Not everything has to be political

[Luap McKeever]

Let's keep the focus on motorcycles, please.
Lately, many discussions have been drifting into political territory—even when the topic starts out completely unrelated. It’s becoming a frequent pattern, and honestly, it’s wearing thin for a lot of members.

Yes, some bikes are built in China.
Yes, others are made in different countries.
No, we don’t need to repeatedly debate the broader political or economic implications.

These side conversations quickly escalate, subtle political jabs are noticed by most readers, and they often end up offending someone. That leads to reports → moderator review → decisions → time spent that could be used for much more enjoyable forum work.

The reality is simple: what one person sees as harmless commentary can feel loaded or offensive to roughly half the community, regardless of which “side” they’re on.

This is a motorcycle discussion forum. Motorcycles, riding, gear, maintenance, events, stories—that’s what we’re here for. Politics, religion, and similar divisive topics don’t belong here.
We’d really appreciate everyone’s help in keeping threads on-topic and drama-free. If the pattern continues, we’ll have to start enforcing the rules more strictly, up to and including removing access for repeat offenders.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation. We all benefit when the forum stays focused and welcoming.

Regards,
Luap McKeever

[Tkelly]

Tariffs on motorcycles and parts ok?Seems like an important issue for us?

[Luap McKeever]

Tariffs on motorcycles and parts ok?Seems like an important issue for us?

You'd think it would be. But it'll 100% be a pandora's box in only a matter of minutes.

[Stretch]

But it'll 100% be a pandora's box in only a matter of minutes.

Oh, yeah it will! 

                               -Stretch

[blackcat]

Tariffs on motorcycles and parts ok?Seems like an important issue for us?

No comment.....

[Bulldog9]

You'd think it would be. But it'll 100% be a pandora's box in only a matter of minutes.

I get it, and of course unless someone on WG is a state or federal representative there is no value in discussing it, but I wish people were mature and tolerant enough to discuss and listen to another opinion. That's how I learn.

But, I agree, without a dedicated 'OFF TOPIC" thread, keeping it MC/Motor vehicle or other hobby based for the most part is likely a good idea and allows us to focus and ESCAPE the online nonsense that is EVERYWHERE else. It robs from the 'campfire' aspect of the group, but it is what it is, and I for one APPRECIATE a forum that focuses mostly on this passion we share....

That said, though there is occasional dipping into 'politics' on the 7-8 other forums, it never lasts, is usually brief, and people act like grownups, and do go crying to mommy and daddy.  I've told Dan, that if you need my help, I'm happy to pass out tissues. 

[DoubleGuzzi]

LMFTFY

I for one APPRECIATE a forum that focuses mostly on this passion we share. Period.

[blu guzz]

it's a thankless job, thanks for doing it. we really appreciate it.

[kingoffleece]

We are all aware of the political climate.  Let it be for another time and place.

[faffi]

Discussing politics and religion is difficult enough in the flesh - doing it via keyboards is virtually a guarantee to be filled with misunderstandings/interpretations on top of what usually turn out to be toxic topics. The reason is likely that these topics are generally very personal and also emotional, so rational discussions tend to be difficult. So while I would like on principle the opportunity to discuss any topic, experience tells me some topics are bound to end up ugly, sooner or later. Hence I vote to keep it motorcycle related only, even though I have slipped a few times. And been corrected for it, rightly so.

[Huzo]

Discussing politics and religion is difficult enough in the flesh - doing it via keyboards is virtually a guarantee to be filled with misunderstandings/interpretations on top of what usually turn out to be toxic topics. The reason is likely that these topics are generally very personal and also emotional, so rational discussions tend to be difficult. So while I would like on principle the opportunity to discuss any topic, experience tells me some topics are bound to end up ugly, sooner or later. Hence I vote to keep it motorcycle related only, even though I have slipped a few times. And been corrected for it, rightly so.

There is no “vote…”
We have been told.

We don’t have to disagree.
We don’t have to agree.
We just have to shut up…!

[Ncdan]

If I may add some thoughts on this subject which needed to be brought out:
I have had the privilege to assist Luap as a moderator for several years now and have developed a good feel of the pulse of this forum and the members.
The issue is not necessarily an occasional “off topic” thread as Luap has always offered the members leeway with this to create a “campfire” atmosphere.
I have never interfered with any subject matter that was off topic and was an honest request for assistance with a problem the member was having and needed assistance or information.
Example: “I can’t get my lawn mower running and need information” or “Can anyone tell me where to find this part for my dishwasher?”
This is one of the benefits of a forum like this one and there’s a wealth of knowledge among the members on the WG forum.
Here lies the problem.
When a thread is started that opens the door for controversy, some members are more than willing to walk through the door.
Example: “I ordered a part for my Calvin and it came from China and with the tariff fee attached it cost double than it should have😡”
I’m sure everyone here has enough common sense to realize what is going to happen with this thread.
I have a policy that I never address these issues on the open forum, I always take the issues “out back” as to not embarrass a member and disrupt the forum as little as possible.
Let’s address the 1000lb gorilla in the room.
This forum has liberals as well as conservatives.
We have devout Christians as well as total atheists.
We have rich people as well as the poor.
We have people from all walks of lives, job disciplines, race, creed, and colors.
However, one thing we do have in common, we love motorcycles, and we love our Moto Guzzis.
My recommendation is that we unite behind the things we have in common and keep the rhetoric of the other less desirable subjects off of our forum.
I thank Luap and the members of this form for allowing me to serve you as a moderator. And I will continue to serve this form as fair and balanced as I can. This is my commitment to the Wild Guzzi family.

