I'm noticing a massive spike of forum users/visits

[Bruces]

I just thought of something .Cheesy recently posted a picture of his knee and fruity socks ,it certainly could have caused the sticky keyboard porn watchers to come for a visit !

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Bruces

I just thought of something .Cheesy recently posted a picture of his knee and fruity socks ,it certainly could have caused the sticky keyboard porn watchers to come for a visit !

That would be a way to boost viewership. But my knobby knees would likely have the opposite effect, so I will not post a pic of them. Kinda like my singing voice would make people avoid church.....

[Do©Hawk]

I bought my Hawk with zero motorcycle experience or interest. I did it because I was desperately in need of supplemental transportation and I cannot and will not spend a mortgage payment on a car or truck, especially one full of mandated nanny crap features that kill the durability, longevity, and fixability of the vehicle.

I don't think I'm alone. As more and more are seen on the streets, I think more and more people are looking into them as an option.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by Do©Hawk

I bought my Hawk with zero motorcycle experience or interest. I did it because I was desperately in need of supplemental transportation and I cannot and will not spend a mortgage payment on a car or truck, especially one full of mandated nanny crap features that kill the durability, longevity, and fixability of the vehicle.

The more I talk to my auto body buddy, the more it makes me want to keep and rebuild my 2001 Ranger when the time comes, instead of buying something newer. Replacement parts for new cars have gone through the ceiling. He showed us a small clip for a Chevy truck front bumper trim piece. "There's 8(?) of them to hold on the trim piece. They're 125.00(?) each."
I don't have the exact figures stored in my mellon, but it's not far off.

[Do©Hawk]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

The more I talk to my auto body buddy, the more it makes me want to keep and rebuild my 2001 Ranger when the time comes.....

I live in the rust belt. That a big part of the problem. I've had to retire several vehicles that weren't ready to quit, mechanically, but had corrosion that failed the annually required safety inspection. The real kicker is my taxes pay for the winter road treatments that dissolve my vehicles.

I did just buy a truck in January, but it was priced pretty low comparatively speaking. It's used and 7 years old, but very clean (rust free) so I hope to make it last. It's also a simple work truck with very little gadgetry. Now, my Hawk serves as a fuel saving alternative to the V8 and a recreational vehicle

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Do©Hawk

I live in the rust belt. That a big part of the problem. I've had to retire several vehicles that weren't ready to quit, mechanically, but had corrosion that failed the annually required safety inspection. The real kicker is my taxes pay for the winter road treatments that dissolve my vehicles.

I did just buy a truck in January, but it was priced pretty low comparatively speaking. It's used and 7 years old, but very clean (rust free) so I hope to make it last. It's also a simple work truck with very little gadgetry. Now, my Hawk serves as a fuel saving alternative to the V8 and a recreational vehicle

The irony is overwhelming here.

Do some preventative treatment for it with spray-on undercoating.

[Do©Hawk]

Originally Posted by TominMO

Do some preventative treatment for it with spray-on undercoating.

I fully intend to. It's not that I never thought about it or neglect my vehicles, but the last few that I've had were already beyond the benefits of undercoating by the time they came into my possession.

[vividpixel]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

The more I talk to my auto body buddy, the more it makes me want to keep and rebuild my 2001 Ranger when the time comes, instead of buying something newer.

I've got a 2002 Ranger 2.3l cylinder with a manual transmission and I also don't know if I could let it go, but it has been quite the problem-child for a vehicle with only 65,000 miles. This is compared to a 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i with a stick shift that I've had almost a decade, going from 62,000 to 125,000 miles and only ever needing simple repairs, and not a single clutch replacement. The Ranger...well it's at least on clutch #3 that I know about, and there's this intermittent cylinder 1 misfire that has not resolved with plugs, wires, coils, or sensors. The BMW, in fairness, was over double the MSRP when it was new, but that Z4 has been the most reliable car I've ever owned.

Back on the topic of the forum and user spike: I really do like forums but this vBulletin software is really showing its age as far as usability is concerned. Would love to see it updated, or converted to XenForo, or something free like MyBB. It majorly sucks having to ever use this forum with a web browser on one's mobile phone. Additionally, the "VigLink vBulletin Plugin v2.0.6" that you can find at the end of the page's source code, well that plugin often changes links without users' knowledge, and sometimes it sends people to a completely different website than the poster actually intended. Would be great for that to go away, at least.

[TominMO]

Rebuilds have always been cheaper than buying new. And far more so in the last few years, with new vehicle prices going insane.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by TominMO

Rebuilds have always been cheaper than buying new. And far more so in the last few years, with new vehicle prices going insane.

Indeed, but at one time being a rebuilder, people are confused. Just because we gave you four new cylinders, doesn't mean you have a new car. It was an issue many times. "You rebuilt my car, how come the transmission doesn't feel right?"

Well, maybe because you told us not to replace it with the new, more powerful engine? The snowball effect.

[Aussie_in_MO]

I joined the board to get info on my Templar X, but I stick around for Cheesy's knees and socks. I'm not ashamed

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Aussie_in_MO

I joined the board to get info on my Templar X, but I stick around for Cheesy's knees and socks. I'm not ashamed

It is stunning and brave for you to come out like that.

[superjocko]

I would have almost automatically bought a Japanese DS bike if they didn't cost more than three times what I paid for my TT250. That price shock is what lead me to alternatives and ultimately to this site. A few mods and some enjoyable (for me at least) tinkering later I have a bike that fits my current needs just about ideally. And for still way less than half of just the MSRP for a Japanese DS.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by superjocko

I would have almost automatically bought a Japanese DS bike if they didn't cost more than three times what I paid for my TT250. That price shock is what lead me to alternatives and ultimately to this site.

Same here. We were looking for a couple smallish camping bikes to haul in the truck bed with the trailer behind us. I was STUNNED when we walked out of the Kawasaki/Yamaha dealer. Why on Earth would I pay all that money for a couple 125's we may ride three times a season?

I was bitching to Mrs. 2LZ dad about it and he showed me his Hensim quad he just bought from a local China bike dealer (Doug on this site). Next thing I know, we had a pair of Hensim DB150's. Bikes, helmets, gloves, trickle chargers, and other schmise......1500.00 OTD. More than worth it. We had a blast on those little bikes.

[Megadan]

The funny thing is, I bought my Hawk because I was looking for a simple cheap alternative to get to work. I ran across an advertisement for a local powersports dealer that sells these bikes, saw the Hawk 250 and the price (at the time) of $1499 assembled and ready to go. I went down the rabbit hole, watched what few videos there were at the time, in particular Motocheez, who was hard into the Hawk and adventures with it.

I didn't need it, mind you. I already owned a motorcycle and I had a truck already. There was no particular reason, but I was sold. I am sure I will have the Hawk for years to come. It's just too hard to get rid of, and the ultimate backup vehicle.