We are getting ready to launch some new ways to support our community, and we would like your feedback.

One of the new things you will see is Premium Memberships. A Premium Membership will provide a member with the following features:

No Google Ads or Banner Ads
More Private Message Space
More Gallery Space
Profile Customization
...and more!

What we would like to know is what (within reason) we could provide to you that would make your Premium Subscription more beneficial to you.

On other sites, we have a private forum just for the Premium Members where anything goes (no rules), and that seems to be pretty popular. Would this community be interested something like that (as a Premium Member)?

You don't have to want to be a Premium Member to provide feedback in this thread, we are asking for everyone's opinion so we can help our community grow and get better.

*100% of all donations and Premium Membership proceeds go right back into our site!
*Please keep in mind that software limitations may prevent some requests from being fulfilled. Management must approve any suggested ideas.

I belong to IH8MUD, which is a very popular forum, and what they do is limit PM and picture uploads for non members. They charge $20. per year, which allows access to unlimited PM's and photo uploads. Otherwise, a non star member has a limit of 20 PM's in their box, and 10 pics. They still have banners and google adds, which is why I stopped paying:D.

An anything goes forum usually winds up in political bickering, which should be moderated anyways. One of the reasons i enjoy this forum so much is that it is devoid, so far anyways, of politics and religion.

Agree with Red Herring. I really like this forum the way it is. No arguements and mostly on topic and lots of useful info. I have also left other sites as they get too many arguements and things that are not on topic. This site is useful and fun. Lots of humor which we all need right now. Veteran riders seem to help the newbies and don't look down on them. The way it should be as we all started out at one point. Great site as it is.

Great site as it is.

+1

I'm a content member! :type:

Although I'm relatively new to this site I really think it suits my needs the way it is. I don't care about enhancing my profile. Having more PM space is not a benefit because if everyone puts their email address on their profile we don't need PM's at all. I have had issues with uploading photos but I think I have that solved if I use "photobucket.com" to launch my photos from. The ads don't bother me because that's how we get to be free members.
My vote says, leave things just the way they are, thank you.

I'am a happy camper right now.

Easier (direct) picture uploads would be nice..........and more pic space.

Ain't broke, don't fix it.

Easier (direct) picture uploads would be nice..........and more pic space.


Good idea. Better picture management would be nice...


:thumb:

I like it "as is" and echo the comments regarding religion and politics.

My past experience with paid "premium" fora memberships has been that they usually don't last more than a year or two before devolving into some form of clique.

Easier (direct) picture uploads would be nice..........and more pic space.

This is actually something that I was looking into the other day, but due to server space and bandwidth issues, we cannot implement such a feature at this time.

As for the rest of your comments, we won't move forward with the Premium Lounge idea, but we will most likely still implement the Premium Member and Community Donation options soon. Of course there is no pressure to contribute to these options, but every little bit helps keep our site running smooth.

Either way, we appreciate everyone's participation on this site, and we strive to make things better where possible.

Thank you :)

I think quite a few people would be happy enough to donate. Usually sites will ask for 10-20 bucks for a *star* membership. Regulars will usually cough up, and usually *star* memberships are renewed annually.



This is actually something that I was looking into the other day, but due to server space and bandwidth issues, we cannot implement such a feature at this time.

As for the rest of your comments, we won't move forward with the Premium Lounge idea, but we will most likely still implement the Premium Member and Community Donation options soon. Of course there is no pressure to contribute to these options, but every little bit helps keep our site running smooth.

Either way, we appreciate everyone's participation on this site, and we strive to make things better where possible.

Thank you :)

I'm for leaving things the way they are.

I also have noticed that when sites start elevating the status of paying members Versys (howdja like that?) non-paying members, it gets cliquish (is that a word?)..With that being said, I have paid to be elevated on several boards, played a while, got sick and tired of all the bull$hit it turned into and have since left those boards.

