Join a HOG chapter or not, and finding something right for me?

[jstevens2005]

Guys,

I'm all set to join a chapter. I've got my national membership in hand and my new bike. The reason I unloaded my SportBike was so that I could finally get some riding buddies etc.. plus I developed a taste and appreciation of Custom bikes, and choppers from the TV programs. Orange County Choppers, West Coast choppers, etc..

I went online in my local area and checked out four websites for the different HOG chapters. I was specifically interested in the PICs as I was hoping to gleen some information from them. What due they do?, How many people are in the groups, in the hopes if determining if I'll enjoy being in a group and contributing in a "group" mentality and environmental vs. the "just do my own things" mentality.

I know what I'm about to say is stereotypical and could get me into some hot water. But I haven't joined any chapter yet and am planning on simply going and visiting a couple first hand to see if I'll like it...............my initial observation right out of the gate is that the HOG groups have an "IMAGE" problem. My local dealership "according to the pics on their website" (which is very nice by the way) reminds me of a group of old people.

I can certainly get along with many people but it is ringing home to me now that I've spent my 25K in bike and upgrades that I'm still in search of some good "riding buddies". I'm no spring chicken myself. I'm 37 in good shape, and like an active life, I feel like I want to be around more folks that are within my same age bracket.

Like I said I want to support my local dealership and local chapter and I'm going to give it a chance, but first things first I did immediately notice that everyone (http://charlottehog.org/code/AboutUs.aspx) has Grey hair and appears to be from the baby boomer generation. My generation that I identify with is the late 80's - early 90's, which is Video games, MTV, Rock/Dance/Rap. I'm hoping that having a "HD" will be enough to make joining the HOG chapter "FUN and Interesting" and all i really want to do is "enjoy the ride"

Does Harley Davidson have an Image problem? I love my HD but I can't help but to think that they might have an issue here.

[fxstdave]

I feel the same way, I tried a local chapter for awhile, didn't feel like I fit in. Mostly older riders, which is ok, just not what I was looking for. Sounds like we would get along, but I'm in CT.

[hackenfort]

We my lady and I both joined HOG here in Syracuse here a few years back... Went on a couple of rides and meetings, but we didn't feel very welcome.

We were mid/early 40's at the time, of the members we met, they seemed to be from mid-30's to early 70's. They have a very large group on paper and in the e-mailing, but only a small group of seemed to participate. Looking back it seemed very political - of who was who in the group.

I was also surprised the Hosting dealer didn't really do anything with the group, no promotions or events, except when they were looking for volunteers to help with their open house.

Needless to say we didn't re-join.

[soggybiker]

I just joined my local HOG chapter and attended my first meeting last Wednesday. I did it mainly because the Chapter waived my fee (apparently joining the chapter for the first year is free if you buy a new bike).

Not to confirm your suspicion or anything, but I was the only guy under the age of 40 who was there. (Funny thing too, I was the only one who showed up on a motorcycle ) Most of the 45 or so members were at the minimum, 50 or older.

Regardless, another reason I joined was for the riding buddies. I have many good friendships with people 20+ years my senior so I'm not too put off by the extreme age differences... it'll come down to how my personality meshes with some of the more gruff members of the chapter, heh.

Ideally I would like to ride with people my own age, but most of them own crotch rockets and well... you get the idea...

As for my membership in the chapter... I have 12 months to decide whether or not I want to pay for a second year! We'll see how it goes....

[Serg06]

Me and my friend joined the local chapter on a ride 2 years ago when I had my first street glide. During the ride we were told that we had to follow instructions and to ride behind the group. Being new we thought no prob. Well, they had way to many rules. Stopped to many times. And in the end they criticized our riding. I looked the guy in the face and told him that it did not seem like we were welcome. I took the patch I had in my pocket and threw it at the foot of that same guy. Turned and walked over to my bike and split. I have seen those guy's at the local steeler and a couple tried to talk to me. I just said "hey man I'm not cool enough or don't ride according to your chapter spec. And turned an went my own way. I thought it sucked that they were such a$$holes. But whatever. I just ride with my best friend. So far we let the good times rolllllllllllllll!

[soggybiker]

Originally Posted by Serg06

Me and my friend joined the local chapter on a ride 2 years ago when I had my first street glide. During the ride we were told that we had to follow instructions and to ride behind the group. Being new we thought no prob. Well, they had way to many rules. Stopped to many times. And in the end they criticized our riding. I looked the guy in the face and told him that it did not seem like we were welcome. I took the patch I had in my pocket and threw it at the foot of that same guy. Turned and walked over to my bike and split. I have seen those guy's at the local steeler and a couple tried to talk to me. I just said "hey man I'm not cool enough or don't ride according to your chapter spec. And turned an went my own way. I thought it sucked that they were such a$$holes. But whatever. I just ride with my best friend. So far we let the good times rolllllllllllllll!

