Younger Membership of AMCA

[Nickel Norton]

I realize this may be a hot button issue, but I'm curious about what other members think. I'm a 28 year old member of AMCA and have been a member for several years. I've seen previous posts about the desire and need for younger members to join, which is clearly necessary for the club's survival. The big question for me is how to garner interest and excitement from younger potential members. Let's say for the sake of argument this is <35 years of age.

This is probably where I'll step on toes, so be warned.

It seems that the Knuckleheads, Flat/Pan/Shovelheads, Chiefs, and Scouts are far and away the largest group of AMCA members. This makes sense. The group was started with Harley/Indian owners and has continued to draw them in. However, this is not where the younger crowd gravitates. I believe people are attracted to bikes from their memory. In my case it's mostly British bikes. I've seen many Norton and Triumph models at shows. I've also been seeing a lot of Japanese models, which I am also interested in. In my opinion, these Japanese bikes (and the British to an extent) are the opportunity that the AMCA needs to gain younger interest. The tradition of American Iron domination still exists. And it will continue for a bit of time. But as the years continue, I believe you will see the Jap and Brit bikes taking over more of the meets, just as they began to chip away at the market shares for the American bikes decades ago. I don't intend to ruffle feathers of any HD/Indian fans (I do appreciate both), but we've got to get away from the perceived "Old Boys Club" exclusivity that the club puts forward. There should be a concerted effort toward younger potential members that they (and their bikes) will be welcomed and supported within the club.

I am interested to hear how others feel about this situation, as I certainly want to see the club thrive for decades to come and wonder what ideas others may have on this topic.

[Robert Luland]

I won't step on your toes. I agree with your thoughts 100%. As I've stated before that even with a six figure salary. You'd have a hard time joining the pre 48 Harley crowd but on the other side. There a lot of Shovels and Sportsters out there at reasonable prices that need TLC that will become the next classics. Bob L

[Nickel Norton]

Good call, Bob. But I think it's important to note that even with available Shovels and Sportsters out there, many younger people just aren't interested in Harleys. They don't strike a chord like they do with older members.

[vph-d]

The Club is open to all bikes, so non H-D fans will be accommodated. A certain small percentage of today's chopper fans will stay with it long enough to find the Club when they reach their
40s and 50s. I'm unaware of what percentage of foreign bike fans stay with the hobby.
VPH-D

[Nickel Norton]

With that considered, are there other ideas for attracting young members? I find the club intriguing and fun to be a part of. I want to see it grow and add the younger generations in the present time. Is it targeted as a "40s and 50s" club? What about people in the 20's and 30's? There are many people in their 20's and 30's who appreciate vintage bikes. What's keeping them from joining? I still maintain there is a perception of the club as an Indian/HD club that accepts other brands.

[hogchild71]

Hey Nickel. Thank you for your post. You are correct that the AMCA will die a long and slow death unless we attract and accept younger riders and their bikes. The dilemma is how? What can we (AMCA) do to entice the younger crowd to even want to hang out with the bunch of grouchy old farts that we have become? With all due respect, Bob's suggestion that you (they) buy a newer old Harley is not going to do it.
If you or anyone reading this post have any ideas as to how to attract younger members or what changes need to be made to the AMCA structure in order for younger folks to feel welcome and accepted, please, post here, call (419-929-0291)
or email frednan2@gmail.com
The AMCA Board is struggling with this very issue, we need your input. Best regards, Fred Davis.

[Robert Luland]

I always thought that at twenty years old. The best attraction was free beer?

[Nickel Norton]

Fred,

That's the discussion I'd like to get our members involved with. I think this forum is clear evidence of how to get new generations talking (as a start) about vintage bikes. Modern technology is a great tool if used correctly. The key is having members involved who actively WANT to club to expand to younger members. I'll send you an email when get a chance. Hopefully others feel the same way and some ideas can be tossed around.

[Knotthed]

"It is the policy of AMCA that children not be allowed to ride any motorized vehicle at any AMCA meet." Hogchild71
Quote taken from this post - http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...ing-at-Wauseon


To find a way to change this policy is a huge starting point in my mind! If that means a structured approach then that is great and prevents the rampant running wild.