Maybe I'm reading too much into your question but it appears that you're trying to find a way of making the forum more profitable. I've been expecting this since you took over the administration of this site. Nothing really wrong with that but I'm not really interested in contributing. If you come up with a plan to restrict non paying members from some features, I'll just have to do without.

I say lets keep it KISS (Keep It Simple,Sir) and like the forum as it is.
What we have here, is a free flowing information forum where things work because of the unselfish contribution of All. There is mutual respect among all whether we argree or disagree on anything.

Keep it as the way it is and more will follow...
Community Donation option is a good idea to can ease the cash flow problem if there are insufficient sponsorship.

My two rubles...I wouldn't pay for a premium account...I don't mind the ad's, every site has them... I don't contribute a hell of alot, but I do enjoy reading other riders contributions, advise and comments...Good group here :D

As for the rest of your comments, we won't move forward with the Premium Lounge idea, but we will most likely still implement the Premium Member and Community Donation options soon. Of course there is no pressure to contribute to these options, but every little bit helps keep our site running smooth.

I see no need for a premium-style membership, the site is fine as it is. I would be happy to donate toward its upkeep, though. I am not a fan of paid perks for special-interest sites: It can develop a sense of entitlement and might restrict the free exchange of information. I have seen this on another forum. This site does not need to go that direction.

One alternative method of raising capital: Charge a nominal fee for classified ads. Just an idea.

I like it as is. This is a great place to gain and divulge V know how. The fact that what I read here is mostly bike related with occasional humor works for me. Bigger is not always better :badidea:

I agree with BayouVersys. I like the way it is too. Being a 1 year newbie to the V, I guess I don't have much pull, but I really like the way everybody helps out each other if they have a problem, and nobody seems to take themselves too serious. I thought these forums were mostly to informational and helpful with problems that might come up. And that is why I joined. The last thing we need right now is bickering about things that have nothing to do with either the V, or bikes in general. We have too many problems right now to be fighting with each other..... right?

Another suggestion, ask for members to make a donation when the sell an item through the site. Don't make it a fee, keep it voluntary...

as is is fine...

I'll echo the I like the site as is sentiment. I don't see splintering the users of this forum as a good thing. Creating a elite class or users could discourage new users from joining and contributing to the forum. I could be coaxed in to changing my stance on paid memberships if something of real value was attached to it. Like a discount from motorcycle merchants... I know of a V-Strom forum that has this.

I think the focus should be on ease of posting and the ability to find what you are looking for. I don't see the point in add and improving a photo gallery when there are other sites like flickr, picasa, photo bucket etc... already do it very well. If you let these photo sites do the hosting and educate the community on how to embed these photos into a post that should save the site some money.

I know I'm not letting the cat out of the bag but there are easy ways to block ads on the internet. So for some people the lack of ads in a premium membership wouldn't be a main selling point.

Private messaging? I don't really use it now so more space for messages isn't appealing to me.

If there were better products in the "store" I'd be tempted buy them. I wouldn't be offended by a donate button.

Well that's just my thoughts.

...I've been expecting this since you took over the administration of this site...

I don't know if I should be offended by that statement or not... :teetertooter:

We are just looking for ways to benefit everyone. Hosting website communities is not free, on the other hand, we do not want to charge for membership, that would sort of defeat the purpose. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, from the support staff to the software licensing. What we are looking for is the happy medium that allows us to keep this site, and sites like it, running without cost to the community within.

The majority has spoken and we are listening to what you have to say. We will accept donations from those that would like to contribute in that manner, but as I stated earlier, it is not an obligation that any member has.

I sure hope I haven't given the impression that I am trying to commercialize this site. I have just tried to use skills that I have picked up along the way to implement features here that have worked well on other sites. I understand that communities differ greatly depending on the subject, which is why I've made it a point to get as many opinions as possible.

:thumb:

Jman you are doing a fine job! Although alot of your hard work is not seen in the page views, I for one can and do very much appreciate what you are doing for us.

