A "Motorcycles in General" Forum Proposal

[JohnBM01]

I've had some greater attraction to motorcycles this year. As much as we're awed over the latest automobiles, there are some wicked motorcycles out there as well either in the works or out now. Such as the Ducati 1098 and one of the newer Honda Fireblades. There are even those of you who like a good cruiser when you hear and/or see one. As much as there is a forum devoted to automobiles, I'd like to propose a motorcycle forum for discussion of some of the newest motorcycles, motorcycle equipment, motorcycle innovations, discussion of all-time favorite motorcycles, and more. This idea primarily concerns road-going motorcycles. However, there is always the Drifting and Other Motorsports forum which is devoted to various degrees of racing including cars and motorcycles and more. I know there isn't a lot of people who love motorcycles as much or more than cars, but I'd be more than willing to see a forum devoted to motorcycles. The sub-forums for such a forum are as follows:

Motorcycles (prototypical forum)
* Motorcycle News (news thread for all motorcycles. This includes cruisers, sport bikes, motards, tricycles (like the awesome Campagna Motorsports T-Rex) news on new technology for motorcycles, new competition-only motorcycles, and more)
* Motorcycles in General (speaks for itself. Anything on motorcycles is fair game)
* Riding Gear^ (Some of the latest riding gear for motorcycle enthusiasts - Optional)
* Motorcycle Videos and Photos^ (Share photos and videos all containing motorcycle goodness)

^ = optional, possible, or not truly recommended



Upon doing a search, there was one thread made way back in December 17, 2003 calling for a motorcycle forum. However, most of it had to do with motorcycle RACING. Not motorcycles in general. This is about a general motorcycle racing thread for motorcycle fans and afficionados. Unless, you want to talk motorcycles in a car forum. It's just my idea to help provide extra flavor and diversity among the automobmile/motorcycle crowd. Remember, I'm MOT proposing a motorcycle racing forum. I'm simply proposing a street bike forum. I can't promise I'll continually cover the world of motorcycle news. I'd just like to see such a thread to discuss motorcycles of various degrees. We have such threads and such devotion for cars. Well, some people love motorcycles more than cars or about as much as cars. So why don't we tickle their fancy some here on GTPlanet? GTPlanet is the best Gran Turismo message board site online. Tourist Trophy was made by the same crew to try to establish a motorcycle presence among racing game fans. In keeping in tune with PD and their creations, a general motorcycle forum would help offer a nice opportunity to chat motorcycles on this wonderful website that I've been a part of since December 5, 2003. I love this message board, I've met some wonderful people in threads and posts, I've been accustomed to the likes and dislikes of many people I've come across here... if there's an audience for people who love motorcycles and love GTPlanet, I'd be more than willing to propose this opportunity to chat about motorcycles with as much love and devotion as we do with cars on GTP. Anything to offer a new forum for something legit would help enhance the broad array of general topics on this great message board. Any takers?

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Not a bad idea, I know a few people on here who own motorcyles that might be interested. Plus some bikes are wicked fast but you never hear about them. You know I can't find a list of motorcyle superlatives anywhere on the net? Things like fastest ever, biggest V-Twin engine produced. Maybe GTP members could answer such questions. I'm for this........................ parts of this. I wouldn't be involved as some but it would be interesting nonetheless.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Im with this idea, motorobikes dont seem to get the recognition they deserve in the car forums. Plus what with Tourist Trophy being out it can still relate to the purpose of the forum.

 

[Jordan]

I can see the reasoning behind a motorcycle forum, but I'll have to wait and see what kind of reaction this thread gets.

 

[G.T]

Although a good idea, especially with you being up to posting up the latest biking news, I'm not convinced it'll receive near as much attention as the Cars in General forum attracts. There's barely any threads talking about bikes as it is, but one could argue because there is no dedicated place for bike discussion, no one has bothered.

I think testing the idea out for a while would be a good idea.

 

[Rykon Zero]

It's not a bad idea. Quite a few people like Motorcycles. I don't see why not.

 

[Alex.]

Although not a bike person myself, I think it will be good and should be tested as James just said.

 

[Diego440]

I think that the fact that a FEW people like motorcycles is reason enough. I mean, I'm sure we have more Ford fans than Motorcycle fans, and yet there's no Ford Fans sub-forum.

 

[Joey D]

I would like a motorcycle forum, I often see motorcycle news that would make a good posting.

