I'm noticing a massive spike of forum users/visits

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Bruces

I just thought of something .Cheesy recently posted a picture of his knee and fruity socks ,it certainly could have caused the sticky keyboard porn watchers to come for a visit !

That would be a way to boost viewership. But my knobby knees would likely have the opposite effect, so I will not post a pic of them. Kinda like my singing voice would make people avoid church.....

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by riderjoe

It's interesting to observe the surge in forum activity. This uptick could indeed reflect a growing interest in more affordable transportation options like China bikes. The fact that forums, considered somewhat old-fashioned, are experiencing such engagement is noteworthy. It would be intriguing to see if this trend correlates with increased sales for sellers, especially with certain models being in high demand. This rise in forum activity could potentially serve as a barometer for economic conditions and changing consumer preferences.

The forum resurgence was bound to happen. They offer something unique that no social media site can match - organized, archived information with a collected knowledge base to draw from. Facebook, Instagram, X, etc are all great for immediate information, but you also open yourself up to a plethora of "experts" all giving out false information and bad advice. Forums are just better places to learn and gather information. Forums are better for build logs that people can follow, better for trouble shooting and problem solving in a more controlled manner, and allow for much MUCH greater detail than the limited text counts and weird formats that can make things hard to follow with disjointed conversation.

The only reason they were seen as "old fashioned" is because every generation views how people did things in the previous generation and find them "archaic" and believe that old must be worse. The smart people in those generations figure out that things were done a way for a reason, and that those reasons have real value. I can use guns as an example. Iron sights are about as old school as it gets, and most younger people want red dots, holo sights, etc. because they are "high tech" and offer some advantages. All of those same younger people also figured out that iron sights are hard to break/damage and don't run out of battery.

[Do©Hawk]

I bought my Hawk with zero motorcycle experience or interest. I did it because I was desperately in need of supplemental transportation and I cannot and will not spend a mortgage payment on a car or truck, especially one full of mandated nanny crap features that kill the durability, longevity, and fixability of the vehicle.

I don't think I'm alone. As more and more are seen on the streets, I think more and more people are looking into them as an option.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by Do©Hawk

I bought my Hawk with zero motorcycle experience or interest. I did it because I was desperately in need of supplemental transportation and I cannot and will not spend a mortgage payment on a car or truck, especially one full of mandated nanny crap features that kill the durability, longevity, and fixability of the vehicle.

The more I talk to my auto body buddy, the more it makes me want to keep and rebuild my 2001 Ranger when the time comes, instead of buying something newer. Replacement parts for new cars have gone through the ceiling. He showed us a small clip for a Chevy truck front bumper trim piece. "There's 8(?) of them to hold on the trim piece. They're 125.00(?) each."
I don't have the exact figures stored in my mellon, but it's not far off.

[TominMO]

Rebuilds have always been cheaper than buying new. And far more so in the last few years, with new vehicle prices going insane.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by TominMO

Rebuilds have always been cheaper than buying new. And far more so in the last few years, with new vehicle prices going insane.

Indeed, but at one time being a rebuilder, people are confused. Just because we gave you four new cylinders, doesn't mean you have a new car. It was an issue many times. "You rebuilt my car, how come the transmission doesn't feel right?"

Well, maybe because you told us not to replace it with the new, more powerful engine? The snowball effect.

[Aussie_in_MO]

I joined the board to get info on my Templar X, but I stick around for Cheesy's knees and socks. I'm not ashamed

[Do©Hawk]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

The more I talk to my auto body buddy, the more it makes me want to keep and rebuild my 2001 Ranger when the time comes.....

I live in the rust belt. That a big part of the problem. I've had to retire several vehicles that weren't ready to quit, mechanically, but had corrosion that failed the annually required safety inspection. The real kicker is my taxes pay for the winter road treatments that dissolve my vehicles.

I did just buy a truck in January, but it was priced pretty low comparatively speaking. It's used and 7 years old, but very clean (rust free) so I hope to make it last. It's also a simple work truck with very little gadgetry. Now, my Hawk serves as a fuel saving alternative to the V8 and a recreational vehicle

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Aussie_in_MO

I joined the board to get info on my Templar X, but I stick around for Cheesy's knees and socks. I'm not ashamed

It is stunning and brave for you to come out like that.

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Do©Hawk

I live in the rust belt. That a big part of the problem. I've had to retire several vehicles that weren't ready to quit, mechanically, but had corrosion that failed the annually required safety inspection. The real kicker is my taxes pay for the winter road treatments that dissolve my vehicles.

I did just buy a truck in January, but it was priced pretty low comparatively speaking. It's used and 7 years old, but very clean (rust free) so I hope to make it last. It's also a simple work truck with very little gadgetry. Now, my Hawk serves as a fuel saving alternative to the V8 and a recreational vehicle

The irony is overwhelming here.

Do some preventative treatment for it with spray-on undercoating.

[Do©Hawk]

Originally Posted by TominMO

Do some preventative treatment for it with spray-on undercoating.

I fully intend to. It's not that I never thought about it or neglect my vehicles, but the last few that I've had were already beyond the benefits of undercoating by the time they came into my possession.

[superjocko]

I would have almost automatically bought a Japanese DS bike if they didn't cost more than three times what I paid for my TT250. That price shock is what lead me to alternatives and ultimately to this site. A few mods and some enjoyable (for me at least) tinkering later I have a bike that fits my current needs just about ideally. And for still way less than half of just the MSRP for a Japanese DS.

[Megadan]

The funny thing is, I bought my Hawk because I was looking for a simple cheap alternative to get to work. I ran across an advertisement for a local powersports dealer that sells these bikes, saw the Hawk 250 and the price (at the time) of $1499 assembled and ready to go. I went down the rabbit hole, watched what few videos there were at the time, in particular Motocheez, who was hard into the Hawk and adventures with it.

I didn't need it, mind you. I already owned a motorcycle and I had a truck already. There was no particular reason, but I was sold. I am sure I will have the Hawk for years to come. It's just too hard to get rid of, and the ultimate backup vehicle.

[TominMO]

It's one of those vehicles that you would get so little for when selling it, that you might as well keep it around.

[XLsior]

most users online doubled from 11k last week to 22k now...