Our recruitment begins when they are probably 4 or 5 years old and lasts all the way until they are members in the club. You can visit the old post above, but I hated the meets as a kid because I didn't have anything to do. Some of my most memorable things were getting a ride in my dad's friends 40 something chief sidecar.

I think we have to get rid of some of the exclusivity to the 35 year old stigma or only antiques.

These chinese two stroke motors on bicycles are the modern day equivalent of a whizzer. I would love to see the kids that may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience motor cycling be able to experience it on one of these at our meets thru a structured approach like field games. Could even be accompanied with a history video prior to participating.

There is a very neat movement in my opinion that pays tribute to the board trackers, but allows people with less funds to participate. https://www.facebook.com/MotorizedBicycleRacing

These guys look like they are having a blast, but are not putting 50K dollar bikes on the line with the threat of damage.

It's pretty hard to promote the experience that motorcycling provides without actually experiencing it..............

Our members families typically have that opportunity already either thru dads or friends etc...

How do you get today's non AMCA member kids off the xbox and phone to experience motor cycling - That is the real question that will lead to a lifelong passion of motorcycles.

Also, let us not forget those that we have already let get past our radar.

Being on two or three wheels is what is really is all about! The sooner you make that happen the sooner they are hooked.

All smiles

GirlsBMW.JPG

[Skirted]

This is a looming problem like a black cloud facing any classic or antique vehicle club. The American Iron will probably always dominate (at least for many years to come)because it was from a very nostalgic and prosperous time in America during the industrial revolution that history can not repeat. Even if younger folks blessed with an ounce of historical interest are too preoccupied to appreciate this now, eventually they will as they age and mature into their 40s and 50s. Certainly the AMCA seems like it won't suffer much with membership even in the next 10 years but long term planning is important to survival and not one day waking up getting caught with pants around ankles.

Coincidentally, I see this problem being very similar to what churches in America are going through. So many losing membership as the old-aged dedicated members pass on. On the flip side, I know a few churches that are expanding membership and these are ones who refused to get stuck in traditional ways of thinking and not afraid to offend a few older folks who are stuck in the 50s and 60 traditions. If a church can attract the young generation despite schools and governments that shun any religious reference, one may come to rationalize then surely an antique motorcycle club can.

I'm not crazy about iphones, ipads, etc and social media outlets but I know enough young kids to know that most of them can't eat, sleep, drive, or even take a crap without their smart phone to stay connected. There are aps for everything. By the way, do we have one? Agree the 70s Jap bikes should be the next big target. Huge potential there IMO. Maybe they weren't built in America but they sure were part of it for many kids growing up. Provides inexpensive entry into the antique market for those on a thin budget. Any programs that can be created to push interest in these machines as well as opening up avenues for connecting to the AMCA benefits through social media seems like a grand opportunity.

[Nickel Norton]

Jason,

I think you've got a great point. Taking advantage of modern technology is key for ANY business (and I do see this as a business to an extent). We've got opportunities available from a members-only app to a Facebook page, even setting up a youtube channel showing recent meets, events, and motorcycle education. When you don't adapt, you get left behind. We've got a goldmine of motorcycle knowledge among our members, and there's a growing gap between technology and members

[Robert Luland]

I never understood the up roar about kids riding around the meets. I for one love it. My kids did as soon as they were able. At Oley this year Antony Rs kids were buzzing all over the place and never once did I not see them show the up most courtesy to people. Why, because they know if they screw up. The bikes up for the next three months. If a parent enforces this, you don't have a problem. I've seen adults do far worst at these meets. I don't care what someone brings to a meet as long as there part of the program and membership and survival of the club is the program. Bob L

[Sargehere]

Like Japanese bikes? Join the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC). They've taken over Eustis for Bike Week, BTW, and their shows are impressive. They also welcome all other makes, and they are a burgeoning concern. In this age of specialized interests, splintering is inevitable. There's no need for the AMCA to expand into new categories

The ages of bikes found in the barns will remain the same: about 20-30 years, and as far as American, the thirty-five-year-old bikes will just keep getting newer. Harleys only, for a spell, yet; then Victorys and new snow-mobile Indians and others making appearances along the way will all begin to qualify.