 

[JohnBM01]

I tried to detail out this process. I really think that as much as we love cars on GTPlanet, there are some that like cars and motorcycles. I usually like cars than motorcycles, but I'm doing this because I'm fascinated with motorcycles and want to give others the chance to talk motorcycles. About my only true buddy that likes motorcycles on GTP is UNOMoto. He's been the one to key in on MotoGP action when I had my MotoGP thread last year or so. MustangSVT said he's down with grand prix motorcycle racing after I made the post.

Simply put, I'm doing this because I love GTPlanet, I love the people who are on GTPlanet, and I'd love to really offer a forum proposal in which I think people can easily contribute to and make into an interesting experience. Again, there aren't a lot of people who like motorcycles. More people will like cars more than motorcycles. But for motorcycle types that like being on GTPlanet, I'm willing to propose a motorcycle forum for fans of motorcycles. Like I see on the weekends sometimes, I see a lot of people on cruisers and sport bikes going around the Houston metropolitan area when I'm with my parents. I sometimes collect these Cycle Trader magazines to see what kinds of great motorcycles are on sale. I'm not looking for one (don't even have a license), but there are even some nice motorcycles that warrants at least some attention. Nice cruisers. Fast sport bikes. Think of all the ones (including myself) who can't help but get excited to see a Suzuki Hayabusa. I love Ducatis as well. I've been hearing of "all-wheel drive" for motorcycles. You know what you're getting with a BMW car... but you don't hear much about BMW motorcycles. The Honda Gold Wing has been pretty popular among touring motorcyclists. I think we can grow an audience to chat about motorcycles of various types.

Let's face it. Cars in General is going to significantly more active than motorcycles in general because more people know about cars than motorcycles. I'm not envisioning people to love motorcycles more than cars. Just that I'd like a forum devoted to motorcycles for motorcycle types. If Speed Channel has a following for motorcycles as well as cars, then so can GTP and the people who love motorbikes on here. I'm just expressing this interest for other motorcycle fans to have a place to chat about bikes rather than some other forum.

 

[Muzaffar]

Well I guess it can't be that bad, so why not. At least we don't have to mix motorcycle news in the "auto news" sub forum anymore. I mean, we should have a more specific sub forum for motorcycles. It would be easier to search something more motorcycle related stuff and that the threads wouldn't be in a wrong sub forum.

There is more motorcycle lovers here in GTP other than UNOMoto, but still the number of car lovers still outnumbered the motorcycle lovers.

 

[Small_Fryz]

I ride bikes and im a motorcycle fan for sure. Cetainly get my interest.

 

[UnoMOTO]

What this?!?! Me...known as the motorcycle guy? I wonder how that happened.

Every now and then I find something interesting about motorcycles that I would like to post here. True, there isn't a right place to post it and that would be nice to have. In the past I wanted to help spread the interest of motorcycling but is generally met with "you’re going to die on that thing" so I have cut way back on two wheeled talk. The result of that is I have become a member of r1-forum.com and coloradosportbikeclub.com. When I need that fix of like minded people it is much easier to go there for information.

All that being said, if we did have a sub forum for motorcycles I would be glad to provide plenty of information about new bikes or products that hit the marked. Those two websites provide plenty of information that I can pass along. I wish this site had a more positive outlook on motorcycles in general but cagers are what they are.

Maybe some of you just don't know what your missing. Good luck John and thanks for the effort.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I thought that the 'Planet would have some wisdom to offer me on my forthcoming scooter purchase, and I swithered for several seconds over where to put the thread. Ask GTPlanet? The Rumble Strip? Cars in General? I settled on TRS, and got good results, but a motorcycle forum would have been useful at the time.

 

[JohnBM01]

Now let's look at content. Motorcycles of all kinds are fair game. ATVs are also fair game for such a forum as well. I would even count UTV (utility vehicles, like the Kawasaki Teryx for example) for discussion. Scooters are absolutely fair game. Anything and everything motorcycle.

 

[UnoMOTO]

Doesn't look like it's got enough support.

 

[JohnBM01]

I think we can definitely agree there is at least some interest in making this happen. Again, a motorcycle forum will never overtake the automobile threads. Then again, am I lobbying it to? What matters to me in this is simply offering the thought. I don't have the mentality in which ratings are higher than actual content. I'm just putting this out there. I just think this will enhance the amount of content by offering up motorcycle discussion. Thing is... will there be enough support to actually warrant and cheer an idea of a motorcycle forum even as we have Tourist Trophy. Tourist Trophy will at least open you up to motorcycles. I learn most things through video games. If Gran Turismo got me into cars even more than when I saw the F-Body Camaros and Trans-Ams, then Tourist Trophy opened me up to motorcycles. You have to have a sense of gaining interest from games. So with this, I'd be more than happy to at least propose a Motorcycle forum because there are motorcycle fans on here, I've recently grown VERY fond of motorcycles... why not make this happen? You all can still agree that this is a great idea. Question is, will it be good enough to where we can actually get some motorcycle discussion on GTPlanet on basic motorcycle talk outside of the Tourist Trophy sub-forum?

