Admin Jaap Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Dear forum members, A couple of days ago I got an email from a Canadian firm (VerticalScope in Toronto) with a business proposal. They want to take over the forum. To be honest, I've been thinking about letting someone else run this show for a couple of months now. Especially since I don't own a V11 or even a V11 based bike anymore. I've lost interest a bit after 13 years. Maintaining the forum is becoming more and more a task than a hobby. So I'm thinking to let it go if their number is right. But... and that's a big but... I first want to hear what you guys think about it. Because they're in it for the money, the look and feel of the forum will of course change (ads) They als have a paid app to enter all their forums. F.i. they own motorcycle.com and gixxer.com too. Most important thing is, that our forum and all it's valuable content will stay online. I'd like to hear what you think and if you have suggestions or other options, please share! Cheers Jaap ========================== The email I received: Hi J.J, My name is David Fischer and I work with a small 13 year old Internet media company called VerticalScope. We are a Toronto based Canadian company with a primary focus on the Motorcycle forum marketplace. I am trying to reach the owner of V11LeMans.com, would that be you? I think you have done a great job of building your community and I would like to discuss the possibility of a cash purchase. Please treat this as a serious inquiry from a credible buyer. We are experienced in purchasing online communities and we know how important the site is to you. We are very flexible on any special terms and conditions you would like to include as part of a deal. We also understand the amount of time and energy you have put into the site over the last several years. If you're interested in selling for a great return on your investment, or if you just want to explore what might be involved, I am certainly interested in speaking with you. Check out some of our great communities like: Motorcycle.com, Gixxer.com, and R6-Forum.com. We are happy to go as fast or slow as you want through the process, but you should know that we are in a position to make a cash offer and close within a few days. I would appreciate an email in the next day or two to let me know if you would like to pursue this opportunity. If there is someone else I should be contacting, please forward this message to them, or kindly send me their email address or phone number so I can get in touch. Thanks in advance for your consideration. David ---David Fischer | Acquisitions SpecialistVerticalScope Inc.desk: 416-341-7173cell: 647-404-9554fax: 416-341-8959dfischer@verticalscope.comwww.verticalscope.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotoguzzi Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I'd wonder how much they think this group is worth? if I have to pay to join, forget it.. I'm in your same boat, don't have a V11 anymore. If you can make some good cash selling, do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstallons Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 # 1 . I would regret you not running this forum . # 2 . There are factors that cause changes in our personal & professional lives . # 3 . I hope you make the right / best decision . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scud Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Jaap - It's really cool of you to post the inquiry and involve the forum members in your decision - and the timing of this inquiry does seem right for you. If I were you, I'd be most interested in the input from long-standing, active members. I only joined recently and have been having a ton of fun - so I definitely want to see the site maintained. I was happy to make a donation recently, because this forum (like the bikes) seems like something special. It's a houligan's bike with a forum maintained by gentlemen - to borrow the old rugby vs. football (soccer) comparison. You might also benefit from a private conversation with the moderators and some other key people. While internet advertising is often perceived as an "evil," it does pay the bills for things that people otherwise get for "free" (like Google). I've been surprised that there are no ads on V11LeMans.com. I would actually have appreciated a few ads for parts and supplies that I've been looking for. I took a quick look at the R6 Forum - apparently, Yamaha R6 riders like Buffalo Wild Wings. At the bottom of the page (below that ad), you can see a list of all the forums in the motorcycle.com "forum network." I've visited a few of those in past, without realizing that there was a single company behind it. Whatever they're doing does seem to be working for many other communities. Given that they are flexible with special terms or conditions, perhaps you could accumulate some ideas for those terms or conditions from the members. Here's one idea - current members with some level of activity (however that gets defined) don't ever have to pay for any type of usage. Maybe they'd let you stay involved as a minority owner and you could benefit from whatever they do in the long-run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docc Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Sounds like a great offer for you, Jaap. It is kind of you to offer this up for discussion, but after all, the gentlemanly tone of this forum is most exclusively a product of your character. I will miss that if it changes. There are not usually participation fees. Yet, it is important to post a phrase my cyber-son says of the web industry: "If you don't pay for the product, you are the product." I suspect our preferences and profiles would be shared. No matter what, I still am saving proper beers for you and Paul when the occasion may arise! (not really, but there's more where that came from!) As always, best regards good friend, and thank you so very much for keeping this place for us! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
czakky Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Pretty much ditto what the above posters said.... Just extremely thankful for this site and group of Spine Frame geniuses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowRyter Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Jaap, I appreciate that you've provided this forum for all these years. It's been instrumental to me regarding the purchase and maintenance for the bike that I've owned for the last couple of years. I've also been to Docc's rally that was organized by this site. I think you should take advantage of opportunity from the product that you've built. My only hope is that all the tech information and community of Spineframe riders and enthusiast is preserved. BTW- how would you compare your Sport to a Spiney? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Jaap Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 To make things clear, this forum and the content is not going away. I just don't want to be involved in it's technical maintenance anymore. Maybe I can stay on as a moderator or admin, I don't know. If they flood it with ads, i don't think they can also ask a membership fee. Thanks for your input so far. I'll keep you posted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Jaap Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 @LowRyter: completely different bike. Engine is much smoother, thanks to better f.i. system. The bike itself feels heavier, but handles very well. And it's bigger; I'm 6'4", and it fits me much better than a V11. But the biggest difference is the engine; although it's the same it feels completely different! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabernet Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Thanks Jaap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogwopit Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Many thanks for providing us all with such a wonderful, informative and entertaining site. I am fortunate to have met you in person and so can confirm first hand what a great chap you are. I for one would like you to take whatever financial rewards you can.(running a 1200sport can be a very expensive business) Andy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gio Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Japp - +1 on much of the above. I purchased my beloved 2000 V11S brand new (in 2001) and can honestly say that this site has (and remains) the go-to place for valuable information. I've learned a lot here over the years, and tried when possible to give something back. That's what it's all about. Listen mate, if you feel that this is a good opportunity for you then as a long-time member I would suggest you go for it - you deserve that. My only hesitation would be with regard to the question of a membership fee - and as an example of this, my other current beloved is a '94 K75s and there is one notable forum that charges for membership, and another that does not - my preference is for the latter (it's actually a better forum - primarily due to the enthusiasm of the owner - much like yourself) ... but if it's a question of introducing ads to pay the bills - I have no problem with that. There's a ton of great info on this site - and I hope that this can remain available to newer inductees to these awesome bikes. Cheers (raising a glass) and very best wishes! Gio PS - Canadians are not so bad ..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grossohc Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I have been grateful for this site since the day i bought my V11, without it we would undoubtedly have parted a long time ago. Now my cafe sport is a keeper, whatever decision you make is fine by me. Thanks Jaap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Jaap Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Well... After their first email, I didn't hear anything. It could all blow over and things could well stay as they are. I'll let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Jaap Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 The Canadians finally contacted me. They couldn't make me an offer. Not enough monthly pageviews... Things are going to stay as they are! Good news. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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