It will all remain the same, just develop. It's no longer a poor-man's hobby as it once was, but the commerce is still there. The money represented keeps increasing, but older people have the money; always have. Just like you don't see "brass lamp" cars at AACA shows anymore (all retired to private collections and museums) so have the early marques pretty much disappeared from the AMCA Judging Fields.

Just my opinion, but I think we will see new Knuckleheads and Chiefs keep appearing for a long, long time, composed of repro parts almost exclusively. It's already happening. One or two OEM parts may be all that is required to qualify whole bikes as the sport develops. The clever designs of the old mechanisms is what attracts us. And those of us who ride them like the feel of old, wide handlebars, sprung seats, open chain drive and the like; it makes no difference to the bike if the steel it's made of came out of Milwaukee, Springfield or Chicago sixty-eighty years ago or Taipei yesterday, the design's the same and the rider feedback, feels and the sounds, are the same.
We have 58 chapters. I'm not worried. The AMCA's not going anywhere, soon.

BTW, the club was founded by four men concerned with the demise of Springfield Indians in 1953, trying to preserve the memory of the Indian Co. Emmett Moore might have been the only one to own a Harley (a 1932 RL), but he'd worked in the publicity department of Indian right up to the end, as did Ted Hodgdon. The Wings were wealthy Indian enthusiasts.

P.S.: I joined the AMCA when I was only 22, through meeting longtime national secretary Ernie Biddle who invited me to the Fort Mott meet, where the second generation of leaders, Earl Chalfant, Doc Patt and Bob McClean managed the club.

In those days, OEM parts to complete an old Indian or Harley were dirt cheap and traded out of car trunks at National Meets. The key for me was that youngsters like me could pretty easily afford an Old Harley or Indian, and could envision a "restoration" with our paychecks. Now, the AMCA meets and auctions look just like Pebble Beach to a youngster looking into the hobby: It requires big money, and most youths don't have any.

[Spag]

Dave,
Thank you for raising on this Forum the very important topic of attracting youth into the AMCA. Several years ago the AMCA Board conducted a Member survey and not to our surprise and the surprise of many AMCA Members, the average age of our 10,000+ Membership was 59 1/2 with only 5% of our members under the age of 40. The average age figure is probably higher today. Since the survey, the Board and many Members have concluded that more must be done to attract younger Members. Attracting younger Members has been a hot topic at every Board Town Hall Meeting held a various AMCA National Meets around the country. As part of its Strategic Plan for the AMCA, the board adopted a Vision Statement which states in part: "...Although the AMCA recognizes its heritage, it also recognizes the need to set forth a plan for the future which not only considers the interests of its current Members but also plans for the next generation of old bike enthusiasts...Our goal is to encompass all brands and makes of old bikes 35 years and older and all age ranges of enthusiasts." My column "Wheels In Motion" in the latest issue of the magazine entitled: "Why We Don't Want To Lose The Next Generation" addresses this very issue. Dave, you have a Norton you are working on and your own Honda CB 350. You are an example of the generation that the AMCA should welcome with open arms. We need to explain to your generation that your British, European, Japanese and other brands of old bikes are today an important part of the future of the AMCA. And to my generation and all Members at or near the "average member age," we can say that Harleys, Indians and other American brands of motorcycles will always be an important and significant part of the Club. No brand will replace another. In my opinion, there is room for all brands of old bikes in the AMCA. Several years ago the Board established an AMCA Youth Coordinator Position in an attempt to attract young members. Not for a lack of sincere effort, all attempts to attract a significant number of younger members was not successful. But current Youth Coordinator, Buck Carson,remains optimistic about attracting a younger generation into the AMCA. But Dave, Buck needs your help and the help of others like you. Please contact him. His e mail and phone are on page 89 of the current issue of the magazine. I can assure you the Board is committed to attracting younger Members like you into the Club. And the types of bikes owned will never be a factor in welcoming a new young Member into the fold. Dave, thanks again to you and all the others who have commented on this very important and crucial topic. