Motorcycle Clubs
Motorcycle clubs didn't first come into existence in the
1950s. The Yonkers MC was formed in 1903 in New York and the
San Francisco MC not long after. Nor are most of them
dedicated to crime and chaos. The vast majority were founded
and continue for the camaraderie, shared knowledge and the
sheer joy of riding the open road together.
Clubs come in all types. Some have hundreds of members in
dozens of chapters in the U.S., Canada and around the world.
Some consist of just three guys who decided it would be cool
to have a patch on their jackets and set out on a Saturday
for a ride.
Clubs can be completely general, admitting anyone - some of
whom may not even own a bike - others are focused on a
brand, a profession, a region or any of a dozen other
categories.
There are clubs solely for Harley-Davidson riders. They
share a common enthusiasm for one of the oldest, most
respected bike manufacturers on the planet. If you want to
know where to get a clutch for a 1912 V-twin or a carburetor
for a 1937 Knucklehead, somebody in the club has built a
bike and knows where to find one.
Clubs spring up around a geographic region as spontaneously
as grass. The Saskatchewan MC has members that explore
Canada's back roads. The Daytona, Florida Brothers of the
Bike can be found zooming along the beach. And the Vespa
Riders of Rome are no doubt zooming along the Via Veneto
every summer.
Motorcycle clubs aren't just for men, either. The Women on
Wheels Motorcycle Association has over a hundred chapters
around the U.S. and Canada, and even one in Switzerland.
Just as with any other motorcycle club, these ladies are
dedicated to the delights of planning events, mapping routes
and touring the highways in a pack.
Many clubs form around a shared line of work. Current or
ex-Military or Police often form motorcycle clubs. Bikes
have been used in military and police work since WWI, so
it's not surprising that clubs would be founded by the
members who use them every day. Some people just can't get
enough of a good thing.
But whatever the original impetus for forming the club, the
values and bylaws tend to cluster around common themes.
Brotherhood figures prominently. Members look out for one
another on the road and at home. Shared knowledge and
interests are often key. Finding the best routes, the best
places to visit or stay on a tour, and even how to repair a
bike away from home are important bits of information.
Someone in the club will always know that.
If you want to find the least expensive bike or part, if you
want to learn about the best events... in short, if you want
to get the most out of your bike and riding experience, you
could do no better than to investigate one of the clubs near
you. Or, start your own!