Topic: Newbie post response time and thoughts

[KingCustomCycles.com]

A couple of beginners have posted here and gotten no response for days.  We should step that response time up a bit in my opinion.  Everyone is anxious for answers, or just to share experiences, and they may be turned off of this awesome site if we don't get back to them quickly.  Remember, there are stupid questions, but that should in no way hinder you from asking them.  :-)
 

[dpuma8]

Wow, this brings a tear to my eye reading this.  I have an old Datsun 280Z and the forum I belong to for this car is tough on newbies.  The attitude there is if you aren't an expert, then don't ask because people will jump all over your back. 

I didn't have a dad who showed me how to fix vehicles so when I ask a dumb question I either get told to look at a Haynes Manual (which I have but still need more clarification), get hammered for not knowing and told to sell my project, or just ignored.

So I was very hesitant to post here because I have a lot of really dumb questions that I always do search for first, but still need further clarification or flat out can't find it.  Dumb questions like for example, "What is the redline mph in each gear?  My 71 CB750 does not have a RPM gauge" that I have been afraid to ask for awhile.

So thanks to everyone in here for not biting my head off for dumb questions!  This is my first bike and only bike I have ever been on in my life.  No mopeds, scooters, or dirt bikes.  Just my CB750 I got a month ago.

[65Ch3v3LL3]

Welcome to the forum. I am fairly new here myself and it is a great forum. Lots of good information and helpful people. The only other forum I have ever been on that was as friendly and helpful was the v-rod forum. Thats a good group of guys and not your average Harley guys either I might add.

I will add from my personal experience that the Google search on this site is much better than the forums search. I kept coming up with nothing on the info I was looking for until I started using the google search.

Oh and as a new rider I strongly recommend you go take a MSF safety course for beginning riders. Thats the best money you can spend if you are new at riding. Also the Ride Like a Pro DVD set has some great techniques in them.

Ride safe and welcome!

[Nortstudio]

Great sentiment King. The help I have received here has been priceless, and of course the rapid response was even more important when my questions were dumb (still are!) and pressing.

The patience exhibited on this site is staggering compared to other sites I've been on, as well as so much more thorough.

Is there any way you guys could all get CL360s so I could start asking dumb questions about that too?

[cameron]

agree

[kerryb]

Thanks King, I'll try to step it up.  The other day I hesitated to respond because I wasn't confident in my answer.  I now realize this wasn't as important as posting some response at all.

[WarwickE36]

To be honest as a new member of this site I am blown away at response time on questions.  I think what gets difficult, is first time posters usually have a slew of question right off the bat.  Someone with an answer to 1 question may be scared off to chime in because they don't necessarily have the answer to all questions.  Once a member has narrowed down their issues and the initial overwhelming joy/confusion of their new bike has passed, their posts become more to the point and easier to respond to.

That being said, I think everyone here has pretty great insight and help.  Don't be afraid to answer a question and leave another for someone else.  Keep up the good work everyone.

[Roach Carver]

+1. I am guilty of hanging out in the open forum and looking at pics (babes thread- thanks bobby) far too often.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

THIS WHOLE THREAD IS DUMB!!


Editorial: the above comment does not necessarily represent the views of management, moderators or even the author. It was posted to assure the viewers that even on this friendly forum, you will run across the occasional dick!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled forum reading.

[Nortstudio]

Very good point Warwick. I found that honing in on your specific issue allows you to get more clear and concise answers.

From my experience, Newbies should:

A) search
B) keep notes of what they have already tried (include in the post)
C) ask multiple, focused questions in separate threads.

If I had followed my own advice above, my 550k would be a Ferrari right now

[Mcwilliams570]

I think this site is great everyone has been very helpful with any questions I have asked (warwick pic freaks me out though ) I am on the vmax forums and those guys can be brutal.

This is my first build and the search engine has been great not the site one but the google one. I can find pretty much everything I am looking for.

The amount of knowledge and the people who will help is staggering. Keep it up and thanks.

