A thread started by TWB in the Which bike? forum got me thinking.

When a member posts in that section asking for advice on which model to buy a few things can happen:

1. They know what type of bike they want and just want specific pointers
2. They have no idea where to start and leave the floor for any and all to offer ideas
3. They have a route but not a choice of bike.
4. Other, etc

Unless kept on topic these threads can get pretty off topic, ending up about what bikes the other posters have rather than what the thread starter actually wants.

TWB asked "what made you choose your bike". I think this is a far more useful approach for the would-be overlander. We say what we chose and why, and the thread starter can then align themselves with posters whose needs, likes and dislikes are most like their own and see if the bikes mentioned fit the bill...

So, would it not be possible to have a database, in the format of the "air and sea shipping database" where people can describe what their bike was, what they used it for, their own riding strengths and weaknesses and then details of the bike's +'s and -'s in the context of what they experienced with it.

This would allow for first hand experience being detailed in context. It could include pleasant surprises, nasty surprises, accessories you recommend, accessroies that were a waste of time, prices through out, competencies, and areas to be wary of...
It could build into a searchable database so pleople can already narrow it down like bike or car, or 2-up or solo, tarmac, off-road or both, manufacturers etc. you get the idea. If you plan to ride the USA two up, you don't need accounts of which bike is best in Fesh-fesh sand, or which runs best on the Altiplano carrying one rider and a packed lunch....

This would not replace the "which bike" forum as this is a valuable tool, but would allow people to read through, at their leisure, and would perhaps focus the references made to first hand experiences of the rider, rather than word of mouth, second/third hand accounts. That would also reduce some rather lengthy threads whose usefulness to the original poster can sometimes be questionable, IMHO.

It would somewhat help keep facts with facts and opinions with opinions, so members can chose which they get from the HUBB.

So, Grant, what do you think?

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)