Around here in pa, dealerships are more closer together. I was not sure about your area. 50 miles isn't far at all. I do that all the time daily.

 

From what I see as a relatively new HOG member - both national & local - it would appear that the chapter personality is largely going to be affected by that of the dealer.

Before buying my first HD in the summer of '14, I had no need for ANY brand specific bike organization. I figured every HOG member worshiped at the HD altar & identified his life as such. Notice I didn't mention "her" or "her's".

My dealer was selected on 2 personal recommendations. I've since come to believe this is more on an "old time" dealer; they've been in business for close to 70 years; are family owned & operated & have 1 location. I first joined the local chapter in 2015 out of curiosity & to get the chapter discount. What I found through volunteering to help out at both HOG & dealer events: most of these folks are just like me. They are into the back half or quarter of their careers with some retired, they have lives outside of HOG, & they enjoy socializing around motorcycles. Mostly Harley motorcycles to be sure - but many of them have other brands parked in their garages too. And while maybe not a 50/50 split, there are a lot of female members - many of them the spouses of male members, some not.

My dealership will say you are family - & I've honestly felt that to be true. I was never hard sold to buy a bike or anything else. I've found if I'm honest & considerate of them they are the same towards me. From what I see, the relationship to the HOG chapter is the same. While they've since gone to a reward points system instead of discounts it works like this: HOG chapter members receive points for attending monthly meetings & some events; they also receive higher rewards than non-members for purchases. However, volunteering to assist in the monthly meetings, HOG events & dealer events also results in reward points. In addition to opportunities to meet people, volunteering also results in additional reward points that can be used for anything at the dealership EXCEPT bike purchases. So when it works it benefits you, the chapter, & the dealership. My wife, after tagging along with me to a few events will now also join this local chapter after buying her first HD less than 4 weeks ago.

Living in a densely populated area, there is an HD dealership within about 15 miles in every direction & more beyond that. Knowing what I know now, if I were involved in a club with an adverse attitude by either the dealership management or the club leadership, I'd move to another club as I see benefits from being a member of a good club. Of course, YMMV.

 

I went to one meeting when i bought my first Harley. All they did was complain the older members should not have to pay dues. Apparently this had been discussed and settled previously. It lasted 2 hours. Needless to say i never went back.

 

How long before you lost your civility??? Now that I'm retired I'm ready to be a curmudgeon...

And as for the OP, find somewhere else to meet. Lots of restaurants have a room for large numbers...

 

This sounds like a win - win for both groups, I'm a scout leader and we are always looking for fundraising options and the dealer can get some future customers interested in riding. Scout age kids may not be in the market now but this could spark some interest plus the parents picking up the kids may stop and look at a bike they never knew they where interested in.

 

About a week

 

If the basic idea is to just get out and ride and meet some other people, just hook up with a meetup group. No real need to join a local HOG chapter.
https://www.meetup.com/topics/harley/

 

That idea scares me. Finding people with like interests on the internet...? Lol

Never checked it out. Always thought it would be weirdos or prostitutes looking for work.

 

Just don't drink any purple cool-aid. Other then that, what ever blows your skirt up with you as long as you like doing it.

 

Clearly there is a benefit for the both of you here - with such a middle ground can be found to maintain the relationship ...