Thanks also for the additional moderators. They are responding quickly to our needs.

+1 on the donation idea

I am a Stromtrooper member, and pay voluntarely $20 a year, I have more message and photo capability. As for the ' no rules / premium ' , please re-think the no rules thing. This would open doors for the porn prople. Not acceptable.
I would also like to see regions / specific area. ( Can't really find UTAH, or Nevada )
Also on the other forum, there is a 'Garage' site for the tree shade mechanic, very useful, but caution is advised.
A multiple word search could be useful for dummies like me.
A 5 or 10% donation to the site when an item is sold should be fair for all.

A multiple word search could be useful for dummies like me.

A 5 or 10% donation to the site when an item is sold should be fair for all.

The search function could certainly be improved.

I heartily agree on the donation when an item is sold. This is a product specific site and as such, sellers have a very targeted audience. As targeted audiences tend to buy more quickly and pay higher prices, this is more than fair.

Another idea is that if a seller pre-donates his percentage, keep those listings at the top for 7-10 days. The top does get more attention and is a value-add for the seller.

Another idea is that if a seller pre-donates his percentage, keep those listings at the top for 7-10 days. The top does get more attention and is a value-add for the seller.

Your right with the top of the list thing, but is it fair to others? I think the way it's presenting itself now is good, new in bold, once I read it the type is regular.

I am a Stromtrooper member, and pay voluntarely $20 a year.....

ww2ol player?

ww2ol player?
Not a player - I'm here to Farkle the Wifes Bike,
The Trooper site is for my ride.
:teetertooter:

Not a player - I'm here to Farkle the Wifes Bike,
The Trooper site is for my ride.
:teetertooter:

Ahh never mind i was thinking of something else...

I think I am with the majority on this. I have no desire to be a premium member. The ads do not bother me. This site is the best forum of any kind that I have used. I have learned a great deal in here from other members. I am relatively new to the site and this is the first time I have heard requests for donations. I am not apposed to an occasional donation to something that provides a service such as this site. So Please no Premium.

I have been a member for about a year now and I like it the way it is. I at first I had a problem uploading pictures. But now I can get them off my computer and not have to go through another upload site. (More my fault not the sites.) I have found this site to be one of the best I have been on and like it just the way it is. I also have learned a lot and gotten a lot of really good info from the other members of this site. And I want to thank everyone for that. I don't know about the rest of the members but times are tough out there and don't know if I would be willing to pay for this priviledge. And I feel that if you do start making it a fee site or restrict the amount of pictures and so on that is aloud to be posted without a membership then that would cost you a lot of really good and entertaining threads.(mine is not included in them) One thing you have to understand is that these member are doing this of there own accord and taking the time and the exspense to give this info to the other members . And I for one know that in todays life style that we don't have a lot of excess time. So for the members to give there time and expertise should be enough. I for one can tell you there ain't many things out there that are free. But my opion is always free.:cheers:

" we have a private forum just for the Premium Members where anything goes (no rules)"

That doesnt seem like the best idea. I mean, whats the point? So you can post in there and be an a-hole to people?

Id pay to be a supporting member if every few months the site offered some vendor giveaways.

One more thing I do think this is by far one of the best sites that I have been on.:thumb:
And as far as improvements I think that you all are doing a great job. And I would like to thank you for that. I know that for the most part your job is a thank less one. But this is a really easy to read and navigate site. I am site challengened and I find it easy to get to the info I need. I do think that a some what different thread look up option would be helpful. I have had problems finding certain threads that I wanted to revisit.
So again THANK YOU ! And I hope to spend many more hours here learning,looking, laughing, and just plain enjoying. :thanx:

" we have a private forum just for the Premium Members where anything goes (no rules)"

That doesnt seem like the best idea. I mean, whats the point? So you can post in there and be an a-hole to people?

Id pay to be a supporting member if every few months the site offered some vendor giveaways.

