Does H.O.G.® need to change?

[PosseMan]

Originally Posted by x2lee

i dont wanna be a part of the lil man/bigbike syndrome
that is so common in HOG chapters..

just saying....

You make it sound as if you have visited thousands of HOG chapters. How many HOG chapters have you actually visited? There are three dealers and, correspondingly, three chapters in my area and none that I know of treat the Buell or Sportster riders any different than the Dyna, Softail or Touring riders.

[2blackbelts]

Even though I have been monitoring the forum, I haven't posted in quite some time.

I have been a member of HOG since it's inception, and have probably used the services or attended a function maybe two or three times.

In my opinion, I actually don't care what national HOG does, nor it's local chapters. If I don't like the local, I don't participate. If the national isn't good at the time, I don't attend. I honestly don't need any form of organization or group meeting to ride my HD.

I realize that many of the chapters are enjoyable, have great members, and do excellent charity work. I also realize that I don't like dealing with massive egos, petty confrontations, and pseudo polital battles.

Remember, it's supposed to be fun.

2 blackbelts

[black05flhrci]

Nope.

Simple as that.

Harley OWNERS Group.

Why should Harley cause bad feelings from their loyal customers just to make a handful of non-customers get their way? They joined HOG to ride with other Harley owners. If they wanted to ride with all brands, there are tons of good riding clubs for that.

If you don't own a Harley, please think of the reasons you don't. Now, think about it a minute. Do you think Harley or any of the Harley owners want you to share those reasons with the group? Who wants to hear it? In what way does that help the company or it's customers? Basically, at every stop, you will be bad mouthing Harley, and annoying Harley Owners.

Chances are, sooner or later, you will sell that other brand bike and get yourself a Harley anyway. Then you can join HOG.

If you are shaking your head no already, then letting you ride your other brand bike with a HOG chapter is not going to change your mind, and persuade you to buy a new Harley, right?

[mikej]

Originally Posted by Far 3ast

...
Especially Buell, if nothing else. There are some good reasons not to include Buell owners in HOG (enough of the ®s already). Like the difference in riding styles and culture between Buell and H-D riders. But on the plus side, if I wanted to buy sport bike or big adventure bike like the Ulysses, I would be more inclined to buy a Buell if I knew I would be welcomed into the Harley Owner's Group family, since all my riding friends are in HOG.
...

I haven't read the whole thread, but Buell owners can join H.O.G.. When I bought my Buell in August 1999 (2000 M2 model) I joined H.O.G. with no problem. And don't let that "styles and culture" thing throw you as I'm sure you know some of the sayings:
"ride your own ride"
"that you ride is more important than what you ride"
and others.

The new 1125R Buell is going to draw in a whole new bunch of people, styles, cultures, but guess what - they all ride.

I guess maybe I'll go back and read the whole thread now and see how far I've stuffed my foot into my mouth. Finally got me a Dresser so I've wandered back to this site, can't seem to get a few questions answered but I'll figure that out eventually. So it goes....

[mikej]

Got any ketsup? Only stuffed my foot in up to the ankle or so, not too bad I guess, could have been worse I suppose.

I think I'll go post a new thread now and work on the other foot.

[scottq60]

Personally, I can't see wanting to be a member of H.O.G. if you don't own a Harley...what's the attraction?

[Mr-Jester]

I wanted to give my ...No! HOG does not need to change. HOG stands for Harley Owners Group. The key phrase here --"Owner's Group." It's not a club! It's not an organization! It's an "OWNERS Group." There are plenty of other motorcycle organizations and clubs you can join if you don't own a Harley or if you own one and don't want to belong to HOG. No matter what you ride...ride safe!

[DragonRider]

This is a classic conversation, I am the President of a local riding club, not HOG, mixed bag of HD's and Metrics to BMW's, but all just like to ride and enjoy each others company on the road and socially. That said, a bunch of us Harley Owners belong to HOG, whether Nationally or Locally and never once has any non-Harley rider asked if they could join HOG, ever...why the heck would they, they don't own Harley's. HOG will not change to accept Metrics or any other brand, it is a club of Harley owners, if you don't have one then you don't get to play. There are plenty of other riding groups to join.

[tmsimmon]

Originally Posted by 93FLHS

I have to agree with this. Not just about H.O.G. specifically, but new riders in general. I just have a tough time being called "Bro" by someone who reminds me of the type of person that used to look down their nose at you. The people who stared & glared now want to rub elbows. 500-1000 mile a year profilers. Yeah, I want to hang out with these folks. That said, I see the local H.O.G. people once a year. That`s enough, I think.When they get tired of their toys, the market will flood with neat, low mileage used bikes. Can`t wait!!!!!!

[url]

I've been riding for over 39 years... I've tried the HOG clubs when ever I get a new bike, but they just don't get it.... or maybe it is me. I think I'm out going and a nice enough person, but the Sacramento area they are very clickish group. And I tend to do better in small groups with people I enjoy being around.

[scottq60]

I choose my riding buddies by the PEOPLE...not by the type of bike they ride...I guess that's why I haven't joined a HOG chapter.

[TomB]

Hog needs to change his shirt .... that one is just working too damm hard to cover that nasty, hairy belly ...

[bcnasty]

I have been a member of the national HOG for about 13 years. I pay my local dues every year but never attend functions as I am in another riding club. Don't get me wrong here I find nothing wrong with the folks in the local I just choose to ride with a handfull of folks not a big posse. A lot of the guys that ride with the locals have brides that ride other brands and still ride with the club. Most of them when ready ,move up to a Harley when they choose a larger bike, so in my opinion the club is working as designed. Also our local has a Buell owners club that is a seperate entity from HOG.
Ride safe,
BC

[AmarilloDano]

This is one of my infrequent visits to "virtual" land. Here in "real" land, insomnia strikes me from time to time. Mostly, I'm out visiting, or riding with, my friends.

I read this thread from start to finish twice before I caught on. The second time through, I substituted "HARLEY OWNERS Group" every time the acronym "HOG" appeared, and it all made sense. The third time I read it, I was laughing my a@@ off! Far 3ast, my hat is off to you. My sense of humor runs to the absurd, but you got even me with this one. Folks, this one is a JOKE!!! Why else would he suggest that a non-HARLEY OWNER be allowed to join the HARLEY OWNERS Group? Far 3ast, you need to look me up if you ever get close to the Texas Panhandle. I'll buy your supper, we will be 2 men well met. If you're as funny in real life as you are in here, I'll buy your drinks all darn night! You had everybody in here going. You have the restraint to make a prank like this work; I'd probably end up giving myself up right quick. If we meet up, the town ain't safe! THANK YOU!!!

[03flstfi]

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree 100%

I will say this in reference the H.O.G. itself. When you say Harley OWNERS Group, that doesnt always mean "Riders". I've said in the past that some chapter members ride other brands as well, and for us, we allow them to ride, because they are members.

I dont believe a member here has ever participated in a state rally without riding his HOG, however. Chapter informal rides are a different thing altogether.

[Jim Fletcher]

I joined HOG a couple of years ago. I have the option of a couple of locals that I could join, don't like the people in one, don't know the people in the other. There are some benefits, one is a 15% discount on anything in the store (Smith Brothers HD in Johnson City, TN). All you have to do is attend the monthly meetings, most of the time is to EAT! (some drink their food). I am buying a new Ultra, on order now for a month. I will get a complimentary 1 year HOG membership, tacked on to the end of my current membership.
I have never joined in on a HOG ride, like mentioned previously, a lot of leather doesn't make a biker out of a dentist (except in the movies).
Keep it good.
Jim in East TN