In realtion to someone asking questions here in another thread Mike Laubenstein wrote:
<<<'snip.... I answered his questions as best as I could, then suggested he come here and get the advice of people who may have experience with his particular combination.
He responded by saying he had been here but felt that too often the questioners were being talked down to and he didn't like that....snip...'>>>
Maybe I am out of line in writing this here but felt something should be said.
Posts online and even email writings can sometimes be misunderstood much more than if people were talking to one another in person. The ones who post here often such as myself, Mike and of course Lonnie, I am sure, do not mean to ever 'talk down' to anyone in our responses.
I wish there was some way to make this more evident but do not know how to say do so. I know for me if anyone has ever been offended by anyof my replies and felt like they were 'talked doiwn ' to I feel bad about that and apologize for giving the wroing impression.
We, everyone here and at other sidecar discussion sites, are either sidecarists or potential sidecarists. The sidecar community is a small group in relation to the overall motorcycle world. One thing I have always liked about the sidecar world is that we consist of a pretty unique group of folks who are basically living outside the box so to speak. In this world there are opinions and sometimes these ideas may not agree with one another. As long as safety is at the forefront we may not agree on all things but agreeing to disagree is common and just fine.
The internet has provided a means for more comunication than was ever possible years ago. I think this has been very positive overall. Decent rigging of sidecars with safety in mind is much more common today than in years past. Setup issues get dealt with better today than ever before. Places to purchase parts and pieces are easier to locate and clubs such as the USCA and Magazines such as Hack'd can get promoted better than in the past.
So, I suppose what i am trying to say is that we all ,who frequesnt the net on these discussion sites, share a responsibility to the sport we love in promoting it and the people in it. This is a good thing. If anyone feels like they have been shunned or talked down to I trust they will be able to accept th einperfections of the ones doing the posting and can understand that the intentions were good and not bad.
Probably didn't word all of the above very well.
Bottom line is that we are all in thsi together so lets make the best of it 🙂
Claude, right on the spot.
And on that language understanding may be very different from one person of the same language to the other. On that my father can tell his story... It took him 12 years before he got to know his daughter in law... just because of using the wrong word...
Sven
Originally written by claude #3563 on 1/14/2009 11:34 AM
So, I suppose what i am trying to say is that we all ,who frequesnt the net on these discussion sites, share a responsibility to the sport we love in promoting it and the people in it. This is a good thing.
I just got in from a rather chilly, but great, ride, and saw your post, Claude. I agree, and it is in that spirit that I walked back outside and took another quick photo to throw your way:
Have a good day all~
Originally written by bill_powell on 1/14/2009 1:41 PM
Originally written by claude #3563 on 1/14/2009 11:34 AM
So, I suppose what i am trying to say is that we all ,who frequesnt the net on these discussion sites, share a responsibility to the sport we love in promoting it and the people in it. This is a good thing.I just got in from a rather chilly, but great, ride, and saw your post, Claude. I agree, and it is in that spirit that I walked back outside and took another quick photo to throw your way:
Have a good day all~
Dang it Bill...now you're messin with me 🙂
Claude:
Nice post. I'm a newbie on this forum and also brand new to sidecars. So new in fact that I'm still waiting for my Hannigan to arrive (due in late February).
Regardless, I know that I am completely and utterly ignorant as to the art of sidecar'ing (hmmm ... is that a word?). I sought out this forum to learn from those more knowledgeable than I.
Sometimes online communications will come across as condescending, cold, abrupt, and perhaps even mean. It's just the nature of the medium. There are no facial expressions, tone of voice, and all those other gems of face to face oral communications.
I for one appreciate the advice that I've already gotten, and do not take offense when those with experience offer sage advice, even if it highlights my own ignorance.
You guys are doing a good thing here. Hopefully the other guy will see that members are only trying to help ... and then just get out and ride.
Great post and the mere fact that you wanted to say what you did, should give anyone that is new here a understanding that the intentions of the people posting here are to be helpful and respectful. Maybe this should be a sticky???
Originally written by geek_law on 1/16/2009 1:36 PM
I know that I am completely and utterly ignorant as to the art of sidecar'ing (hmmm ... is that a word?). I sought out this forum to learn from those more knowledgeable than I.
Your spell check won't recognize Sidecaring but we do so you're safe.
Driving/riding/piloting a sidecar rig is not a mystic science. I was told, "After the first hundred miles you've pretty well got the basics" and that proved true for me. Folks also suggest taking the first hundred miles on easy back roads. I dropped onto the super slab and drove home (long trip).
Different strokes for different folks. It's not rocket science. If it was rocket science most of us couldn't do it.
Hannigan is a good choice. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Just a thought should it be sidecareing, cos we do
Hello:
Welcome to the Sidecaring world.
If you haven't located it yet, there are free downloads available on this site in the Links and Books section ( http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp). The 2nd edition of Driving a Sidecar Outfit is another good source of information. Reading these will give you something to do while you are waiting for your rig. :-). I know, as I am waiting also.
Your part of the country has gotten some pretty bad weather - flooding in Portland - geepers! Sidecars are great, but in flooding - not so much fun. LOL
What combination will you be riding?
If you get in enough practice riding time, you may want to mark your calendar and head for the USCA sponsored Regional Rally in Chelan, WA - in May, and the June 25th USCA National Rally at Lake Tahoe... They should be great.
Patience, and safe riding to you,
Gail
Thank you Gail!
I did read through the materials. Very helpful.
In response to your question, my rig is going to be Hannigan Bandito. It's a side by side unit that should easily fit two of my kids, and possibly three (they are small). We'll see! More importantly, it should fit my wife and our new baby quite easily, allowing us to get back on the motorcycle again. She hasn't ridden since she was about 5 months pregnant.
My bike is a 2300cc Triumph Rocket III. I wanted a larger sidecar to match the fairly large look of the bike.
As for the Chelan sidecar rally, I'm all signed up with USCA and RSVP'd for the Rally. So I'm planning on being there with my wife and kids.
Thanks again for the friendly welcome.
Wow! That should be one totally slick rig!
I promise not to drool on it. LOL
Looking forward to seeing you at the Rally/Rallies.
Practice a lot, and ride safe.
Sidecars are absolutely the most fun ever!
gail
Claude, I was a newby two years ago and I've asked you and Lonnie a number of questions (Mike too) about sidecaring. All answers were very helpful to me and I personally never felt that anyone "talked down" to me.
In fact, this is the most helpful board I've ever been on, including all the members.
Claude, look for an email from me shortly.
Wayne
I think it was all well said and we are a unique group of people. if nothing else we make everyone smile each and everytime we pass by on our rigs. That in of itself is priceless.
