I think its a fantastic principle for those that see the image of Harley but aren't quite sure if it applies to them, it presents as a certain amount of protection by association, a safety et where you can talk to people who are in your position of owning an icon, for one reason or another, and talking about that icon ad nauseum. you get together, associate together and do whatever it is they do. I guess for some, the alternative is buying the bike, having it in the garage and not being absolutely sure what to do with it.
It may be that its proof that you belong, you have a membership number, a welcome pack - and a note in the calendar to renew each year.

For me, riding has always been a way of life, and I dont need to pay membership for that.

 

Yeah i joined HOG when i brought my last new Harley in 2006. Enjoyed it at first but found it all a bit too organised especially on monthly club rides.

BrisHOG chapter has around 400-500 members at any one time & a club ride depending on the weather any where between 50-150 bikes & upto 250 people.

Turning upto morning tea & lunch stops is a nightmare, line up here, pay here, wait for your meal, people holding places at tables for thier friends, just too many people for me, i dont like crowds.

And after a few rides this idea of all follow the leader & all in your matching little outfits & badge collections....well it all felt a bit silly to me.

I am still a member but i dont think i will continue with it next year, dont go to many rides anymore.

I am a bit of a lone wolf i think, like to go where i want, when i want.

BrisHOG seems to be full of men going through mid life crisis who used to ride bikes in there twenties but now are in thier 40's & 50's with the money to buy a Harley & a couple of

thousand worth of riding gear etc or women who always wanted to ride a Harley. Dont get me wrong, there are some long time riders & great people but there are a lot of wanabees

as well. Harleys are begining to get a bit trendy i feel.

Hope i haven't upset anyone?

I done the filter on a bunch of them going up the Dorrigo Hill last year.
The fuckers will not keep left..!!
I pulled up next to some bloke at the roadwork lights who started berating me about bunny hopping the run.blah blah blah.. hahahahaha
I said to him in no uncertain terms if he keeps it up i'd kick the shit out of him burn his shinyarse bike and chuck him over the ledge.

Sure as shitting he had never meet me before .HAHAHAHA I don't like people swearing at me.

Some and I mean some are woodduck posing wannabe's that were more than likely bullied at school and feel like it is now their time to shine.

IF IT IS ABOUT CONTROL THEN THEY CAN HAVE AT IT.Not for me.


Oh I do say that I am a member at the stealers to get a 10% discount on donuts. [snickers]

What is HOG?????

Rodders I agree - I've never been in a bike club, but have been in several 4WD clubs on and off over the years (was Pres for 2 years) but these days I just want to sit back, ride when I want to ride, and forget the club politics.
Maybe it happens when we get older? I'm 48.......

I prefer the Del Fuego's.

OFFS..!!!!!!!!!!
Why do people only hear what they want to so as to validate themselves.??
Quoted
but when you start talking about kicking people off bikes and throwing them over any edge.....goodnight ex brother.
HHHMMM
Did you not choose to read why that was said???
Is it OK for some knob to mouth off at a fellow rider and try to control their movements because they have been appointed Captain of a HOG ride??
Is this some kind of one in all in bullshit camaraderie that goes on in HOG.. Don't let the facts get in the way of propping up the reputation of the HOG fraternity aye??

What was said is a bloke started abusing a fellow rider for FUCKALL and he got his comeupence like every mouthy woodduck will,irrelevant of who they think they are or what sort of power trip they are on.. .
Not because they are a HOG member,
It's because they are a mouthy idiot that hasn't got his brain into gear just because he sees another HD rider he goes off like a pork chop.

 

Facts tendered.;

I wasn't on the HOG Ride.

I was just shooting the Hill


.

I would rather eat worms.

I was automatically signed up when I bought my new computorised gay version of a Harley (what ever) this membership comes with road side assistance ,which I hope I never have to use .
I like being part of a global community that have a common interest ,Harley Davidson, so I am proud to wear my HOG patch .
that said ,I did check out a local "chapter" and went for a ride with them ....I had to ride at the back and I had to sign a form to be able to ride with them and they shoved membership forms up my ass at every opportunity ....that was the end of that .

 

Hi Mon,

 I think most will agree that the answer to your first question is Yes. Your observation regarding a lot of Harley Owners not being HOG members is valid due to many reasons.

