Does H.O.G.® need to change?

[PosseRider]

"Originally Posted by route66paul
It seems to me that you are welcome at HOG if you buy a new bike every 4 years, and use the service dept."


Darn , maybe they will be kicking me out soon !!! My bikes 4 yrs old & I am keeping it, plus it has never been in the dealers service dept.

But what does an old" doof " know ?

[j_crawford]

I was once the Director of our Local Chapter. We had fun good rides and one large charity even a year. I kept butting head with the dealer because he had the final say in all chapter business. All I wanted was to pay for the christmas party with chapter money. I had called National and was told it was OK. But the dealer flat refused to let it happen each member had to pay to attend. After severial years as a member then as Director I got tired of the Dealer BS and resigned. I am still a life national and attend HOG tents at Daytons etc...

[davidtn]

That's an unfortunate experience. Our H.O.G. chapter is sponsored by a hands-off dealer. It's ultimately up to the dealer as to how involved he wishes to be with the chapter.

Hope to see you at the Club Down Home Rally in Knoxville TN.

[Road Glider]

Originally Posted by j_crawford

I was once the Director of our Local Chapter. We had fun good rides and one large charity even a year. I kept butting head with the dealer because he had the final say in all chapter business. All I wanted was to pay for the christmas party with chapter money. I had called National and was told it was OK. But the dealer flat refused to let it happen each member had to pay to attend. After severial years as a member then as Director I got tired of the Dealer BS and resigned. I am still a life national and attend HOG tents at Daytons etc...

Amazing how folks experience or appreciation for HOG varies from dealer to dealer.

Guess I am really lucky. Our dealer not only let's the chapter pay for the christmas party (for members, non member guests pay a small fee to attend) when we run low on funds he adds to the pot to make sure the christmas party is a big blow out.

Our dealer is always throwing free parties at the dealership with bands and free food. He also recently started a deal once a month called steak night where $5 gets you a nice steak dinner grilled on site by a local restaurant with all the sides. To me that is a pretty good deal. But it is just a fun get together with a big group of folks and you get to catch up with lots of folks and plan the next ride or hear about where someone has just been.

[x2lee]

when are you gonna get a whole harley, girl bike and
more. i dont wanna be a part of the lil man/bigbike syndrome
that is so common in HOG chapters..

just saying....

[Lefty]

I don't understand all the HOG related angst. I belong to a HOG group, once in a while go to a meeting, once in a while go on a ride. Last weekend went to the Branson Bike Rally with a dozen other riders, all excellent riders by the way. The dealer was in no way involved and can't see where he's involved at the meetings. If they're doing something I want to do, I do it. If they're doing something I don't want to do, I don't. I also belong to a local "any bike" club. Same attitude with them. What's the big deal?

Lefty

[06Custom]

In short, Hell yes HOG needs to change. IMHO! Take this weekend as an example, my hometown is sponsoring the state rally. They cordoned off a city park to HOG members on one side of the park and not so HOG members on the other. If the not so HOG member wants to venture into the secret society of HOG, they must pay the $40.00 registration fee and then be allowed to partake in whatever they have to offer. Now myself, being a national member only, have the golden key (HOG card) to allow myself access to the priveledged areas minus my significant other. With that in mind we all know what will be expected of me, pay the $40.00 and take the current miss wonderful in with me. My thoughts are that if HOG wanted to open itself up for more membership and really let the outside world know what they're all about they would allow for a free guest pass for these events. Then if miss wonderful decides that these HOG events are priority one in her life, she could join also. Ya'll just chew on that for awhile and let me know what ya think.

[geezerglide]

Ok, I chewed but it seems pretty bitter. The state rallies I have been to, you pay for meals, shirt, entertaiment etc. Why would they let somebody in free? You have to be a member or associate to get the associated goodies. I've taken lots of non members on rides and events, some have joined some havent. No sweat off my niblets whether they do or not. Some of my friends ride hd, some don't. Our sponsering dealer supports our chapter well and we support it. We ride and have fun, if you are riding a buell or sportster and get flicked s--t, welcome to the real world. HOG (and everything else in life) is what you make of it. Just enjoy the ride.

[2kflhr]

Originally Posted by x2lee

when are you gonna get a whole harley, girl bike and
more. i dont wanna be a part of the lil man/bigbike syndrome
that is so common in HOG chapters..

just saying....

This is your first post?

[davidtn]

What Geezerglide said...very well put.

[mhonn2004]

Originally Posted by davidtn

What Geezerglide said...very well put.

Yep I agree.

[Road Glider]

Originally Posted by 06Custom

In short, Hell yes HOG needs to change. IMHO! Take this weekend as an example, my hometown is sponsoring the state rally. They cordoned off a city park to HOG members on one side of the park and not so HOG members on the other. If the not so HOG member wants to venture into the secret society of HOG, they must pay the $40.00 registration fee and then be allowed to partake in whatever they have to offer. Now myself, being a national member only, have the golden key (HOG card) to allow myself access to the priveledged areas minus my significant other. With that in mind we all know what will be expected of me, pay the $40.00 and take the current miss wonderful in with me. My thoughts are that if HOG wanted to open itself up for more membership and really let the outside world know what they're all about they would allow for a free guest pass for these events. Then if miss wonderful decides that these HOG events are priority one in her life, she could join also. Ya'll just chew on that for awhile and let me know what ya think.

Why do you think the other members dues should pay the way for those who don't? Makes no sense to me that any one would expect to be able get a free ride.

[06Custom]

Originally Posted by Road Glider

Why do you think the other members dues should pay the way for those who don't? Makes no sense to me that any one would expect to be able get a free ride.

Not looking for a free ride, never have, never will. Nor am I looking to pay for a registration fee and receive nothing but the opportunity to see what's going on. It's not the freak show at the circus where one has to pay to enter the tent. Hell, I can ride through Sturgis, Myrtle Beach, Daytona and look around for free. Nor am I willing to join the local chapter just to "belong" I know where all the restaurants are in town, I don't need to follow H.O.G.

[davidtn]

No one has or will force you to do anything with, for, because of or due to H.O.G. It's certainly an opinion as we're all entitled to them...it's evident you not only feel the need to justify why you don't participate but you do it with vim and sour vigor.

[Far 3ast]

For x2lee, if you got snubbed for riding a sportster or Buell, that is one shitty chapter you were dealing with. A chapter is only as good as its members. I hope you don't think that all HOG chapters are like that.