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what are the benefits to being in a "motorcycle club"

20K views 69 replies 36 participants last post by  Kaz71 
#1 ·
naa.. i don't mean a biker gang..

For example, there are suzuki owner clubs, corvette owner clubs, camaro owners club, greyhound dog owner clubs, and just about anything else.

I've never been a part of one of those, so i'm wondering what the benefits can possibly be?

99% of clubs i've found charge membership dues. If i'm paying to be in a club, what can i possibly gain from it that i can't gain from a forum like this?
 
#3 ·
you get free bbq now and then? hahahaha

i know a lot of guys in our local MC, but since i don't have the time or money to do all the events they do (most are really cool middle aged black guys on sport bikes that ride ridiculously long distances to party etc), i don't think i'd do them much good for joining. but every time i run into them, they treat me like family.
 
#5 ·
You have people with similar bikes. You have a shared pool of knowledge specific to that bike that can be a huge resource should you have problems. The groups will be smaller than a site like this, however if everyone had the same bike, any problems that can occur, and how to fix them cheap and effectively, will come to the surface very quickly. Different riding styles and their effects on the bike. And ideas for modifications, upgrades, things like that, will be more common. Parts specific for your bike will be more plentiful and in one location, and with the club, you'll probably get better prices than you would with retail.
 
#6 ·
Case in point. I was having a problem specific to my Roadstar and posted it on the club forums. 10 minutes later I had a detailed explanation of potential causes and fixes, what to check, where to look, and what to do. Because that's the thing, pretty much every problem you could encounter, someone else already has, and has developed a fix for it.
 
#7 ·
I ride a Kawasaki Concours, and there is such a thing as the Concours Owner's Group. IIRC it's like $40 per year to be a member, and you a subscription to The Concourier which has info and articles and whatever about the Concours. You also get access to a directory of other Concours owners, many of whom are ready and willing to help with mechanical issues or maintenance or whatever.

I'm not a member, but I can see why people would want to be, I've heard great things about the group but there's a brotherhood even amongst those of us who don't pay the fee.
 
#8 ·
You can get everything that a MC would offer for free, and without the obligation that a club would require....especially a 1% club, and you know what Im talking about.

Look for a church with a motorcycle ministry. I recently joined up with one here. We go on rides every saturday, and we have charity rides, and we are also going to ride in some local parades.

Also, alot of MC's are on the Department of Justice watchlist. So as soon as you join them...you are on it too. Why put yourself in that situation.
Bandidos
Hells Angels
Black Pistons
Outlaws
Mongols
Pagans
Sons of Silence
Vagos
Free Souls
Highwaymen
Warlocks
All on the Watchlist. And people think that when they join a 99% club, they are ok....what they dont realize is that those 99% clubs still answer to the 1% clubs somewhere along the line.

Most states have a confederation. Its basically the 1% telling the other 99% how to run things...and if they dont, well you dont want to go there. Those that dont comply, usually end up disbanded or worse.

Dont waste your time with a MC.

And dont think you can just go form your own MC and patch up. That would be a big mistake.

If you want the brotherhood and group riding...great, go find a bunch of riders that share your common interest, and go riding. You dont need a patch to make you a motorcyclist.
 
#39 ·
Also, alot of MC's are on the Department of Justice watchlist. So as soon as you join them...you are on it too. Why put yourself in that situation.
Bandidos
Hells Angels
Black Pistons
Outlaws
Mongols
Pagans
Sons of Silence
Vagos
Free Souls
Highwaymen
Warlocks
You forgot to mention the Exiles and the Serrencins. Granted, they're smaller clubs, but I'd ride with them anyday.

I find that the few meetings I've gone to of "clubs" or "riding groups" tend to be a little snobbish with regards to the specific brand of bikes (and with Ducati riders, well, you can imagine the potential for "holier than thou" type behavior).
Not all groups are like that.

Many equate dying for their patch similar as dying for your countries flag in a war.
Man, it's not the patch they would die for, it's the Brotherhood that the patch represents. Think about it, would you die for your family name, or your family?

100% in line with that way of thinking. Negative attention is never good in our opinion. Some believe that negative attention creates fear, fear is a form of respect. The problem with that school of thought is that now there are more and more options for the government to use to shut down "what they call dangerous organizations" The patriot act is the new way of doing this. The government contends that a "dangerous organization and a terrorist organization are the same thing. "
Your right about that Gar. H3ll, the real reason they do not want these organizations is because they see these groups as those who would stand up against them if the Gov't got too oppressive...

As for myself, I do not belong to a club per say, but an organization. I belong to United Bikers of Maine. Our purpose is to be there for one another, and to stand up against the Legislature when it tries to pass legislation that negatively effects bikers. We also d a good deal of charity rides. We do not care what you ride, be it a dirt bike, an old panhead, a Docati 1198, or a scooter. If you ride (or even if you don't ride, but just wish to support riders) then you are welcome. Yes, there are membership dues, but those go towards the fight to keep the State congress-critters in line...
 