Matt

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Great sentiment King. The help I have received here has been priceless, and of course the rapid response was even more important when my questions were dumb (still are!) and pressing.

The patience exhibited on this site is staggering compared to other sites I've been on, as well as so much more thorough.

Is there any way you guys could all get CL360s so I could start asking dumb questions about that too?

  Your turn is coming, I have a CB360T in the garage awaiting restoration in the next few weeks.

[WarwickE36]

(warwick pic freaks me out though )

McWilliams ...Wait until Halloween and I get a pic with me riding my bike in the dogsuit!

[Mcwilliams570]

Get down this way in the dog suit and first beer is on me...

[octagon]

a simple 'welcome to the forum' goes a long way. also 'check the faq's there's a post on that' etc.

[xsmooth69x]

i never had a thread that was never answered asap. i love this site people are very and helpful

i even got a special im an amazing member helmet in my avatar  i was told its been passed down for years to all star members

[Blasbo]

From my experience, Newbies should:

A) search
B) keep notes of what they have already tried (include in the post)
C) ask multiple, focused question in separate threads.

I would add
D) include make, model etc. of your bike.
Only time I've seen a noob get torn up is when they come in with a "attitude".

[BobbyR]

I am and old time member I was on the original version of this and it got me through a lot of crap, and I try to answer people when I know the answer. Having said that I am getting of people who fail to do searches. I do searches myself today if I am not sure. Some of the posters are lazy, what tire pressures, what fork oil, what about this rusty chain. All of this has been covered and you will also find people who have taken the time to build a pictorial tutorials on "how to".

I have visited other forums on other vehicles I have owned and other topics, and I find them populated by #$%*heads and wise asses. How many times do I want to tell someone a 78 750 gets 5oz of ATF in each fork and if you want stiffer get heavier oil. How many times do you want to answer that some bikes cannot use O ring chains.

I understand your point, but you get fatigued.

Now Scott has some interesting problems he works through.

[Nortstudio]

Now Scott has some interesting problems he works through.

I try to keep my issues convoluted and complicated, to keep you old timers on your toes

[Blitzburgh207]

(warwick pic freaks me out though )

McWilliams ...Wait until Halloween and I get a pic with me riding my bike in the dogsuit!

Why wait for halloween!!?

This forum is hands down the friendliest forum I've ever been on (not just bike forums) and no doubt the most helpful.  I know what KingCustoms is saying though - I know I get discouraged sometimes if my questions get buried quickly with no response.  So thank you for sticking up for the little guys! I'm not sure I'm terribly qualified to give technical advice, but I can share experiences.  And when I think I may have a solution to a problem, I'll be sure to post! Is it ok to post stupid responses too?

[Blitzburgh207]

Now Scott has some interesting problems he works through.

I try to keep my issues convoluted and complicated, to keep you old timers on your toes

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ...had a good "lol" to that one heh heh heh

[Nortstudio]

Even the newbie offering a bit of their own experience helps, if nothing more than to keep the question from getting buried.

I'm no expert, but at this point, I feel it's trickle down effect.  I am closer to having had the simple issues to solve, so I can prevent the old timers from explaining something once again, and so on...

[Retro Rocket]

I find that some of the threads from newbies that sit idle get piles of responses after an experienced member drops in just to welcome them, i have done this on a few occasions and the OP got immediate responses.....

[BobbyR]

I find that some of the threads from newbies that sit idle get piles of responses after an experienced member drops in just to welcome them, i have done this on a few occasions and the OP got immediate responses.....

Yes that is true, tat is because when an old timer posts other old timers come in to break their shoes. 

At least the question gets answered.

[Retro Rocket]

I find that some of the threads from newbies that sit idle get piles of responses after an experienced member drops in just to welcome them, i have done this on a few occasions and the OP got immediate responses.....

Yes that is true, tat is because when an old timer posts other old timers come in to break their shoes. 

At least the question gets answered.

Better go back and put my shoes on then.....