Some clubs only have a few close friends as members, while others have thousands of members in the U.S. and around the world. Being in a club can be a rewarding experience if the club shares your interests and goals. There may be rules about joining that specify what type of motorcycle you ride, your riding techniques, and details about you and your background in general.

Try to talk to as many people as you can who are involved in clubs or with your fellow bikers who may already be in clubs themselves. The more information you gather, either by online research or word-of-mouth, means that you’ll be able to make a better decision to join a club.

MCs typically have a set of goals and agreements between the members and the club. Riding clubs, on the other hand, are usually more informal and more appealing to bikers who have a casual approach to riding. Rules vary from MC to MC and can mean the difference between getting accepted into the club or not based on what color or type your bike is, how many miles you are required to log if you join, and related fees.

Here are several Massachusetts motorcycle clubs that may appeal to you.

The Iron Trinity Motorcycle Club started as a bunch of friends who would get together to ride and now that they are an established club, they work to encourage motorcycling and safety in the sport as well. They are non-territorial and are not associated with other motorcycle organizations besides the causes their members are involved in.

For a more exclusive club, The North Shore Riders offer potential members a fun-loving, close group of riders who ride for the pure love of motorcycling. They carefully choose new riders into their fold, so good luck!

If you’re looking for a more fraternal club, check out The Defiant Crew MC, which is described as a non-territorial MC with members from all types of backgrounds who live the biker life.

A relatively new MC started up in 2009 as The Northeast Motorcycle Association and members in this club strive for a welcoming, enjoyable and secure experience while on their bikes.

The welcoming New England Sportbike club may be the MC for you. They accept riders from every level of experience with the focus of going on fun rides and safety while on the road. They cover all of New England, in addition to visiting New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

When Should You Contact a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, call the Boston motorcycle lawyer Thomas M. Kiley for a free case evaluation at 1-800-410-2769. Also, order your free copy of Thomas M. Kiley’s Massachusetts motorcycle book today!

With all the bike nights, there are lots of choices for every type of biker. If you want to hang with race bikers, the local HOG Chapter, guys from a South Florida fabrication shop, or a group of RUBs, there is a motorcycle event for you.

Or, you can go to the Café 27 Truck Stop on Thursday nights and see a little bit of everything.

First off, this place is a real truck stop so it has a rough feel to it. The place is big enough to accommodate big trucks and lots of motorcycles. On a weekly basis, there can be between 300-500 bikers that stop by.

Cheap food, cold beer, and lots of waitresses all add to the atmosphere of this bike night. You won’t have to wait to long to get a bite to eat, a cold beverage, or have a cute woman to flirt with. If you need to pick up an accessory or two, there are vendors with apparel, jewelry, and other items for sale too.

Every type of biker comes to this place on almost every type of bike. You can expect to see anything from a few sport bikes, every kind of Harley, and wild customs.

As for bikers, you’ll see a bit of everything as well. Solo riders, small groups, motorcycle clubs/groups, 1%ers, and even a few RUBs are all there and are all welcome. It appears that everyone comes just to have a good time.

Last but not least, 10PM means bikini contest time. Nothing says bike night like a hot bikini contest and the ladies at the Café 27 Truck Stop don’t disappoint.

If you live in South Florida or are down for a visit, put the Café 27 Truck Stop on your list of places to visit.

In the wake of the Haitian earthquake disaster, the global community has come together to provide much needed support to the people of Haiti. This horrific disaster has shown that even in the worst of times, people across the world can connect and help their fellow man.

This holds true for the biker community too. Over the years, bikers have shown they can come together to help others in need. Usually, bikers come together to help mainly other bikers.

Over the past few months though, the motorcycle community has come together to do its part to help the Haitian relief effort. Individuals, motorcycle clubs, motorcycle accessory retailers, and large motorcycle manufacturers have all pitched in to help.

Harley Davidson donated 28 new Buell and Harley Davidson motorcycles to the government of Haiti to aid the relief effort. The motorcycles were delivered to their facility in the Dominican Republic and then delivered to the United Nations Stabilization Mission. Once the mission is complete, the motorcycles will be a permanent donation from the Motor Company to the government of Haiti.

Hot Leathers donated $1 from every online purchase from January 20th to February 14^th to the Haitian relief effort through the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross used their donation to deploy personnel, provide supplies, and to contribute financial support to Haiti.

Spearheaded by Haitian born American actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ride 4 Haiti on February 27^th benefited Hollywood Unites for Haiti. This biker event united individuals and companies in southern California to aid the relief effort. With thousands of bikers and hundreds of businesses and volunteers joining this ongoing biker effort, financial and resource donations have made a positive impact on the relief efforts.

