Rider Clubs

One of the many reasons why my wife and I got into motorcycling was to meet new friends with similar interest. Unlike the typical television portrayal, bikers are very friendly people and one of the best way to meet them is through clubs. But before you join one, make sure you know what it is you want to get from them.

There are many different types of club, but one of the main things that stand out is membership dues. Some have them, some don’t. Since every club is different in different parts of the world, today I’m going to talk primarily about some of the clubs in my neck of the woods, South Florida. You might find some things that are similar to clubs in your own area, but here are just some of the basics.

There are a lot of great clubs down here. Some have been around for decades, others less than a year. Some require that you pay an initial application fee plus a monthly due, while others simply request you RSVP on an upcoming ride or event. Obviously the clubs that charge you money offer you exclusivity plus a few little extras (vest, badges, colors, etc). The free clubs are not actually “clubs” but groups of riders who put together rides and events in which you provide your own extras.

The thing to keep in mind when looking to join a club is what is it you want to gain from it and what can you offer them. Let’s start with riding distances. Down here we have clubs that mainly organize long distance rides, while others set up in town rides for shorter distances. If you’re not use to long rides (min 150 miles or more) you might want to look into groups that ride to different venues and event around town. But if you’re serious of doing 400+ mile rides on a regular basis, a membership to one of the “fee based” clubs might be up your alley. That’s not to say that a free club won’t do long rides as well.

Some clubs don’t care who joins or what they ride. Some however have specific regulations that you must adhere to. Yet even some require you to have a specific type of bike (ex: Harley, Sportbike, etc.). Many of the “fee based” clubs will require you to be in a probation period before becoming a full-fledge member. This is usually due because they want to keep their clubs filled with dedicated riders who participate not just in rides but also in community service events as well.

What you bring to a club is just as important as what the club has to offer. A lot of the clubs down here frown upon riders who drink and ride or hell raisers who can’t (or won’t) follow rules. Most clubs have a particular riding protocol. Some ride staggered while others choose to ride side by side. If you don’t like to follow rules, or if you’re more into doing things your own way, I’d suggest you don’t join a club, because you won’t be happy and neither will the members, and chances are you’ll be thrown out.

A club will have a leader and a 2^nd in command (usually the “rear gunner”) and they set up the rules. It’s very important when you first join a club that you get to know these people and ask questions. Most of these people are very helpful especially towards newcomers and beginners. They will tell you if or when you’re doing something wrong. Remember it’s their responsibility for the safety of the group; however your own safety is your responsibility.

If you’re not ready to ride with a group because you just started riding or you’re unsure of yourself, wait until you have a few more miles on that saddle before joining a club. Some clubs have a sort of rating criteria for a ride which is good for beginners. For example if the club is schedule for a ride which mostly consist of highway riding, they’ll rate it as “experience”. If they are only going to ride 10 mile across rural streets, they’ll rate it as “novice”, and so on.

Weather you decide to join a club or a riding group, the main thing to remember is that all these folks are basically looking for the same things you probably are. Have a good time, make new friends, and RIDE!