My Commando has been mostly perfect over the last 4 or 5 years since I transitioned it to an interstate model for the extra fuel volume. (non-eth) I had previously adapted cast wheels, mounted a fairing, modified Givi hard bag frames to fit it, and bought my custom seat. I sought advice and comments during that period and was a VIP member for almost all of that time.
After I made those changes, I felt like I was done with my bike so I came here less often since it ran really well and kept running well year after year. I also thought my contribution to the knowledge base here was (is) redundant, so comments that I could make to help someone else, would be made by other members anyway. The things that I could uniquely comment about on here were only the odd non-stock elements of my commando which very few people were interested in. Mostly, over the time since my VIP membership ended, I've gotten just a few private messages regarding my commando's oddball features, about which I still get email notifications. I have always returned here to answer each message and be of help to others if I can, but with the exception of my latest project that Ken helped me with, I'm not much of a participant so I let my VIP expire.
I admit also that when I decided to stop participating, the same couple of members were spouting off their political hate speech on a daily basis which seemed to have no consequences. They did not make rational arguments about ideas and policies. They just made accusations and spoke hyperbolically of anyone who didn't agree with their ideological identity. I got tired of reading their persistent comments, so coming here to read their annoying crap lessened my appreciation of the site.
It seems that the biggest offenders are gone now, so I assume that some of them were shown the door. Kudos to the staff here if that's true. We all have our opinions and right to our beliefs, but personally, I don't want to hear about anyone's "Hate". I tend to stop visiting sites where "who I hate" is a popular topic, no matter who it's referring to.
I've owned my commando for almost 50 years now, and I just finally met and joined my local NOC last year. I'm just not much of a "group joiner". I'm an owner/operator who's worked solo or with 1 other solo owner/op most of my life. I'm more task oriented than a socializer. I'm more comfortable doing a project with a friend than sitting around shooting the bull.
Forums are generally 2 things.
1) They are entertainment for some people, where they are just having fun saying shit......
2) they are also about good technical information where a person has an issue and forum members have the right answers to those issues, which saves the person time and money by learning without having to F*ck stuff up to learn things the hard way. I consider this the most important part of this kind of forum. (my opinion)
This is why the most prolific poster can't be a clown, talking out his ass on threads when people are asking for technical help. The 2 purposes can mix a bit, and people can have a laugh and help each other with technical stuff, but one can't diminish the effectiveness of the other...
You wanted opinion,... you got it. I think most of you are awesome, helpful, and well balanced in your membership. Perhaps I should pony up again, seeing as I have so much respect for many of you...
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