Surely a forum of this size and regular activity could negotiate the same level of perks which the DOC get? We have paying members here and non paying members, which is absolutely fine as different people get different things out of it. I just can't see what you'd need to know about Ducati bikes whether relatively historic or modern that you can't get from here. Not only that it's a wonderful place to learn new things, I for one am eternally grateful to @finm for teaching me Scottish. Granted I've a long way to go, but it's amazing how often you can drop the word nunge in to conversation nowadays
I'm the 'New fella' read carefully what I said. I did NOT say that my members were wankers. I referred to wankers in the club ie a few but certainly not all.[/QUOTE] Further to this reply :- I don't and never did consider myself 'Elite' whilst a member of the DOC. To infer that I was is a complete ignorance of me. The DOC years ago was run into the ground due to incompetence and illegal activities. The situation was reversed due to the massive amount of work done by dedicated members, myself included, who had a passion for the bikes and a genuine concern for club members. I was on the committee for a total of approx. 12 years and at one time or another covered the posts of membership, regalia, Desmo distribution, track day marshal, chairman. I made contact with numerous people connected with Ducati which resulted in me having the privilage to be invited to be present at such events as the unveiling of the 916 at the Milan Show and the first appearance of the Mono at a UK race track practice day. I made contact with foreign Ducatisti and established a long standing association with them. I attended a now sadly defunct Italian Bikes Rally in Langemark near Ypres for a number of years. I also helped out at Bristol Classic Bike Show, sponsored a rider on a single cylinder, liased with foreign Ducatisti in the supply of hard to find spares. I attended a BMF seminar on behalf of DOC and also the BMF rally for 8 years. Whilst this was going on I got well pissed on numerous occasions at rallies, threw up more than once in dark far distant hedges, rode far more miles than I can remember on my 680 Pantah, spannered on a 888 in Battle of the Twins class, and at the 1988 Manx on a F2 Pantah, got banned for life from attending any Moto Guzzi Club GB events, ELITE ME ? I don't f******g think so sunshine !!
great word init? nunge. not to sure if it's a recognized Scots word tho. I'v tried teaching db a few phrases like "twa coos moo" and "gee us a scoof o yer scurgy yah nundge" love colloquialisms me. anyhoo, clubs rock, great for smashing tory heads in. . and getting like minded people into the same room. all good.
I'm the 'New fella' read carefully what I said. I did NOT say that my members were wankers. I referred to wankers in the club ie a few but certainly not all.[/QUOTE] I hear you Alan, had a similar experience with another cli.. cliq.. club and left after over 30 years membership. It was the best thing I could have done and saved me £50 a year
I hear you Alan, had a similar experience with another cli.. cliq.. club and left after over 30 years membership. It was the best thing I could have done and saved me £50 a year[/QUOTE] The old saying that when you stop enjoying what you are doing, stop doing it has a lot to be said for it. I do feel really sorry for people who have a long term association with a club ie yourself. The DOC for many years was regarded as Elitist by a lot of people. I and my fellow committee members worked very hard for a long time to dispel this opinion. I personally think that we did a good job. I didn't join the club and get involved to impress people particularly. Anyone who came into contact with me, I hope, found me approachable and very down to earth ( throwing up in a hedge is about as down to earth you can get) I did however come across people who expressed the opinion that I was on some hidden agenda. My time with the club came to an end when I decided I had enough of knocking my head on a brick wall with some of them and a certain other one make club.
I hear you Alan, had a similar experience with another cli.. cliq.. club and left after over 30 years membership. It was the best thing I could have done and saved me £50 a year[/QUOTE] Then you found us and never looked back Who's the elitist new bloke anyhoo, he seems OK
I'm the 'New fella' read carefully what I said. I did NOT say that my members were wankers. I referred to wankers in the club ie a few but certainly not all.[/QUOTE] I'm sure thats the case Andy, and having been close to the running pf a few clubs its not an uncommon attitude towards 'dissenters'. I'm just wonder what makes a dissenter....IME its anyone who disagrees with anything.
I hear you Alan, had a similar experience with another cli.. cliq.. club and left after over 30 years membership. It was the best thing I could have done and saved me £50 a year[/QUOTE] TBH Chris, I couldn't imagine you being like that: 'they don't like it, its our rules, they can f*ck off somewhere else'. I admire anyone who runs this things tho, as it takes up way more time than it needs to and you have to have such a thick skin (as @antonye ). I always thought UKMOC was perfect: its run by one guy and simply 'his ball, his rules' and works brilliantly.
TBH Chris, I couldn't imagine you being like that: 'they don't like it, its our rules, they can f*ck off somewhere else'. I admire anyone who runs this things tho, as it takes up way more time than it needs to and you have to have such a thick skin (as @antonye ). I always thought UKMOC was perfect: its run by one guy and simply 'his ball, his rules' and works brilliantly. [/QUOTE] Mmm, would that work here
I admire anyone running a club when there is precious little in it for themselves. I should have explained re: club member for over 30 years - you know me Paul, I wasn't merely a spectator
Mmm, would that work here [/QUOTE] It does, fairly well But this isn't a club. Its an online forum with optional subscriptions.
It does, fairly well But this isn't a club. Its an online forum with optional subscriptions.[/QUOTE] It was a joke for our emperor
Re: Elitist, I think it’s the perception of the brand isn’t it? well it seems to be that way in the UK anyway. I still get talking to people who think that Ducati Owners see themselves as a class above the rest.
Long time ago now, suffice to say my predictions about DOCGB were spot on. I moved onto a different way of bike life and thankfully have no contact or interest in DOCGB or its members. There are a couple that I still do have contact with but they are the solid gold types.
Some but not all. The exclusive stuff that Ducati (factory) provide only goes to members of the Desmo Owners Club scheme, and you have to be affiliated to that to be a member. It includes a 40-page legal document of rules and regulations that have to be adhered to on how the club is run, and as such this forum wouldn't meet the rules. But with a few changes it could, but does the business owner (Rob) want to give that up? Unlikely.
I wouldn't if I were him. Maybe Ducati needs to relax it's rules a little, times move on. Either way I'm not sure what the benefits would be and I like the forum as is
And that is the point of this forum. It's not an official mouthpiece for any organisation. If you want trinkets and money off "offers" on Ducati specific products and services then just join DOC. You will soon get your £25 subscription back on a number of things.
