HOG membership

[Gummiente]

Anyone take advantage of this beyond the 1yr national membership card that comes with a new bike? Back in '90 I joined a HOG chapter in Ontario and only lasted a couple months. There were just too many yuppies all dressed up and acting tough and WAY too many loud pipes. Maybe it varies from region to region, but any time I've looked into joining a local chapter since then it's always the same thing - pose, ride 20km to a coffee shop, pose some more, ride home.

Joined the local chapter here when I bought my '04 FLHT but, after meeting a few of the members, I never did go to a meeting. Nice enough people, but the average mileage per year was only around 3,000km. When I got my '06 FXDI the dealer offered to pay for my first year of local chapter dues, but I declined. Maybe I'm a little jaded, but I just don't see any benefit to joining HOG. Anyone here a member? If so, I'd like to hear your thoughts about it.

[Chip Beazley]

I am a member of the national HOG and am going to join the local group. While there might be posers and loud pipes (which I also object to) their hearts are in the right place as they do a lot of rides for charity and to help local causes. Additionly the local dealer gives a 10% discount on parts and accessories.

[Locopez]

I just read this morning....that earlier this year HOG membership is now over 1 millon world wide. Just back in 1999 it was only like 500K.

[Mustang]

I actually extended the free year to three more while at Daytona a few months ago. Got a free collapsable HD hat! As much as I enjoy and proudly carry my HOG card, theres been no real urge to join the local chapter.

It just so happened there were a few officers of the chapter at the dealership the day I bought my bike and maybe its because I'm a banker by day and may come across as preppy, but there was no enthusiasm on their part about the chapter.

Besides, I put loud pipes on my bike so maybe they wouldn't even let me join:):)

[CentralOzzy]

I have been a H.O.G. Member (Int.) for Years & have dabbled in local Chapers (I call the local members Hog-la-dites) but I also have become jaded for the same reasons as Gummi mentioned.

Having said that, I find myself a local chapter member right now, but have not made a huge effort to go on too many of their runs. - Go Figure

[MajorGator]

Gee, Ozzy, in a town as small (not to mention as isolated) as Alice, I would kind of expect half the town to be local H.O.G. members, and know each other quite well...

[Wizenheimer]

First of all I'm not a joiner. Would not have been in HOG if it hadn't been done when I purchased my 06 FLHRI. A woman hit me 8 days later and totalled it. The insurance company tried to tell me my bike had depreciated by nearly 2500 dollars. The dealership where I purchased it said yes, that was right. Her fault and I'm out 2.5k? Finally it hit me, I called HOG after the insurance company tried to stick it in me for 2 months. They told me they would contact the insurance company. I received a call from the insurance company the next day and they told me my bike was worth $50 more than I paid for it. Will be a member of HOG for life. Local chapter, don't care to have anything to do with it as I see it as an opportunity for a dealer to get you in his shop. But that is my thoughts on the local chapters. I now recommend HOG membership to all my friends.

[Mustang]

First of all I'm not a joiner. Would not have been in HOG if it hadn't been done when I purchased my 06 FLHRI. A woman hit me 8 days later and totalled it. The insurance company tried to tell me my bike had depreciated by nearly 2500 dollars. The dealership where I purchased it said yes, that was right. Her fault and I'm out 2.5k? Finally it hit me, I called HOG after the insurance company tried to stick it in me for 2 months. They told me they would contact the insurance company. I received a call from the insurance company the next day and they told me my bike was worth $50 more than I paid for it. Will be a member of HOG for life. Local chapter, don't care to have anything to do with it as I see it as an opportunity for a dealer to get you in his shop. But that is my thoughts on the local chapters. I now recommend HOG membership to all my friends.

That my friend is a cool story!!!!

[KeithB]

Maybe it's our job, to mentor them into real bikers

[ArcticHarleyMan]

I've been a HOG member since '94. It all paid off at the 100th Anniversary party in '03. I signed my son up as an associate member (he rides '01 Honda Shadow) and we took off from the Yukon, joined up with the Ride from Calgary, hit all the parties for HOG members, and even got to the Final Party. Without any tickets, although we tried desperately to buy some, there weren't any available, but HOG members came through and managed to get tickets to everything for us. I'll be forever greatful because I was able to take the trip with my son and show him what HOG is all about. We'll both cherish the memories forever.

So, I'm buying a Lifetime Membership when renewal comes around.