It’s great to see the motorcycle community come together to make a positive contribution to the Haitian relief effort.

Despite this legacy, Harley Davidson has gotten old.

In post WWII America, young veterans seeking to live on the edge sought Harley Davidson motorcycles as their symbol of rebellion. At this time, an explosion of motorcycle clubs hit the streets from California to Maine. In later decades, movies like The Wild One and Easy Rider cemented Harley Davidson and the biker lifestyle in American culture.

So, how did Harley get old?

Somehow, Harley Davidson failed to capture younger motorcycle riders after the 1970s. As a result, Harley’s customer base is mainly made up of men in their 40s and older. While this customer base is loyal, Harley cannot survive and compete with other motorcycle companies that seem to have more success with younger bikers.

It’s not that Harley Davidson isn’t trying. They have been trying to gain increased brand recognition with the mixed martial arts community as a sponsor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) major events. This organization attracts men from 18-35 and is the fast growing sport in the United States.

But will they buy Harley Davidson motorcycles?

Harley needs to find ways to get younger potential motorcycle buyers to see the value of their motorcycles. Popular TV shows featuring Harley motorcycles like Sons of Anarchy help but they have to be much more proactive. Without an active approach, Harley’s market share will continue to erode.

I’d like to see Harley do more hands on events. I’d like to see them have more free test ride events in conjunction with motorcycle rider safety courses and partnering with more organizations. I think the main issue is that new and younger riders have the wrong impression about Harleys. They probably think that Harleys are too expensive and do no have the performance and reliability of metric cruisers. Test rides will put that feeling to rest.

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.

Since the mid 1940s, bikers have ridden Harleys as a symbol of being a true American rebel. Some of the original motorcycle clubs required that all members only ride Harley Davidson motorcycles. The legend of Harleys can be seen everywhere in American culture:  in books, movies, and among celebrities. From movies like the Wild Ones to Wild Hogs, Harley motorcycles are the only motorcycles that capture the spirit of true rebel bikers.

Now it’s time for you to get your first Harley and you are excited. It is a major step because not only are Harley’s the coolest bikes on the road, they are among the most expensive to purchase and maintain. Buying a Harley is not a decision to take lightly regardless of your income level.

• Cost: Even used Harleys can cost over $10,000. Carefully research the bike you want and consider miles, wear, and overall condition against your budget.
• Rider Skill: Harleys, especially the larger ones, can weight close to 1000 lbs fully loaded. While they are fun to ride, they require a higher level of rider skill. Some Harleys are not ideal first bikes.
• Storage: Harleys need to be stored in a garage or an enclosed structure to keep the bike running and looking great.
• Maintenance: Maintenance of a Harley, especially used ones, can sometimes be an unforeseen expense. Talk to other Harley owners to get their opinions on the best and most cost effective ways to keep your bike out of the repair shop and on the road.
• Riding Style: Harleys have a great ride but they are not race bikes. If you have a need for extreme speed, then a Harley may not be for you.
• Noise: One of the best or potentially worse things about a Harley is its sound. For riders with noise sensitivity, Harleys can be overwhelming.

The main thing about buying a Harley is to do your research. There are lots of Harley riders, clubs, associations, and online sources to get information about the Harley of you desire. Have fun as you research and when you find that perfect Road King or Street Glide, go for it!

The holiday season is rapidly approaching and it is likely that many families will have to do without their normal holiday festivities. Cutting back for the holidays may be a necessary inconvenience for adults, but for children it seems especially hard.

Participating in the 22^nd Annual Christmas Toys in the Sun Run sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino can help make the holiday season great for children and families in need.

The 22^nd Annual Christmas Toys in the Sun Run will be on Sunday, December 6^th starting at 9:45AM at the Pompano Harness Race Track located at located on Powerline Rd. between Atlantic Blvd. and Cypress Creek Rd. The parade of motorcycles will proceed 26 miles ending at Broward County Markham Park located at 136^th and State Road 84. The cost of this year’s event is $10 plus a toy. Participants can opt to purchase a toy at Markham Park or contribute an extra $10 donation.

Since the inception of this event, more than $20 million dollars in toys for children and over $7 million dollars in cash donations have been raised for local beneficiaries like Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, North Broward Hospital District, the Children’s Health Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Club.

This event has been sponsored by the South Florida President’s Council of Motorcycle Clubs & Organizations (SFPC), over 30 motorcycle clubs,  20 police departments, and several hundred police officers. Last year, over 30,000 bikers participated in the event and riders came from across the country to participate.

