The future of this website

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  • Kingchops
    Kingchops
    5 years ago
    I'd like to put up a post about the future direction of this website and some plans that I've got in the works. Some changes are needed in the near future if this site is going to survive going forward.

    Many would have noticed that this website has declined in usage in recent years. While the visitor numbers are still healthy at this stage, visitors have been declining over the last few years. In my opinion, the decline of the site is due to two main factors. The first is the rise of social media platforms mainly Facebook. Like it or not (I don't), Facebook is what people are using these days instead of forums. Forums in general are in decline compared to few years ago.

    The second main factor is the decline of Harley Davidson as a brand. It won't be news to anyone that the company’s sales are down due to changing trends. Younger people are not riding motorcycles and those that do ride, are choosing different brands. Again, in my opinion Harley have failed to keep pace with changing trends. Relying on existing customers and nostalgia to keep them afloat isn't a good plan for the future.

    I’m a fan of the brand as all of us here are, and I hope they do survive into the future. Time will tell. A further challenge for this site is that it’s focus is Harley owners in Australia. Which is a niche audience of a brand in decline.

    Despite all the challenges I want to see this site continue into the future, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way it can survive is for it to become part of a bigger site. So I’ve started work on a new website which will have a different domain name. The new site will focus on being a general motorcycle/touring discussion site. It’ll focus on all brands and types of motorcycles. The existing site will stay exactly the same, but when the new site is launched it’ll become part of that site too. For example, you’re existing login will work on the new site. Posts from both sites will appear on each other’s pages etc.

    The new site will use a new version of the forum software that’ll be more integrated with social media platforms. For example, you’ll have the option to login with your FB login, which will make using the new site easier.  The new site will also have feeds from various social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter and FB etc.

    I’ll be working on the new project over the next few months with a view to launching the new site around the end of this year. Stay tuned.

  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Well thats sad. Your points are valid . If i have read your comment correctly That will be the end of it for some of us, don't have Facebook, wont get Facebook have no intention or interest in being profiled by a giant spy factory. 
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Are you sure you can trust the HD boys to play nicely with the other kids after so many negative comments going both ways....LOL
  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    5 years ago
    Change is good, we hope...
    Just don"t let Mr.Trump have anything to do with it.
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    5 years ago
    I love this Forum, it’s my only bit of social media and I think it’s expertly managed so the changes are interesting and I understand. Hopefully those of us like me who don’t use Facebook will stick around.
    It’s interesting too that Facebook use is also in decline, so I hope there is provision to back out of any Facebook links if needed.
  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    I I I don't know if I am ready for that..

  • keith
    keith
    5 years ago
    The two things I will miss if they disappear, are oxygen and money, forum gone ? I will survive and life will go on.
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    5 years ago
    Sounds like a solid approach.... I have no prob being involved in a larger site (my young son rides a Jappa and nothing I do will convert him - talk about the lost generation!)
  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    It's interesting to hear you are thinking of changing the site KC. The problem as you say is attracting a following. Every other brand has their own site / FB page and they are trying to do the same thing. Motorcycle magazines and retailers also have pages and want to attract members. (= advertising revenue) Doesn't it smack of desperation to open a new site and invite all comers? You are just taking members away from other dedicated sites. There's only so many riders out there. What's our point of difference. Why would they log in to our site? I love Harleys and seeing pictures and hearing stories and shit from Harley riders, especially this ratbag lot (sporties not so much ;-). I don't mind other brands and I like to see other bikes that our members have. I even quite like seeing pics of our lot riding with non harley riders. I like more than anything, the ability to be able to meet and ride with other like minded riders. Come to think of it we haven't had any local short rides / partner family runs or get togethers lately that aren't epic adventures
    We have a big list of sponsors who I assume are paying advertising. I don't think I've ever seen a post where a sponsor has actually "offered anything" for members to go and make an effort to use their services / buy parts. Why aren't we smashing HH and ABW for sponsorship / advertising. They get a good rap on the site but that should come at a cost to them. Where can we get HDForums business cards to hand out / put on bikes when we meet new riders. Why aren't we advertising in Heavy Duty as a place to go / meet / talk shit and arrange rides with other riders. Just my 2 cents.
    Oh yeah, stickies and a half decent search function
  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    HB. What would those savages know. This is how they look at the world

