Does H.O.G.® need to change?

[Far 3ast]

Before joining H.O.G.®, I spent some time thinking about it. Did I really want to be tied to the Motor Company like that? If later on I buy another brand of bike (and sell the Harley) I will no longer be able to ride with the local H.O.G.® chapter. Admittedly, the Motor Company has a good thing going with H.O.G.®; it has a ****load of members, they give a membership to every new H-D® buyer, and if that buyer enjoys riding with friends in the local H.O.G.® chapter, they'll be inclined to keep a good thing going by buying another Harley® when it's time to upgrade.


Sometimes, though, I wish they would open H.O.G.® membership to owners of other brands. 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.

It makes sense that you have to be a Harley Owner to be in the Harley Owner's Group, but I think a Buell is Harley enough to qualify. Or even if they just made BRAG (the Buell version of HOG) parallel to HOG, that would be an improvement. As it is now you have to be a national HOG member before you can join a local chapter. They could make it so national BRAG members could join a local HOG chapter. Hell, they don't even have a BRAG chapter near where I live, because the local dealer doesn't sell Buells. (By the way, BRAG doesn't officially exist anymore. It was canned at the end of 2006, and the "new" Buell owner's group doesn't have a name yet. Buell.com says "Existing BRAG® clubs are encouraged to continue, but will need to adopt new names (you will not be allowed to use the BRAG name.)")


But I think if they open membership to riders of other (metric) brands (even if it is a different kind of membership, like an associate membership), they could influence those riders to get a Harley when they are ready to trade in their metric scoot. I think there is a perception among guys who ride metric cruisers that Harleys are underpowered, unreliable low-tech oil leakers, so they bought an import because they are so reliable. I think those people would be won over to the merits of Harley ownership if they had some exposure to riding with a HOG chapter.

In the end, I joined HOG for several reasons. One is I am in the military and subject to be moved around a lot. No matter where I go, there is likely to be a HOG chapter there. Secondly, my local chapter has a very active calender, there is plenty to do, and they have a lot of good friendly folks. I joined to ride, but I have made some good friends too. The other riding clubs in my area just don't ride enough to suit me (unless you count the patch holder clubs--was not interested in that kind of commitment, but they do ride a lot).

Bottom line is that although I enjoy being in HOG, I don't like the idea that I have to remain loyal to the brand to stay a member. Am I wrong here? I have given some consideration to joining Yamaha's STAR (Star Touring and Riding Association) http://www.startouring.org since they are not brand specific.

[eprenzlow]

They could name the new Buell club:

Buell Users Group Simulating Harleys In Training or BUGSHIT

[Road Glider]

HOG = Harley Owners Group. Nuff said.

Now most local HOG chapters put on lots of rides that are "open" rides which means you do not have to be a HOG member to participate in the ride. I know our local chapter has other folks come along from time to time. Usually they are family or friends of some of the members and I have never seen anyone make anyone else not feel welcome or equal at anything. I have heard more harley owners compliment other folks on their bikes or be interested or curious about their bikes as opposed to anyone dissing another guys bike harley or not. We have several members who also own Buels and sometimes those guys ride their Buels on our rides, we all could care less frankly what someone rides.

Your points about how HOG can be a great way for you to meet new folks and join in on already organized activities especially when you are new to area are spot on. To me that is one of the best things that a group like HOG does.

[PosseRider]

Originally Posted by eprenzlow

They could name the new Buell club:

Buell Users Group Simulating Harleys In Training or BUGSHIT

I dont think he was serious, but that was funny !!!!

[Far 3ast]

Originally Posted by eprenzlow

They could name the new Buell club:

Buell Users Group Simulating Harleys In Training or BUGSHIT

ROFL! thanks for the laugh...

[Far 3ast]

Originally Posted by Road Glider

HOG = Harley Owners Group. Nuff said.

I don't think that quite covers it. Yeah, i know it says owners in there, but that isn't relative to the other points of my post. Especially regarding Buells, which are really Harleys with a different name on the tank.

