Motorcycle Clubs Around the Country - Essay Example

Motorcycle Clubs Number Introduction Motorcycle clubs abound throughout the country. Some are for specific makes of motorcyclessuch as Harley Davidson or sport bikes. Some are religious- or gender-oriented clubs. Others are designed for anyone interested in the riding sport. Many join for the camaraderie. Others join for the strength and protection offered by a large group. And some people join a motorcycle club simply to enjoy the riding experience. The point of these clubs is to have a like-minded community of riders to enjoy the sport with. No matter who joins, or what type of club it is, all riders have a similar interest-a love of motorcycle riding. Motorcycle Clubs: Hobby or Business Although original motorcycle clubs were formed as more of a hobby, current clubs are run like a business. The majority of motorcycle clubs have a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, sergeant-at-arms and road captain.i The club starts with a mother group and various chapters are established later. It is also run like a business in that members pay dues. Outlaw clubs, especially, are run as a business. Illegal business, but business all the same: "Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), say that outlaw bikers, with over 300 clubs, 5,000 members, and at least 10,000 regular hangers-on, are one of the nation's largest organized criminal networks, after the Mafia and Asian gangs. They are also a business. The feds believe the Hells Angels and the other large outlaw gangs earn up to $1 billion a year worldwide from drug dealing, prostitution, gunrunning, theft, extortion, and murder."ii Who Joins Who joins a motorcycle club Someone who owns a motorcycle and is seeking what a motorcycle club offers: camaraderie, riding opportunities, and the experience of others. The person who joins a motorcycle club is looking for a variety of things. Some want more experience riding with a group and the confidence that comes from experience. Others want the camaraderie that comes with belonging to a group. Also, there is safety in numbers and a new rider may feel more secure riding with a large group. Other people join because they want to learn from others: safety tips, techniques, the best routes. Dulaney explains why he joined a motorcycle club: "For me, one of the best unexpected perks of joining a motorcycle club has been and remains the joy of riding with likeminded souls: members of a motorcycle club have at least one thing in common: their love of riding. Everything else, age, gender, race, looks, economic background, etc. disappear under the leathers. You can relax, laugh, talk or simply observe, it's up to you . . . it's your opportunity to be free and to unleash that part of yourself which has been hiding all these years . . .iii So who joins a club depends on their reasons for joining. Men are traditionally known to purchase motorcycles as part of a mid-life crisis. A club may provide a group atmosphere for regaining some of their youth. For some, the reason to join is two-fold: Motorcycle enthusiasts take great pride in their bikes. So many join for the opportunity to show off their bikes while helping a charity at the same time. Origination There are three critical eras involved in the origination of motorcycle clubs. Dulaney explains these as: the pre-formative period between 1901-1944, known as the genesis of social organization around motorcycling; the formative period between 1945-1957, where social and historical events of the post-World War II era coalesced in the formation of outlaw motorcycle clubs; and the trans-formative period from 1958 to present.iv Motorcycle clubs emerged shortly after the origin of motorcycles. The clubs formed to bring together riders for camaraderie and other events. The McCook Outlaws were one of the first long-lasting clubs. The name transformed through the years to the Chicago Outlaws and then the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Long-distance touring and racing are attributes accredited to this club.v The formative period occurred after World War II. Many soldiers, upon returning home were dealing with various degrees of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Dulaney states: "Researchers have found that for some combat veterans, relief from the effects of PTSD can be found by engaging in interpersonal and leisure activities such as those involved with motorcycling. Thus, it seems logical that the horrors of war and the hell of combat may have melted down the pre-war personalities of these men only to recast them forever in a new form, a form that didn't fit well with the post-World War II American culture." The thrill of riding and the support of a group environment led these men to the sport. During the transformative period, the one percenters, or outlaw groups, took on a larger presence. The American Motorcyclist Association formed in 1924 and has been a strong presence in the evolution of motorcycle clubs. Since its inception, the AMA has grown to include more than 260,000 motorcyclists. The AMA claims to have, "evolved into the only national organization devoted to serving all of America's motorcyclists. From a part-time staff of one, it has grown to include more than 75 full-time employees and a host of volunteers all working for the betterment of motorcycling."vi Negative Influence Outlaw motorcycle clubs such as Hells Angels gave motorcycle clubs a negative image through illegal acts, violence and a gang mentality. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA ) defines "one-percenters" as those who cause trouble. vii Although the majority of clubs are more for camaraderie than troublemaking, stigmas associated with motorcycle "gangs" is hard to eliminate. Even though there is a negative image attached to the one-percenter, Dulaney says even of the one percenters, few are outlaws: "While it is no secret that certain members of one-percent motorcycle clubs have been convicted of illegal acts such as methamphetamine production, distribution and sales; prostitution; contract violence; racketeering; and motorcycle theft (Paradis, Southeast Gang Activity Group, Barger, Lavigne, Watson, Wolf, Posnansky, and Thompson), my field research suggests strongly that those members who engage in such behavior represent the vast minority of the one-percent clubs." viii Still, groups such as the Hells Angels played upon the negative image, even fueling it at times. Today, there is still a negative image attached to motorcycle clubs. News stories still report on outlaw clubs performing heinous acts. Still, many motorcycle clubs go out of their way to change this image. These clubs provide charity runs, community involvement and a positive image to help promote the motorcycle-riding experience while dispelling negative stereotypes. Marsh wrote: "While bikers are still making headlines for events like the recent drug busts of two Hells Angels in California or the shooting of a motorcycle gang leader in Connecticut, biker violence has declined. Instead, motorcycle clubs--most prefer not to be labeled a gang--are focusing on community involvement in an effort to change their bad-boy image. As the number of mainstream motorcyclists has grown, social- and family-oriented clubs now number in the thousands."ix Joining a Club The rider's first step in joining a club is deciding on what type of club to join. They first must determine whether they want a brand-specific club like Harley, BMW or Honda; model-specific like Virago or hog; or style-specific like cruisers, sports bikes, etc. The motorcycle rider can narrow their choices even more by choosing lifestyle-specific clubs such as religious, charitable groups, gender and many others. One way to choose a motorcycle club is by researching both online and at trade shows. x After doing the research and deciding which type club to join, the rider looks at specific clubs. Understanding all of their rules, regulations and their core mission is crucial. Once they've decided on a particular club, the rider will usually go on a test ride to be sure it's a compatible fit. Many clubs today only require someone to fill out an application form and pay their dues. Other, stricter clubs are by invitation only. They require a period of observation, possible hazing and the process of being voted in by the other members. Not until a candidate is voted in do they receive a patch. Most motorcycle clubs usually have stringent rules for gaining membership. Riders earn a club patch, which they attach to their vests to show their membership. Regardless of the rigors of joining a club, motorcycle club members display their patch and their allegiance to the club proudly. Conclusion Motorcycle clubs and the image they present have changed throughout the years. For the most part, gone is the negative stereotype of the outlaw rider. Outlaw groups still exist, but are the minority. The clubs change, their missions change and the riders change. The only constant is the motorcycle rider's love of the sport. References Read More