It all depends on the type of community. This works very well on some other sites. This idea was not well received over here and we are not going to enable this feature.

Those wishing to donate may do so via the link at the top of the site, otherwise there are no memberships.

Please continue to post your suggestions, as we will do what we can to improve your experience in our community.

Thanks :)

Right on and Thank you to you, Jman423 and the V forum team.

" we have a private forum just for the Premium Members where anything goes (no rules)"

That doesnt seem like the best idea. I mean, whats the point? So you can post in there and be an a-hole to people?

Id pay to be a supporting member if every few months the site offered some vendor giveaways.

On my other forum there's a place for everything else. That means anything goes, It does get out of hand and people vent in ways that's not to be shared with the general public.
Everything else is in the forum as it should be for everybody to share and comment about, A yearly donation of $20.00 is on a volunteer basis and many have done this willingly. When we sell an item thru the forum a 5 or 10% donation is made. Compared to what it costs to post a sale elsewhere ( up to 33% mandatory ).
Don't forget the people who actually are running the forum, they are doing it for free.

Donations are good. In the end I don't think they'll pay the bills. Advertising might help, but we need more exposure to make it worthwhile. Pay subscriptions will reduce the audience significantly therefore reducing the value of advertising. Is Kawi contributing something? I would hit them with some stats about the community and see if they are willing to contribute or post a couple of paying ads. I would also hit a couple of dealers or online retailers. Regional targeting might be appealing not just to members but to advertisers. However, this will require that members enter a minimum amount of information at registration time. A quick request for an anonymous survey might give you the market segment information you need to sell the site to more localized sponsors. Another sponsor target group can be the marketers of expendables. Everyone needs tires, oil, and other supplies. The tires discussion alone might interest advertisers to post paying ads. If you can just identify the threads and direct the ads correctly. That might be a winner. However, you might need the help of the host in that.

BTW You can always improve search.

Just a couple of ideas from a data geek.

I like it the way it is but definatley would contribute a little $$. Some body has to keep up the server and so i would be happy to contribute $ to make sure we keep this.

If anybody has an issue contributing, they need to move on anyway. Things cost money and the guys that donate their time to make sure our forum works needs to be shown some appreciation.

My .02

So i felt strongly enough to donate, so i did. A little now a little later.

I think if all of our members donated as little as 5.00, that would make certain our site stays as it is and working..

Thanks to all who manage the forum..

more pic management would be better. It is a very useful forum. If we have to pay...I woulder rather just send the guy whos doing the work some cash. maby help farkle up his ride!!

I don't know if it has been mentioned, but there is a donations tab at the top of this web page.
Try it, it's easy.

I would challenge anyone who finds this forum and the information exchanged useful to donate to keep this site running.


The site does not run itself and is not free to host.

I keep seeing enhancements to the site to make it better.
Let's support it to keep it a great site.

So i felt strongly enough to donate, so i did. A little now a little later.

I think if all of our members donated as little as 5.00, that would make certain our site stays as it is and working..

Okay - so your right, a little now a little later. You got to me so I donated as well.
Thanks to the moderators who have nothing better to do than work on this site for us. :thumb:

Thank you all for your support, it is much appreciated!

Thank you all for your support, it is much appreciated!

Ok, I've been mooching off of this forum for a month or so and have gotten excellant information that although it cost me $ to make improvements I feel it was well spent. SOOOO, how can I help and how do I go about doing it?:openarms:

great site upkeep and thanks for handling the admin responsibilities. My only thought is maybe include regional pages, or groups, or something of the sort that allows riders within proximity of eachother to post rides, meet ups, ideas, questions, etc---as opposed to posting a ride and hoping in an open area and hoping they see it.

I "lurked" here for months reading everything and anything before buying a Versys.
Much information was gained about all aspects of the bike. Farkles included!! lol lol It was tough to do that on other sites. I think this is great the way it is and a premium membership just might make it like a lot of others and not just in this subject area. Donations, sure, but I think it needs to stay as it is if it is to continue to help those who are new (me) and those who aren't. My two cents worth.
By the way, this is my first bike and I just started riding this past spring after taking the safety course last summer. This site was invaluable!!

