Seems like others here have had basically the same experience as me, in various parts, anyway.
I tried the local HOG back in NC. Went on two rides with them, but they were both more of a tightly structured, nearly parade experience than a fun day on the road. No hard feelings but not my cup of tea. I have always heard that the personality of various HOG chapters vary greatly.
[Sidebar, and soapbox warning [smiley=soapbox.gif]] I think Spiderman's mostly right about the constructed image of HOG being inspired by 1%'ers. But so much of the whole Harley culture is based on mimicking the same groups. It's always struck me as funny how so much of the Harley-marketed image claims freedom and rugged individuality, yet if you ride a Harley but don't look like that image, a lot of Harley folks claim you're not a "real" biker (like most of them are?

LOL). "Biker", of course, is the operative term here, as opposed to "Motorcyclist" or "Rider" -- open to interpretation, I guess. IMO, the public draws very different mental picures of each of those three words. Harley knows it and cashes in on it, projecting the term "Biker" on its customers/culture. My point is what about the freedom to not look like the mass-marketed image? Is a person more of an individual dressing up in all-HD clothing and leather, therefore looking like everybody else in the stereotyped image, or wearing whatever suits them when they ride?
I joined the National organization just for the road service in case of breakdown in nowhere. Then I heard of several experiences of National members who waited for HOG provided two service that never showed up. Didn't get much out of the HOG magazine, so membership lapsed. Probably would have kept it If I did any serious touring, though.
Never much looked into the local HOG chapter down here--I just don't have time to plan day rides ahead of time, with weekend family obligations and all. I tend to ride on the spur of the moment, time and weather dependent.
I'm sure it's a good thing for some, maybe a good thing for lots of folks.