I don't wanna be rude, but it seems that I've been getting a lot of crap for posting general questions here about my particular bike even though anyone with the same type of bike could answer them.

I was wondering what the guidelines were for distinguishing between a "specific" question, and a "general" question. Is it possible to ask about your particular bike if it's a general question?

Thats a very general question.  You need to be more specific.

Bullwinkle58, on 02 May 2012 - 12:24 PM, said:

I can't tell if you're being clever or actually asking...

But if I had a YZF450 and wanted to know how to install a new chain, why should that be moved to another forum? You see, it's a general question about a specific bike. If I had an RM125 and needed to know the years that the carb was used that would obviously go into it's own forum. Because it's a specific question about a specific bike.

Also, I just wanted to throw this out there, to say it's an incentive to post in the general section because it gets 15 times more traffic than a specific forum would be an understatement.

twistedkeys, on 02 May 2012 - 12:44 PM, said:

I can.  

To answer your question, who cares, let's not take the interwebs too seriously. You should try it both way and go with whatever brings you better results.  

Edited by corndog, 02 May 2012 - 01:08 PM.

corndog, on 02 May 2012 - 01:07 PM, said:

Well I do take it seriously when I'm trying to get information for my bike and I get moved and never get any replies just because someone says so. I feel like I'm being picked on, and that's not the kind of feeling you want to spread around. Just wait, just because I'm bringing up a concern that involves a higher level they'll close this thread and poopoo my concerns.

twistedkeys, on 02 May 2012 - 01:16 PM, said:

Do you realize the interwebs doesn't owe you anything and all information given to you should be considered a 'treat'? I think you may have set your expectations too high...

corndog, on 02 May 2012 - 01:25 PM, said:

Sorry I don't really consider it like that, and that's getting off topic. What I'm really saying is that mods need to take a second to figure out if it really should be moved or not. And not just throw it into the abyss, because the person behind all those words is a real person trying to get info from other real people. It takes 4 seconds to move the thread, it takes real energy, time and effort to pull all your info together and apply it.

Well...I think that's the best attitude to take with forums and I think it's on topic in a general sort of way.    I wouldn't help anyone on here if they came off like the site owed them anything, and I don't think I'd want to help someone who didn't contribute and didn't show appreciation for help, but that's just me I guess.

Anyway, I don't know of any guidelines to differentiate between specific and general, but I'll throw out some suggestions...

General:
What kind of tire should I buy?
Which aftermarket linkage bearings?
Where to buy printed backgrounds?

Specific:
Problem installing new waterpump seal...
How do I replace my timing chain?
Bike bogs on landing, what to do?

Corndog is more or less on right on point.

If you have a mechanical question, it belongs in the forum about that bike. That way, for those that actually use the search function (over 50% of the TT users do), they can search in the model specific forum and get the detailed answers. A general forum would have 100's (if not 10's of 1,000's) of that answer, most of which are titled "Help!!!". The searcher then has to view each thread only to find that most are not for his bike. I will say, every question of yours I have read so far, has been already asked (and answered) 1,000 times, in the specific forum.

A question like "What Makes throttles Hard to Turn" could be a general question.
A question like "Why is my (YZ450 - 2005) Throttle Hard To Turn" is bike specific.

A lot of people ask a question (and oddly, admit they are too lazy to bother to look for the answer) and then get all upset when no one responds within the hour (or at all).

twistedkeys, on 02 May 2012 - 12:44 PM, said:

I don't see how that is a general question?  If you wanted general answers you should ask how do I install a chain.

Part of the problem here is arranging forums using a large heirachy like this place.  In my view forums should always have an absolute minimum of subforums because of the exact issue you raised (no replies).

Just ask me.  I will try and answer any question specific or general (links in my sig)