sobay5some, of course there are other forums that are larger. This one is growing rapidly for a forum that is just months old though. People get attached to a forum and return time and time again. Some find a home and never leave. But most all of us visit and interact on other forums as well. I've seen some grow very rapidly into large forums just over the last year. That's what makes the internet so great....sharing information and reaching so many people through so many sites. But the good thing is that any new idea posted here is spread almost verbatim to other forums in a short time and vise/versa. Amazing how that works.
Each forum that I visit has it's own personality. The regulars like to visit and post often. You kind of get to know them through their posts. We tend to judge them by their words and form an opinion of them...good or bad. We like to hang out where we feel comfortable.
I like to make everyone feel welcome. I have posted at sites where I introduced myself, posted where I could be helpful, asked questions when I had them, but no one was interested in making me feel at home with a welcome or any other new member. They are content with the small group that have posted for years and didn't really have room for more friends in the group it seems. That's fine, that's why so many sites are good. If you don't like one you will surely find one/some that you do.
I have to laugh sometimes when I see some of the same names show up at different sites that have a different story at different ones. For an example I see this guy who on one site didn't have a bike for a long time but claimed he did. He finally admitted that he didn't and hadn't ridden in years because he had to stop and raise a family and put children and family first. But recently he boldly jumps into some riders at another forum saying that someone who gave up riding years ago and returned is not a real biker like him. He said if they were real they would have done what was necessary to continue riding though those times. LOL
Let's face it....the statistics show who the real Harley riders are and the average age and the average income and the average experience and such. The ones' that put on and run down others want to believe and have everyone believe that they are something different...a REAL biker. I guess they suppose that a REAL biker has a nasty disposition and they like to point out who's not the REAL thing. "you are a RUB, YUP, POSER" kind of thing. That's funny when you come to realize that they fit the average statistics as well as anyone does but they like to "play a role" that makes them different. LOL
Yep, getting to know people on the net is a trip. Some likable, some real assholes. But forums are a wonderful thing for learning. I support them because I have a thing about getting rapped by the HD service department. If you can share what you know and learn form what others know, we can avoid some of that from the shops.
sobay5some, I didn't see you share any of your favorite sites with us. Fair is fair. Come on with um. And put a plug in for us there too.
If you made it this far I will share one of my favorite sites with you that I visit/read. It's got some cool members and you just have to like the friendly welcomes and the vast tech knowledge.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/hawgryder/start
Later,