Talk:Motorcycling

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WikiProject Motorcycling Motorcycling is within the scope of the Motorcycling WikiProject, which aims to improve Wikipedia's coverage of motorcycles and motorcycling. If you would like to participate, you can visit the project page, where you can join the project and see a list of open tasks.

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[edit] The Benefits section is unencyclopedic

It doesn't read like an encyclopedia entry. It reads like, well, a "paean to the joys of motorcycling" that might appear in the Utne Reader or something, and is unmistakably written by enthusiasts. Sure, it's supposed to talk about the benefits of motorcycling, and a little of this information would be appropriate, but it needs better attribution and balance - unless someone wants to rename the section "Purported spiritual benefits of motorcycling".

The introduction mentions that motorcycling is an economical and effective mode of transportation, but this is avoided in the Benefits section to make way for the paean.

  • "Despite the fact that Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance speaks very little about motorcycle maintenance, or Zen, it was really inevitable that the two would be linked." This is blatantly POV. I've edited it.

And the fact that a bunch of motorcycling enthusiasts below are raving about the article is not surprising. But there needs to be some more objectivity. 142.162.76.117 (talk) 01:17, 24 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Great Job

I've probably read hundreds of Wikipedia articles (or more) and am a frequent editor. While this article's not perfect, it's one of the best I've seen stylistically and for captivating content. I do suggest there be more information from an objective point of view about motorcycling culture and motorcycle laws, but in any case, keep up the good work! Thomasmallen 15:10, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] I think this violates the rules... but ....

I think this violates the rules... but .... thats was the best Wikipedia article ive ever read... just want to give the authors my compliments... It makes me want to buy a motorcycle... keep up the good work.

EDIT by same person: I suggest maybe moving this article into more of a "motorcycle mindset" or "motorcycle culture" rather than just motorcycling. Nafango2 05:00, 7 March 2007 (UTC) skaa

[edit] Perfect

I dont think this article needs any changes at all. It represents all that motorcycling is, very well mind you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.53.124.159 (talk • contribs)

[edit] Can an enciclopaedic article also be captivating, interesting, sugestive?

As indicated in another comment here, I've also read innumerable Wikipedia articles. I do believe in the importance of adequate style for an encyclopaedia article. Being an avid motorcyclist however, I find this article, which must deal with motorcycling as an activity and even basis for a sub-culture, as entirely adequate. Rather than making it something different, if anything, I'd suggest introductory text in each section and other linking text, which could clarify that each quote and each section is there in order to explain the essence of what "Motorcycling" is. An encyclopaedic article must offer the essential concepts, notions and information regarding its' subject. This article could offer more, but everything it does contain at the time this writting seems to me precisely adequate with regards to these needs. Starting by explaining what each of the included sections is there to explain might help. However, this article I believe should be or become an example of a better philosophy in terms of writing style for encyclopaedia articles in social science matters, because a true understanding in this area is derived as much from objective information, as from an in depth understanding of the social and human aspects of the area being dealt with. This last and very necessary aspect for such articles can better be achieved through metaphor. Thus the use of pertinent and very illustrative quotes and the description through them of the essence of "Motorcycling" is, I believe, best achieved precisely through the type of writing here exemplified. With some additional explanatory text and other informative sections, this could well be a very clear example of less conventional but more effective form for an encyclopaedic article. 201.141.248.79 22:36, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

Great eloquent words mate, so be bold (as they say around here) and do something... Pickle 15:08, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cows on road

I imagine that could be an unexpected surprise/inconvenience for any motorist. I don't think it is an experience unique to motorcycling. I'm thinking it would be better in the "Escape" section (or may under "Speed"). :-) --Evb-wiki 13:37, 18 September 2007 (UTC)

Please don't turn this article even less encyclopedic than it is now. -- intgr [talk] 14:23, 18 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Proper Tone

I see that someone finally got around to ruining this article. Everything old is new again. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.31.147.93 (talk) 04:01, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

I concur completely. Even though it wasn't quite typical of a Wikipedia article, this version really did the job. Why? Because motorcycling isn't a collection of encyclopedic facts; It's a visceral, emotional, in-your-face, awe-inspiring, soul-refreshing experience that, quite frankly, was very well-expressed. I mean, c'mon, what other pasttime has people tattooing their favorite brand onto their bodies like people do with Harleys? Have you ever seen any runners with a Nike swoosh on their bicep? Me neither.

The current version, with it's dried up, musty, pedestrian prose makes it sound about the same as driving your moms minivan to the grocery store. Ugh! We could invoke WP:Ignore All Rules and restore the previous version, because, in my opinion, it makes Wikipedia a better encyclopedia. Who's with me? Mmoyer (talk) 15:10, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

I'm afraid you are misunderstanding what encyclopedias are. You are encouraged to move the previous version to some other website and admire it there, but it's not what an encyclopedia article would look like. See also: what Wikipedia is not. -- intgr [talk] 19:05, 22 November 2007 (UTC)
No, motorcycling isn't a "collection of encyclopedic facts," but an encyclopedia entry on motorcycling is just that. The fact that enthusiasts find motorcycling to be a "visceral, emotional, in-your-face, awe-inspiring, soul-refreshing experience" can certainly count as such a fact, provided it's attributed. Sorry, but an encyclopedia isn't the place for gushing. 142.162.76.117 (talk) 01:23, 24 December 2007 (UTC)