Everything from personal preferemces through to affordability would be considered by Harley Owners depending upon their perspective of what they would gain by being a member.

HOG Membership offers a diverse range of opportunities and services and some would benefit from some services but not others.

Reckon it would be a bit like folk that are interested in the AFL, would they want to be a fully paid up member of the AFL, and or a Member of their favourite Footy team, or just go along with what ever turns them on at the time to enjoy their sport at the level that suits them.

Do they spend their cash on a great TV and watch it at home or do they spend big bucks so that they can go to the members stand and be part of the live action?

All up to personal choice.

Well, there's probably a lot of Harley Owners that prefer to spend their time and money on their rides, and time doing things that they choose and prefer. And lets face it, there's a lot of Owners out there that The HOG just doesn't cater for.

I think the secret is to take a good look at what HOG has to offer you  as an indavidual, and decide if there is anything there that appeals or benefits you.

 

Personally, yes, I am a Member, but not of a Chapter, nor do I go to meetings or organized runs.

Don't get me wrong, I like nothing more than to ride with a bunch of mates, enjoy the comradery and feel the rumble, but I also enjoy riding with one good mate, or alone sometimes.

I definitely don't like lining up, waiting,  getting tied up in traffic jams, and being told how and where to ride, and what to do.

The benefits that I get from being a HOG Member are the access to information and discounts to members serices.

I've found that the discounts I've received have by far, more than paid for the membership subs that I've actually paid for some years.

At the end of the day, HOG is really a commercially motivated and promotional organization, look at it in that perspective and you will be able to make up your own mind if it has anything to offer that is of worth to you.

 

 

 

 

Razor,

 

Your Da Man...........................................

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly....................................................

 

 

 

 

Been involved in social clubs in the past. Been there, done that

As for HOG.

Depends how much they are willing to pay me to be a member 

I joined as part of buying a HD and have found it all good. Being from a regional town, the group isn't too big and we all are similar ages with kids nearly off our hands. The other thing I found is the number of HOGs I already knew from motocross, enduros, speedway and even school.

Maybe is is a mid life crisis but is fun and beats playing lawn bowls

 

9 different bikes in 20 yrs, no Hog Club for me, will ride with anybody on 2 wheels!

Whether it's a hog club,1% club, fishing club,bowls club,footy club etc, there will always be a "rotten apple in the barrel".  I've bit me lip about calling some HD riders  "wannabe's". Which after many heated comments about the W word, it's not worth trying to explain. Google it.    I've been nom for Son's Of Anarchy for 3 weeks now and having a good time. Godammuthafucka's!!  (but between you and me,I reckon their a bunch of wannabe's. )

Jebus, this is what i imagine confession would be like.

I went to a bike show run by the local HOG group. I have never seen so many people who look and dress the same. There was heaps of them coverd in HOG badges strutting around with chains and shit hanging from every pocket on the vests. Not for me I'm happy to be a loner and ride with people who love there freedom wether it be a triumph norton ducati or a Honda. I'm to old for back stabbing Politics. If the shit ever goes down I like people I can trust around me not some weekend warrior getting his jollies scaring Joe public.

 Yes, I am part of HOG, but only the International HOG. Got it, like most others, when purchasing a new HD.

Looked at all the rules associated with joining the Bris Chapter but decided it wasn't my thing. I too, like others, enjoy riding with mates. Unfortunately I don't get a chance to do that often but really enjoy it when I do.

The missus loves to jump on the back when I go for a spin. More comfortable for her than the old Suzuki I had :-)

I have paid up my International HD membership for a few more years because I like the articles in the magazine you get every now and then.

 

In the end, to each their own I suppose, as long as you enjoy what  you do and it doesn't hurt anyone else. Everybody's different and that's what makes life interesting. If we were all the same, what a boring buncha cunts we would be

Happy cruizin'!

 

Hesh

Yeah, I see your point HG, some people get a little large in their own minds, but you will find that in any club.

Personally I cannot understand anyone having an attitude against fellow riders, club or no club and I have yet to be pissed or uncomfortable around any bikers Harleys or whatever and yes, I'm not comfortable being told how to act by strangers, there are no gods on the road, so I shall read more carefully in future, ...j