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!