[Luke]

Thanks to MotoMike for kicking off this discussion. Started a new thread so all of the suggested changes will be at the top.

Here are some of the suggestions so far:

Add the following forums under Appearance and modifications:

• Riding Gear & Apparel
• Aftermarket Exhausts
• Tires
• Engine Modifications
• Other

Move the Off-topic forum to the top level.
Add the following forums under Off-Topic Discussions:

• Politics
• Sports
• Entertainment
• Other

Now... If I add a aftermarket exhaust and my engine starts stalling, which forum do I post in????

Seriously, tho... Feel free to suggest additions or removals from this list. Top or I will update the first post. Let's do an arbitrary cutoff date of October 26, Friday, and the list will be submitted on that weekend.

 

[MotoMike]

Thanks Luke for taking this on... I think that it's a worthwhile endeavor, and will ultimately give everyone a better website.

I would suggest having Engine Modifications under the Performance Modifications heading, and Riding Gear & Apparel, Tires, and Aftermarket Exhausts under the Parts & Accessories heading. I think you would want to have a General forum under those headings as well, for topics that don't fall into the specific forums. For example, "My OEM Honda parts are on a slow boat from Thailand" would go into the General forum under Parts & Accessories.

Maybe change the name of the Appearance & Modifications to just CBR250 Appearance? That way if I decide to put a couple HRC stickers on my bike, I'll know exactly where to post the pic's, and not put them by mistake in the Performance forum.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

First off, I would actually simplify the taxonomy before adding any new categories. The problem is the redundancy of the current levels of abstraction. I would do the following...

Under the "Honda CBR250 Forums" section:
- Merge "Parts & Accessories" and "Appearance & Modifications", calling it something like "Accessories & Modifications"
- Merge "Problems & Issues" and "Service & Maintenance", calling it something like "Maintenance & Repair"

Under the "Other Motorcycle Discussion" section:
- Merge "Other Honda Motorcycles" into "Other Motorcycles"

This will cut out 3 categories that are prime targets for redundant topics. I'd seriously considering trimming off what's unnecessary before adding anything new. There's currently 28 sub-forums on the site already. Everything is its own category if you think about it hard enough.

 

[Empty Sea]

I like what you've proposed, Luke, and I like Rusty's suggestions also. I think I would keep appearance modifications separate from performance modifications, though.

I do tend to just go to "today's posts" rather than look at the categories, but I imagine that new users want to see well-defined categories and sub-categories. Good luck

 

[MotoMike]

First off, I would actually simplify the taxonomy before adding any new categories. The problem is the redundancy of the current levels of abstraction. I would do the following...

Under the "Honda CBR250 Forums" section:
- Merge "Parts & Accessories" and "Appearance & Modifications", calling it something like "Accessories & Modifications"
- Merge "Problems & Issues" and "Service & Maintenance", calling it something like "Maintenance & Repair"

Under the "Other Motorcycle Discussion" section:
- Merge "Other Honda Motorcycles" into "Other Motorcycles"

This will cut out 3 categories that are prime targets for redundant topics. I'd seriously considering trimming off what's unnecessary before adding anything new. There's currently 28 sub-forums on the site already. Everything is its own category if you think about it hard enough.

I could see "Problems & Issues" as a sub forum of Service & Maintenance, not sure if they should be merged into one though. Very different topics to be just rolled together into one forum, IMO.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I like what you've proposed, Luke, and I like Rusty's suggestions also. I think I would keep appearance modifications separate from performance modifications, though.

I didn't suggest "Appearance & Modifications" be merged with "Performance", though. I said I'd merge it with "Parts & Accessories".

I could see "Problems & Issues" as a sub forum of Service & Maintenance, not sure if they should be merged into one though. Very different topics to be just rolled together into one forum, IMO.

"Problems & Issues" and "Service & Maintenance" combined have less threads than either "Appearance & Modifications" or "Parts & Accessories" alone.

