I was wondering if anyone here has started their own MC. I'm a firm believer in brotherhood and belonging to something that means something. I have a basic idea of what my club would stand for and what we would be about. I don't want to be a 1% club. Just a group of guys that have similar interests and beliefs and are willing to represent that. I would also like to use the club to bring some good to the world so I would be curious to learn about how to start events like charity rides and similar things. If anyone has any feedback or just wants to share ideas about the topic then please post. Thanks. Have fun, ride safe.

 

 

Your best bet is to get an abate magazine, or one of the local biker mags, and go and check out some of the other MCs in the area. A lot of them do open house on Fridays or Saturdays, and you could get a lot of your questions answered there.

 

It's one of those things, depending on your location, that you need to be pretty careful about if your area is home to a 1% club. Just throwing on a 3 piece patch and calling yourself a club in any of their areas is just asking for a lot of trouble. A lot of the big clubs have open to the public parties at their club houses on occasion... regardless of how, it's something you need to very respectfully ask them about and if they give their blessing, then you're good. Might be worth considering, if any of this is the case, and you do not care about trying to be a 1% club, comming up with a 1 piece patch... they'd be much much less likely to have an issue with that. Still be respectful and ask them what they think though.

 

Just curious, do you ride with an MC?

 

No longer as a member, no. In the past yes. Loss of my right leg due to a bike accident years ago, combined with having young daughters brought about my retirement. I do still ride with a lot of the guys, still very close to some of them. Regardless of what most of the stuff on tv would have you believe, almost all of these guys are just decent guys with jobs and families that would be more than decent to you if you're respectful and genuinely curious what they have to say. But like i said, just throwing a cut on you and some friends backs and riding around in their areas will get you sternly questioned... at best.

 

I was going to start a one man MC called "Wild Hog".

 

Some contact numbers. You will get better info then on here.
Confederation of Clubs 800-531-2424
NCOM 800-525-5355

 

I'm wondering why you want to start one, rather than join one.

 

Yes. Once prior to my current club. Also, Ive counseled a handful of start ups of which NONE exist today. Failure rate isnt much different than new business failure rates. Ive read/reviewed maybe 4 sets of bylaws and given direction to countless others on trademarks and copyrights.

In the past 10 years my region has gone from about 40 clubs to several hundred. Most of the growth from 2007 forward. Largest percentage of new clubs are VET, mom n pop, and Faith based. Far fewer traditional MCs fraternal orders. Why? dunno.

I STRONGLY suggest you focus your questions locally. What works in California may not work in Vermont or Florida. Internet forums have too many people with narrow or limited experience giving critical advice.

I can also tell you those who seek out and join existing clubs are much much happier than those who try to start their own. Learning and growing within the success of established clubs is easier than learning on your own.

Just my 2 pennies.