Quote:

when you look through the forums a lot of the posts are from old hands who know one another and you feel like if you post you are not apart of the group and you are butting in



Well put !!! On my previous bike forum (CBR1100xx) I had in excess of 6000 posts, had been a member for years, knew many of the folks on there from rideouts, weekend meets, rallies etc. I attended weddings, baby christenings, parties and funerals of various members of the forum as the people on there had become something like family.
On joining a new forum you feel like the 'outsider' and although you may post a comment on a thread it often gets passed over as an 'old hand' may have replied after your post and many on the forum know him/her. It's natural that the 'old hand' gets a response as more members know them.

Just my €0.02 worth !!!!