Joining a biker club

[JimmyG]

No, I am not, but was asked to and I thought ya'll might get a kick out of this.

A few months back, a friend asked me and the wife to join their new club being organized, and said we would be ,"patched", because we would be in the start up group.  Others would have to go through the initiation process, or whatever you call it.  I did not want to out right tell him,"no, I don't generally join clubs", but instead asked to review the by laws before making any decisions.  A few days later I saw him and he asked again if we would join the club.  I took out the copy of the by laws and said,I have a few questions and comments, he said let him hear them.  OK, says I, it says only American made bike owners could hold office,(they are all Harley riders), and I said, do any of you own American made bikes? Quick with a follow up, I reminded him that mine sated,"Made in USA", on the frame and the motor. None of yours have the made in USA stamps anywhere, matter of fact, your bikes are not American made, so I am the only one that can hold an office, according to your by laws unless some of ya'll buy American made bikes.....   His jaw dropped and he looked down, then finally said, well I do own an old pan head that was built in the USA, but it don't run.

We had a good laugh and of course we are friends and there is a lot of back and forth joshing going on about Harley's and,"other bikes".   I eventually told him, no, we just don't like to join in to clubs that require being at so many meetings, because we work weird shifts, and we don't like to commit to something we will not whole heartily support all the time like they wanted.   Yep, still friends, and we even ride with the folks on occasion, but no joining here....

[old2soon]

       Mentioned this before but a Long time ago I was Founding secretary of The Royal Dressers-A M A affiliated club. The catch-I was grandfathered in BUT I was riding a 73 Honda C B 500/4 at the time-and it were naked-NOT dressed. And it was a Honda! 90% of the Club Founders were on H/D twins fully dressed. Our Club here-VRCC-is only the third club I've ever Belonged too. The other club was The Kanagawa M/C club so I could motocross in Japan. Had to be in a club recognized by the M C F A J-motorcycle federation all Japan.
       Glad ya set em straight on the American made issue!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Even the most middle-class, easy going bike clubs (like SCRC everywhere) require you to attend at least some of the meetings (and get involved in some project/events from time to time).

I rode with (two counties of) them on and off for years but never joined.  I told them they were all nice guys and I enjoyed riding with them, but I wasn't going to attend ANY meetings (all of which were up inside the DC beltway at some bar and grill at night (mostly on work nights) (I didn't even want to go down there in my cage let alone my bike, and won't drink and drive, ever).  I always mostly obeyed their rules of the road riding around (and threw in and always helped when someone crashed out or had bike trouble), but no meetings or membership for me.  And I didn't have to throw in to help with a few of the things they did I didn't support.  My riding always spoke for itself and I was always welcome (or I would have quit). 

And I've been around Pagans, Angles and Banditos (and others) at a number of events and I don't care to ever have a conversation about my vest rockers and patches with any of them if I can help it.  I don't wear any of that (am independent), just decent bike gear (which often has too many patches for my taste).

[old2soon]

          I have a LOT of patches on my vest-mostly all in good taste. But no/none/nada/zero rockers.  None that blatantly spell out any foul words. P G R rides are too show RESPECT and I duz GET THAT!  RIDE SAFE.

[DirtyDan]

First rule of motorcycle club

DO NOT TALK ABOUT MOTORCYCLE CLUB !

Yeah I’m being goofy

Dan

[cookiedough]

there is a local HD apparitioners club outside of town pretty much ONLY HD riders allowed am sure.  I drove out there once no one around parked my honda valkyrie in front of their HUGE HD banner in their fancy clubhouse and snapped a few pics and took off.   AS close to joining a local riding club as I will ever get... (besides this one of course)   

Went with a few HD riders once and ONLY once and NEVER doing that again.  They hit 5 bars in 4 to 5 hours different small towns them drinking and drinking wasting my entire weekend day when could have put on 200 riding miles easily vs. only 30 that day bar to bar to bar in small rural towns.  I had to pee like a racehorse can only drink so many diet cokes in one day at several bars in a few hours.....

[Fazer]

Holy crap!  Are we a club because is says "Club" in our name??? Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club???  Been to a couple on Inzanes and a few Valk rides, but other than that, no meetings or rights of initiation.  Heck, we don't even have any dues.  What kind of MC club can we be if we don't strike fear into the heart of evey "civilian" we encounter???

(Just me trying to be humerous.)

[msb]

Holy crap!  Are we a club because is says "Club" in our name??? Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club???  Been to a couple on Inzanes and a few Valk rides, but other than that, no meetings or rights of initiation.  Heck, we don't even have any dues.  What kind of MC club can we be if we don't strike fear into the heart of evey "civilian" we encounter???

(Just me trying to be humerous.)

