What happened to the Forum?

[neJeff]

Admittedly I had been away for several years and don't post much but now that I am heavy back into the site and poking around some more I am wondering what the hell has happened? I see VERY few posters posting, mostly the same names keep popping up. Earlier today it showed "8 active members and 154 guests" were online. At another of my forums (GSR) at the same time they had 38 members and 31 guests. What accounts for that? Seems an awful lot of "guests" over here...a bunch of bots? Maybe you can do / see most things on the forum without logging in, I don't know.

I am wondering what has happened to many of the members I remembered. Sad to see several of the names I remember have passed away. I suppose many have moved on to cushy GL1800s and Hardlys. Looked up "crazy steve" who I remembered from the old days and he hasn't even logged in 2017!

Are we fading away? Are forums loosing out to the FB groups? This site was last copyrighted in 2007 (could that be right) and looks aged...do I need to throw $20 bucks in the pot?

I am now or have been a member of probably 20 different motorcycle sites. This one and GSR are the only sites I ever frequent anymore. No ads, no bull, I like it. Like the people here too. I fear one day this forum is just gone and all the good old information gone too.

[3Phase]

Some of the Guest count is real guests that are visiting, some are members that are still logged on but have been inactive for a set period of time.

Instead of showing a separate category for, "Fell asleep at the keyboard but forgot to log off," the site removes the name from the "Member" list and changes the status to "Guest" until they do something like refresh a page or click link, then the site puts them back in the active "Member" list again.

[Eveready1100]

I wouldn't worry too much about Facebook taking over. It has its advantages for near instant replies to questions, but is totally useless for trying to research anything as the posts disappear down the page very quickly and scrolling down becomes a real chore. This site is like a comprehensive library, with all the information available to peruse at the slightest hint of pressing the "search" button. It's here to stay, mate

[webbcraft2150]

I often get on the site without logging on. If I have some profound pearls of wisdom to share, then I log in😏

[JeffH]

What Happened?

Many of us share your observations & concerns.
Seems we don't have the same dynamic as 3-4-5-6 or more years ago. Bike(s) are discretionary hobby and for many it seems life has them on a different track right now. Some have quit riding, some have moved on to other things. For some it is BTDT and they move on. Some have their 11's offline awaiting some day repairs as their Time & Budgets allow.

Dynamics now are different. Though Threads get lots of Read hits and Rallies are well attended. Thankfully there are some guru's out there that still provide expertise for people working on their xs11's. Problems with posting pics via Photobucket isn't helping either.

Even with our own local 11 group. Up until last year our Atlanta XSives would meet and ride regularly throughout the year. Four to Six 11's. We haven't done that in two years. Not because we don't want to but life is in the way right now. We hope 2018 will get us back to regular meet & rides.

My E has been parked all year. Rode it back from Colorado Rally last year and after 20,000 miles and 4 years it needs a go over. That ain't happening this year, I'm busy. Got another E last fall with plans to restore and take to this years 2017 Colorado Rally and that E is unfortunately still on the trailer, I'm too busy. Kick the can till 2018. That's my goal.

Thanks for the reminder to throw a few bucks into the pot to keep this site going. I usually do that each spring but this years distractions got me off plan. Will follow that Donate link and kick-in $20.

Jeff

[TopCatGr58]

Hey NeJeff,

Wow, has it really been 10 years since the site had it's facelift? My how time flies! I'm not the site OWNER/WEBMASTER, just the gatekeeper/doorman. After "we" did the facelift and vBulletin software upgrade in 2007 which required a complete shut down to revamp, upload ALL NEW stuff/graphics and such, along with a lot of testing on a dummy server first, THEN vBulletin changed their software to allow incremental upgrades and updates. But this ability was only in the NEXT version of vBulletin, not the one we had upgraded to.

So....to do anymore upgrades will AGAIN require the ability to have a Test Server location, test install and test migration of the forum databases and such, and then a complete shut down of the site while the new stuff is uploaded and installed on the active server, etc.!

The Webmaster/owner has been contacted several times over the years inquiring about whether another update/upgrade could be done. The newer software would be more smart phone friendly, and we could get the NEW MEMBERSHIP glitch fixed, which has been broken for a few years now! He's an IT guy, that's why he was able to create the site migrating it from Yahoo Groups email/mail list. But he's had a hands off approach to running the site almost from the beginning. Several years ago I offered to take it off his hands, but he declined.

So...I just keep doing what I can to keep it running, learned how to RECYCLE old unused member accounts to be able to register new applicants to the site since the site will NOT increment anymore new members in the database. The site was setup so that folks don't have to register/log in to access most of the features and information. Only if they want to Post/PM/Sell/Buy is when they would need a membership. Folks have said that they have been able to find what they need using GOOGLE Searches better than the search feature on our site.

