HOG membership
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 213
Likes: 66
From: usa
Last edited by DeputyDawg; Dec 19, 2019 at 01:28 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 592
From: Philly PA
My thoughts have already been covered by others. I belong to two chapters and was webmaster and treasurer for one for a period of 9 or 10 years. Because of that I attended the HOG officers training 3 or 4 times and saw representatives from many chapters
1) Each chapter is different. There are good chapters and not so good chapters, and everything in between
2) You get out of a membership what you put in. If you attend meetings and events you will meet people and gain a lot of friends, making everything more fun. If you simply show up for rides you won't know anyone and unless you are really outgoing you won't talk to many people and it will likely suck.
I suggest attending a meeting or two for the local chapters and get to know a few people. And go to their rides and/or events.
Then decide if it's something you want to do.
1) Each chapter is different. There are good chapters and not so good chapters, and everything in between
2) You get out of a membership what you put in. If you attend meetings and events you will meet people and gain a lot of friends, making everything more fun. If you simply show up for rides you won't know anyone and unless you are really outgoing you won't talk to many people and it will likely suck.
I suggest attending a meeting or two for the local chapters and get to know a few people. And go to their rides and/or events.
Then decide if it's something you want to do.
Here's an idea, if you're looking to make like minded friends, try out local poker runs or charity/benefit rides. Meet new people, no dues or rules, bounce between groups to see what fits the bill, and raise money for a good cause. I usually try and fit as many as I can in my schedule.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 809
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
There is no rank in a HOG Chapter, unless you consider the term "Road Captain" as a rank which it is not. Simply nothing more than a fancy name for a ride leader. The diference being anyone who wants to put the time and effort can become a "Road Captain" and do not need to move up in rank before being able to lead a ride.
Hog Chapters do have elected officers, yes, but they don't issue orders and there is no disipline for missing a meeting or the like. There are no such things as colors or turf.
A HOG Chapter is all about riding our HD scoots and being support of, and being supported by, the associated HD dealership.
MC's are founded on a military style structure while riding clubs, of which a HOG Chapter is, are not.
And, BTW, the only alegience we sware to, is to the American Flag and that is out of respect and pride..
Last edited by FrankEV; Dec 19, 2019 at 01:06 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 472
Likes: 310
From: St. Louis, MO
Another benefit, while some insurance companies give a discount for passing a riding class, others don't, mine included. But I get $100 discount for being a HOG member, which is $45. So even if you don't join for the riding camaraderie you can save a little money and get the magazine free.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 266
From: Southern California
L.A. is a big and rather populous place (Duh!). As a result I had the enviable opportunity to visit five different H.O.G. Chapters. Each chapter has their own "personality" for lack of a better term. But you really need to invest a bit of your time with each to know which, if any of them, you are comfortable with. There are also Meet-Up groups that someone else suggested. Over a number of years I've tried a number of them. My principle concern has been the level of riding inexperience (or rather the lack there-of) on group rides that can add a certain level of excitement I can live without. Also the lack of any social activities other than the rides. Then something I picked up on, early in this game, was that many are run as pseudo businesses. Ex: We're all going to stop for lunch at "Restaurant/Diner" and the buy in is $X.00. The deal being that the folks organizing the ride are getting a portion of the $X.00. The quality of the food and the service often reflects this. Also I'm not aware of any of these Meet-up groups that have been able to sustain themselves for more than a year or two.
Also, while Southern Nevada/Las Vegas is not Ohio, It is and can be just as good if not better than what you're familiar with. Start by sticking some pins in a map in all the State and National Parks within a day or a weekends ride from you. Las Vegas is kind of at the geological center of places and roads that will absolutely blow your mind! Ex: Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley, Zion, Cedar Breaks, Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, Bryce, Great Basin, Yosemite . . . . . etc., etc., etc. Distances and travel times out west are not the same as back east. The distances may be longer but the travel time is significantly less. It'll take a bit of getting used to.
Also, while Southern Nevada/Las Vegas is not Ohio, It is and can be just as good if not better than what you're familiar with. Start by sticking some pins in a map in all the State and National Parks within a day or a weekends ride from you. Las Vegas is kind of at the geological center of places and roads that will absolutely blow your mind! Ex: Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley, Zion, Cedar Breaks, Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, Bryce, Great Basin, Yosemite . . . . . etc., etc., etc. Distances and travel times out west are not the same as back east. The distances may be longer but the travel time is significantly less. It'll take a bit of getting used to.
What about practical advantages of HOG membership? Is HOG roadside assistance really 24/7 and fast? As insurance companies giving discount for "no claims per last year", it can be useful if that will be needed once.
I got 1 year membership with bike purchase. First time HOG mistakenly sent me only a card in envelope. On second attempt they sent again a card, pin and patch in nice faux leather folder. And "'Ride" magazine in Arabic
My wife likes pins very much, and I am not applying any patches and keeping all them on shelf in wardrobe.
I got 1 year membership with bike purchase. First time HOG mistakenly sent me only a card in envelope. On second attempt they sent again a card, pin and patch in nice faux leather folder. And "'Ride" magazine in Arabic
My wife likes pins very much, and I am not applying any patches and keeping all them on shelf in wardrobe.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 124
Likes: 61
From: Las Vegas, NV
Thanks for all of the information. One guy mentioned the idea of riding other makes to a HOG ride - I get it, but my significant other rides her Indian more often than she rides on the back of my Harley. Not sure it that would be frowned upon.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 457
From: Littleton CO
In our HOG Chapter that is not a problem. We have many members who's SO rides something besides a Harley. They usually upgrade to one though as the years go on.