In my chapter there is a limit to how many times a non-member can ride with the chapter without joining. I don't know if that is the case with most HOG chapters, as I only have experience with this one chapter (and less than a year in this chapter). I'll have to look into that.

Anyway, although I hear you about other brands being welcomed along for the rides, etc., there is a limit (at least in my chapter) to non-member participation. I'm not suggesting that non-Harley owner's be allowed to join national HOG, but maybe have some sort of associate membership at the chapter level so they can fully participate, maybe limit it by not allowing them to become core officers.

[Far 3ast]

After doing some research on the subject (imagine that!), it turns out that Buell owner's are eligible for HOG membership. I'm going to guess they started this when they dissolved BRAG, but the Buell web site doesn't mention Harley Owner's Group (not that I could find). If you go to the HOG website and check the conditions for a full membership, you have to provide the VIN for a Buell or H-D motorcycle. So Buell's are eligible. There goes half my rant, damn!

[8-Ball]

I recently went on a toy run with a local HOG group... I feared for my life the entire time.

Riding with HOG is a death wish.

[GearGrinder]

I do not belong to HOG, but am considering it, I have a problem being tied to a manufacturer/dealer and if I go to another dealer or indy, you're frowned upon.

Having belonged to many car clubs, many made up of many different brands, there is something to be said for a club that specializes in one brand or better yet, one brand and model. It is so much easier to organize meetings, outings, BS sessions, events etc because more members will be interested because they can associate better with people like themselves. Even that is a challenge when you have members who only like short Vs long trips, more socials then riding, eating, drinking or smoking. But still, the better you can combine interests, the better the club.

[Vilhelm]

Looking for a group thats friendly to all brands, check out ABATE.

[Ultra89Rider]

Originally Posted by Far 3ast

I don't think that quite covers it. Yeah, i know it says owners
In my chapter there is a limit to how many times a non-member can ride with the chapter without joining. I don't know if that is the case with most HOG chapters, as I only have experience with this one chapter (and less than a year in this chapter). I'll have to look into that.

Anyway, although I hear you about other brands being welcomed along for the rides, etc., there is a limit (at least in my chapter) to non-member participation. I'm not suggesting that non-Harley owner's be allowed to join national HOG, but maybe have some sort of associate membership at the chapter level so they can fully participate, maybe limit it by not allowing them to become core officers.

The rules about membership, other than requirement to belong to National, in the local chapter is up to the local chapter. The national HOG had a few rules as to how the local is setup, but the majority of the rules are up to the local chapter. If you don't like the rules, you can get into the local chapter elections and get your opinion known.
I am a Charter HOG National member. I joined in 1983. I'm also a Life Member of National HOG. I helped start 2 local chapters. One here in California and one in Tennessee. We got the rules for the local chapters from national and they were just basic. They were mostly about insurance and how to cover our, and Harley-Davidson's rears. I don't, right now, belong to a local HOG chapter. This is not to say I don't go to HOG events. I am still welcome, as if I was a local member. This just means I can't have a voice in local running of the local chapter.
The National is good. It gives information on runs that has a HOG tent, and other HOG events. Local gives more local information, but this again is up to the local chapter.

Just remember, the local chapter is what you want it to be.

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by 8-Ball

I recently went on a toy run with a local HOG group... I feared for my life the entire time.

Riding with HOG is a death wish.

The last time I rode on a HOG ride several leather clad dentists and attorneys went down in front of me but I was able to escape hitting them. I checked to see that they were ok, then rode off alone into the sunset vowing never to have anything to do with the group again. Been true to my word to date, but I'll keep my national membership - I like the publications and the once annual road service I've used one time each of the last three years - I do ride a Harley . . . .It seems to like riding on the back of a truck once in a while. . . .

Lefty
big motorcycle
very noisy
shiny too
but now decomissioned for the winter . . .

[davidtn]

I am confident there is more than enough material for a doctoral thesis on the study of the love-hate relationship that is expressed among Harley owners.

[nessus]

you can join hog if you own a buell

[93FLHS]

Originally Posted by 8-Ball

I recently went on a toy run with a local HOG group... I feared for my life the entire time.

Riding with HOG is a death wish.

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!!!!!!