[Jeff in Kentucky]

I spend some time at this forum and at a Kawasaki forum. The other forum has much newer software, making it easier to search for older posts, but this forum is small enough that the older software is not a problem for me.

I think the main problem now is that fewer people are buying their first motorcycle, because of the economy and because the popularity of motorcycling is on a downward curve, similar to the 1970s when Harley Davidson was bought by AMF then later sold to some of the Harley staff at a bargain price, and similar to the 1950s when Indian went bankrupt.

The post count at the other forum that I go to is also smaller than it used to be, maybe because of the above reasons, and maybe because more people are texting and tweeting and doing other things besides spending time at forums. Another possible problem is that as more people buy computers, more less educated people have computers, and they are easily offended by someone with a different opinion than theirs, and only spend time at a forum for people who think just like them, and do not want to be told that a 600cc sportbike is not safe for a beginner. Maybe more people are going to forums for one brand of bike or one philosophy, or more people are taking the MSF classes instead of spending a few hours at forums, although it would be best to do both, to get as wide a range of information and opinions as possible.