A suggestion: A Membership Map

[Rams]

I'm probably not the first to think about this but, I wonder if it would be possible to have a membership map, one that shows the city and state of Valkyrie Owners/Riders.

I would think it could be developed based on the data base already out there.   I'm not much of a computer person so, I'm definitely not able to produce it but, I think it would be interesting to be able to look and look at the Valkyrie Density on a US map.   Yeah, I know Valkyries are other places but, I'm not likely to ride there.     Just something I thought of, may not be a popular idea and may be more work than it's worth.   Don't know but, if you don't ask, you'll never know.

There might be other Valkyrie folks near us that we don't know about.  Just an idea.

Then again, there's some folks that don't want their where abouts known.   Not sure why if it's only showing city and state but, it is, what it is.

Rams

[POPS 57]

I belong to a car club called Minnesota street rod association.  There's thousands of members. We have a members page you can sign up for. It's called "WHO YA GONNA CALL". People list there name, state, city and phone number.                                                                                                                             I have been called a couple of times for local directions other small things. Around here friends of mine know i have a enclosed motorcycle trailer. So far one Honda flat tire. Two H.D's one had all the bolts lose on trans. Other one was missing c clip  on one of the pistons from the factory.

[Rams]

I belong to a car club called Minnesota street rod association.  There's thousands of members. We have a members page you can sign up for. It's called "WHO YA GONNA CALL". People list there name, state, city and phone number.                                                                                                                             I have been called a couple of times for local directions other small things. Around here friends of mine know i have a enclosed motorcycle trailer. So far one Honda flat tire. Two H.D's one had all the bolts lose on trans. Other one was missing c clip  on one of the pistons from the factory.

Actually, I think that's a pretty good idea for any group with similar interests.

It's seems pretty obvious that this map idea isn't going to gain any traction but, I think it would be cool to be able to look at a map on a proposed route and know who might be close to that route that one might be able to meet and have a burger or drink with.   It's just an idea.   Admin hasn't responded so, I'm thinking this won't go far.

Rams

[Timbo1]

There used to be a list called Vortex that had names, number, city & state & email address of members.  If I recall correctly it was created with the intention of using if one become stranded and needed assistance.  Not sure if it's still maintained somewhere or not but you might poke around a bit if your inclined.

[scooperhsd]

VW Vortex did a similar thing, but this is / was different from TDI Club that I also belong to.

I like the idea of the Member map, but I don't know the best way to implement it.

[Willow]

There was indeed a list of members who voluntarily placed their contact info on the list to be used for VRCC members in trouble away from home.

A complication was and is that the VRCC is a free club which people join with no expense and leave the same way.  The list rapidly became out of date and incomplete.

A member map might be good to have but keep in mind it would have the same issues as did the old list.  To avoid that and keep the list valid and up to date would require a lot of effort.  A bigger club with larger resources might be able to do that.

[Willow]

There was indeed a list of members who voluntarily placed their contact info on the list to be used for VRCC members in trouble away from home.

A complication was and is that the VRCC is a free club which people join with no expense and leave the same way.  The list rapidly became out of date and incomplete.

A member map might be good to have but keep in mind it would have the same issues as did the old list.  To avoid that and keep the list valid and up to date would require a lot of effort.  A bigger club with larger resources might be able to do that.

I think if we all sent our “find my phone” info to Serk, he could make an interactive map of our movements and locations. (Kind of like the flight tracker thingies) 

And when one is no longer an active VRCC member do we count on him to check out?  Are we willing to place thise work burden upon Serk?  Is he willing to accept it?

Finding our phone isn't really the point of the map.  Where we live and are available is the point, isn't it?

[Rams]

A member map might be good to have but keep in mind it would have the same issues as did the old list.  To avoid that and keep the list valid and up to date would require a lot of effort.  A bigger club with larger resources might be able to do that.