#9 ·
Ask not what your motorcycle club can do for you, but what you can do for your motorcycle club.

Seriously, tho, apart from the fact that the use of the term "motorcycle club" is probably not appropriate for what this question seems to be about... if all you want to know is, "what do I get from it?", then the answer is, "never mind, just move along now..."
 
#10 ·
"Bandidos
Hells Angels
Black Pistons
Outlaws
Mongols
Pagans
Sons of Silence
Vagos
Free Souls
Highwaymen
Warlocks "

I consider those biker gangs..

With all due respect to people who are in those clubs that may be responding to my posts, that's not what i had in mind when i put this post up.

i meant more along the lines of "Austin TX Suzuki "Twin" Owners club" or something like that (which doesn't exist...)
 
#23 ·
If you meant what you said about due respect then STOP calling us "biker gangs" We are Clubs, private fraternal clubs! I have never robbed an old lady, spray painted a wall, called some one hommie, ***** (with out the r), I have never held my hand up in a distorted or retarded manner like a gimp on crack. So if you meant what u said then, show it......
 
#13 · (Edited)
i'm so not kidding but mitch you get the idea. i love my local boys but i swear every 'meet' is more about eating and catching up with each other. last time i rode with them all i heard (after we stopped at the dairy queen in june) was OL' DUDE WAS HANGING OFF HIS BIKE LIKE SO FN BAD THOSE CORNERS WERE SO BADASSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in southest geogia.....god forbed we ever go to the moubtains....we might have to type up some obituaries hahahahahahhaha
 
#14 ·
You are looking for a "riding" club, not a "motorcycle" club. The differences are huge. Google "rcvsmc.net" for a site with a wealth of information on the differences. Also, check out the "Southern Cruisers Riding Club" web site. They charge no dues, have few meetings and welcome bikes and bikers of all types. There are hundreds of chapters throughout the US including many in TX and one in Austin where you are.

Sorry for not including the links themselves but the software says I don't have a high enough post count to include clickable links in my messages.
 
#18 ·
I was sort of a member of a J-body club (and still am) but thats going by the wayside with our cars being so old now.... thats about as close as I've gotton to something like that..

As for a Riding club... other than riding with some friends now and then.... I wouldnt want any part of it.... Maybe a club like your "not" talking about... but that would be doubtful.
 
#19 ·
I just moved to the area I live now and haven't joined a club yet. But I will soon as some of my best memories are those where I participated in events with a club I belonged to.

What I got out of a club was the friendships made during these events and the ability to have someone to ride with to them. We had parties every month and participated in charitable events often. As soon as I find a club that fits me where I live now, I'll join it.
 
#20 ·
I hear what you're saying. There are plenty of upsides and a few downsides.

some upsides: peoples to ride with,sharing comaraderie on the rode with same kinds of people. Multi day rides are fun with a few people to share the adventure with. There are more along those lines.

The down side is you at the mercy of somone who focs up your trip because they don't keep their bike as well maintained as yours. Inevitable it always seems that w/out fail someone comes along and starts adding to do and what not to do guidelines. Even HOG has stuff along those lines.

I reccomend trying to hook up with 1-2 maybe 3 at the most that are same mnded as you and it can be real fun. Having a dependable person with you on a long trip is a good thing..
 
#21 ·
I find that the few meetings I've gone to of "clubs" or "riding groups" tend to be a little snobbish with regards to the specific brand of bikes (and with Ducati riders, well, you can imagine the potential for "holier than thou" type behavior). The best groups you're already close to finding: on forums, folks in your area who are down for riding, not riding with a certain brand or at a certain level of speed/daring/etc. No need to put a label on it, just post looking for some buddies.
 
#24 ·
We have 2 of those clubs in that list around my area...

IDK... I would prob do it given the chance (depending on the club) but I'll be ****ed If I'de ever bring the idea up.

Hell even when I talk to people in a real club, the fact they are in one never even comes up although they have their vest on at the time... as far as Im concerned its just (place guys name here) and not a member of (place club name here).... IDK why so many people are so fascinated with these clubs like they are....

It would be nice to find a group of like minded people that wouldn't stab you in the **** back though...

Personally... IDK if I've ever used the term gang.... the people I've met in them just dont call themselves that so I never have either.
 
#28 ·
yeah, ride in Group, the food, and a sort of things :D and hey motorcycleforum is sort of a motorcycle club !

So you might get discount buying, and if you have questions they will help you out... and um... most important is people share.... some people share their Experiences, trips, pictures, woman, and you know all sort of opinion related to bikes milage, tires... oh wait, did I type woman? that's not what I mean, some people think their bike is like their woman :D

Anyway it's just another way to interact with people :D just like going to church, but the main subject it not about Jesus (I go to Church too, by the way)
 
#30 ·
I never see the type of thing and we have clubs here... maybee they are just smart people IDK.... but I never even hear about them being a problem....

THats just my area though..

As for riding clubs..... I'm more apt to just ride with people I already know... I'm not hard up for riding ompanions enough to go looking for them.... Although I do have to agree that Model specific forums can be very usefull.
 
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