Newbies

Has anyone noticed that people are only becoming members so that they can sell their bike? They try to sell the bikes for top dollar and more. They then get all bent out of shape when you point out that their bike isn't as "mint" or "original" as they are claiming. They also claim that we don't know what we are talking about. I always get a good laugh when you try to help them get the most they can for their bike and they get all bent out of shape when you make suggestions or point out problems. Maybe the For Sale section should be locked to new members until they have contributed for a while and not just come for free advertising of their bike.

 

I think it depends on person. For me personally as a newbie, I joined because I want to learn about my new (to me) Seca and communicate with other Yamaha owners. I've belonged to other forums for different bikes and yes you do get the odd "leach" but there is always a solid core of long timers. I've learned so much from the forums with help from experienced people!

 

This summer there has been two instances of new members posting in the for sale section straight away. We've quite a few more new members than that I don't see it as a problem since thre are more than enough of the long-term members that will keep things in check.

 

Welcome to the net.

 

I love it when we get new members that come here to learn, share their experiences and add to the community. You don't have to know one thing about your bike. If you come here to learn and get help, you are great in my book. Come here to ONLY sell your bike and I have a problem. One new such member had issues with his bike pointed out by me. It is a beautiful bike. I said it many times. He called it all "original" which it is not. As a seller, I would have explained why I felt the observations were incorrect instead of getting all bent out of shape if I was him. I was actually trying to be nice and point out some things he can do to get a better price. Oh well.

 

Saw the "Newbies" title so figured I would post. I have nothing to contribute to the conversation but I'm technically new, and I'm leeching as much info off you veterans as I possibly can. Also no one would buy my bike..as it doesn't do some very key things, like run. I thought I had a profile on here back "In the before times, the long long ago" but it wasn't here when I came back so I'm definitely re-newbed.

Well..time for me to mosey on.

 

Xythin, you are the type of newbie that I like. We were all newbies at one time. In time, you will learn and be able to help others as well. That is what this place is about. I have gained so much knowledge from the members here. It is great.

 

Xythin, don't mosey, stay and learn. I have gleaned so much info here I feel like I know a thing or two.

 

Oh alright, you convinced me.

 

I've been here about 3 years and still learn new stuff. I'll never sell my bike. I've owned my 700 Maxim for 10 years and ridden 30,000 miles on the old boy. We've been through Hell together. I wouldn't be surprised if the Max outlives me.

 

Exactly! You're the regular type of newbie. You're ok. Actually, your bike is the kind that many of us here DO buy-- lol!!! The ones mentioned are exceptions, and they are a flash-in-the-pan type newbie: show up on a site, try to make a quick high sale, not realizing that

1. many more of us here KNOW more about their bike than THEY do

2. We know the value of these bikes

3. Can usually spot things in a second and ID even the tiniest, oddest, or obscure part

4. Are very supportive of legit newbies line yourself who came here to learn and become an Xj expert as well

5. Are fiercely loyal to each other when a newbie tries to shill someone, or a troll shows up, etc.....it is kind of amusing to watch the "hornets swarm in when things get heated"

6. After they throw their hissy-fit, swear at us, and slam the door on the way out (like we really get offended at that), then leave the forum..... We REALLY Have a good time "at their expense"

All that to say.....stay with us, you'll be fine.

 

Zombie, that is where you approach could be different. They are here for a quick sale, they did not come here for advise. To take advise you have to be open to it and welcoming the new information. If they do not ask for advise I rather not give it, might as well herd cats.

When I joined like others, it was to learn and it did not payback. Instead of having a running bike since I joined my driveway has seen 4 different XJs (hogfiddles infected me with the bug). One I sold right away, one was a parts bike and I still have two in the process of getting to run.

So far I have enjoyed the this group and made new friends so I got what I was looking for.

Just because I have posted a lot it does not make me a guru or expert on anything, it only means that I know nothing and ask a lot of questions.

Cheers

 

Gotta be honest here. The real reason I even commented on his bike was the fact that he claimed it was all original when it wasn't. Another member also made a comment about thinking he saw the same bike for sale before with paint that wasn't as nice. It gets me all worked up when someone tries to rip another person off. We have newbies on here that would have just seen a pretty bike and not seen or understood the problems that come with it. If I had wanted to completely derail the guy's chances, I would have pointed out that he has a bike that he is asking about $1200 to $1500 too much for. Once he got all bent out of shape, I started to enjoy getting him more pissed. As Hogfiddles said, we are loyal to each other and supportive of newbies that are here to learn and get help.

 

It would be of interest to see the other post with the paint " not as nice", so we all could evaluate......

 

It was post #4 in the original thread. I took it as he was questioning if it was the same bike.

 

If the goal was to help newbies make an educated offer there are questions that could be posted like:

When is the last time valves were checked ( Do you have the numbers?)
Are those the original brake lines?
Does it have the original fuse box?
When were the carbs last serviced?
Has the starter, MC, clutch, petrooster been rebuilt?
How old and the brake shoes?

 

You know more than you think you know. This is a environment of members that know just about all there is to know about the xj series. If you were to talk in a circle of motorcyclists that don't wrench on thier bikes the conversation would be different. Top to bottom, front to back, this site leaves out nothing. It's as legit a site as any there is.

Gary H.

 

if you were to ask those questions, would you believe the answers ? don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see
newbies who come in and try to sell a bike on their first post, so what, no big deal. but the ones who pick everyone's brain for a month then put it up for sale need some kick stand failure. i'm not here to make you money.
then there's the ones who were told by multiple people to check their floats or anything really, at 10:00 PM one day and the very next day at 8:30 AM they come back with "checked my whatever they were spot on". get lost dude.

 

I only see a reference to one for sale, I don't see any pictures there.... I'm not gonna buy it, I have a 550 Seca already and it looks just like the one in the picture except the paint isn't as nice, and the exhaust is different.... And the fairing is a little more rough.

 

Yeah, going off on the guy who was his own uncle was fun.