealer and they confirmed that my Adventure will be ready for collection later this afternoon or early tomorrow morning . . . so standby for a picture soon!! ;D

[Dani]

David.. nahh youre not expelled
Being in the area often, it might be a good idea to join the club as a country member - R100 per year - and once we have your email addy you can receive emails that will help keep you up to date with the club's activities, trips and tours!
oh and remember the first 1000km's is a 'go slow'!