Now if this deal does get put together, I think it would be between the Automobile and Motorsports forums.

 

[Wolfe]

I support this idea, and preemptively propose a sticky'd thread called "Motorcycles: Dangerous to Ride?" so that not every thread in the forum is sidetracked with "organ donor" comments.

 

[UnoMOTO]

 

[Rykon Zero]

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I like Motorcycles now.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Well, maybe people want it and just don't know this proposal is here, not everyone goes on all the threads it's true. There are questions that pop up in my mind regarding motorcycles from time to time that one of the 100k plus members of GTP could answer I'm sure. I'm still for this to happen.

 

[JohnBM01]

It's nice to see this idea at least being considered and liked. I think we can generate a healthy interest in motorcycles on GTPlanet. I believe that it's possible we can generate enough interest as well as the want to create threads and posts about motorcycle. I think some people see motorcycles as thrill machines. However, there are still people who love to ride and love a cool motorcycle as much as they like a cool car. I'd like to see this happen to offer something new to share in threads and posts as well as providing a great opportunity to chat motorcycles of various degrees including UTVs, ATVs, tricycles, and more. This would mean stellar diversity.

 

[UnoMOTO]

I'd love to see a thread detailing the Frankencycle that Flerbizky is building.

 

[Keef]

I don't know crap about motorcycles. But I think I probably would if there was a motorcycle forum here. I'd like to see a place like the Automotive News along with pictures and videos and all that. I'd certainly browse it and soak up information. I might even contribute with lots of nub questions.

 

[JohnBM01]

Sure. I'm not fully educated on motorcycles myself. That's why we have people who know the scene better than we do. This to provide help on understanding and perhaps even appreciating motorcycles more. Now if you want to make the case that a "Motorcycles in General" forum may NOT work, one would probably say that they are not really educated on street bikes aside from racing bikes. For example, how could you recommend a motorcycle for someone? Like, let's say a person (because girls love bikes too) wants to choose between a Honda CBR1000RR (or Fireblade) and a Suzuki GSX1000R. How could you make the case that the GSX1000R is better than the CBR1000RR? What if someone wanted to know if there's a better touring bike than the Honda Gold Wing? What if you could recommend if Pirelli Diablo tires are the best tires for your motorcycle? What if you wanted to know what a "cafe racer" bike was? Perhaps you want to know who makes the better motards: Kawasaki or Yamaha? Maybe you want to talk about some of the coolest custom bikes made by motorcycle tuners. Perhaps you want to know what the best Ducati of all time is.

All I'm saying is that we have a lot of knowledgable people on GTPlanet. Wouldn't you want to put your trust into some of our motorcycle pros and experts to help you out on motorcycles? Finally, I'd like to add this resource for you all: < http://www.sportbikez.net >. I learned of a Korean(?) company called Hyosung by visiting this site. They make a pretty racy cruiser bike called the GV650 Avitar. May want to look it up online to see for yourself. Keep this bad boy rolling, people!

 

[UnoMOTO]

Like, let's say a person (because girls love bikes too) wants to choose between a Honda CBR1000RR (or Fireblade) and a Suzuki GSX1000R. How could you make the case that the GSX1000R is better than the CBR1000RR?

You can't because the Yamaha R1 IS the best sportbike out there

What if someone wanted to know if there's a better touring bike than the Honda Gold Wing?

Our own wfooshee has an FJR that would leave a Gold Wing in the fading distant asphalt.

What if you could recommend if Pirelli Diablo tires are the best tires for your motorcycle?

The second set of tires for my R1 were Diablos and they sure did BLOS alright. I hear they are better now but I'd never buy another set.

Pilot Power FTW

What if you wanted to know what a "cafe racer" bike was?

Go to england!

Perhaps you want to know who makes the better motards: Kawasaki or Yamaha?

Neither...KTM makes the most Bombastic Motard

Maybe you want to talk about some of the coolest custom bikes made by motorcycle tuners.

McCoy Motorsports, hands down!