I have been asked about my motorcycle "club" association twice in the past two years  by US border agents when crossing the border into the US. Once when the agent observed my gas cap bezel VRCC cover, and then this past Summer on a particularly hot day when I didn't have my jacket on and he saw the VRCC patch on my vest. In the first instance the agent didn't press the issue and the second time it only took a quick explanation of what the VRCC is about to satisfy his curiosity....but I guess it shows that Yes, we are initially perceived as a MC club  because we have the word "club" in our name.
For the record, in my 46 years of riding, this is the only MC  "club" that I've ever been associated with and in my mind at least, is a truer definition of what a MC club is....a shared passion for riding in general and in the motorcycle itself, and all the comradarie  and sharing of technical support and  riding experiences. That's what I get out of it and hang around at least...

[The emperor has no clothes]

(Just me trying to be humerous.)

Like this ?

 

Not only are we a club, but it was brought to my attention a few years back that we are part of “social media” here on this forum. (I was a little bummed after discovering this)

[old2soon]

         Fairly certain the VRCC is NOT an M/C. The word before Club is Cruiser-NOT Motorcycle. I believe that distinction is a way to keep us-VRCC-separate from the outlaw M/Cs-but i could be incorrect.  RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

The term MC referring to a club has a particular meaning.  By that meaning the VRCC is not an MC but is a riders' club.  The difference between the two is significant.  MCs are generally associated with the 1% or "outlaw" bikers.  They wear prominent patches for which a member adheres to strict requirements to earn.  An MC is more than a group of people who ride.  For the members it is a primary identity, an allegiance that governs all of their lives.

[msb]

The term MC referring to a club has a particular meaning.  By that meaning the VRCC is not an MC but is a riders' club.  The difference between the two is significant.  MCs are generally associated with the 1% or "outlaw" bikers.  They wear prominent patches for which a member adheres to strict requirements to earn.  An MC is more than a group of people who ride.  For the members it is a primary identity, an allegiance that governs all of their lives.

Perhaps mistakenly, I have always used MC as an abbreviation for "motorcycle" (perhaps should use small case "mc" ). I agree with your definition of the actual differences....though I  believe  many not so involved in the passion of riding will stilll associate someone wearing a VRCC patch as being part of a "biker club".

I was part of another "club" back in the mid to late 70's....a 4 wheel drive club who's logo was a beer bottle with with off road tires and a whip antenna climbing a mountain. Still have the jacket. One of my two "Thank Heavens I Survived Periods" from back in the day  

[JimmyG]

The funny thing was, my friend was starting up a new ,"faith based", club. He left the other one he started a few years ago because they got to un-faithful, so to speak. So, he was explaining to me how that they had to go before the predominate MC club in the State to, as he put it,"be allowed to start a MC club, when in actuality was not a motorcycle club, but a riders club that eventually would morph into a faith based club.   I had a laugh and said,"so you have to go before the outlaw motorcycle club to get their blessing and permission to start up a faith based riders club?   Kinda like asking satan if it's ok to start up another new religion ain't it?   Like I said, we are friends and we can be direct with each other, with respect for one another ideas and feelings.   We don't get our little feelings hurt when we discuss things. I asked him why don't you just associate with and ride with who you want, why do you think you have to have a club with patches and rockers and all that stuff to enjoy riding and enjoy friends who have the same likes and hobbies?   But, everyone is allowed to have their own ideas and wants and wishes.  I'm just an old fuddy duddy

[3fan4life]

The funny thing was, my friend was starting up a new ,"faith based", club. He left the other one he started a few years ago because they got to un-faithful, so to speak. So, he was explaining to me how that they had to go before the predominate MC club in the State to, as he put it,"be allowed to start a MC club, when in actuality was not a motorcycle club, but a riders club that eventually would morph into a faith based club.   I had a laugh and said,"so you have to go before the outlaw motorcycle club to get their blessing and permission to start up a faith based riders club?   Kinda like asking satan if it's ok to start up another new religion ain't it?   Like I said, we are friends and we can be direct with each other, with respect for one another ideas and feelings.   We don't get our little feelings hurt when we discuss things. I asked him why don't you just associate with and ride with who you want, why do you think you have to have a club with patches and rockers and all that stuff to enjoy riding and enjoy friends who have the same likes and hobbies?   But, everyone is allowed to have their own ideas and wants and wishes.  I'm just an old fuddy duddy

A couple of Christian MC clubs around here went before the "Council of Clubs" before they formed.

My understanding is that it isn't really asking permission.

It's more of a respect thing, if you give respect you get respect.

The 1%'s make a big deal about their patches, so one of the the big things was to show them the new clubs intended patch.

If the Council of Clubs made a suggestion for a change it was pretty much honored.

The big thing is no 3 piece patches and nothing that "claims" a territory. 

[Willow]

...
And I've been around Pagans, Angles and Banditos (and others)...

Jess, a clarification.  Were those right angles or obtuse angles?   

[Jess from VA]

...
And I've been around Pagans, Angles and Banditos (and others)...

Jess, a clarification.  Were those right angles or obtuse angles?   

They were mostly obtuse Carl.    Good catch, spell check no help there.

