The GSR: The last of the great forums?

[93Bandit]

I used to be on several forums. The GSR, several automotive forums, firearms forums, percussion forums, and probably some other topics I'm forgetting about. They were all very active and for the most part full of good people.

Due to selling vehicles, a shift in interests and just being busy with life, I stopped frequenting most of those forums, staying away for years at a time. Occasionally I'll login to one and see what's going on, only to find out most of the regulars of that erra are gone too. I've even fallen off the GSR for a year or so, but whenever I come back there's still lots of activity. And even a lot of the "old timers" and still here and offering the same wisdom and assistance. I really appreciate that about the GSR. Especially the overall generosity of the people here. I've never been in a community online or in person (with exception of my local Church) that is always so generous in helping others in need, people who've never even met and probably never will. I've been helped by people I'll probably never meet. Such a good community to he a part of and I hope it continues on for years to come.

Seems like social media has been a replacement of sorts, lots of people go there for technical help and gatherings. But none will come close to the GSR!

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Ditto. When I first joined the forum 4 years ago to get help with electrical issues, the resident gurus were so generous with their assistance and so patient with my noobness. I would have given up on this bike then if not for this place and these people. Since then I’ve gotten to meet in person and share some great times with 4 members and plan to meet and ride with more. I’ve also struck up on-line but off-forum conversations with other members that have turned into great friendships. So glad I found this place.

[marvinsc]

Yes, this group is special and it is not because of a common interest in GS Suzuki Motorcycles. That is what brought us here but it is the quality of the people that keeps us hanging around often after we move on from the GS.

[Redman]

I can not explain what is different about this fourm than others, but it is apparent.
The GSR started (as a email chain) when the bikes were, say, 12-15 years old. THat could be a major factor.

I had GSs since 1982. (82 650G, then 80 850G).
In mid 1990s, I struggled with repeated charging issues for a couple years, was starting to come to some understanding of the situation.
Then found GSR in about 1998 (when got home computer online), and all what I had been coming to understand was just common knowledge here.

And I attended a rally in 2005 (Texas Hill Country) and then Brown COunty, and those two experiences were great.
Has been great to go back (BC) and see some of the same folks year after year.

THings are different now that the bikes are 40 years old.
SOmetimes find an old thread from 6 - 8 - 10 years ago, and recogonize many old timers that are not longer active or not as active as had been (or no longer alive), and then realise that there has been changes.
But in genereal, the group of folks here are great.

I have been helped by members here that I have meet at rallys and by folks have never meet. HAve made repairs to the bike that I would not have been able to on my own.

[dpep]

I have long been impressed by the longevity and the consistency of the GSR. It has to start with Frank, our administrator, who from the beginning without pay has performed all of the tedious and time consuming technical functions required to keep a site of this size and activity level working smoothly and safely, He continues to do so while he no longer rides a GS or a motorcycle even..It is a case of a guy doing something just because he thinks it is the right thing to do. Everyone else's participation builds on top of that.

I have also wondered if the GS motorcycle itself is not part of the explanation. They are solid motorcycles that perform well but have never been regarded as ego advancing objects to own in the same way Harleys, Beemers, and others have.

Take away profit and ego and what's left for being here is the love of owning and riding these old bikes.

[Cipher]

The Engineering ethos of parts warehouse based design Suzuki used is likely key to the transferability of tech knowledge.
Honda certainly had cross referenceable parts but had a massive number of models some just weird for weirdness sake.
craziest bike Suzuki made was the wankel powered boat anchor and glorious RG500.

I think a lot of forums decay due to sprawl. Adv rider is too big to be a community as are others.

[Buffalo Bill]

No question the social activity here is unique.
The GS is not superior to other UJMs but Suzuki has been providing parts for these old bikes for decades. I'm sure that has been a huge factor.
We can still find new parts, particularly those tiny parts only available from the factory.

[Cipher]

No question the social activity here is unique.
The GS is not superior to other UJMs but Suzuki has been providing parts for these old bikes for decades. I'm sure that has been a huge factor.
We can still find new parts, particularly those tiny parts only available from the factory.

As an example of parts bin engineering they used the same ignition pickup on my 550 83-86 then forward in the gs 500 till production ended.
aside from the single barrel Rochester carb in my 64 GMC pickup its the longest use of a bolt on part I can recall.
hmm also jeep hood latches YJ and back.

[gtem]

I spent close to a decade on various forums, car and motorcycles ones (but never GSR in any capacity) before moving on due to a shift in interests 10 years or so ago. Have dabbled in Facebook and twitter and I think have now come full circle and am very glad to have found GSR in particular (found by way of the goldmine that is BikeCliff/bwringer's website). It's the intense concentrated QUALITY of the people and the information that I've seen on here so far that makes modern social media platforms (FB groups, etc) pale by comparison. Happy to make this my new "home."

[salty_monk]

Facebook has a lot to answer for for the decline of the forums.... It's such a bad interface for it too!

[Baatfam]

Facebook has a lot to answer for for the decline of the forums.... It's such a bad interface for it too!

So true....I've had a couple of nice, useful forums go dark because of FB....And FB just doesn't work for a technical library....

[ddaniels]

Ask a question here, and sooner or later you'll get an answer or two or three or more, and always helpful. I also belong to an FZ1 forum and it has sadly declined. The last few times I've asked a question over there, it's viewed by several people but only one person has answered in the last couple years. And he used to be a member here. Sad.

[dorkburger]

This is definitely a good spot. I joined in 2013, and even if I’m quiet, I still generally stop by at least daily. This site, some members, and a few threads have played a big part of my getting back into photography. The camera has pulled me off of the bike to some degree, but I’m ok with it.
Another thing I find better about here then FB is that I’m familiar with most of the people here offering help and there’s much more trust. On FB, I think some people will offer any advice to either sound smart or to hear themselves type...

And as I’ve occasionally said here Old Skool Suzuki.info is a great forum as well for old hot rodded Suzuki’s.

[93Bandit]

Facebook has a lot to answer for for the decline of the forums.... It's such a bad interface for it too!

I would argue FB is responsible for the decline of more than just forums...

[salty_monk]

I would argue FB is responsible for the decline of more than just forums...

Just one of the many things....