Interesting. It was my understanding that new guys and gals were to ride up front, behind the group leader in order to allow the rest of the group to ride at the new persons pace. I don't assume to know the HOG rules yet, but maybe they ought to check them, eh?

[ponderopa]

Good luck with it; it's probably worth a shot. And hey, if they're all geezers like me (56), maybe they have kids you could hook up with!

[Mr Cujo]

It is my understanding that HOG chapters are as varied and interesting as the charachters here in this place.
Some are great, some not so much.

I'd encourage you to give them a fair and unbiased try.
If you move on, then ok. If you hang around..ok too.
Don't be afraid to (if you have more than one nearby) check other chapters and see if another one fits better.

Good luck!

[Coolmaker]

I am 63, and I can't take them either. Doughnut shops, and coffee shops are not my cup of tea. LOL.. Most of the guys I ride with are 30-50 and we get along wonderful.. They call me "Pops", but many can't keep up... We still have a good time and enjoy riding together. Guess what I am saying don't judge them by the color of their hair, or their age, judge them by the way they ride and treat other people.... I personally don't like group rides of over about 5-6 people.

[rick-ia]

My wife & I have been members for about 2 years. We are in our late 40's to early 50's. Mostly older group come regularly with a small number of younger ones. Our chapter has over 400 members, with an off season monthly meeting attendance of 100-130. 8-15 new each month. Our chapter is always trying to get new members (young & old) interested & involved in the rides & non-ride activities. Each meeting our director asks how many new members have returned? Unfortunately not many. I'm not sure how new members see our group. But we want them! Or do they just want the parts discount with the membership? Even newer members are encouraged to get involved with activities & being road captains & sharing their ideas with places to ride.
Newer riders are encouraged to ride toward the front so they can follow the lead of the head road captain. But I think most would rather ride at the back so every one is not watching them if they're uncomfortable. 10-15 in a group, 45-60 on an avg. ride (last year). I feel fortunate to be IMO a good chapter, doesn't seem political, dealer sponsered but not controlling.
As others have said, some good some not as good. I also suggest you check out a few different chapters if you can. Good luck.

[Orange1200R]

They are mostly for the bagger nation. You seldom see Sporties, V-rods or Dyna's in the group. I don't like to lug my bike so I ride with a more aggressive group of riders. To each his own though. I will be 50 this year.

[BIGBOPPA]

"I don't like to lug my bike so I ride with a more aggressive group of riders."
I know what ya mean, last time I went on a ride with my local chapter they all rode like old women, most (even some of the long time members)not even looking confident or comfortable in a corner even at the advisory speed limit, let alone the posted speed limit!. I guess for some thats fine, and if they enjoy riding like that then more power to them, I say, but I like to gas it on a bit and have a bit of fun on my rides, not riding dangerously, but just enjoying the twisties as they should be enjoyed, not at walking pace behind someone who looks like they could fall off at any moment! (LOL).
But in all seriousness though, my local chapter has a lot of great folks in it, some I have ridden with in other groups and on other rides besides HOG runs, and although there is a bit of cliquiness and political BS goes on, most of them are well meaning and really get a lot out of their membership, many building lifelong friendships. I dont think I would ever join it, because that style of riding aint for me, but if thats your cup of tea then go for it, try it out, you may find you fit in perfectly, but you wont know if ya dont try.

bigboppa

[Mr Cujo]

"I don't like to lug my bike so I ride with a more aggressive group of riders."

I know what ya mean, last time I went on a ride with my local chapter they all rode like old women, most (even some of the long time members)not even looking confident or comfortable in a corner even at the advisory speed limit, let alone the posted speed limit!. I guess for some thats fine, and if they enjoy riding like that then more power to them, I say, but I like to gas it on a bit and have a bit of fun on my rides, not riding dangerously, but just enjoying the twisties as they should be enjoyed, not at walking pace behind someone who looks like they could fall off at any moment! (LOL)

I would say with absolute certainty that this phenomena is not singular to HOG. There are plenty of riding clubs in the world who are full of guys/girls that tiptoe their bikes around, can't ride a straight line, don't know how to handle curves and twisties, etc, etc, etc.
We were all that guy at one time or another....
I think it's reasonably unfair to paint the whole HOG scene that way. Without doubt, there are some like that, but not all.

I like to have a spirited ride, with some leisurely cruising as well. No need for parade/parking lot speed when it's not called for, similarly, there's no need (for me anyway) to go like a bat out of hell just to be the first in line at the lunch counter.

As much as I enjoy solo riding, I really enjoy group rides. More for the camaraderie than anything else. It's purely selfish on my part. I get to enjoy the scenery, the weather, and good times with new and old friends..



As an aside, and to stir it up a bit... I would even go so far as to say that if you can't ride in a group without lugging your bike, you should invest in some quality time with a ride coach...Or at least with a mechanic so he can show you how the clutch, shifter, and throttle work.



.

