What I need to know about the CB1100...

[Red Mist_imp]

Not a darn thing. I have been riding and wrenching long enough where there are no mysteries about this bike. It is simplicity itself.

Only reason I joined was to occasionally inquire about tire choices (very limited and I did the research on my own anyway) and share my experience regarding the BT45's, which are working brilliantly.

What am I going to ask? What is the best pipe? What map can I use on a Power Commander? How to defeat the speed limiter? How to put on a set of handlebars or a seat or a fairing? How to change the oil or adjust my chain? What oil to use? What octane is best?

This bike just doesn't offer any kind of technical challenge except for beginners or those who just aren't mechanically inclined.

This bike is not a mystery machine, nor is it exotic or quirky. It is instead a lightning rod for nostalgic, wistful discourse, something that is apparently beyond the scope of this particular forum. The moderation here seems conservative in the extreme. Time and again, just as soon as a thread get interesting or fun, it gets shut down. But I'll bet ya that there are more guys tuning in to see what will be said next than are actually ever posting; and I'll further wager that most of them see things like I do. Food for thought?

[Obliviontoad]

Not me. I feel you bring what you can, and perceive things just like you expect. As this is by far the most civil forum I've been on, and the mods are pretty hands off. Say what you want, you won't likely get flamed. The majority of riders here have years of experience, will share what they can, and crack a joke with the best of them. Not bad for a forum a little over a year old, for a bike that is new to the States at least. Glad to gave you here.

[Guth_imp]

Not a darn thing. I have been riding and wrenching long enough where there are no mysteries about this bike. It is simplicity itself.

Only reason I joined was to occasionally inquire about tire choices (very limited and I did the research on my own anyway) and share my experience regarding the BT45's, which are working brilliantly.

What am I going to ask? What is the best pipe? What map can I use on a Power Commander? How to defeat the speed limiter? How to put on a set of handlebars or a seat or a fairing? How to change the oil or adjust my chain? What oil to use? What octane is best?

This bike just doesn't offer any kind of technical challenge except for beginners or those who just aren't mechanically inclined.

This bike is not a mystery machine, nor is it exotic or quirky. It is instead a lightning rod for nostalgic, wistful discourse, something that is apparently beyond the scope of this particular forum. The moderation here seems conservative in the extreme. Time and again, just as soon as a thread get interesting or fun, it gets shut down. But I'll bet ya that there are more guys tuning in to see what will be said next than are actually ever posting; and I'll further wager that most of them see things like I do. Food for thought?

Red,

It would seem that you did your research on everything but this forum. I'd agree that the moderation here is conservative, at least when compared to some of the other forums out there that are nothing more than virtual pissing matches. But that's nothing new as the tone here was established very early on. You've made it clear that in your mind, you're a know-it-all when it comes to the CB1100. Wish I could say that about myself, but I can't as I've still got plenty to learn even though I don't consider myself a beginner and am somewhat mechanically inclined. If your knowledge is not something that your wanting to share without stirring things up, then there probably isn't going to be much around here of interest to you. If you're only hanging around here hoping for some online drama, you've simply come to the wrong place.

It's easy enough to find out if there are that many people out there that feel the same as you — start your own forum and let it rip. Anyone who is bored with this place might be better served by such a resource. Those people in turn won't be distracting folks here who are looking for less drama. In a sense, everyone wins.

Guth

[Capo]

Funny, I'm completely unaware of threads being locked down. I am totally aware, however, just how pleasant, informative and interesting I find this forum. Compared to the vitriol that gets tossed around on other forums, where people seem to get their inner hate and misplaced superiority complex out in public, CB11F is about the bike, the people who own the bike, and people interested in the bike...and a little other stuff. That's a very good thing.

[thumper_imp]

I must be missing something here---now we've got people complaining because a forum is too civil?!

[Cormanus]

I'm not aware of discussions being shut down, except the one about Loud Pipes. I didn't read it like Guth or Ferret and thought that, generally, people were being pretty courteous. However, Guth and Ferret are the moderators and shutting down the discussion is their call.

They have my support for that decision.

I don't have great experience with internet forums. I'm usually too retiring. Indeed, this is my first and I'm impressed by the way it's conducted. I like it that there's a good deal of stuff off topic and that conversations are generally polite and respectful of other opinions. I like it that there's a bit of teasing and clowning about.

Since joining this group, I've joined another forum in Australia where the discussion on controversial topics is far more exuberantly personal. It's lots of fun; but, even though I'm a big fan of the clever insult, after a short time, I find it tedious. I can't help feeling that the main purpose is to see who can come up with the best insult rather than advance the discussion.

There's a problem, isn't there? When threads start to polarize, there's a significant risk that the point of contributions becomes carrying the day for your cause rather than increasing the sum of knowledge. But it's a delicate balance and we rely on our moderators to help us maintain it.

I also reckon those of us who get to ride most days should support those of you suffering cabin fever to let off a little steam. Provided, as one of our learned moderators said, everyone plays nicely.

You're a clever bloke, Red. Play nicely and I'm sure you can have some fun here. You might get to deploy your fluency to make us think or laugh or to share some of your knowledge for the benefit of those of us who are mechanically challenged.

Just don't give Guth and Ferret a hard time. This place is their labour of love. They're to be commended for it and supported in maintaining the standards they've set.

[HikerToo_imp]

Red Mist
Not every forum is for every person, find one you like, join if you want.
If one doesn't fit you, move on and save yourself and everyone around you some grief.
Being an IT person, I spend a lot of time on the internet and forums, I tend to leave ones with more drama after a while, I don't need the stress in my off-time.
This one is fine, I belong to other forums for cameras, road bicycles, mountain bicycles and I don't know how but they all have to much drama, some even have a separate area for politics and such.
And you have NO idea what conservative is until you visit a handgun forum I tried last year after buying my first handgun....apparently they don't like, want or tolerate different views than theirs!

[rboe]

I'm active on several forums and help run another. On the one I help manage we run a tight ship. We have young folks all the way up to the seniors. Partly because of the age range there is a fair amount of language we don't permit. Many topics are off limits simply because people have proven they can not act like mature adults while discussing them.

We also demand that folks play nice and be courteous. Many folks (but not that many) simply can't stand the lack of drama so we suggest they find a site more to their liking. We know what we like and seek like minded people. We also realize that we're not for everyone and don't pretend to be. However; the site has been very successful so we can only assume we're doing something right. We don't all get along all the time and the management team gets into some heated debates on how to handle certain things but we seem to muddle along anyway. The Art of Shutupedness is practiced (and lord we need the practice) many times; it appears to be a lost skill on the Internet.

The Internet is a big place. If a site does not do it for you then you need to find one that does or start your own. No one can force you to stay.

[Damfino_imp]

Amen to all of the above!

[rjk555_imp]

This is a good forum. When people start getting testy - it happens - Guth or Ferret courteously ask them to play nice. It works well.