[Alien]

Went with a few HD riders once and ONLY once and NEVER doing that again.  They hit 5 bars in 4 to 5 hours different small towns them drinking and drinking wasting my entire weekend day when could have put on 200 riding miles easily vs. only 30 that day bar to bar to bar in small rural towns.  I had to pee like a racehorse can only drink so many diet cokes in one day at several bars in a few hours.....

I had the same experience.  Bars every 25 miles or so.  At the beginning of the ride, the leader said to me "I really hope you and your bike are up for this.  We'll be going almost 200 miles and there's no chase truck.  This is for real riders only."  Um...ok dude.  The Mothership and I have clocked more 700+ mile days than I can count, so I think we'll be ok.

His ratty Sportster was the first bike to break down.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[old2soon]

Went with a few HD riders once and ONLY once and NEVER doing that again.  They hit 5 bars in 4 to 5 hours different small towns them drinking and drinking wasting my entire weekend day when could have put on 200 riding miles easily vs. only 30 that day bar to bar to bar in small rural towns.  I had to pee like a racehorse can only drink so many diet cokes in one day at several bars in a few hours.....

I had the same experience.  Bars every 25 miles or so.  At the beginning of the ride, the leader said to me "I really hope you and your bike are up for this.  We'll be going almost 200 miles and there's no chase truck.  This is for real riders only."  Um...ok dude.  The Mothership and I have clocked more 700+ mile days than I can count, so I think we'll be ok.

His ratty Sportster was the first bike to break down.

Ride Safe,

Alien

            Friend of mine with the PGR-H/D mounted-and I were just outside of Springfield Mo. after a mission and after having lunch. We weren't quite an hour from his turn off. As we threw a leg over he said-I'll be runnin bout 80 MPH-can ya keep up? I looked at him and said-choices choices-2nd gear 3d gear 4th gear I should maybe put it in 5th to save fuel? We got down the ramp I got in the fast lane and stayed in 2nd til he leveled out. Up shift to 3d and nailed it. Eased off in 4th and 5th let him come back around and I dropped into trail. Got off with him pulled over a the top of the ramp and he walked back lookin at it and something to the effect it ain't Just show!  While i stay away from fund raiser rides i have also noticed when i did ride them that a v-twin was generally the first to crap out. RIDE SAFE.

[ZekeValk]

Even the most middle-class, easy going bike clubs (like SCRC everywhere) require you to attend at least some of the meetings (and get involved in some project/events from time to time).

I rode with (two counties of) them on and off for years but never joined.  

The Southern Cruisers Riding Club (SCRC) chapters do not, at least should not, require members to attend meetings or be involved in projects/events.  It is a riding club so you are required to attend an occasional ride  [or meeting] - generally at least one a year - to maintain your active membership. 

I've been the South Carolina State Officer for over 10 years so I just wanted to set the record straight for anyone that may read this. 

[Jess from VA]

Zeke, I know there are a set of national rules for SCRC.

But that hardly means every chapter is identically run.

I got in trouble with one chapter pointing out SCRC rules say no alcohol on official rides.  They interpreted no alcohol to be no drunks (so one or two beers was OK with them).

Generally that doesn't bother me, but I think one guy mixed his medication (or something) with his two beers and should not have been riding. 

[Calboy]

All this Mickey Mouse bs about motorcycle clubs and how to join them, rules, regulations and more bs.
Anything and everything outside the 1% MCs is nothing but a wimpy get together to pretend the pretense.
You're either a 1% or you're nobody in the world on two wheels.
That's as far as being an MC as a whole, not on the individual level.

[hubcapsc]

I stopped in at a local auto parts store the other day, there was a Valkyrie
there. The owner noticed me looking at his bike, he worked there. We began
talking Valkyries and riding, he's a member of the Southern Cruisers local
chapter, and he posts on here. He invited me to ride with them, and I
expect I will... they have a Facebook web page, and even though I don't
have a Facebook account, I can see it and when their meetups are... there's
a North Georgia riding club, they ride, Britman and Duffy and Stanley Steamer
used to ride with them a lot. The VRCC is a club, I've met and ridden with a
ton of people through this club...

-Mike

[DGS65]

I won't join any club that would have me as a member.

[Crackerborn]

We have several "clubs" here in the SE corner of WI. Some are veterans of specific actions in the Middle East, some are first responder clubs, others are HOG related and/or dealership related. I find most members of these clubs are Lemmings with little or no independent thought. I once rode the Toys for Tots Christmas ride in Chicago until it became a drinking contest. My old casa was two houses down from an officer in a first responders club and their club was rude to neighbors, loud well after reasonable hours and might as well have been running a tavern. Three doors the other way was a CMA group that played loud faith based music at their get togethers early Sunday morning before their Sunday ride which included at least 20 minutes of "tuning" the bikes for the ride that left at 8 AM sharp.

I doubt I will join any club that condones such actions or promotes intoxicated driving.