[DAKSY]

I joined the local H.O.G. last June after seeing some of the members in the dealership where I bought both my H-Ds...
They had a video running on a tv that showed some of their activities...different rides, fundraisers, picnics, parties, BBQs to honor our troops, etc....
Figured WTF, had the national membership, mizewell check out the local...
Turned out to be one of my better decisions...
The "HOGPEN" is a big old storage shed donated by the dealership, on the property & turned into a nice meetinghouse...
Made a BUNCH of new friends & ran into some older friends that I haven't seen for DECADES...
Got the GF to join in October & we spent a LOT of time with the group...
Couple of bowling tournaments, tubing at a local ski slope...dinner rides, movies, NYC motorcycle show, York H-D factory tour...
Good times, mostly...Better than "Cabin Fever" thru the non-ride months up here in NY...
Ages range from early 20s to almost 70...
2 - 3 rides a month from April to November & rain (& sometimes snow!) don't stop em...sometimes 3-4 riders; sometimes 30 - 40 roders - broken into smaller groups...
Generally at or slightly above posted limits...
It is what ya make it!

[BIGBOPPA]

Originally Posted by Mr Cujo

I would say with absolute certainty that this phenomena is not singular to HOG. There are plenty of riding clubs in the world who are full of guys/girls that tiptoe their bikes around, can't ride a straight line, don't know how to handle curves and twisties, etc, etc, etc.
We were all that guy at one time or another....
I think it's reasonably unfair to paint the whole HOG scene that way. Without doubt, there are some like that, but not all.

I like to have a spirited ride, with some leisurely cruising as well. No need for parade/parking lot speed when it's not called for, similarly, there's no need (for me anyway) to go like a bat out of hell just to be the first in line at the lunch counter.

As much as I enjoy solo riding, I really enjoy group rides. More for the camaraderie than anything else. It's purely selfish on my part. I get to enjoy the scenery, the weather, and good times with new and old friends..



As an aside, and to stir it up a bit... I would even go so far as to say that if you can't ride in a group without lugging your bike, you should invest in some quality time with a ride coach...Or at least with a mechanic so he can show you how the clutch, shifter, and throttle work.



.

Hi Mr Cujo,
I totally agree with most of what you have said, I realise there are those type of riders that need something like HOG to slowly gain their confidence riding in general and more specifically riding with others. And I wasnrt trying to paint the whole HOG scene that way by any means, I have often said, the problems I have encountered with my local chapter are probably a chapter specific thing, and that it varies from chapter to chapter. Believe it or not I actually support HOG and know many good folks that ride with them, and would encourage anyone to join if that style of riding is for them, its just the style of riding of the chapters anywhere near me is not for me.
Also if you look closely I was quoting another poster with the "lugging the bike" statement. I am well capable of riding in a group without lugging my bike, and I would never "lug" a bike as I have more respect for my machines than that.
One thing I dont necessarily agree with though is the statement that we were all that guy ourselves once, in a lot of cases, yes. But I, and most of the guys I ride with have been riding since we were 10 years old or even younger on our mini bikes and pee-wee 50's and the like, so we have grown up with 2 wheels in our blood, and when we were finally old enough to get a licence it was just a natural progression, and most of us already knew how to ride competently long before that stage. I dont claim we are any better than anyone else because of this, or anything, and I am just as susceptible to idiots out there as anyone else, its just that when you have grown up with 2 wheels as a lifestyle all your life, as opposed to someone who just "discovers" motorcycling at a later stage in life, there is definitely a noticable difference in riding styles, even after the newbie has been riding a few years. Its like anything else, like learning a foreign language or any new skill, the younger you are the quicker you learn it and it becomes embedded deeper in your character so to speak. Thats not to say I have anything against those folk who take it up later in life, heck I will talk to anyone, and like a true biker will stop and render them any assistance possible if I see them on the side of the road, and I have lots of friends in that category, its just that on a good solid ride the 2 dont generally mix very well, the newbies wanting to slow the pace down a bit, and the seasoned riders wanting to crank it up a bit, and never the twain shall meet. Its just a fact of life. If my local chapter had a lot of members who rode like me I would probably join, no problems.
I guess another difference is the fact that a good leisurely group ride to have lunch or something to me can be anywhere between 100 and 400 or so kilometres (not sure what that is in miles, sorry), and if we are going interstate, we usually do Sydney to the next State capital in one day (about 900km or so to Melbourne and about 1000km or so to Brisbane), but to most HOG members, rides like that are just too long and if you suggest one they look at you like you are an alien or something! Most start complaining if you go more than 2 hours away at the most! Thats just getting warmed up for me! I just get bored stopping at a coffee shop every hour or so, when we could be putting serious miles under our belts, and going somewhere a bit different than just your relatively local, often visited same old same old..

I am thinking of upgrading to a new bike very soon (I like the new fatbobs, and the nightrod specials!) and will probably get a free years membership with the bike, and maybe I might go along to a few rides with the local chapter to see if things have changed since last time (about 3 years ago). If they have, then maybe I will join, who knows?

bigboppa