Perhaps you want to know what the best Ducati of all time is.

[/Needle scratching off rotating piece of vinyl]

Whoa....I gotta get back to you on that one.

I learned of a Korean(?) company called Hyosung by visiting this site. They make a pretty racy cruiser bike called the GV650 Avitar. May want to look it up online to see for yourself. Keep this bad boy rolling, people!

My wife did a Demo track day last October and got to try out the 650GTR. Lets just say that you'd be better off spending your money on a Suzuki SV650.

 

[JohnBM01]

...or you can just ask my man, UnoMOTO, for motorcycle talk to help some of you inexperienced types on motorcycles while keeping the motorcycle educated enticed and entertained on motorcycles. At least you inexperienced folks on motorcycles have at least one person educated on motorcycles. So you all are in good company if a "Motorcycles in General" thread is created because you know UnoMOTO will be one of the names you can look up to to talk motorcycles.

By the way, I guess I've learned you are a Yamaha man, UnoMOTO. I've personally always respected Honda and Suzuki.

 

[UnoMOTO]

By the way, I guess I've learned you are a Yamaha man, UnoMOTO. I've personally always respected Honda and Suzuki.

I started out on one of these 1998 Honda CBR F3 which was a nice bike until it crapped out on me. I bought it used and I think that the person before me had ridden it really hard.

It still didn't sway me away from Honda so I next ponied up for a 2001 F4i. This was a fun bike and I had some great mods to it, but it was unfortunately killed in the parking lot by my neighbor backing over it. 👎

Now we have my current ride. A 2003 Yamaha R1. For me everything on this bike just seemed more refined well made and balanced. For the record I don't think an R1 has beat out a Suzuki for bike of the year since 02 but that mostly stems from the Suzuki having a better engine. If I ever had to stray from the blue I would pick up a gixxer before Kawi and Honda.

I'm a big fish in a small pond here at GTP becuase we just don't have that many bike guys. On my other sites I can hardly get a word in because those guys are total bike nuts. They make me look like I should have training wheels on my bike.

 

[JohnBM01]

My vision for this proposed forum was just so that the ones who do love motorcycles or have some sort of fondness for motorcycles can have a place to share their love on GTPlanet. You obviously know your bikes, UnoMOTO. I think more people like you as well as more people willing to contribute to and establish conversation on GTP for motorcycles will help keep our motorcycle-loving faithful afloat. Again, I'm not looking for this to overshadow the cars. More people will love cars than motorcycles, yet there are those on GTP who would love to chat about motorcycles with people at least willing to drop by and make a reply or two. I think we can make this happen.

As far as this date is concerned, Daytona Bike Week starts next weekend as the AMA Superbikes prep for 2008 on the high banks of Daytona. It will be the unprecedented 67th annual Daytona Bike Week. For what I know, the Daytona 250 in motorcycles is the Super Bowl of motorcycle racing in America. So you could say this is some good timing to come up with this proposed thread. There is certainly the interest in starting up a motorcycle forum for motorcycle fans rather than having to go to the Automobile and Tourist Trophy forums. Think of someone maybe sharing photos from Daytona Bike Week with all the biker boys and girls going down to Daytona for this Woodstock of motorcycles.

I was just thinking about something. You know when I mentioned a Video and Photo gallery sub-forum for my proposed "Motorcycles in General" forum? Well, think about events like Kyle Petty's Ride Charity, the world-famous(?) Sturgis Motorcycle Rally featuring dozens of Harley-Davidson motorcycles... maybe you want to share pictures and stories from motorcycle rallies you took part in. I think we can have some involvement from people the world over. Can you imagine you bike riders sharing stories of bike trails you took part in? Maybe you and your boys (or girls) make ready to ride for the weekend to a number of places. I'm thinking mostly of American bike rallies, but I'm sure there are even some nice bike rallies around the world.

I'll try to enhance the spectrum of motorcycles as far as motorcycle racing is concerned, but I'd still love to see this Motorcycle forum happen as much as I'm lobbying and campaigning. It's just a little suggestion of mine after being on GTPlanet for over four years. I've missed the "Game Reviews" sub-forum, but I'd like to propose and lobby for this new forum to give a motorcycle home for people who love motorcycles or at least follows them some kind of way.

 

[JohnBM01]

Just yesterday, I saw "MotorWeek" on PBS. The "Two-Wheeling" segment featured the new Buell 1125R. I was never really a Buell guy as far as design goes, but I can appreciate the Harley-Davidson engines. Performs like Hell from what I've heard.