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H.O.G. "colors" question....

71K views 87 replies 42 participants last post by  Alan S  
#1 ·
I just joined my local chapter, and have only been to one meeting so far and have not received my member mat'ls yet. I bought the chapter colors to put on a vest.

My question is this...when should the colors be worn? Only on chapter rides, or any time I want to?
 
G
#2 ·
Wear them anytime you want to get wet, sloppy opened-mouthed kisses from drunken grandmothers wearing their smaller sister's clothing ... :eek:

No, seriously, do what you want, it ain't no big thing. I've never seen any offishul HOG rules about their insignia (though they'd probably prefer that you take 'em off before you rob the liqour store ...) Mine have been sitting in a Crown Regal bag in the closet for a few years now, waiting to get sewn onto something.
 
#3 ·
TomBois said:
Mine have been sitting in a Crown Regal bag in the closet for a few years now, waiting to get sewn onto something.
Real priority, eh? :Dennis
 
#4 ·
duhast said:
I just joined my local chapter, and have only been to one meeting so far and have not received my member mat'ls yet. I bought the chapter colors to put on a vest.

My question is this...when should the colors be worn? Only on chapter rides, or any time I want to?
I think this is a really good question for us new Harley riders. Plus, I've got another one that's related....

Is it OK to wear other group colors in HOG rides? My main group is CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association), of which I wear my vest with back patch all the time. I'd like to just wear the one vest and not have to have a vest for every group I ride with.....??????
 
#5 ·
What ever is more comfortable for you.
However, when I go the dealership I see all sorts of Local HOG this and that.. But the other weekend I went to non-HOG event, and no one wore any representation.
I was kind of puzzled, because I ran in to a few of the same people that I see at the dealership.

I just assume wear what makes you smile the biggest :D

Ddeuce
 
#9 ·
marthared said:
I think this is a really good question for us new Harley riders. Plus, I've got another one that's related....

Is it OK to wear other group colors in HOG rides? My main group is CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association), of which I wear my vest with back patch all the time. I'd like to just wear the one vest and not have to have a vest for every group I ride with.....??????

HOG....he he.....

I see the Question being valid for a new HD rider.
I say wear it, don't wear it. No one would really care. HOG is not a Club. its a Riding group. If you want to wear a HOG patch and not really have 3-4 different vests in your closet then if CMA allows it then stick one on the front of that Vest.

or just ride all the HOG rides with the CMA vest, I don't see someone in the HOG chapter telling you to take off a CMA vest. And if they do, would you really want to ride with them?

BTD
 
#10 ·
Is it OK to wear other group colors in HOG rides?
We don't mind. We have several CMA riders who wear their colors on our rides.
 
#11 ·
Most Chapters could care less.
Ours encourages other riding groups to join. I only do the weekday & Saturday rides, so most members bring their friends along.
I love it. I usually stay in the back. I don't know, something about wanting an exit if some new group rider panics in the middle of the pack.
Just a thought.
 
#12 ·
I wear mine majority of the time as it is on a waistcoat/vest I bought in Germany which has a wind/waterproof lining in it, so it gives some extra insulation as well in our English weather. Also when you are touring around other members know that you are new to an area and make you welcome and people from other groups do as well. My jacket doesn't just have my 'colours' on I also have pins and badges from rallies I have attended and also foreign dealerships I have visited, and also my Abc's and mileage programme ones from HOG and a couple from other clubs I am in.
At the end of the day a well travelled vest is a sign of someone enjoying their bike.
Ride safe Pat J.
 
#15 ·
HOG colors

I have worn my HOG vest all over Europe and on several rides in the US including "the Ride Home" from Portland OR to Milwaukee. They act as a great ice breaker as a Fenlanders Suffolk England patch is rare in the Mid West. I have never had any trouble with 1%s as they dont have HOG on their radar, unless you push it I suppose, but there are times when wearing them isnt valid, and that is in places like Boot Hill at Daytona, they have a NO COLORS policy and they mean it, if I wanted in I had to wear my vest inside out, they door staff were not listening to it only HOG arguments, no colors is just that and I for one respect that.

