HOG Membership?

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Jul 15, 2009 | 03:47 PM

#21

tibadoe

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 2,217

Likes: 53

From: Gladys, VA

Been a life member for many years and I like it. I pick and choose what I want to participate in. Try it and see what you think.

Jul 15, 2009 | 04:08 PM

#22

rochkes

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 4,351

Likes: 461

From: Illinois

I am glad I have this forum to show me more of what is in the real world than what I see first hand, locally. I am very happy to see that HOG is a good thing in many chapters.

I was a hog member twice because I got the membership with the purchase of the two new bikes I bought.I bought into it the first time because I didn't know any better. I assumed that a hog chapter would have people who loved biking, not people who loved the image of being a biker. My local chapter is beyond pitiful. They are uptight, sweater wearing rubs that want to be bikers on the weekends, but without the skills needed to be a biker. And I am in a very rural, economically depressed area that I didn't think you could even find that many people with that much money to spend on an image within six counties of my house.

I read a post someone made on this forum one time about how excited the poster was about belonging to his local hog chapter. He stated that he would NEVER ride his bike unless it was a hog ride and the service manager at his local HD dealer was always on the rides. He was thrilled that anything that could ever happen to his bike would be witnessed by his service manager. I think that is sad that someone would buy a $20,000 bike and only ride it if he was with his other "wild hogs".

I am also an ABATE member. You will find the same thing with them. The chapter you belong to will determine if it will be a great experience, a joke, or somewhere in the middle. If you believe in the cause, I would join, check it out, and if you like it, stay and work to make it better.

Dennis

Jul 15, 2009 | 04:46 PM

#23

Opossum

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 191

Likes: 4

From: Dallas

It definitely depends on the chapter. Check out NTHOG.com great bunch of people! Some of us have been described as a drinkin chapter with a riding problem...THATS at the party with the scoot parked!! No way condone ridin and drinkin!!! NO FLAMES, but some of the best brothers andsisters I've ever met have been with this group. That said as with any other group of 400=500 there is somethin there for ANYBODY.
Ride Safe

Jul 15, 2009 | 05:59 PM

#24

103Eagle

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 793

Likes: 112

Quote:

Originally Posted by rochkes

I read a post someone made on this forum one time about how excited the poster was about belonging to his local hog chapter. He stated that he would NEVER ride his bike unless it was a hog ride and the service manager at his local HD dealer was always on the rides. He was thrilled that anything that could ever happen to his bike would be witnessed by his service manager. I think that is sad that someone would buy a $20,000 bike and only ride it if he was with his other "wild hogs".

I am also an ABATE member. You will find the same thing with them. The chapter you belong to will determine if it will be a great experience, a joke, or somewhere in the middle. If you believe in the cause, I would join, check it out, and if you like it, stay and work to make it better.

Dennis

My previous point exactly. Too many posers with too little riding experience. Group riding is dangerous if you do not pay attention or know how to ride diciplined. HOG Chapters are hit or miss, good chapters can become bad chapters in a matter of a owner or officer change. When I first joined up (charter member) our chapter was fantastic. Great people, good rides, lot of volunteers and dealer participation was great. 4 years later, new owner, different group of members and officers, too many egos and power struggles. Good went to $hit. Many good members quit and wrote letters to HOG with no avail. Dealer has total control of local chapters. If ya want in, do the guest thing. Show up, watch and listen, make your own judgement. Worst case you lost $15 or $20 bucks joining up with a bad chapter, either give it up or look for another. HOG will advise you to look for another, trust me.

I am fortunate that I have some good friends that ride and ride well. We ride together when and where we want. No HOG rules, no egos or power struggles. Just friends ridin together. EGOS can ruin a good thing quickly! HOG can be good but its only good if ya have a good group IMHO!

Jul 15, 2009 | 05:59 PM

#25

jag1886

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 4,122

Likes: 43

From: Boise Idaho

I belong to HOG and some years it's good and some years it sucks, it just depends on who is in charge of your local chapter, I think it's BS that you have to belong to the nation chapter to belong to the local chapter.

Jul 16, 2009 | 11:49 AM

#26

Homebrew101

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,200

Likes: 24

From: Greenfield, WI

1st joined a local chapter about 1.5 years ago. So far I would guess this is one of the "good" chapters except some of the regulars are a cliche bunch but tolerable if you keep them at arm's length LOL.

Ours stresses that members take the group riding class (they hold one once a month in season). Our group rides seem to be the best group riders I've ridden with in the close to 30 years I've ridden.

Since we have a zero tolerance policy regarding alcohol you better like to eat since many rides involve to/from a meal.

Just this weekend we are hosting a fund raiser for the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic with a dinner with Bart and Cherry Starr Friday and a ride Saturday with the new CEO of HD (followed by lunch of course

Jul 16, 2009 | 06:51 PM

#27

d2jlking

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 263

Likes: 0

From: Split time between Texas and Minnesota

Thanks for all the info fellas. I was invited to a local H.O.G. party by someone I work with. I got a national membership when i bought my new bike. Anyway, I think I may check it out....see what's up.....like someone here said, I can always bail if it is not to my liking.

I just like to ride, and I do like to ride with other people, but I am NOT interested in club politics, drama, etc......

S