KB Brand - Good or Bad Rep?

[terbang]

I've had one of two negative comments about the rides from those who belong to other clubs but in general people are very supportive of the site and its collective.

[FROSTY:Me]

I think its very much kettle calling the pot black.
The club prez of AMCC is on record outright attacking KB and "other internet biker forums"

[riffer]

Welcome back Slim! Long time no see...

I have no problem wearing my KB shirt. KB is just a microcosm of life in general, and some bad posts will always give a bad rep.

Its one thing that upsets me about motorcyclists, and people in general; this whole cliquey-ness. Ulysses guys, KBers, BRONZ, AMCC, and all the others.

Sounds like Jimmy will sort him out.

On a better note, nice to see you back.

[Steam]

KB brand good rep! I want a KB shirt with my name on the front too, but I am poor so I can't afford it. I'd rather spend the money saving for another cheap bike. But I have a KB patch on my bike jacket.

[McJim]

I've got the KB sticker on the front of my bike, I have a patch on my arm and I have a KB T shirt.

As a support for new riders I think the KB resource is absolutely fantastic - I'm approaching the end of my first year on a bike and I am so grateful for all the experienced riders that have given me guidance, support, advice, tuition and to The_Dover for showing me how not to ride!

I've enjoyed some of the organised rides (and enjoyed organising a ride or two) and I've learned some great roads that I wouldn't have known were there.

It's so accessible and the vast majority of riders here are great people. However we do all have opinions and they don't always match - we don't all pull in the same direction on many issues so I don't think we really are a collective.

I've also found bike shops are very accommodating about my KB membership (Motomail and Cycletreads) rather than the negative reactions that have sometimes been mentioned.

We are a collection of very individual individuals - I love it - long may it stay that way.

[Slim]

I know exactly who accosted you Slim (didn't recognise me either did ya?). He just so happens to be a mate of Riff raffs and a guy I also get on with pretty well. It's not that he hates KBers, he's just had some negative feedback from a couple of KBers and been told of other online "experts" who reckon they could do the job better, yet have never put a hand up to help. I see his point.

What HE needs to see (and I will bring this point up with him when I next see him) is that KB represents the largest single group of motorcyclists in New Zealand, from the widest range of backgrounds. So if we say something as a group, organisations need to listen.

Ahem. You'd be right that I didn't recognise you! A thousand apologies.

I've highlighted your comment about helping. It was a thought I'd had while I composed my post prior to getting in front of my computer, but evaporated before I could type it. I see his point too.

I'm not sure I agree with your comment that organisations need to listen to what we say. It's not like we're an organised club with meetings & minutes & petitions & stuff. We don't lobby parliament or anything else official like that. I'm not sure where that thought's meant to go after that though ....

And it would be nice if you did bring up the whole "KB as microcosm of the human race" thing with him. And point out he never introduced himself!

Mack - it was nice to meet you at Pukekohe. One of the pleasures of wearing the t-shirt is the strangers who feel compelled to come up & introduce themselves. It's a nice feeling.

I didn't think my post was an over reaction though. The title of this post was a question about how the KB brand is perceived & the responsibility we all have as users of that brand not to bring it into disrepute.

Perception is a strange & wonderful beast & I have been on the receiving end of complaints (at work) which turned out to be "perception" or communication problems. It's very amorphous (is that the word for the day?!?)

Riffer - nice to see you too.


To the Moderator who shifted this post - I had seriously considered posting this under Site Stuff originally, but thought we might have more input if it was in the Rant section. You're call, and I'm not unhappy with your decision either.