Loving our bike(s) vs. internet trolls

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Wow, I was just thinking about what a great bunch we've got here: friendly, helpful, funny members, eager to lend a hand or their knowledge for others, etc.,...when I got caught up in an interesting thread that I hadn't seen before (that was started about 2 1/2 years ago, and was recently raised from the dead). In the midst of it all, I was blown away by nasty remarks from a long-gone member here. Just to clarify my impression, and to verify that he wasn't just having a bad day here, I checked his other posts, and found that yup, they're almost all of the same vitriolic B.S., quite often directed at, or regarding the CB1100.
I'm sure Mr. Ferret has some fond memories of him by the looks of things... "Calamarichris". (I invite you to run a search on him and luxuriate in his own special brand of douchebaggery yourself.)
Woweee, what an a**-hat!
Even after all of these years, being active on many, many different forums, it still just amazes me, how some people compose themselves...the attitude, the insults, the "know-it-all" approach...oy. Can you imagine hanging out, or riding with a guy like this? You just KNOW people like this have ZERO friends whatsoever in real life, and feel they can get away with acting like a complete douche online without having to deal with any real consequences. But you have to wonder just exactly WHAT they're thinking with that kind of behavior? They must get some kind of thrill out of it. And if that's truly how they make themselves somehow feel "superior" to the rest of mankind, I can't feel much other than pity for the miserable excuse of a life they must have.
Just wow.
Really glad I missed out on his 140-post, two-month-long presence here...it allows me to carry on with my (nearly) 100% positive impression of my fellow members.

[Frulk_imp]

PW...the CB1100 FORUM is a VERY civil site to be sure. I occasionally frequent another bike site for the other brand I own and by and large the vibe there is MUCH different. To the point were I post very infrequently now. Guys with 3K+ posts will implode at the drop of a hat (and I've seen this more than just a couple of times) while a small group of long timers snide remarks about this and that detract from the overall whole in my estimation. Part of that may be the sheer numbers there. I appreciate the firm, fair hand used here by our moderators EARLY-ON, on the RARE occasion when things just start going south. You need quality folks to have a quality site. We have both here.

[Randy B]

I think a lot of the decorum around this place has to do with the generally older demographic that both owns these bikes and are members here. That's not to say that some are not younger, but for the most part I find that to be the case.
I also see a totally different mind set with sport bike riders in general. And with those you have the sub-set that are stunters, and to be honest, I really don't care for them all that much. The way they tend to post is reflected in the way they ride....with total disregard for everyone else for their own gratification.

These are just my observations....YMMV.

[kmoney_imp]

It does always amaze me how some people comport themselves online. We have several local forums and Facebook groups where people just dump on one another. The funny thing about them is the groups are small and local enough that almost everyone knows who everyone is in real life and sees them in person regularly, yet none of the stuff carries over.

I think the CB Forum is kind of a reverse case of broken windows theory -- everyone is so civil to one another that newcomers kind of get the message to keep it nice or be ostracized.

[the Ferret]

LOl we get one every once in awhile that make thing... um... interesting around here. Still this group is mostly self moderating, friendly, helpful, funny and just a joy to be around both in person (rallies and meet ups) and anonymously on the web. Only 1 legitimate member has been banned here that I recall (no it wasn't chris, believe it or not we have had worse lol) and one person was blocked. We have had to have a private discussion with a few, and we have had a few voluntarily leave BECAUSE of the civility here. Not bad in 3 1/2 years. I credit that to the nature of the bike and the median age of the posters. A more gentlemanly bike for a more gentlemanly crowd, and the fact that it's pretty evident up front what the administrator wanted for of the site and a little enforcement from the moderators.

I think it's awesome we can have gear threads and lane sharing threads, and yes even the occasional oil thread here that don't get dirty, ballistic or nasty. Good, honest discussions with knowledgeable people making valid points on all sides. Good stuff. It makes me proud.. of you guys!

Promise, we will do our best to keep it that way. Carry on ...............

[Randy B]

Now where did I put all of those unexploded incendiary devices.........

[emptysea]

Well, thank you PW for distracting me from my workday with the miscellaneous and misanthropic ramblings of Calamarichris. His posts have added anecdotal evidence to my still-forming theorem that a person's douchebaggedness quotient (DQ) increases in proportion to the number of times that person quotes "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"

[Papa Weeley_imp]

And I have to add here that not only is the great ambience around here due to just the higher caliber of members, but as Frulk mentioned, also to the very fair hand of our moderators and the site's originator/administrator.

Yay us. I'm off to the doctor now - I believe I've dislocated my shoulder patting myself on the back...

Well, thank you PW for distracting me from my workday with the miscellaneous and misanthropic ramblings of Calamarichris. His posts have added anecdotal evidence to my still-forming theorem that a person's douchebaggedness quotient (DQ) increases in proportion to the number of times that person quotes "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"

Yes, I literally laughed out loud over that one! Touche', good sir!

[dsan1964_imp]

Agreed! ; ).


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[LongRanger_imp]

I'm continually amazed by the sheer number of quality topics and courteous contributors on this forum, considering it's dedicated to one limited production, short-lived, niche motorcycle from one manufacturer. There are other forums, devoted to entire model runs or brands, that don't have this much activity. The BMW F800 forum comes to mind, but there are others too. My helmet's off to the good folks here.