Rob sent me an email that prompted me to come back and have a look at the revamped site, but I guess I'm still not welcome. There appears to be nowhere for owners of the early Hinckleys to go. I ride a TBS, so i want to keep up with all riders of Thunderbirds (triples that is), Legends and Adventurers, and I would have no objection if I were lumped in with all T3s, all the carburetted triples - and the odd four) from the nineties, through till the demise of the TBS in 2004. So I guess I'm off back to TriumphRat. That site seems to group models in a sensible manner. By the way, what Trident is it that coexists with the Thruxton and the Scrambler ?
Open to suggestions... I did what I thought made sense so if I've missed a few things we can put it right (was up in the early hours working out configuration of forums!).
First off I love the forum as I found it just over a year ago and the banter that has gotten more mental yet is as enjoyable as ever, seem to have lost a few names since then sceptic Al and Peter clarke are not on as much these days, but on the hole everything else is all good. Now I know things change and I'm certainly not griping over a fiver but why all this now, / whats changed exactly to bring this all about ? who is it that exactly owns/ pays for this site ? It seems to me your trying very hard indeed for some reason, emailing ex- members and so on to rustle up perhaps more funds but why ? filling the site with adverts and asking a fiver to do away with them, !!! Offering Names/ Titles and extra smilies and reply icons !!! WTF, I realise this all needs funding in some way but how long has this forum been going before all this change ? why this all now. Why if it was all about funding would you just not explain and ask folk to contribute a small amount if they were able to, other than the path you've taken and the extra's that are appearing on people's profile's ? WHY ?
Thanks for your input DD But to be honest I would like my questions answered if possible, Your taking it as Rob owns the site Does he ? Or does someone else and he helps run it as an administrator only ? Is he being told to make these changes ? Still all up in the air for me marra, But like you I love the site, just wish it was a bit more open as to whats going on regards changes and added incentives etc. Lets wait on Rob hopefully answering some of these queries I have, As he read the posting soon after it was made, And has read it again
Progress. Hi Tez, Apologies for the delay in replying. I own fully own the site, the domain, www.thetriumphforum.co.uk and www.thetriumphforum.com. I am the founder and the full owner. I started it from nothing. I work full time, have 4 kids and do this as a hobby. I'm 36 years old and have been riding bikes since I passed my CBT at the age of 16. I'm interested in technology and social media and started making websites about 5 years ago. I founded www.1000rr.co.uk, as I owned a Honda Fireblade and couldn't find a site that I liked, so I made it. I did the same for my other site, www.ducatiforum.co.uk and The Triumph Forum. Like I said in another post, I have owned 2 from new Street Triple 675's (one regular one STR). In terms of revenue, yes, the site makes money. But anyone who runs sites that makes revenue from adverts knows it is not a lot. It's a hobby, and the funds pay for the server, software costs, add ons and development etc. Heck, sometimes theres some spare to buy a beer. I have updated the site to protect the future of it. There's increasing demand from Social Media, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Snap, etc etc. These networks are competitors, and many people will never use a forum, because of the nature of them, they can seem a bit old, outdated and stale. So my decision has been to bring it up to date. Add in some new feature, post ratings, likes, etc. User status and banners are a bit of fun - many people really like them. All of the hosting here for everyones pictures is free, unlimited. You have anonymity from Facebook and other networks, and can use the forum for your own enjoyment, along with other user generated content. I have dedicated a huge amount of time and effort over the past week (and years) updating, backing up, styling, installing.... the list goes on, and yes, I made a few changes to the adverts. I'm totally understand that its different than it was before, in that there are more adverts. But, hopefully you'll understand that I would like a return on my investment too? Not just financial, but also the way it works and looks. I honestly do try and always put myself in a users position too. If the adverts are too offensive, you have options.... I offered a way of subscribing to remove these and thought to myself that I would consider a fiver pretty good value for money to enhance my user experience, for a year. So that's what I set up. Finally, I genuinely believe that unless forum owners do things like this and progress this site and continue to invest in its future, Forums will die a slow death, and the major Social Networks will take over. This will be quite disappointing. There needs to be some kind of motivation for owners of forums to want to develop their sites. I'm a bit of a geek so enjoy it, but also like many of us, if there is some kind of revenue, will help the longevity for everyone. We could have left the forum how it was. It would have run, maybe a couple more years. But one day someone else would have done something better. My job is to keep this the best place in the world for owners of Triumph Motorcycles to come together. To make it last, to offer value to everyone, myself, users and also the brand. I believe on balance, we're doing OK. Thanks, Rob.
