Join the Club
 A
Look At The Variations of Motorcycle Clubs and Why You May Want To Join One...or
Two...or Three
50 Years ago there were very few motorcycle clubs in the
Northwest. Of course there were far fewer motorcycles running around too.
Today Puget Sound alone hosts more than 100 motorcycle
clubs and chapters in the region.
Clubs come in all colors and sizes. Some are based
on the type of bike you ride, others are built around your political stance, and
some are open to everyone who owns, or even likes motorcycles.
Today we have cruiser clubs, off road clubs, scooter
clubs, ladies clubs, vintage clubs, Honda clubs, Yamaha clubs, gay clubs,
legal activists clubs, sportbike clubs, touring clubs and even clubs for old Brit guys. We've got it all right here in our own backyard.
But then there are those of you who have been in clubs
before, but no longer associate with any - or do you?
With the advent of the internet, there are thousands of enthusiasts
clubs for everything from Suzuki SV650 owners, to Vintage Japanese groups and
beyond. Much like the clubs of yesterday these online neighborhoods
provide a place for people to share opinions, technical knowledge and
information about upcoming events.
So the answer might be yes - you're still in a club if
you're in a web group, even if you're not down at Teddy's Tavern on Wednesday
nights, or ripping over every pass in the Cascades with the Concours Owners
Group on whatever day of the month they do that.
Some of my best friends ride motorcycles and almost all of
them I met in clubs. I have vintage friends from my association with VME
and scooter pals from my association with NWSE.
I might not always agree with the politics behind various
clubs, I don't always see eye to eye with certain peoples views on some issues,
but in the end I'd rather have these friends then be out there trying to figure
everything out on my own.
Or you can get really devious and learn how to jerk
someone's chain in a club and just keep playing them, then the next thing you
know everyone's string you pulled is reciting in the club news letter or meeting
minutes about new policies, or reinforcement of old policies or whatever.
You're a star. But you wouldn't do that of course really now would
you. Someone reminded me the term for such is called 'jacking off.'
A shocking thing happened the other day. I bought a
1972 SL350K2 Enduro, but I had no truck in which to fetch it. I mentioned
it to a club friend of mine and he fired back the names for 5 club members, all
who had trucks and could help me out. Ahhhh - a club advantage. And
then you mention to these people you're restoring a motorcycle and they all want
to chat it up and be your pal. Of course they'll all pay later when I
continue to hound them to death about restoration tips and start calling them at
home at midnight because I need a little guidance through the valve job or
something - just kidding (heh-heh).
Bench Racing is always a lot of fun. Don't know the
term? That's what you do when you start conversing with your club pals
about motorcycles. "We did this, we did that. Remember when so
and so rode straight down from Sunrise without using the switchbacks...and we
were like just 15 years old." Yeah - fifteen years old and wearing a
T-shirt that tells the world, "The older I get, the faster I was."
Now that's bench racing and we all like to do it. It
makes the day go by so much nicer.
New riders can learn a lot from people in clubs. Of
course take everything you hear with a grain of salt and then work from the
general consensus about whatever you're asking people about. Motorcycle
safety, where to get the right clothing, what is the right clothing, best rides
and so on can be batted around during club meetings and bench racing and you can
learn a lot.
When I attend a motorcycle event, I'm often astounded at
how many people are not in clubs. Whether you join one or two online, or
in the real world, my take is it's worth it to do so.
We've updated our club directory
and I hope you find it useful in your search for a club that's suitable to your
needs.
TM/Summer 02
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