As JeffH said, "LIFE" and regrettably death happens, folks move on and develop different priorities. Crazy Steve has been on since around 2011, has done tremendous work with the tech tips and such, but then has had quite a bit of personal stresses occur, and has other interests as well, and he may be just taking a break? Same thing for 3Phase/Scott. I've had several stressors occur as well with my SWMBO's cancer/surgery/recovery, as well as having to rescue, move, and house/care for my now 90 y/o mother with Dementia, but I'm still here because I otherwise don't have a "life" .

T.C.

[MaximPhil]

Hi T C ,
A GREAT BIG THANKS for all that you do for us here on XS11.com I like the format and while people come and go many of us have stuck around for a while and this is a great community.
Perhaps a bit clunky for the latest IT wiz kids but I like it.

[IanDMacDonald]

Idk. It seems like the same great bunch of guys on here since I've started.

[Bonz]

Ditto, other than guys that are literally aging and changing from riding to other pursuits.

We aren't adding as many new folks because, well, the bikes are 40 years old now! Truthfully, I can ride an XS until it drops from a mechanical perspective because I can fix it and maintain it. Not so much with many younger folks that haven't grown up doing this stuff.

[Gmac]

Funny that you should mention that

I find it's easier to keep my mouth shut or fingers away from the keyboard and be thought a fool rather than proving it, repeatedly. I must have half of the site bookmarked, starting with the 'tach that doesn't work' issue.

I've had it with Facebook, the stupidity forced me to quit cold turkey a week or two ago. The XS FB page was ok but there were no real solutions to problems other than to refer readers to ... here, to find the answers.

I'll be showing up asking questions I haven't researched completely as soon as I build and install the shop doors I've been meaning to make for a year now.

GM

[Neup]

This site is much appreciated!

I am a new guy, but I can say that I used this site a lot before and after I got a sign on. Fortunately you can search the site and get info without having an account and I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't many people who got the information they needed and saved themselves headaches and money due to the members of this forum. I don't have much to add regarding advice or tech help, but I do check in occasionally.

As an aside, on my shift this last Monday, I picked up two riders in separate accidents who would have had been in far worse shape if they hadn't been wearing their helmets. It sounds like most here do, but if you don't, consider wearing a helmet if you don't. It can make a big difference.

[jetmechmarty]

We have a rally coming up in North Carolina. I expect many of the regulars will be there. If you're any where near, this is a good time to shake hands.

Last time Crazy Steve checked in, he let on that he had a new life. It was awesome when he was here full time, but if he's happy with something or someone else, then we should be happy for him.

I'm not on here nearly as much as I was. I'm just too busy. Happily, I'm still about motorcycles, but I'm mingling more face to face than internet.

Ride on!

[Eastcoaster]

Well Put TC

Thanks TC unfortunately as some of you know I fall right into this category. I am hoping to spark the flame again soon when things return to the abnormal normal.

As JeffH said, "LIFE" and regrettably death happens, folks move on and develop different priorities. Crazy Steve has been on since around 2011, has done tremendous work with the tech tips and such, but then has had quite a bit of personal stresses occur, and has other interests as well, and he may be just taking a break? Same thing for 3Phase/Scott. I've had several stressors occur as well with my SWMBO's cancer/surgery/recovery, as well as having to rescue, move, and house/care for my now 90 y/o mother with Dementia, but I'm still here because I otherwise don't have a "life" .

T.C.[/QUOTE]

[BA80]

After many years here and many years of experience working on and repairing these old bikes, I've grown tired of trying to help people that don't want to hear what I say and people that want to argue EVERY point. I tend to post an answer and just walk away.

I've been a member here since 2007? - 2008? (this is like my 3rd handle for reasons we won't go into)

Not having an EASY way to post pics anymore has affected participation, mine anyway, simply because a picture is worth 1000 words and I'm a 2 finger typer.

The fact that all the pics have VANISHED in the repair, maintenance, and mod forums has taken a HUGE toll.

It's like when the host for XS11.org just quit hosting just as it was getting started and we had to move to another host. Everyone just lost interest and it's pretty much dead now.

That's life, no one gets out alive, not even an old bike forum.

I'm still here and will be until it comes to a standstill. Flatline like .org.

[TADracer]

I guess I might fall into a couple of categories in this topic. Getting older, don't ride as much, into other hobbies, life getting in the way.

In the past two years a knee replacement and foot surgery kept me off my bike a lot. Also, my riding style is not so aggressive as it used to be because age is slowing the reflexes. So what did I do? Started flying control line jet speed planes. Go figure ... but it gives me my adrenalin rush without the danger of crashing on the side of the highway.

Still, my bike is kept in good repair and is used occasionally. I do try to log in every now and then just to keep a pulse on what and who is here now and maybe to add a bit to the conversation.