PHAT-BOY

Here is a question to HOG members. Why did you join? I am thinking of joining, and am just curious as to the benefits current members see from joining. I can read about them on the HD website, but I'd rather hear from current members.

Thanks!
PHAT-BOY

SoberBiker

There are some benifits to joining H.O.G. Every year ya get a new map of each state in book form which also includes information about the laws in each state and other useful info. That's a minor benifit. There are also perks, such as insurance and a H.O.G. Hospitality Room at all major events. Patches-Pins and the like...
Other things, if yur into e'm are local H.O.G. meetings and rides (Requires a seperate minimum membership). Also, yur bike is regestered with H.O.G. and they do offer a reward if it should be stolen.
Personally, I belong to H.O.G and have for over 10 years and will pay for a life membership next year, but I am not very active in the H.O.G. group here. The group here is very active and do a lot of rides tho. I choose to not do very much with them. Mainly cause they frequent quite a few drinking establishments and I choose not to...but they are a good group of people. "Newbies", is an understatement...but a good group of folks non the less. I know not many in this VB board can get past the "Newbie" thing...but, they are here to stay. I have been ridin for 35+ years and no longer wish to play the "hard guy thing" and no longer participate in the 1%'er way of life. I love to ride my bike and go where I want and when I want...on my terms.
I know this isn't the most popular position here...but havin been there and done that...Today I enjoy my life...free from all the checkin over my shoulder and wonderin if I'm gonna be safe to ride to the other side of town or not. Sorry if this attitude doesn't fit into yur box...but I never did fit in to the box very well.
Sorry I got off on a rant there Phat-Boy, but if yur gonna think bout joinin H.O.G., ya might take into consideration how well received you may be in areas like this forum. Me...I just don't give a ****.
Go to one of the local H.O.G. meetings in yur area and check them out. Then make a dessicion after ya get some input first hand.

Mongo

I know this bothers some people, but I really don't know what else to call people that are new to the boards. Any suggestions? The way it is now, your title is all about posts on the boards:

Newbie: 0-99 posts
Biker: 100-399 posts
Wrench Head: 400-599
Master Cycler: 600 or more posts

Maybe if we could come up with something a bit more generic it would help. PM me suggestions, or just post a reply here.

Agreed. Most of those guys looks really pissed when they are riding, hard to even crack a smile. The love to ride is the common bond we all share and that's where this board comes into play. Whether you ride a tricked out chopper, a yamaha cruiser, or a souped up Honda CBR....you're welcome here......no games, no bs, just plain folk discussing on of the greatest things in the world. Clubs can be a great way to meet other riders and make some close friends. Simply said, they're for some people, and not for some people. I personally ride with friends, people I've met at charity events or in moto shops. Clubs have never crossed my mind, but that's me and the career/life I've led....it just doesn't fit.

Whatever you choose to do though Phat-Boy, make sure you check out a meeting first, and chat a little bit with some of the people....that should give you a good idea of the chapter you're thinking about joining. Stay safe.

PHAT-BOY

I think I'll join HOG through HD for a year to try it out, then check out the local chapter to see if it's for me. Thanks for the advice.

I don't know that the newbie thing bothers me. Plus, you can change it in your preferences. Maybe change newbie to New Biker, and change Biker to Experienced Biker. Don't know, it doesn't bother me personally. You can't please 100% of people 100% of the time.


PHAT-BOY

SoberBiker

Thanks for the info on changing the newbie thing. That did bother me a bit but as long as I was such a newbie here I didn't realy think too much about it. But after I was here a while and made a few posts it was mildly annoying. No biggie tho, but, thanks for the info on changin it. True bout pleasin people...just can't be done!
Glad you decided to join H.O.G. It isn't such a bad organization. I guess the motor company is so big that it turns most old timers off. Me included. I'm not so happy with their way of doin things, but the bike is still my main concern. They'll do what they have to do to continue to keep makin money. My main gripe is with the individual dealers. The attitude sucks! I have worked for a few of them in the past and the main reason I chose to work for H-D was to try and make the experience better for the customer. Needless to say...the dent I made went unnoticed, at least in the big picture, but I have to say that when I finally retired, the customers I had let me know they were sorry I was going. So I guess I did a little...but too bad the big picture still looks at the adverage biker as scum and not worth messin over. Oh well! Havin a great time in retirement and I only deal with the dealer when absolutely the last resort.