HOG membership
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 415
From: Southern Maryland
HOG Chapter
Full disclosure, I am a member of two HOG chapters, and enjoy both of them. So with that said, find your local chapters calendar, and show up for one of their rides. They will ask you to sign a waiver if you are not a member, so sign it and go for a ride. If you like that, or don't like that, decide from there. Attend some meetings, but tell the director that you are new and if he/she is a good director, they will try to make you feel welcome.
But look at the full riding season calendar and if they have some good rides, go on them. Most chapters have short local rides, some over night rides, and some really long rides. You will meet people if you get up and talk to people. It starts with you.
But look at the full riding season calendar and if they have some good rides, go on them. Most chapters have short local rides, some over night rides, and some really long rides. You will meet people if you get up and talk to people. It starts with you.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 467
Likes: 203
I belong to a local chapter in Cincinnati and am a lifetime HOG member. I joined this particular chapter in order to ride with other Harleys and because they held their meeting in the backroom of a bar/restaurant so you can eat/drink during the meeting. I stopped doing the rides when some members decided to start riding their Goldwings instead of thier Harleys on HOG rides (aholes imo). Still go to the meetings though -- only $25/yr to join and every once in a while they have an activity I might participate in.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,732
Likes: 17,569
From: Driftless Area
If I ride with a group, they are friends and I know their riding habits. No political drama, and PITAs have been weeded out.
With a HOG chapter, you don't have that. There are great people in them, but you have to put up with the ******** too.
With a HOG chapter, you don't have that. There are great people in them, but you have to put up with the ******** too.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 509
Likes: 92
From: ALABAMA
Take the try and see advise, if you put in some effort might find a few people you would like to ride with. I did and came up with three guys that i have traveled the country with. can call any or all for a day ride, or hit the road for a two or three week trip.
good and bad in any thing you try, but you do need to try.
good and bad in any thing you try, but you do need to try.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 457
From: Littleton CO
If it wasn't for the HOG Chapter I wouldn't know any of the great people that I now consider family! I took a chance and went to my first meeting 15 years ago! While I don't participate in all the activities, I have ridden some great places with the chapter, and with the people I met through the chapter.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 561
Likes: 311
From: Depends on the season
Different goals, for example?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 346
Likes: 84
From: Toronto, Canada
I highly recommend joining your local HOG chapter but you get out of it what you put in. I joined my local chapter about 4 years ago not knowing what to expect, as I just wanted to put some miles on my bike. Since then, I've become the chapter's Webmaster, Newsletter Editor, and now the new Director. We have a great chapter because we have great members, and I'm having a blast!
Last edited by Route66; Dec 18, 2019 at 11:36 PM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 602
From: The 9th Island
I am in in Las Vegas and there are two HOG Chapters in the Las Vegas area to choose from. If you want to ride and log miles and smiles, either will fit the bill.
There is no harm in joining one or the other, and if you are new to the area the cost of joining one or both are minimal. In the mean time, you will will learn the area, meet friends and go on some great rides. You can't go wrong. Both offer some good benefits and chapter perks balance themselves out at the end of the year.
There is no harm in joining one or the other, and if you are new to the area the cost of joining one or both are minimal. In the mean time, you will will learn the area, meet friends and go on some great rides. You can't go wrong. Both offer some good benefits and chapter perks balance themselves out at the end of the year.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7,702
Likes: 17,167
From: MA
Well, first, HOG chapters are open to anyone. Male or female.
Second, you dont have to prospect for it. I mean, I am 49 years old. I have seen combat, if I were to prospect for an MC, no way in HELL am I gonna be someone's errand boy to prove my worth.
Third, some people simply find an MC too intense, or a HOG chapter not intense enough for them.
Fourth, in a HOG chapter, there is no minimum participation requirement. You can join, never go to a meeting, and pay dues-and no one cares. In an MC, you have certain riding requirements that have to be met, certain rides you MUST go on. Commitment levels are different for both.