Besides contributing to the South Florida community, this event is lots of fun. There will be food, drinks, music, activities, raffles, a bike show, and much more. There will also be over 100 vendors at the event selling motorcycle accessories and other items. Roads on the parade route will be blocked off so that spectators can watch all of the Harleys, sport bikes, and custom cruisers rumble by.

The Christmas Toys in the Sun Run is unofficially the largest motorcade, as well as a fantastic motorcycle event. It also has a historically larger turnout in biker participation than the well known California Love Ride.

South Florida bikers should come together to make this the biggest Toy Run yet and  a great holiday for children in need. For more information or VIP registration information, please visit the Christmas Toys in the Sun Run website.

In this movie, 4 middle aged, middle class friends decide to take a road trip across the country on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. One of their wives created a patch for them and they were affectionately known as the Wild Hogs. During a stop for food, the Wild Hogs encounter a real outlaw motorcycle gang called the Del Fuegos who don’t appreciate their ‘fake gang’. At this point, a comedic conflict ensues between the Del Fuegos and the Wild Hogs.

Wearing a biker patch can draw the attention of outlaw motorcycle clubs.

Outlaw motorcycle clubs (sometimes called 1 percenters) are clubs embracing the motorcycle subculture popularized in the 1950-1960s. While not all of these clubs are violent or steeped in illegal activity, most outlaw clubs are at least territorial. Riding into an outlaw biker location wearing a biker patch could cause a conflict.

Outlaw motorcycle clubs are highly organized and most have an approved charter in order to exist. Within the charter are officers, rules of conduct, dues, scheduled meetings, and other formal requirements.

Membership to an outlaw motorcycle club usually requires dues to be paid and a trial period of observation to be completed. During this period the club ‘prospect’ has to prove himself worthy of membership. In the vast majority of outlaw motorcycle clubs, women cannot become full members.

Outlaw biker clubs are organized outside of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and governing bodies, and have syndicates of their own to valid clubs. Wearing a patch of a non-AMA and a non-syndicate approved club around outlaw bikers could cause a major problem. There have been incidents of fights, damaged or stolen motorcycles, or public ridicule.

If you and your friends are wearing patches and run into an outlaw motorcycle club locally or during a road trip, here are a few suggestions to keep the peace.

• Take off your vests/jackets: Wearing a non-syndicate patch around syndicate outlaw biker clubs will always get a reaction. Take off your vest or jacket to show you are a ‘civilian.’

• Ask to speak to the President or Honcho: Ask to speak to whoever is the highest ranking club member to let them know your intentions.

• Be respectful:  Acknowledge the outlaw club and all its members and respect their wishes.

• Apologize and leave: If nothing else works, politely apologize and leave as quickly as possible.

The best thing to do is not to wear a motorcycle patch on your back unless you are part of an AMA or approved outlaw motorcycle club. There are plenty of motorcycle apparel pieces to buy that look cool and will keep you out of trouble.

Set in the fictional town of Charming, CA, the Sons of Anarchy serve as both villain and savior. They distribute guns to rival factions and gangs in the Pacific Northwest and protect their town from rival motorcycle clubs, gangs, and drug dealers. As a result, most of the residents of Charming hold the Sons of Anarchy as a positive influence in the town.

Of course, there is lots of drama involved with this series between members within the clubs, relationships, gangs, white supremacy groups, and law enforcement. The dramatic elements are surprisingly good, particularly involving the club’s Vice President.

Jackson (Jax) Teller is the son of the deceased original club founder and the step son of the current club President, Clay Morrow. Jax’s biological father wrote a detailed journal which Jax found during the show’s first season. Reading his father’s words causes Jax to question the club’s leadership, purpose, and lifestyle.

The conflict between Jax and the club is also a conflict he has with himself. He’s a devoted father with a newly born child, a loyal friend, and has a loving relationship with his childhood sweetheart. He also is a killer. His struggle represents the club’s struggle to find its true purpose.

Of course, you can’t have an outlaw motorcycle drama without violence and sex. Sons of Anarchy has plenty of it. True to origins of motorcycle clubs, women are not members but are considered property to be shared among the club. The notable exception to this is Jemma, Clay’s “old lady.” She is the matriarch of the club and the backbone of Clay’s strength. She is also Jax’s mother.

Like traditional outlaw clubs, the Sons of Anarchy only have white male members. Outlaw motorcycle clubs in the past generally organized around racial boundaries. They also ride similar bikes. The Sons of Anarchy almost all ride Harley Davidson Dynas.

Sons of Anarchy airs on FX on Tuesdays at 10PM EST and is a great way to delve into the world of outlaw bikers. Previous episodes can be viewed on Hulu.com. If you like good drama that also has bikes, guns, sex, and violence, then the Sons of Anarchy is the series for you.