Friends, riders, Harley men. Lend me your beers. We have a problem. Where are you guys?

I've been exchanging PMs with some of the older members here, and the biggest topic is sustaining this forum. For me, that's an important issue. Frankly, I've been a member of several 'biker' forums. As you know even one of their own moderators guesses that 30% of his membership falsifies their claims. We have a unique chance here. That is, guys who actually own and ride Harleys have been handed this forum, to build a great place.

And what do we do? We usually ignore it.

I know the drain on time. I run my own business, as do many of you. You work, you ride, you have wives. But instead of mindlessly watching TV or sitting with a barstool under your ass, how about typing a few lines? Support your fellow members here. Report on your rides, your new equipment, the stuff you broke, the stuff you like, or the times you made a complete fool out of yourself. You know, the stuff I do...

You want to go back to the usual drek on the forums? That would be from RUBs with new ink and weird tales of 175 MPH Sportsters? There's nothing on but reruns, saloon liquor is watered down, your wife is talking to her sister on the cell phone and your boss doesn't even know your name. Start posting!

This is a classic case of the problem here.

As I type this there have been nine members who have opened this thread--no replies. Consider the possibilities.

One is that I am perfect and no one need add anything. Two is that I am dead wrong, but no one, not one out of nine, can come up with a plausible answer.

And three, no one cares.

We represent a real find here on the 'net. I have been perused the forums for almost a dozen years--some places tied to my job, I've researched oddball hobbyist forums, I've even registered in "enemy camps" to find out how people felt. And along the way I've been a member of almost ten biker forums. And guess what their common denominator really was? Most were not bikers. If they rode at all it was only extremely low mileage. (In one forum I suggested posting pics of our odometers--no one ever did.)

Now, I don't mean bikers in the movie sense--being, impossible choppers to steer and yearly baths, if at all. I mean guys that wear out tires. Guys that can aid in being mentors, not because they're geniuses, but because they've made every mistake in the book by seeing how things really are.

You guys must have opinions. I have known guys who have thrown a leg o'er for almost five decades. In that time I've known outlaws to members of The Blue Knights. One this is certain, there's not much they fear. Type it, tell us, leave a trail for younger guys. Agree with me, spite me, tell me why.

Or sign on someday and find that this space is a ballroom dancing hobbyist forum, and there's no one there for you.

Just showing my support.
Amen!!
I think ppl care, just short memories.

I am confused by the mindset of the situation.

Lots of us patronize smaller businesses because we don't want the world to be overrun with huge "big box" shopping centers. For example, I have been going to the same hole-in-the-wall cobbler in Madison since 1968. I even buy shoe polish there at a higher price while it's cheaper at my grocery store. (And this cobbler is a 53 mile round trip from my home.)

Same thing here. Ask most HD bikers about their beliefs and they put "freedom and independence" at the top of the list. Any doubts? Go to YouTube and watch the old "Live By It" vignette.

We have that chance here. An entire bike forum for guys who ride! You would think that such a playground would be standing room only! I am also a member of a Sportster-only forum. It's a smaller board, and many larger forums exist on the same topic. But I'm not interested in chest-thumping or flaming or agendas. However sometimes an entire week will pass before a new response is posted. Stuff like that worries me, the posers appear to be winning.

I'll bite.


I'll put this in a more appropriate place too.


I am kicking tires, literally. Starting the shopping process for tires for the Road King. My preferences are I really don't care about mileage, I am more concerned about traction. Also it is Pearl White so the wide whites look good on it. Has anyone tried the Metzlers? Being from Germany I have to assume they are good in the wet. Does anyone care to compare them to the Dunlops?

Also what would be a good price for a pair installed?

i like this forum. not a lot of chest beating. I am like everyone else, i have a job and it is summer. I like to ride.
i also have an ultra and i have the dunlops. 3rd time for tires on back and 2 on front... good in the rain and good on the dry. nice mix and i am happy.

I like this forum, we beat up the spammers here.

Ahhh, yes. And I await the day of the "kinetic computer" where any force I apply to my screen becomes a size 11 Havoc boot kick on theirs.

Perhaps a friendly local group of "biking enthusiasts" can do one of the '60 Minutes' stings where we advertise a free seminar for perfecting spamming. Beautiful young women could lead each spammer into a private 'discussion suite' where RK and I would decide his fate...

And when (or if) he ever awoke his lap-top would be filled with Al Quaida propoganda and designs for fertilizer bombs. As a good citizen I'd have to notify Homeland Security.

Drastic? Yes. But at least I could flip on HRF in the morning over latte and a newspaper and not find spam for titanium golf clubs and discount Viagra.