What comes to mind when one hears the words ‘motorcycle club’? Is it the image of a fierce-looking, big-sized guy donning a black leather jacket with arms chock-full of tattoos? Or is it some image from Sons of Anarchy, the TV series, where we saw Jax Teller grapple with his identity crisis as part of an outlaw motorcycle club, while everyone around him talked about brotherhood, loyalty, and the joy of the ride?
Be it through the entertainment industry or documentaries choosing to focus only on a certain aspect of the life in motorcycle clubs, there is no denying that there are numerous myths about motorcycle clubs that get perpetuated owing to how little anyone on the outside really knows. Judged by appearance often, motorcycle clubs and motorcyclists have a lot to them that isn’t portrayed in the media, and sometimes, much more that is shown incorrectly.
Thus, here are some of the myths about American motorcycle clubs that might seem true owing to pop culture or stereotypes, but aren’t. On the other hand, some things you might think you know about these clubs are true as well.
10 Myth: Joining Is As Easy As Getting A Bike
Joining an American motorcycle club, or any across the world, is not just as simple as arriving with a newly-bought Harley and riding alongside the motorcyclists. All clubs, especially the historically established ones which have hundreds of members, require months of vetting before your application is considered. During this time, one must prove their devotion to the club.
Prospects are made to tend to bars, clean the bikes and watch doors at motorcycle clubs for months, sometimes even years, before they can become a part of the club and earn a member's patch. Furthermore, in order to stay a part of the club, one must pay regular fees, and even hit yearly odometer target miles to keep their membership valid.
9 Myth: Motorcycle Clubs Are Undisciplined And Lawless
One might be eager to assume that from their appearance and largely noisy presence, all motorcycle clubs are rather indisciplined, with a 'whatever goes' attitude all around. However, that couldn't be farther from the truth, as all motorcycle clubs follow a very strict set of rules.
The laws and codes of the club must always be strictly adhered to, and there is even a proper bureaucracy that is set in place, which looks after the funds, the charity programs as well as planned-out rides for causes. The inner workings of a motorcycle club's bureaucracy do in fact turn out to be rather boring than it might seem.
8 Myth: All Motorcycle Clubs Are Gangs Or Outlaws
This is one myth that rings absolutely untrue. One of the biggest stereotypes motorcyclists face is that the general public quite confidently assumes that every motorcycle club is a gang, and the members are outlaws, living on the edge of society.
This is completely untrue, as almost all motorcycle clubs are registered, law-abiding organizations which give back to society happily and enthusiastically. It is only a very small percentage, called the 1%ers, who are termed outlaws. The term comes from the American Motorcyclist Association's infamous remark that 99% of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens.
7 Myth: They Only Care About Each Other
Motorcycle clubs in America might be notoriously difficult to get into, owing to how much every prospect is scrutinized. A club is made up by its members, after all, and every single member is carefully considered before being let in. Thus, there is a huge sentiment of familial brotherhood among members.
However, it isn't just fellow members that a club is concerned about, as motorcycle clubs such as B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) and B.S.M.C. (Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club) are involved heavily in charity work and philanthropy. In fact, many members across the country join up solely with the intention of charity.
6 Myth: Motorcyclists Do Not Have Any Other Jobs
While many people think that motorcycle clubs and their bikes are all there is to motorcyclists, that simply isn't true. People who hold a passion for motorcycling come from decent backgrounds and the majority of them hold day jobs to support their families as well as their motorcycling needs and wishes.
After all, be it on two wheels or four, gas simply doesn't come cheap. Moreover, they also need to pay regular fees to the club and make regular traveling plans to stay active as members, and thus, holding a day job is something that is quite common among motorcyclists.
5 True: Sports Bikes Have No Place In American Motorcycle Clubs
Motorcycle club members do happen to have a no sports bike policy in place, and there is more than one reason for it. They prefer rides like Harley-Davidson and other custom-built choppers, and while one might be predisposed to thinking that sports bikes offer better performance, the truth is that many cruisers could leave you surprised.
In fact, some clubs have historically chosen not to go for Japanese bikes (since early sports bikes in the USA were Japanese imports) owing to the fact that Japan had been the enemy during the Second World War. That tradition continued, and motorcycle clubs are almost strictly anti-sports bikes.
4 True: You Have To Get The Club Tattooed On Yourself
It is true that one must get the tattoo of their club inked on their person, as the rules state for them to do so. However, earning the prestige to be given permission for said inking is a matter of hard work and time, as members must first gain enough trust and approval to get the tattoo made.
Furthermore, while some clubs like the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club have no exit policy as they expect members to be affiliated for life, that isn't the hard and fast rule for every club. However, if you do choose to leave the fraternity for whatever reason, you must also get rid of the tattoo of the club on your person by either having it removed or blacked out.
3 True: Members Will Cross Any Length To Help A Fellow Member
This is the number one code when it comes to motorcycle clubs. These clubs are brotherhoods first and organizations later, and as such, they will look out for one another, come hell or high water. Patch holders will always take care of their own. Thus, if one ever picks a fight with a motorcycle club member, they will always be facing down the member's partners as well.
Be it during times of financial trouble, sickness, or injuries, they will come together to provide for a fellow club member going through tough times. This is also perhaps why the inclusion process into a motorcycle club is so rigorous, as every member needs to count on the others with their life.
2 True: No Cops Can Ever Join a 1% Club
1%er clubs take a lot of pride in being separate from the '99% law-abiding motorcycle clubs', and thus, no law enforcement officer can ever join them. In fact, if one ever took any steps to become a law enforcement officer or even a prison guard, 1% of clubs like the Hells Angels wouldn't so much as consider their application.
The same also goes for prospects with horrible criminal pasts like child molestation or rape, as told by Neal Hall in his book, Hell To Pay. Moreover, if one even applied for a law enforcement job, they would be immediately considered unworthy of wearing the coveted and notorious 1%er diamond-shaped patch. Thus, law-enforcement motorcycle clubs are their own kind of club in America.
1 True: All 1%ers Ride Harley Davidson
While most of the friendlier motorcycle clubs are together for the joy of riding and allow just about any kind of cruiser or chopper, almost all one-percenter clubs require Harley-Davidson riders only. This means no matter how tricked out your ride might be, if it isn't a Harley, you can't possibly be a one-percenter.
Sure, over time, this has become a dated concept, but back in the day, riding anything other than a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was considered un-American, and as part of a one-percenter club in the USA, one must always ride a Harley.