Non-BMW Issues Forum?

[dataman]

There has been an ongoing discussion in another thread about what forums are used by BMWMOA members. Many commented that they use advrider because it is not tied to one specific brand. They went on to describe the advantages and disadvantages of such a site. Posters also discussed the general lack of awareness of the forum among BMWMOA members. So I have a comment and some questions.

Although this entire forum is maintained by BMWMOA for its members many members also ride other brands of motorcycles. These members have a lot of knowledge and experience about these "other" brands. This information is valuable to all those needing assistance.

Q. What about having a portion of the forum devoted specifically to "other" brands?

Q. Could we attract folks to our forum because of the discussion about non-BMW issues?

Q. Would it result in some new members?

Q. Is it something we should consider?

What are your thoughts?

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I thought that the Campfire was for precisely that reason judging by the description?

Perhaps it is not really a bad thing to not be an Advrider, after all there are reasons some of us visit that site, but the fact that we come back here surely indicates that there is still something about this site that appeals to us.

Personally I like the differences in tempo, and the fact that there are many other sites to visit. Perhaps we don't have to be, or can't be everything to everyone?

Just an opinion.

[Braddog]

Q. What about having a portion of the forum devoted specifically to "other" brands?
We do have "Campfire" for other brands. After all, this is the BMWMOA forum. We're here because we own BMW's. Many of us own other brands as well. In this day and age, there are individual forums for almost every brand and model of motorcycle. Most people here read/post on multiple forums already.

Q. Could we attract folks to our forum because of the discussion about non-BMW issues?
Personally, I was attracted to this forum because of the fact that this is where BMW motorcycles are discussed. This is where there is a lot of knowledge of BMW motorcycles. Yes, there is other brand knowledge as well, but if I want to know about other models, then I'll go to that specific forum, i.e. VTXOA or ZRXOA, etc. I doubt that discussions of other brands/models would bring in other members. Isn't owning a BMW a requirement of being a member of BMWMOA and this forum?

Q. Would it result in some new members?
I doubt it. Increased BMW ownership would be the best way to increase membership. That, and bringing in more BMW owners who aren't members already.

Q. Is it something we should consider?
I think the mods/admins of these forums should ALWAYS be open to consider new sections to add to these forums. They should always be open to change. I'm just not sure if it would mean much to the BMWMOA forums to discuss issues about other brands. Plus, that could always be done in "Campfire" anyway, I would think.

[basketcase]

The first time I personally participated in an online community was in ... 1999, or thereabouts. It was specific to my riding interests at the time.

Since then, there has been a huge increase in online commumities -- so much so, that I am now forced to make choices that were not an issue six years ago.

Even though I currently do not own a BMW, I still hang out here. I am still disappointed with the BOD for some issues, but I like the crowd, have friends in various BMW clubs, and plan to own another BMW in the future. So I've stuck with it for the relationships and the information about the marque, but for information specific to my Gold Wing, I go to the GWRRA boards.

Rider magazine has a couple of message boards at Riderreport.com, and they get a little bit of general purpose activity, but nothing like what happens on the model or marque specific boards. So my personal take is that an all-brand forum here would be about as busy as the F series board here. IOW, not busy at all ... because the forums at the Chain Gang site have pretty much "cornered the market."

With all that said, I do think a general purpose Technical Forum would be well received here. There are a lot of technical or mechanical issues that are common to all models of BMW's, in fact, to all bikes in general. But other than that, I think the club or marque specific boards are here to stay, and the way to fly.

IMHO

[GregFeeler]

Q. What about having a portion of the forum devoted specifically to "other" brands?
We do have "Campfire" for other brands. After all, this is the BMWMOA forum. We're here because we own BMW's. Many of us own other brands as well. In this day and age, there are individual forums for almost every brand and model of motorcycle. Most people here read/post on multiple forums already.

Q. Could we attract folks to our forum because of the discussion about non-BMW issues?
Personally, I was attracted to this forum because of the fact that this is where BMW motorcycles are discussed. This is where there is a lot of knowledge of BMW motorcycles. Yes, there is other brand knowledge as well, but if I want to know about other models, then I'll go to that specific forum, i.e. VTXOA or ZRXOA, etc. I doubt that discussions of other brands/models would bring in other members. Isn't owning a BMW a requirement of being a member of BMWMOA and this forum?

Q. Would it result in some new members?
I doubt it. Increased BMW ownership would be the best way to increase membership. That, and bringing in more BMW owners who aren't members already.

Q. Is it something we should consider?
I think the mods/admins of these forums should ALWAYS be open to consider new sections to add to these forums. They should always be open to change. I'm just not sure if it would mean much to the BMWMOA forums to discuss issues about other brands. Plus, that could always be done in "Campfire" anyway, I would think.


Very good observations. This forum is certainly in it's infancy, but we've made a good start and are pushing close to 7,000 registered members. In one of the next few issues of the Owner's News will be an article about the forum. Hopefuly that will help get the word out during a time when many are boxed in by winter and doing all their riding with their keyboards.

From the begining, it was seen as another benefit of being a BMW MOA member - like the Owner's News. You don't have to be a BMW motorcycle owner to join the 'MOA - just be interested in them. The 'MOA's doors are open to all who want to know about BMW bikes.

I also participate in a number of other forums and email lists, primarly becaused they are focused on something I'm interested in. It seems the most succussful ones (and by that I mean well appreciated by the posters) are pretty focused on some particular subject or interest. The ones with "splinter" sections don't seem to be nearly as popular, possibly because given the choice, most folks will go where they can get "all" the information about something, rather then where they may only get some.

BMW folks are typically very interested in motorcycles generally, so it's not surprizing many own other brands. The Campfire forum is a place of general discussion, just like the campfire at a rally, so if somone wants to discuss just about anything, they can sure start a thread and see how many others join in. :thumb

[Whiplash]

I would hate to see the BMWMOA develope the "Harley Davidson Attitude".
Being a "Rider" I enjoy all Brands and Makes of Motorcycles.
I would be in favor of having a forum for non BMW specific bikes.

[username]

i think if people want to have discussions about non-BMW brands, they can do it in the campfire.

i think that if there were a lot of those discussions, the moderators would realize it, and *then* make a non-BMW topic.

nothing is stopping anyone from opening a "my yamaha is a fun bike to ride" thread in campfire. you want to do it? go do it. see what the replies are like.

:thumb

[GregFeeler]

i think if people want to have discussions about non-BMW brands, they can do it in the campfire.

i think that if there were a lot of those discussions, the moderators would realize it, and *then* make a non-BMW topic.

nothing is stopping anyone from opening a "my yamaha is a fun bike to ride" thread in campfire. you want to do it? go do it. see what the replies are like.

:thumb

Yup.

[MarkF]

The threads I enjoy the most are about what rallies to attend or which roads to ride. BMW owners are riders first. I love ride reports and pics. That's why I keep coming back to the forum and will even if I switch to Ducati or Guzzi.