Motorcycle community membership: Which is best for you

July 31, 9:17 AMManchester Motorcycle ExaminerChris Greenleaf

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Manchester Motorcycle Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

3 GSX-R's. Base of Hurricane Mtn Rd, Conway, NH

During some one on one conversation with fell motorcycle scribe DC Motorcycle Examiner Mark Poesch, we got chatting about our 'online' motorcycle communities.  When I found out his group had fewer than one hundred members, my jaw dropped in awe in comparison with the group I call home boasting over 3,000 members!

So the debate began, and hence inspiration for this column.  Why belong to an online riding community? (It's the point of riding to be away from the keyboard and on the road?), and which type of community is best (for you)?

Mark argues 'smaller is better'.  I am sure he'll counter this column with his own reasoning in the days to follow.  As a member, and supporter of a larger community, I tend to lean in that direction for preference.

With over 3,000 members, the community I belong to was created nearly a decade ago to counter the clique-style stigma many rider groups portray.  Designed for 'guys and girls who just want to ride'.  As with any large group (consider university fraternities, sororities, large high school clubs etc), there is always a tendency for individuals of similar interests to break off and 'lurk' in their own corner of the community.

There are several key advantages to a membership in a larger group of enthusiasts.  First, you increase your 'pool' of options for participants in group rides, and you are likely to always be able to find a riding buddy to hit the road with for the day.  Next, you expand your sea of knowledge, with great diversity of skilled individuals to extract information, hints, tips, and ideas to expound upon.  A key advantage is off-season socialization.  With a larger number of members, there is sure to be ongoing off-season chatter about modification, maintenance, or even more opportunity for an off-season road trip to warmer climate rallies such as Daytona Bike Week, in contrast to the somewhat limited opportunity provided in a group of 100 members or less.

Consider the 'political' stronghold a larger community has when the need arises to stand up for a groups rights such as helmet law legislation, motorcycle modification movements and more.  A larger 'family' with a little added drama, reaps considerable benefits over a smaller 'group of friends'.

It's fair to say we all have our solo riding days, or days we reach out to our closest friends for a small jaunt through the mountains, but when it comes to being a part of a community, consider the benefits of a larger community over that of a smaller group.