Upon second thought, Willow is correct.   A Density Map would not be accurate very long.   Folks buy and sell.   Although, it does seem to me that once a rider gets a Valkyrie, they tend to keep them a very long time.   There's also the issue of folks with multiple Valkyries who would cause certain locations to appear have numerous Valkyrie owner/riders where in truth, most are parked in a garage and owned by a singular entity.   

So, with that, I accept that this would require more effort than it probably worth.   Oh well, like a fart in the wind, this to will soon be gone and forgotten. 

Rams

[msb]

A member map might be good to have but keep in mind it would have the same issues as did the old list.  To avoid that and keep the list valid and up to date would require a lot of effort.  A bigger club with larger resources might be able to do that.

Upon second thought, Willow is correct.   A Density Map would not be accurate very long.   Folks buy and sell.   Although, it does seem to me that once a rider gets a Valkyrie, they tend to keep them a very long time.   There's also the issue of folks with multiple Valkyries who would cause certain locations to appear have numerous Valkyrie owner/riders where in truth, most are parked in a garage and owned by a singular entity.   

So, with that, I accept that this would require more effort than it probably worth.   Oh well, like a fart in the wind, this to will soon be gone and forgotten. 

Rams

A noble attempt, and not a bad idea at all. The Goldwing guys have something similar....even  publish a book (there may be "just a few" more GW riders out there though)
I think that many of the riders who would participate are ones who frequent this site or are active on the FB group page already. Dropping a note on either of these sites that one is riding through a certain territory generally generates responses offering direction, offers to meet up, or assistance of other kind. Have made some good friends by doing just that myself. A simple post that I was riding from BC to WV in 2016 for Inzane generated lots of offers for places to stop for assistance if needed, and also an offer to meet up with 3 members from ND/MN to ride with them to Morgantown. Still friends with them today. A post that I was to be in FL for a week working resulted in me meeting many in the FL gang  on a great day's ride they planned  for one of those days. I've also had PMs from folks riding up into or through  BC, AB, to which I've offered info on routes, places to see, etc.
Go ahead and put me on your list Rams, if you want to start up a contact list. I know you mentioned US states only, but hey you never know. You'd love BC, and me and the few of us scattered around up here would be more than  willing and able to meetup and/ or assist in any way if needed

[Timbo1]

Just for fun I took an old Vortex list I had from probably pre 2007 or so.  The list had just under 1000 participants at the time and I imported the City & State into this map.  There were some that failed to import probably due to typo's idk I didn't try to correct anything.  Just thought it would be interesting to visually see on a map where folks were from at that time.

https://www.mapcustomizer.com/map/VortexMembers

[Rams]

There was indeed a list of members who voluntarily placed their contact info on the list to be used for VRCC members in trouble away from home.

A complication was and is that the VRCC is a free club which people join with no expense and leave the same way.  The list rapidly became out of date and incomplete.

A member map might be good to have but keep in mind it would have the same issues as did the old list.  To avoid that and keep the list valid and up to date would require a lot of effort.  A bigger club with larger resources might be able to do that.

I think if we all sent our “find my phone” info to Serk, he could make an interactive map of our movements and locations. (Kind of like the flight tracker thingies)  

And when one is no longer an active VRCC member do we count on him to check out?  Are we willing to place thise work burden upon Serk?  Is he willing to accept it?

Finding our phone isn't really the point of the map.  Where we live and are available is the point, isn't it?

Actually, I thought of a way to keep that map pretty updated (I don't have a clue as to how to do it though).   But, if a Density Map could be developed from all members (past and/or current) if the map had a time frame or clock attached (let's say 60 days) and also tied to posts.   When a current member posted, his/her clock would reset.   If a member didn't post within the time frame, their marker would disappear.   If a member didn't want his/her city marked, then they could simply omit that in their data.  

If such a system could be developed (even if all members ever listed were on it) at the end of that time frame, their marker would disappear.   But with every post, the clock would be reset.

Again, I don't have a clue as to how to do it but, I think it would be cool.   Regardless, it was just an idea and someone would have to do one heck of a lot of work to get it started (I think).

Rams