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The biker community is one of kinship, camaraderie, and fun. We can attest to the fact that being a social biker adds a new dimension to the riding experience and benefits everyone involved.
In fact, anyone who rides is a member of the motorcycle club; the subgroups differentiate themselves in many ways. Ninety-nine percent of motorcycle club members conduct themselves with the utmost in dignity and respect. The motorcycle riders often portrayed on television are what bikers call the one-percenters—the 1% who give everyone else a bad name. These groups are not gangs, and prefer not to be addressed as such.
Security.
Joining a club or biker’s group gives you safety in numbers. When you’re traveling, you have people there to lend a hand in case of breakdown. If you need help with a personal issue or a legal issue such as running from blue lights, you have a safe place to talk and many minds to help you come up with a solution.
Brotherhood or sisterhood.
A biker club is like any other club: it’s a group of friends you can trust. They’ll help you and your family any time you need it (and keep it quiet), make sure you’re all right, and do what they can. The words “brotherhood” and “sisterhood” describe perfectly what bikers consider their club to be.
Many, if not most, biker’s groups do good works for charity, and those organizations will tell you that the bikers are the most generous and dependable donors and volunteers they have. Typically, bikers are generous with their time and money and consider it their mission to help those who are less fortunate.
Companionship.
The bonds of friendship fostered in a biker’s group are long-lasting and deep. These are true friends and great companions who are dedicated to each other and consider themselves brothers and sisters—friends for life.
The latest information about legislation.
In every club, there are a few who stay abreast of the latest laws and regulations pertaining to motorcycles. Also, with so many people involved, the club stays informed about the biker’s life in general and relays that information to the rest of the group.
Are you in a club, and what’s your favorite part of belonging to the group?
Motorcycle associations give bikers a chance to connect with other enthusiasts and share information, discuss their travels, or simply show off photos of their bikes. We looked for the top three organizations and found that all of them offer incredible benefits to their members.
American Motorcyclist Association: http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/
The AMA is the world’s largest motorcycle organization, and its mission is to promote and protect the motorcycling lifestyle, from weekend riding to crossing the world by bike. The Association was founded in 1924 and currently has over 225,000 members, most of them long-time riders with over 1 billion miles ridden collectively. The AMA employs a full-time staff to defend bikers’ rights and is influential in guiding legislation that affects bikers.
The lengthy list of members’ benefits and discounts includes . . .
- Email newsletters, magazines, and an exclusive members’ area on its website.
- Sponsorship of racing and riding events.
- Over 1,200 AMA-chartered clubs.
- Medical and insurance coverage while participating in AMA events.
- Organized motorcycle tours.
- AMA Roadside Assistance program.
- Discounts on products and services such as garage floor coverings, rain chaps, insurance, motorcycle lifts and transport, and lodging.
Motorcycle Riders Club of America: http://www.motorcycleridersclubofamerica.com/
Part of the North American Membership group of clubs, the MRCA focuses on helping its members build, customize, and ride. With more than 80,000 members, the Club caters to motorcycle enthusiasts and offers them a way to communicate, network, and learn from each other.
Membership offers plenty of benefits:
- Click and Win sweepstakes.
- The ability to test, review, and keep new products, such as boots and toolkits.
- An active online forum for members to share their expertise and accomplishments.
- Exclusive Club newsletter, Compression Ratio.
- Yearly subscription to Rider Magazine.
- Facebook page to comment and share information.
- Gasoline rebates.
The Antique Motorcycle Club of America: http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Founded in 1954, the AMCA has over 11,000 members and 54 affiliate chapters worldwide dedicated to the “preservation, restoration, and operation of old-time motorcycles.” Antique or vintage motorcycles are at least 35 years old, and membership is open to anyone with an interest in vintage motorcycles, including those who don’t own one.
AMCA benefits include . . .
- Local chapter-sponsored meetings, shows, and road runs.
- National swap meets and road runs, seminars, shows, and races.
- AMCA Virtual Motorcycle Library with historic documents.
- Online discussion forum.
- The Antique Motorcycle quarterly magazine with expert information and advertising.
- Discounts at U.S. motorcycle museums.
Which organization is your favorite and why?