Hello Friends,
I found this site so interesting and useful.I must say I am really
pleased to see such site which sharing good knowledge. I found
this forum quiet informative as well interested, it is really great
to be a part of this forum.

I like it 'as-is'. I don't see the need to change it. In the world of motorcycle forums, this one is quite good.

Premium memberships work in a professional community like say a software application forum that has highly paid professionals answering questions submitted by the paying clientele. In these cases people are looking for answers on a specific topic that generally cannot be found in the general population and need to be answered now. What is great about this site is that we, in general, are shade tree mechanics for the most part that enjoy getting and giving feedback/opinions about motorcycling, the V in particular.
With that said I would pay a nominal fee for classified posts, voluntary preferred. If space for picture storage is an issue, sites like Kodak offer free, unlimited space and a link can be posted on this site.
I guess the question we are asking, forgive me if I am presuming to much fellow members, is why do you want/need to charge a fee? If we know perhaps we can help. The site is valuable to me.

granted, i'm new, but it seems fine to me. also... not gonna pay for anything.

granted, i'm new, but it seems fine to me. also... not gonna pay for anything.

Don't blame you for not wanting to pay, I don't want to pay either. However I will voluntarily Donate to this and another Forum. On an other forum it is asked that a small percentage be donated when an item is sold.
Think about it, the moderators spend hours to keep a clean Forum, they let us advertise our 'for sale' stuff for free, we exchange information about maintenance that would normally be well kept secrets by a mechanic who charges $80.00 an hour,

Thank you all for your support, it is much appreciated!
hey there....why is it that I registered my bike months ago and still no registry post?????

Correction....there was a post under the "registry" header but my photo never showed up...so, months later I redid it and months after that....still no listing.
( so much for the 24 hour response time ...and/or I am doing something really really wrong ).

Otherwise the site's terrific.

HELP!!!!!!

Stagehand38

In this case I know it takes effort to police and put up the site. I would be inclined to have a standard membership (fee) to be able to post, sell or buy; but no fee just to graze and read.

Another suggestion, ask for members to make a donation when the sell an item through the site. Don't make it a fee, keep it voluntary...


I really enjoy this site and have friends from abroad. would like to keep it that way, but I understand that nothing comes free in today's world. So if it cash flow problem then there are ways to solve it.

don't mind contributing a small fee on a yearly basis or through purchase of items for the Versys through this site.

How about T shirts or riding gears and the site can make some cash by sales of this items to members.

Just my humble opinion.:D

:cheers:

I like the way the site is, it seems to have all the features that I find useful to easily read the forum and also to find the info that I need.

Speaking of which, I just used the PayPal feature to make a donation. Quick 'n Easy.
I think I saved my donation several times over, with the info and advice that I got from the members of this forum. So it is only fair that I do my little bit to keep this forum humming along.

Just to throw something different in here. If there was a modest joining fee would that not put spammers off?

Don't be fooled guys.
This site is one of many owned by a corporation (Vertical Scope?) that makes money of us and our activity and advertisers.

Don't be fooled guys.
This site is one of many owned by a corporation (Vertical Scope?) that makes money of us and our activity and advertisers.

And what, pray tell, is wrong with operating a service for profit?

Just because it's on the web it has to be free?

Sorry man - I don't know if you mean it the way it reads, but I don't care if it's for-profit or not - if I get value out of it, I'm willing to pay for it.

No, I didn't mean that.

I meant that you wouldn't be donating your money to a person or someone who needs it or that will necessarily improve this site.
I've witnessed how Vertical Scope ruined a moto-community with their corporate take over and money-makeing intentions, so I'm not a fan.
This site is strangely untouched compared to some motorcycle.com forums.

And what, pray tell, is wrong with operating a service for profit?

