How many people here belong to a H.O.G Chapter???

harleybodei · 10-04-2009, 08:26 AM

I am seriously think about joining the local chapter and I would like to hear what you folks that belong think the pro's and con's might be to joining.....

sk8rod · 10-04-2009, 08:29 AM

can only speak from the local perspective...

it pretty much blows !

Ratty · 10-04-2009, 08:57 AM

I belong to the local one but only because I just bought a new scoot, once my membership expires I doubt I'll renew it.

If you like organized rides etc you might enjoy it but ours is kinda clicky and it tends to make things more like hard work than fun.

joker · 10-04-2009, 10:42 AM

i looked into it since when i bought the glide. the local one here has tons of rides, but very structured and rule-oriented. i went to one meeting and decided it wasn't for me. i know some guys who love it though.

Dax · 10-04-2009, 06:32 PM

Yeah, what Joker said....

I looked into it and even joined the main HOG association. Local chapter was in Riverside at the time and I just wasn't into the structured group thing.

sirbOOm · 10-05-2009, 01:13 AM

Don't join if you don't want to feel obligated to ride around wearing a leather cut with all kinds of ridiculous HOG membership patches, your name, and the fact that you are the group photographer or webmaster. HOG chapters are great for making friends and finding riding buddies, but they seem to get way too into the whole leather and chaps thing and you honestly could meet more good people just talking to people whilst not being affiliated with a chapter of anything.

harleybodei · 10-05-2009, 02:07 AM

Good advice guy's...thanks for the input!
I personally don't care for the whole "structured" riding scene either but I thought it would be a good way to network with other people that ride...
But I will definetely look into it further.
Thanks again for your take on it........even you sk8!

sk8rod · 10-05-2009, 04:17 AM

thing is i didnt want to slag it off too much,, because over in the US it may be diff and i may have offended...

but basically here, you got a bunch of white collar folk, who at the weekend put on their neatly pressed leathers with immaculate patches festooning their backs and wheel out the HD for its weekly 10mile jaunt down to the dealer, where their wives have baked cakes and done their hair in readiness for a few hours chat about crap..

and like the others have said,, if they go riding, the rules are beyond belief and the "pack" is surround on all sides by the more experienced who wear the special dayglo jackets and arm bands and basically pen the riders in

so in short..

it pretty much blows

Ratty · 10-05-2009, 04:54 AM

LOL no dayglo in our chapter mate, that might cover those hard earned mileage patches up

sirbOOm · 10-05-2009, 04:54 AM

Yeah, HOG is down and out. Membership renewels are on the decline. New memberships are on the decline, especially when factoring out membership due to buying a new bike (which they should not just give away if they want the HOG group to be exclusive at all). I saw a HOG member with a "Webmaster" patch on his cut. Are you f'ing me? Seriously? I also don't get why everyone has to announce how many miles they've gone. So what?

Ug... for some reason I just can't stand HOG. Oy vey... vent over. Wa, wa, wa.

FL · 10-05-2009, 07:55 AM

I do belong to HOG and have for many years, pretty much be cause I like the rags they send out. But dont belong to the local chapter because of the reasons already stated.

VIN#removed · 10-05-2009, 09:55 AM

National only, for the magazine and online bennies. Pete's description of the local club is pretty right on.

greydog · 10-06-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIN#removed

National only, for the magazine and online bennies. Pete's description of the local club is pretty right on.

Same here!! I consider myself a "Member at Large". If I happen to come upon a HOG gathering that interests me while out riding I can check it out simply by virtue of the membership card. Also the State Rallys are open to all members and they have a good one each year up in Canaan Vally not too far from me.

sk8rod · 10-06-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greydog

Same here!! I consider myself a "Member at Large". If I happen to come upon a HOG gathering that interests me while out riding I can check it out simply by virtue of the membership card. Also the State Rallys are open to all members and they have a good one each year up in Canaan Vally not too far from me.

bet ya got some neato patches on yer slippers there Dog

greydog · 10-06-2009, 11:09 AM

garyp · 11-03-2009, 09:04 AM

Thought ya had to be a bank manager or accountant to be a hoggy!

screwball · 11-05-2009, 12:10 PM

I'm sure there are some really great HOG Chapters out there, and the members have a great time. Wife and I usually ride with 2 or 3 other couples, like to keep the crowd down. We are also into longer rides, not just the weekly lunch ride. I won't bad mouth them, they do a lot of good, and bring people together, just not my cup of tea.

Black12 · 12-20-2009, 07:28 PM

National only because I got a free year for buying my HD. Checked out the local chapter, not for me. It's usually just me and the OL and maybe a couple friends, good enough for me. I'm just not into the whole "this make only" club thing, been there, done that, didn't care for it.

risky · 12-21-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8rod

thing is i didnt want to slag it off too much,, because over in the US it may be diff and i may have offended...

but basically here, you got a bunch of white collar folk, who at the weekend put on their neatly pressed leathers with immaculate patches festooning their backs and wheel out the HD for its weekly 10mile jaunt down to the dealer, where their wives have baked cakes and done their hair in readiness for a few hours chat about crap..

and like the others have said,, if they go riding, the rules are beyond belief and the "pack" is surround on all sides by the more experienced who wear the special dayglo jackets and arm bands and basically pen the riders in

so in short..

it pretty much blows

+1 pete, UK HOG is a bunch of middle aged, middle management arse