Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Phantom309]

Is there any real benefit to being a H.O.G. Member?  Can anyone cite examples?

The benefit is when your free year expires and they're finally finished sending you a hand-full of nagging reminders that they want more money for all the nonsense to continue, ahh ... no thanks! I never felt the need to pay anyone (especially HD) to "belong" to any club or organization to ride with friends. 

[TNCarters]

Dropped membership for several years as I was not doing anything with one of the local chapters and did not care for the other benefits.  I've rejoined since purchasing my CVO at a different dealer and like this chapter much better.  This dealer also has a discount program not tied to the chapter membership.

Heard recently that HD is moving from state rallies to regional rallies. TN said this might be the last year of a TN state rally.

[BDMastiff]

IMHO there's no benefits to joining HOG that justifies the ridiculously high annual dues.  I use auto club for towing and hotel discounts.  I use the internet to plan my road trips and I know how to read a paper map.   I really don't care about a patch or a pin.  The only benefit is if you want to join your local chapter.  I personally avoid anything to do with local chapters but that's a totally different subject matter.  Just my .02 cents.

[porthole]

Is there any real benefit to being a H.O.G. Member?  Can anyone cite examples?

For me the only real benefit was - you had to be a HOG national member to join my local chapter for $20 a year. The only benefit I saw to that was the 10% off all the time and several 15 and 20% nights through out the year.

The original owner sold out last year to a dealer many dislike. First thing he did was eliminate the 10% benefit.
Since my chapter is what I call the Wall Street chapter, it is loaded with many that I will not ride with.
The group rides are tantamount of collision avoidance exercises, either the bikes in front of you or the ones behind you.

[porthole]

I did the Life Member thing a long time ago while living with a chick who thought HOG was cool.  My mistake on that one.

What was wrong with the chick 

[Twolanerider]

What was wrong with the chick 

That particular one?  More like what wasn't wrong.  I learned slow back then.....

[FLSTFI Dave]

Heard recently that HD is moving from state rallies to regional rallies. TN said this might be the last year of a TN state rally.

That would be a loss.  TN other than the one in Jackson a few years ago is one of the Best State Rally's which is why it is usually a few days longer than other states Rallies.  The last couple on Cookeville were real good as were the ones in Maryville. 

[ultrafxr]

That would be a loss.  TN other than the one in Jackson a few years ago is one of the Best State Rally's which is why it is usually a few days longer than other states Rallies.  The last couple on Cookeville were real good as were the ones in Maryville.

Agree that the TN state HOG rallies are the best - and only ones I have attended for quite a while.  But HOG is moving away from stationary rallies in favor of riding rallies.  This may be good with riding opportunities to places we might not be familiar with. This year's rally in Memphis will be the last traditional stationary rally for TN.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[iski]

When we joined - life members - the local shop gave a 10% discount to HOG members.  Now the new owner does not offer that, they have a points program instead.  To attend a HOG rally you need to be a member. Used to go the the regional area rallies when they had them, some were fun.  Have been to 2 national rallies in Milwaukee, after the last one doubt I will go back. Greedy bastiges. Went to a few state rallies here.  Some were ok, lately not so much. Years ago the magazines were ok/good, now they hit the trash with the other advertisements, quickly.

The road atlas is ok for what it is.  Except....some friends use it to find HD shops & will ride miles out of the way to pay money for a poker chip from that shop.  These days I find something else better to ride to than that.

I did get some free bbq sammiches at Daytona last rally, they were ok. Suppose HOG is better than a kick in the head. That would be my ringing endorsement.

[RAINEY]

Not renewing mine. Just not enough value for me.

[FLSTFI Dave]

Agree that the TN state HOG rallies are the best - and only ones I have attended for quite a while.  But HOG is moving away from stationary rallies in favor of riding rallies.  This may be good with riding opportunities to places we might not be familiar with. This year's rally in Memphis will be the last traditional stationary rally for TN.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This will be interesting, I have seen a few riding rally, that looked like interesting rides and a few that did not.  I would worry about the ability of the other riders in the group and that large a number of bikes.  Of the several HOG chapters I have gone on chapter rides with, less than 25% of them could really ride a motorcycle.

The chapter I belong to has some members that can ride, but most feel that you need to slow down to a crawl for curves.  Chapter rides are 45 to 60 miles to a restaurant then back.  My idea of a lunch ride is 120 or so miles to lunch and then a different and maybe longer route back.

[porthole]

This will be interesting, I have seen a few riding rally, that looked like interesting rides and a few that did not.  I would worry about the ability of the other riders in the group and that large a number of bikes.  Of the several HOG chapters I have gone on chapter rides with, less than 25% of them could really ride a motorcycle.

The chapter I belong to has some members that can ride, but most feel that you need to slow down to a crawl for curves.  Chapter rides are 45 to 60 miles to a restaurant then back.  My idea of a lunch ride is 120 or so miles to lunch and then a different and maybe longer route back.

My chapter's mantra is "Ride to eat - eat to ride", and they offer a patch to prove it. Same as yours, 45-60 miles, eat and then race back home.

[BALIS]

I'm a life member since 1983.
I remember the firsts national rallies and then the regionals.
The life members breakfast on the nationals rallies.
The fly and ride program ( a lot cheaper than the current rentals )
The  ride in show...
All  have been done away.
Even the touring book has done away here in Europe.

[ultrarider123]

I'll chime in here on HOG.  I've commented on this in another HOG related thread. 
I've been a HOG member off and on since 1991.  I liked the pin idea, loved the atlas and used that often and attended some rallies (state only, no national).  Had a great time.  The last actual rally I attended however was one in Augusta, GA back in the mid 90's.  I was very disappointed and haven't been back to one.  I've even missed our local state rallies here in East Tennessee.
The magazine used to be informative but today's advertisement isn't that exciting to me.
I continue to use and carry the atlas even though my bike has the navigation deal....I still like holding a map in my hands.
I have a bag of pins in my closet if anyone is interested....
I've never joined a local club.  I went to a few meetings but (and as I've stated before) it reminded me too much of a home owners association gathering....
I've never wanted to nor partook of any of the rides sponsored/promoted/listed with HOG nor have I had to use the towing deal.  I have AAA now with the motorcycle amendment so those HOG benefits haven't/aren't being utilized
My current membership runs out March 2017 and renewal is really not in my future....

[ultrafxr]

Joined H.O.G. when I got my first Harley in '98.  I agree that it has devolved and I was fortunate to experience it when it was more robust.  I've attended many of the national events and rides (Posse Rides, Route 66, Rock, Rhythm & Blues, etc.) and have met and become friends with many great folks from all around the country (and even internationally).  Unfortunately the rides put on by National H.O.G. just ain't what they used to be based on my last experience in 2011 and from reports of others.  But I do hope the riding rallies will be successful.  My expectation is that they will offer suggested routes / points of interest along the way with common destinations leaving you free to ride as you wish - alone, with your friends or with an organized group they will probably make available.

I've been active in my local chapter.  My wife and I both have held many positions including a stint as chapter director by each of us.  We've met some great folks who have become close friends and we would not have known them except for involvement in our H.O.G. chapter.

So while everything with H.O.G. is not perfect (what is?) I can honestly say I have received a great deal of benefits from my involvement.  Just my experience.