Joining a Motorcycle Club
December 31, 2009
Motorcycle clubs (MCs) are everywhere and there are thousands of them across the US and world. Motorcycle clubs are as small as a couple of close knit friends and as large as 1000s of riders across the globe.
Joining a motorcycle club can be a great thing to do if you are interested in being affiliated with a specific group. There are lots of choices based on whether you ride a Harley, cruiser or sport bike, how you ride, and your general background.
It’s important to learn as much as you can about any specific club you want to join. Once you are in a club and wear their cut (vest or colors), you will be associated with that group for better or for worse. Doing some due diligence is important to make sure you join the right club for you.
Here are a few tips to selecting a motorcycle club for you.
- Talk to a lot of people: When you hang out with other bikers and go to events, talk to the people you know about the clubs you are interested in. See if they have any knowledge of the club, their reputation, and what they are all about. Try to get introduced to a few members and hang out with them to see if you are a fit.
- Internet research: Some of the larger MCs have extensive websites with lots of information about their founders, their charter (or bylaws), and requirements for membership. Having some knowledge before talking to members is a good way to make a good first impression.
- MCs vs. Riding Clubs (RCs): Traditional motorcycle clubs are defined by having a specific charter. Riding clubs tend to be less formal clubs that are better suited for casual bikers.
- Understanding the rules: Some motorcycle clubs have very strict rules including the type and color of your bike, disallowing female members, amount of miles you have to ride with the club, dues, and other stipulations. Understanding the rules let’s you know the level of commitment required to become and remain a member.
- 1%er MCs: If you have to ask about membership to an outlaw motorcycle club, then you probably don’t belong. Asking an outlaw biker member about joining their club, especially if they don’t know you, might get a response you don’t want.
Joining a motorcycle club can be a great experience but it requires a little bit of work and research. Just talk to the bikers around you and in most cases, you’ll get most of the information you need.
Posted Under: Groups and Networking Tags: bikers, casual bikers, cruiser, Harley, joining a motorcycle club, motorcycle clubs, outlaw biker, riding clubs, sport bike, traditional motorcycle clubs
Reader Comments
Great article. I don’t think MC would be for me. Maybe a RC. Forming a MC requires a little research as well. I believe MC require s asking permission out of respect from the current MC groups in that area. Found your blog via google.
I just located from Indiana where I formed a MC for members of the legal community who have a passion for riding bikes and the law. Our colors have a top rocker with the clubs name: “AMICUS CURIAE.” The center patch is the grand seal ofthe US. The bottom rocker states: “Liberty Equality Justice.” We are a 99% club with no territory or MC patches. If any member of a legal profession (e.g., lawyers, judges, paralegals, legal assistants and secretaries, baliffs, court employees, etc…) are looking for a MC that they can relate to on a number of levels, this may well be the best club for you. Contact me at my email address, my cell phone at 317 529-1065 or my work phone at 781 839-4016. Regards, John Cleveland (AKA “Rev”)
In addition to being the founder and president of AMICUS CURIAE MC, I am also president of a chapter of the Sons of Armageddon MC in Boston MA, the Minuteman chapter. We are a 99% brotherhood that requires a clean criminal background check. The club is growing nationally at a phenomenal rate. The next two members of the Minuteman chapter will immediately receive their colors and become chapter offices. Thereafter, potential members will have to prospect for severl months. For more info see the website at http://www.sonsof armageddon.com or contact me at 317 529-106 or 781 839-4016.