Ride safe, at least when the snow goes away.

astrocam
 
#16 ·
bikertrashdude said:
HOG....he he.....

I see the Question being valid for a new HD rider.
I say wear it, don't wear it. No one would really care. HOG is not a Club. its a Riding group. If you want to wear a HOG patch and not really have 3-4 different vests in your closet then if CMA allows it then stick one on the front of that Vest.

or just ride all the HOG rides with the CMA vest, I don't see someone in the HOG chapter telling you to take off a CMA vest. And if they do, would you really want to ride with them?

BTD
Probably the best Line I ever heard,bikertrash,Loved it!!!!
 
#17 ·
#20 ·
This is the second or third thread I've seen about this kind of stuff. I have to admit I'm totally baffled. Why would anyone be concerned about what other people think about you wearing something you are entitled to wear ?

I'm a Freemason. I know you can walk into a store and buy Masonic regalia. Obviously you could also choose to sew that regalia onto a vest or jacket and walk/ride wearing it.

Do I give a **** ?? Hell no.

I don't wear other people's insignia to which I am not entitled. This is a matter of simple courtesy. It's certainly not out of fear.

I wear something I am entitled to anytime I please, anywhere I please. And I couldn't care less who likes it or doesn't.

If anyone wants to stop me, they are entitled to try.

C'mon guys - why would HOG object to CMA or vice versa ??

I could understand if the question were whether HOG or CMA would object to someone wearing their colors who was not subscribed.

Pete
 
#21 ·
Colors????

Strange, I never thought of the HOG membership patches as "colors". They seem to invoke more of an "open endorsement" to a product than a sign of exclusive membership.

I think we all know people that have had Harleys, sold them for whatever reason and still maintained their respective membership so they can continue to use the Fly and Ride program.

That certainly flies in the face of membership in an organization that sports "colors". :rolleyes:
 
#22 ·
HOG is a product ownership organization not a motorcycle club, as I understand the membership standards. Here in Europe you see many folks who are club members with the small HOG patch on the front to show their support for the product we all enjoy so much. Some are chapter members and some not. At European Bike Week there is a sea of colors and everybody gets along. I don't think that what you wear on your vest matters much until you split the patch and wear other indicators that shows your intentions are more than just getting down the road on two wheels. And enjoying it..!

Ciao, Hose

P.S.
First post....
 
#23 ·
HOG Road Captain Replies...

duhast said:
I just joined my local chapter, and have only been to one meeting so far and have not received my member mat'ls yet. I bought the chapter colors to put on a vest.

My question is this...when should the colors be worn? Only on chapter rides, or any time I want to?
There are not many topics that draw as wide a variance of opinion as the HOG board does.

Some of us like it, some do not. As an active HOG guy let me answer. Some wear the "colors" all the time, some only wear them to official rides and or meetings. Some never wear them, and guess what- it's ok, nobody cares, nobody will say anything either way.

The only thing about the "colors" is just wear them as they are designed to be worn, meaning the chapter top rocker goes on top, and the national HOG emblen below.
There is a strong suggestion not to wear a bottom rocker, especially one that designates a location, or town, or state.

Bottom rockers are for "bottom rocker clubs" such as HAMC, or Banditos, etc. Those clubs use the bottom rocker to designate their "home" territory, and to wear a rocker that might provoke a "discussion" with bottom rocker club members- is not the intent of any HOG chapter. Chances are that you would not enjoy the "conversation" either- so just use the top rocker and leave it alone...
Wear it when you want, and enjoy yourself.
Bob
 
#24 ·
Hog "colors"

marthared said:
I think this is a really good question for us new Harley riders. Plus, I've got another one that's related....

Is it OK to wear other group colors in HOG rides? My main group is CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association), of which I wear my vest with back patch all the time. I'd like to just wear the one vest and not have to have a vest for every group I ride with.....??????

I think the right answer was wear what/when you feel like it. Also, we have several CMA riders in our chapter who wear their CMA colors and a small HOG patch to show support for us.

Ride Safe,

Brian