TomInPA
Well-known member
Enjoyed reading this truthful post from a "FNG". My post count here is something over 3600, which I guarantee is less than half of my actual post count if Off-Topic, NEPERT and other sub-forums that "don't count" are included. We'll never know. This is true of the legends on this board as well, although TWN got his posts in before the decision that only certain posts count. Many of the original membership seems to never post here, but I am fortunately able to stay in touch with guys like MadMike2. Anyway, this has been a recurring theme that comes and goes. I'm surprised this thread is in Off-Topic rather than NEPERT. As long as posts or "contributions" to the forum are regarded as less worthy if they are not technical or a trip report, or people are singled out for reprimand for being off-topic or off-message, then we will have these never ending, pointless or recurring threads bitching about what once was.A forum board needs a steady injection of new blood to thrive and prosper, to replace those who inevitably leave, otherwise attrition is the name of the game, as evidenced apparently here and at other hobby forums I frequent (one at which I'm a moderator). If you'd like the perspective of a relative FNG -- someone who hasn't been an active member for long and doesn't know any of the individuals mentioned earlier in this thread but represents that "new blood" I mention -- I'll offer my experience. I offer it with respect and apprecation for what this site offers to the FJR community.
My perspective is that this forum is not a particularly open forum for discussion. I understand the owners'/moderators' disdain for familiar topics and the encouragement of members to search for information rather than prompt a discussion about topics that have been tread before, but such discouragement of new threads on familiar topics and/or their move to the NEPRT board inherently stifles new poster/member enthusiasm and motivation to participate. For those of who have not been here for long and are all too aware that our posts are more likely than not to be moved, deleted, or otherwise dimished, this forum typically feels more like a set of encyclopedias to consult than a forum for discussion.
Even contributions to existing threads seem to be under tough scrutiny. I posted a contribution on the existing 2018 model thread and came back later in the day and it had been deleted. My thread was in response to another poster who mentioned something about Harley-Davidson and their lock on the cruiser market segment...I followed up on that with a bit about my last bike, a Triumph cruiser, and how and why I agreed with the poster. It was several paragraphs that required some time and thought on my part, but I hoped it would both advance the topic and just add to the discussion in some way that would allow it to organically develop and grow. I appreciate that my post and the one before it strayed and drifted a bit from the specific analysis and opinions of the 2018 model, but it was still within the overall gist of the thread at that point, i.e. design choices (e.g. matte paint), market forces that challenge the FJR, etc. Yet my post was deleted outright because -- presumably, as I was not contacted (nor did I expect to be) -- it didn't stay within the tight confines that were deemed appropriate.
With new posts at high risk of NEPRT status and posts to existing threads at high risk of deletion if they stray a bit from topic, new folks like myself are challenged to muster up much enthusiasm to participate. I love forums and participate generously in several...but while I certainly plan to continue my membership here, it will be more as a visitor and reader than participant for the reasons I hope I've been able to express. If I'm representative of the "new blood" that's needed to keep this forum active and that the owners may wish to seek, then this may or may not be something they may wish to examine. That said, however, I get completely that I'm a guest in someone else's house, so I will respectfully comply with whatever rules they wish to set forth.