Thankyou for your reply Rob, It does answer all my questions I asked, As I said change has to happen I realise that its just the way its all done that could have been more open I.M.H.O. Thanks again.
No probs, I really do appreciate your feedback too Tez. Like @Dozers Dad mentioned, the user content here really makes the site what it is, and I value everyone's opinion and feedback.
As per Rohart's suggestion, would it not be possible to have a section devoted to early Hinckley machines as they were the forerunners to everything else hereabouts? I also found it strange to have Tridents cuddling up to Bonnevilles in their own section! I know there are three AND four cylinder bikes with carbs, but they do have more in common with each other than perhaps with later fuel injected bikes. Indeed, many of the differences are merely cosmetic and/or bodywork. Okay, Tigers and Thunderbirds are away on their own tangents but are still in many ways the same as carb'd Daytonas, Tridents and Speed Triples. Just a thought! Here's one I bought (much!) earlier.
Yes, we can. So I need to know how best to lay out the sections. I took a lot of it from how Triumph themselves lay out their own website, that was the inspiration. So do we need an extra section, Hinkley Machines? Hinkley Classics? I'll be honest, I'm not 100% sure on how to lay it out... So open to suggestions on what should go where .
Hmmmmm ..... 'Early triples and fours'? 'Hinckley Originals'? Or plain old 'Tridents, Daytonas, Tigers, Thunderbirds and Speed Triples - with carburettors'. Others may have superior ideas - probably! But not DD! Old bikes don't leak oil, they just mark their territory!!
Hi Rob, I don't so much mind the adverts so long as they are relevant. I have clicked on a couple out of curiosity such as for Carbon parts/accessories so they can be directly useful to me. However, some are not, I am seeing adverts on my mobile device between posts, for things like ladies clothing, underwear and black anal dildos. Now I assure you these can't be related to any internet search history cached on my device.. Is there a way to ensure only motorbike rated stuff is advertised? Thinking about it, there was that Amazon link in a post on this forum I clicked a week or so ago that was for adult toys. No NSFW warning...god damn it who was that...grrrr
I just want to read about Bonneville stuff, other stuff is a bonus and I read that as well. I have absolutely no idea how it all works and I've not any idea about payment of fees either. I just muddle on. Keep up the good work Rob, whoever you are! Curly
Shock horror!! Someone making money out of something we all love. Good on yer @Rob. I wish I had the patience and dedication to do what your doing!! Do it quick tho coz in a few months time they might want to nationalise you Damn have I posted this in the right thread?
My opinion for what it's worth. This is the first forum that I have ever joined and I did so after buying my Bonnie and wanting to learn more about the bike. Since joining less than a year ago, (so still a 'Newbie ' really) I have learned a hell of a lot, and had some great banter. I don't know the first thing about how a forum is set up and funded but I do take my hat off to Rob for applying his computer interest to setting it up and if he does make a bob (excuse the pun) or two out of it, fair do's to him. I don't like modern fancy stuff though, and that is what appealed to me about this website. Mainly knowledgeable Triumph bike people, giving and seeking advice on something they are passionate about and having some great banter along the way. That in my opinion should be how it stays and it would never lose its appeal to me, basic and simple, like the life I live and enjoy. Too fancy and you will lose genuine knowledgeable people. £5 annual subscription is peanuts, do I want to pay it for something that I see as a backward step ? for me personally no not really! The changes have also brought about a ridiculous amount of repeat posts and it is easy to see why! You write your post, press 'send' and the top right hand black box activates. I'm having to go out of the post and then go back in to see if it's been sent. ??????? So slow, frustrating and annoying. It's just done it again editing this post.
Going back to the early Hinckley Triumph section format, why not put the Thunderbird 900s and the early Tigers together in one sub section and the rest - Daytona 750/900/1000/1200, Trident 750/900 and Speed Triples (900 & 750), not forgetting the Trident Sprint - in their own section? Just another spiffing idea from the darkest recesses of my addled brain!
Aha yes T300's the ones that made the rest possible. I was a little dissapointed not to find a section for my old bird. Nut I reckon its easily corrected. Good job on the forum.
Trophies!!!! I forgot the bloody Trophies!! 900 and 1200. AAAAGGGGHHHH! What a fool!! I blame my age - only because I believe I can get away with it as an excuse ..... mostly!