XT225.com attacks private industry

Has Scott (Muniac), the owner of XT225/XT250 targeted manufacturers of XT225 products that refuse to pay part of their profits to him? I am afraid the answer is yes. Below is his policy concerning those manufacturers that refuse to pay fees to him because they make products for the XTs.


“A rogue business is a "for profit" entity who engages in ongoing selling to XT225.com registered members or visitors excluding a paid ad for their business, services, products or other profitable activities. These rogue businesses continually rely on free product reviews, signature URLs and active posts to avoid spending any of their money on a commercial membership. Simply stated this is in direct violation of the board rules. These entities need to upgrade to a commercial membership immediately. Keep in mind that purchasing or reviewing products from rogue businesses doesn't support XT225.com. Reviewing rogue business products or using the board resources to promote them in any way is also in direct violation of the board rules. Businesses become rogue businesses by continually exploiting the XT225.com market directly or indirectly as non-commercial members. Admin will delete content or ban members who break the board rules. These "for profit" rogue businesses that sell here every month but don't advertise have decided the XT225 market has no value up and beyond their profitable product sales. In other words they want to keep all the marbles for themselves. The spirit of the XT225.com community is one of teamwork, help, sharing, giving and assistance. So taking money out of a market and leaving the infrastructure of that market to go founder for itself is a form of stealing. In an online forum such as this, policing these matters is difficult but not impossible. In a very large community you will always find a small collection of individual parties wishing to operate outside of good judgement. Exposing these individuals is the first step in remediation. Be aware that admin knows exactly what's going on and takes a dim view of rogue business activity. It's also important that everyone understands how this situation hurts the site in the form of lost revenue. If you have made or are considering a purchase from a rogue business remember these businesses DO NOT support XT225.com through paid ads. You might suggest to a rogue business that becoming a commercial member (meaning they help XT225.com through ad dollars) is required and a good idea as it helps keep the site free to its non-commercial members. The goal here isn't about being Lord of the Board but establishing a fair balance between those wishing to use the XT225.com market resources and providing some financial support in return. This approach positions niche products for maximum sales and helps keep XT225.com healthy. Keep in mind that XT225.com is also a business which needs to maintain an operating budget to survive. ISP, software updates, maintenance, admin resources and storage all cost money. If that money isn't there then the site goes away. Lost ad revenue hurts XT225.com and its members so we need to put a stop to it.”

Clarke Manufacturing is considered a “Rouge Manufacturer”. Many owners begged Clarke to make a larger tank for the XT for over four years. Clarke decided to make the tank and it has been well received. They make the only aftermarket tank for the XT. Scott suggests that Clarke is doing something wrong by providing a much needed product that helps all owners of the XT225.com by not paying him. I doubt that Clarke has suffered any loss of sales.

As an owner of an XT225 I had decided to fabricate a centerstand for the bike. It turned out that I was not the only one interested in a centerstand for this model. Many fellow owners requested that I make available the centerstand. Since I had retired and wanted something to do to keep busy I figured, why not. As a member of XT225.com I had asked permission to start a thread for the purpose of developing the stand for the members that were interested. It was completely within the rules at the time, but I asked anyway.

It was not long after I offered the centerstand for purchase that I was informed that I should take out ad space at XT225.com. I was informed of the rate required and I told Muniac that the amount of sales did not support the monthly ad rate. I volunteered to pay an amount for every stand sold, but that was not acceptable. I thought Muniac and I were friends but I was informed that it was strictly business. This response changed my attitude. I have been involved in running multi-million dollar construction projects as well as owning my own construction company. I am very familiar with "it is just business".

My daughter was a Marketing Manager for a major medical manufacturer and I asked for her to help me determine what I should spend on marketing the stands. After a review by her, I was told that the money is not well spent for the ad at XT225. Since I am the only one in the world that makes the products that I do. I was informed that from a monetary stand point that the company would receive more exposure through the search engines. I explained this to Muniac and asked if we could come to an agreement for a negotiated amount for limited exposure. This was also unacceptable. At that point I informed Muniac that from a business stand point I could not justify placing an ad with him at this time.

I have no problem with what Muniac decides to do with his Forum. But I am offended when he calls me a thief. I am offended when he accuses me of conspiring with others to post their satisfaction with the centerstand. Under the rules of the forum I was still allowed to be a member. I would get a lot of heat by others speaking well of the stand. Muniac then changed the rules which banned me from the site. I no longer could be anything but a commercial member. I know it was directed at me since he did not ban other members at that time, which provide products for the XT. It is clear to me that greed motivates Muniac and the delusion that XT225.com is responsible for the success of all products made for the XT225 and XT250. Muniac actually informed me that he had helped me with advice that helped me develop the stand. I did not have the heart at the time to tell him that this advice was of no value to me.

Due to very slow sales (in less than one year) of the XT stand I decided to stop making that model. And once I made the announcement I requested that I be reinstated. I never even got a response from Muniac. I am sure if I offered to take out an ad I would hear from him in minutes. As it turned out this was probably a good thing. No sooner than I announced the stand was to be discontinued I received several orders. I don’t enjoy making this one stand because it is difficult to make fit correctly. It did point out another thing out though. It clearly demonstrated to me that XT225.com has very little if anything to do with sales of this model.

My personal opinion of Muniac, after spending a week with him out riding and dealing with him in a business setting, is that he has delusions of grandeur. He cannot see the truth through his own ego and is not to be trusted. He is a person that is very easy to like if everything goes exactly the way he wants it to.

I wanted to get the truth out about Muniac (Scott) because I am tired of his attacks on honest hard working companies trying to provide what XT owners want.

A bit more information provided on 2/23.11. I just found out that TCI a very good company that provides great products for several models of motorcycles should be added to the rouge list. But for some reason has not. I must admit that it appears to be that these rules are directed at some manufacturers but not all. The administrator at XT225.com is taking a page from Obama. He apparently will provide exemptions for select friends. A thread was just deleted at XT225.com that brought this very issue to light. He claims he is not trying to be "Lord of the Board". I see it differently. Dishonest, may be a better description.

Cigar Mike