  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    Haha. Bugger.
    Hang on, looks like the kiwi is holding a stack of Ozzy social security benefit cheques in multiple names
  • Bonkerz
    Bonkerz
    5 years ago
    I think some thought needs to be put into laying down rules around shitting on other bikes and brands before it comes to pass.  I'm not saying it should be banned, but that shit can get real old real fast.   And this wont be the first forum to encompass all rides, but not too many of those are still around or healthy.
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    5 years ago
    So this website is your invention Kingchops?
    You are the boss, head honcho, the numero uno. The only one who keeps it together?.
  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    That's right, it's his ship now, his command; he's in charge, the top dog, the big cheese, the head honcho, number one...
  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    How it all started

  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    5 years ago
    Well to be honest I was not thinking about lynch mobs.
    Just a bit surprised that this forum is held together by just one bloke.

  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    5 years ago
    cant see the big deal
    we have changed the forum many times, KC said HD Forums would no be changing except it will be part of a bigger network

    we are the forum, KC is the facilitator, the bollocks will only be what we allow, we already have in house fighting, what will be the difference with other brands having the traditional "who can piss higher"

  • Humbug
    Humbug
    5 years ago
    I like this site and the way it has evolved over the years. It's KCs baby and he can wash it how ever he see's fit. I am a FTW type of person and do not really get into most of this social media stuff, it's for the new generation of sheep the human race is breeding these days. While this site is up and running I will continue to visit and enjoy using it.
  • Kingchops
    Kingchops
    5 years ago
    Thanks for all the feedback.  Just take note that I've put a lot of effort into the "HD Forum Australia" site brand, logo etc.  It'll be here for a while yet.  And in terms of any new sites etc. to begin with they will be completely separate from this site.
  • shadowarrior
    shadowarrior
    5 years ago
    You are right KC, forum use as whole is on the decline across most of the fields. Used to be part of the FTO forum page, where eventually folks just moved to it's FB page which attracted a whole bunch of fuckwits. We used to share DIY suggestions, projects and other info in the forum, now the FB is just full of 20 somethings on their P plates picking on anyone who has any question about the car. Was involved with Netrider for a good chunk of years, even started the Learner ride initiative in Melbourne back in 2009, then it quickly turned into a commercial bucket. I haven't logged back in there since 2010. 
    The current generation moves to different phases of online social platform, that change is inevitable. When I grew up, I could never think of a world which wouldn't have IRC, Yahoo/MSN or ICQ chat rooms. Now, you will be strained to find a decent public chat room which has more than 20 users. Forums were the next best thing we had. I still remember setting up my first phpBB forums back in 2001 or something for the online MMO games we played. Speaking of MMOs, there's a decline trend for those games as well in today's demographics. 

    I like the idea of going more on the general trend of motorcycling than focusing on a niche user group of HD owners in AU. A reason why I still go back to ADV Riders. We will have competitors to pitch against to steal our share of DAU. I think the atmosphere we create here is what our USP will be; a friendly place to talk about bikes. 

    Yes there's the long time feud between HD and non HD bikes. You know what fuels these trolls? More replies trying to argue against their stupid logic. The Sportster is my first HD, I still don't like how it handles, its brakes etc, and most likely will be selling the bike to get a R1200GS, but till I rode a Harley, I didn't know what made it so special. Through all it's flaws, the Sportster had this raw feel of everything that is motorcycling. You cannot put a price tag on how things make you feel. There is no point arguing that point with folks who never rode a Harley. So for all of us here who are thinking it will eventually turn into a shit show between us and the non-HD owners, it will only be if we allow it to be. We don't fuel it, we don't go try to justify why we love bike A over their bike B. We don't reply to that post. If we see there's 10 folks joining up and just shit posting, we close the thread down. But remember, there's always critique posts after you used something vs shit post. After riding the Sporty, I can critique, "man the brakes are pretty bad compared to my Rex". That's ok, there's no need to throw pitchforks at me. We love our bikes while accepting its flaws, and every damn bike has its flaws. What we should embrace is a platform to share the common love of motorcycles! :)

    I for one support the idea of going forward with changes. If we love the forum as is, and we don't want it to grow, tell KC we want to help share his maintenance time and upkeep costs to maintain the forum. But remember, closing the doors to add newer genre of folks doesn't mean we maintain the same number of users, we will still see a decline of the current number of user base and it will eventually come to a point where someone has to decide if it's worth the time and money to keep a forum active for 20 active users. 
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