Dan/Danny

[Tkelly]

I guess I agree from a big picture point of view but I am curious about what the tariffs add to the cost of the bikes we all like.

[drdwb]

I guess I agree from a big picture point of view but I am curious about what the tariffs add to the cost of the bikes we all like.

In our 40 years of operating our practice, our strictly enforced policy was No Religon No politics, discussed. Patients came  in for health reasons induced or aggravated by stress, physical, chemical, and/ or emotional. It worked well. I too am concerned about tariffs and their direct effects on my purchases.

But TK I would think you might be more concerned about the recent Packers loss to the Bears and how the almost embarrassing loss from a game they had, has severally damaged the psych of your neighbors and could result in massive street protests. Which is probably more overbearing than the concerns about tariffs to the average
Cheesehead.

This from a chronically depressed former Vikings fan. 

[Tkelly]

Bears fan refugee here.

[kballowe]

There's a forum for nearly everything.
This forum is for motorcycles.

 
 
 

[DoubleGuzzi]

It's just a shame that it is so frequently USA-centric. I don't come here to read about any other topic than motorcycles, there are plenty of other outlets/forums for sport, 4,6,12 whatever wheelers and so on. I've been down this road before (poor pun) and appear to be in a distinct minority.

[BTW, what's all the fuss about tariffs when import duties have been used in many other countries, for years/decades? Rhetorical.]

[ridingron]

I have no idea of the nationality make up of the active posters but guessing it is predominantly US. If so, the threads would have a US tint to them.

[ridingron]

I was on another forum for my other bike. It went the direction of bike specific post. Not even post about other models of the same brand. After 6 months or so, the number of post died down to 5-6 post a day and slowly died.

Maintaining post subject content can be    like walking a thin tight wire.

[SemperVee]

 
  I come here to read expressly about my Moto Guzzi's, Everything else, Not interested.  There is enough noise about other things available elsewhere/EVERYwhere.

[blackcat]

[BTW, what's all the fuss about tariffs when import duties have been used in many other countries, for years/decades? Rhetorical.]

This is just a, for your information post and please remove if necessary:

"Stein-Dinse is no longer shipping to the USA due to the "extreme documentation requirements"

[Oca Grassa]

Stein-Dinse are not the only company taking that stance either. There are posts on several other forums I frequent with similar complaints. This is the 1st I’ve read that about Stein-Dinse though.

[blackcat]

Stein-Dinse are not the only company taking that stance either. There are posts on several other forums I frequent with similar complaints. This is the 1st I’ve read that about Stein-Dinse though.

Mark Etheridge was informed by Stein-Dinse today and he is looking for a pair of black LaFranconi Competione exhaust for a LeMans I. This is going to be bad for MG Cycle, Harper's, Crusty,etc.,etc.

[DoubleGuzzi]

Conversely, I stopped purchasing from the USA about a decade ago due to exorbitant postage costs (not shipping 'cos they got sent in a plane and a boat would take too long!).


Thread drift extending... 

[Ncdan]

Conversely, I stopped purchasing from the USA about a decade ago due to exorbitant postage costs (not shipping 'cos they got sent in a plane and a boat would take too long!).


Thread drift extending... 

Yes it is. I guess everyone must just be bored.
How bout those V100’s 😉

[SIR REAL ED]

Does any one remember the good ole days, when people thought the birth of the Internet was going to be an amazing unifying device?

I must admit, I'm feeling a little bit left out here.  I've actually never seen anything remotely offensive posted here at WildGuzzi.

Am I missing something?  Do I need some extensive sensitivity training?

"Where every one thinks alike, no one thinks very much!" seems to describe the world I have known pretty well.

We all cast out pearls from time to time.

Getting the other person to acknowledge your superiority..... that's the tricky part of trying to help people.

 

[Oca Grassa]

How bout those V100’s 😉

IDK…but there is a guy local to me selling a ‘97 Daytona RS. I find that amazing in my feeble mind.

[ridingron]

Mark Etheridge was informed by Stein-Dinse today and he is looking for a pair of black LaFranconi Competione exhaust for a LeMans I. This is going to be bad for MG Cycle, Harper's, Crusty,etc.,etc.

I got that message about a month ago. I wanted some parts (about $220 worth) but I'll live without the parts. I'm not sure if that's an excuse or a reason but I understand it completely. The company I where I used to work had a very similar policy. I asked a vendor about a bolt. A 7/16" X 1 1/2" bolt cost the company $28.