My local HOG chapter has over 600 members and most allof them are always bragging about that "happy Harley feeling" and how they believe all the other members are like Family- all warm and fuzzy like. I have owned an HD since 2000 and been a member with varying degrees of group participation. Seems like it is always the same group of about 50 folks that do everything- go on allthe long distance rides, volunteer etc. If you are working, not in a great financial stage of your life and just cant be as active as some they make you feel like a social outcast. I also got really tired of being asked when I was going to get rid of my sporty and buy a big girls bike. I am barely 5 ft tall so the 1200 is a great bike for me!I have now dropped my membership and will ride solo or with a few close real friends. I never did find that big happy Harley feeling and personally feel like my chapter members are bunch of snotty,artifical folks who want to show off their wallets. They keep asking why they have so many members and not so many participants- I suggest try being sincerely friendly to everyone- in todays world folks have personal reasons why they can't afford to do everything and go everywhere or buy a new bike every other year. The group talks safety but also lane splits, wears improper gear , speeds on the freeways and offers no suggestions of rider improvement to ladies who have nicknames like Tipsy because they drop their bike on almost every group ride. I have been a rider since 1970 and was truly hoping that HD would work for me but am happy to go back to being a lone wolf rider. Anyone else prefer to ride by themselves rather than do chapter rides?

 

I only went to one meeting when I got my free membership for buying the bike. The people seemed nice but a bit cliquish. They also looked the same like they came from a cookie cutter mold--black Electra Glide or Street Glides lined up in a row outside the meeting hall, members all had leather vest with HOG patch, beer belly, etc...it all struck me as group think and herd-ism, rather than the individuality and stuff you often hear associated with riders. not that there is anything wrong with that. To each their own. It just is not anything I am interested in.

But I agree they tend to give you the stink eye look if you say you are not interested in coming back to another meeting.

 

I hate to ride with groups. Even the occasional poker run is just a PITA as far as I'm concerned.
There's often times a yahoo or two cutting in and out of line or just people who don't know how to ride in a group.
95% of my riding is 2up with my wife.
We both love to ride and quite often take off for 5-6 day trips on the bike.
Also take day trips to some interesting destinations or take a long ride for lunch.
We do 300-400 miles on a Sunday quite often.

We have a few friends who have bikes and will go on rides with them, but still prefer to just ride alone at our own pace.

I've been riding for over 45 years and just don't need or care to belong or ride in groups. To each his own, it works for some people, but not for us.

 

I was in a "biker" club years ago and while it was fun, it was like another job.

I had thought I'd renew my free membership with HOG but the more I think about it, I doubt that I will. I like riding with my wife and not have to worry about who's beside or behind me.

 

will ride with my friends
will ride with my wife and kids ( take them for a ride)
will ride alone.

Hog chapters, any kind of motorcyle Club, any organized rides for any reason - nope, never have felt the need or want to ride with them.

 

The OP has it about right. Many HOG chapters, and other motorcycle clubs, exhibit the same behaviors. My local HOG chapter has about 200 members, but real participation is limited to about 12-15 usual suspects, all dressed up in Harley gear. It's a very tight clique and and not very welcoming to outsiders, and been that way for about the last 8 years. Better to ride with friends or solo.

 

Well, since you're a chick I won't post what I REALLY feel about HOG because the language would be too harsh, but...You did the right thing. I find them to be a little on the silly side. Old bags & geezers dressing like 70's teenage bikers. I laugh at them when I see them. I prefer to ride by myself. Have 2 friends that just got HDs, husband & wife, and they go on all the runs & crap & they're always trying to get me to go with them to "live the lifestyle". I tell 'em I don't do "runs" poker,toy,charity...ain't interested in any of it. I ride to the beat of my own drummer.

 

Being in HOG is like being in High School...only everyone has bikes this time...

Also riding since 1970 (never quit riding). Solo or with friends. Hate riding in a group as it is dangerous enough out there and don't need to also have worry about other riders and various levels of skills..