 

[shisoshin]

comment as moderator of a martial arts site,
junk/spam posters have already targetted
this site, eg, todays 3 posts by steaven323..

not only naked promos etc, but groups using
sites as 'free parking' for their data etc,
progressively clogs site forums,
esp if not cleaned out quickly..
[like getting rid of a dog turd
before all the flies notice it]

on format, whatevers rational is a good
start, whatever is simple and easy to access,
which for me would include feedback on tires,
etc, such as most members would consult
when considering choices for their bikes..

that a forum can get a little out of control
when politics and religion etc arise
is probably just another human
element to, a specialist site...

 

[Frank Bama]

Maybe change the name of the Appearance & Modifications to just CBR250 Appearance? That way if I decide to put a couple HRC stickers on my bike, I'll know exactly where to post the pic's, and not put them by mistake in the Performance forum.

Stickers make your bike faster though and that's performance...

 

[Aufitt]

ninjette.org - Powered by vBulletin

Just follow this ^

And same as Alex does on there, he actually moves threads to the correct sections.

 

[KRA5H185]

I got one. "How to use the search bar"

For the love of pete you gotta make this one a forum.

 

[Aufitt]

^Make that Pop up when the following keywords are in a new thread-

Exhaust
600
rattle
Oil
Upgrade
Highway
Gearshift
Clutch
Break in
Valve
speed
Fender
Stalling
Underseat
Adjust
Tyres
Tires
Chain
ABS
Helmet
Wind
Shifting
Clutch
power
Outgrown

 

[MotoMike]

I got one. "How to use the search bar"

For the love of pete you gotta make this one a forum.

Great idea... every forum could have HOW TO USE THE SEARCH BAR as a sticky at the top of the forum, in BOLD font.

As Aufitt pointed out, misplaced threads should be moved to the appropriate forum. I'm no computer wizard, but it can't be that hard to move threads, is it?

The way threads are being placed in some of the forums lately, we may as well just have one forum titled CBR250R Forum: Anything & Everything, and call it a day.

 

[Red_Ryder]

I'd like to see a forum for (if it makes it across the pond) the CBR500.
And it would be the first forum for this speculated bike.
That would keep a lot of members and add some.

 

[Redeye]

I agree with Red_Ryder. If the 500 models becomes available (and I hope so), they would be a likely next ride for many CBR250R riders. Members trading their CBR250Rs might continue participating in a "common" area plus have access to a section devoted to their new rides.

 

[Iddo]

I would have a section for motorcycle gear so people can talk about what they've got, what they'd like, and where to get it.

Everything gear related in one place would be beneficial in my opinion

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I would have a section for motorcycle gear so people can talk about what they've got, what they'd like, and where to get it.

Everything gear related in one place would be beneficial in my opinion

I'd move my thread about riding jeans over to that. It'd provide a good place for reviews, too.

Luke, when you come up with a plan, are you going to post the suggested taxonomy up for feedback?

 

[6fOOt6]

I would have a section for motorcycle gear so people can talk about what they've got, what they'd like, and where to get it.

Everything gear related in one place would be beneficial in my opinion

I agree, a place to review gear would be nice....

 

[MotoMike]

I'd move my thread about riding jeans over to that. It'd provide a good place for reviews, too.

Rusty you seem to be reading my mind lately. My original thoughts regarding this idea of additional specific forums came about because of the fact that we really don't have a place for all of the existing threads that pertain just to Riding Gear & Apparel. Right now they are scattered all over the place. Of course if we do get some of these new specific forums, they can be populated right from the start with threads that already exist, like your riding jeans thread.

Another question I have regarding all this, is will members be willing to post their threads in the appropriate forums, or will there still be a tendency to put new threads under General Discussions, mainly because they will get more views and replies there than they would in a topic specific forum? And if the later is the case, will the moderators be more proactive with regards to moving those threads to the appropriate forum?

For those who maybe interested in the back story to this discussion, here is the original thread: http://www.cbr250.net/forum/honda-c...do-we-need-want-more-specific-forum-here.html

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Another question I have regarding all this, is will members be willing to post their threads in the appropriate forums, or will there still be a tendency to put new threads under General Discussions, mainly because they will get more views and replies there than they would in a topic specific forum? And if the later is the case, will the moderators be more proactive with regards to moving those threads to the appropriate forum?

I'd volunteer to help move them.

 

[lewiCBR250R]

I'd volunteer to help move them.

Rusty for MOD!