Just because it's on the web it has to be free?

Sorry man - I don't know if you mean it the way it reads, but I don't care if it's for-profit or not - if I get value out of it, I'm willing to pay for it.


i think what he was trying to say was, donations are no longer necessary. The site was privately owned at the time this was created, and is now corporate owned.

We don't thank you enough, so Thanks Rick! Great job, we're going to double your salary in 2011! :D

Just something I thought might be of interest, probably in a sticky somewhere, but anyway..

By accident I clicked on the number of posts and up popped the names and number of posts of each member. How cool is that? Sometimes I forget if I have posted a comment on a thread, it is easy to see if you use this feature. Just and FYI for some of the newer members or slow ones like me. Every yellow lited script has some link, click and learn!

:cheers:

Good idea. Better picture management would be nice...


:thumb:

+++1 better pic management.....larger file sizes so I wouldn't have to go to some other program to 'down size' my photos. most cameras shoot in the 10mp and up range and the file size limitations here are at times frustrating.
and yes!!!! I would pay for a premium membership if it meant I could more easily up load larger files).
( yes..I am a computer idiot sometimes, but photos are so important to a site such as this).
other-wise...the site is perfect.
:thumb::thumb::thumb:

I have no idea how to post the small pictures used by most(with the thumbnail that has to be opened, and it's slow) on the forum. I use photobucket, and there are others out there to get pics like this:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll76/elementSC/003-3.jpg

I like it as is.

I agree with all the "leave it alone, it's darn near perfect" votes. Maybe, no probably, this isn't the time or place to ask, but.... "is there a HOW TO area that shows Luddites like me how all of you guys (and gals?) add and use the "farkles" of the forum itself--avatar pictures, smilies, profiles, searches, etiquette, private messages,...basically how to use and enjoy ALL of what this forum has to offer, and strategy for accessing it without getting "lost"? For instance, if I ask a question is it more appropriate to make it a post, a thread, or a reply? Is there a way to get the site to notify me via some sort of ALERT when another member replies to my question, or do I just make sure to note/remember where I asked it and go back and check for answers periodically? Thanks in advance for your patience and help!

Avatars are missing on my display.

So is "new thread" option.

So is the "quote" option.

All i can do is reply to other threads (and things like smiley's are gone, too).

What is wrong!!??!!!??

---> Suggestion (http://www.stromtrooper.com/off-topic-member-therapy/26341-off-topic-rules.html)

I agree with others, If it ain't broke don't fix it!!

I agree with the rest, if you look at the activity each day on this site, you get an idea that many people keep coming back. It takes usually less than a day to get a response to a question or idea. I belong to several forums, were the postings are a month old, with no new activity, all the regulars left, due to people thinking that a membership entitled them to monopolize the board. My visits are usually short and I very rarely contribute to those sites.
This site very much matches the bike itself!:grinangel:

New member here(less than a week)
I am a member on a car specific forum that is privately owned. The membership there donates when software upgrades need to happen or to start a server fund, etc. I did not donate at first, but when the information I gained from the website saved me money in the maintenance and repair of my vehicle, I was more than happy to contribute money.

I do understand the costs involved with running a web site, but the commercialization of this site is getting to be a bit too much. I am having difficulties separating the ads from the posts. Do I really want to compare my Versys to a freakin' Buick? I don't think so. Ads popping up all over the place (Hyundai? Toyota? I don't come here to buy a car). And the highlighted words linking to some totally unrelated site? Over saturation: it's getting to feel like I'm trying to find my way through a strange city and can't see the road signs for the relentless barrage of adverts.

Just a comment. I do appreciate the effort it takes to maintain the forum, but really?

So i felt strongly enough to donate, so i did. A little now a little later.

I think if all of our members donated as little as 5.00, that would make certain our site stays as it is and working..

Thanks to all who manage the forum..

+1

That...and Expand the store!

Great group, good focus. :cheers: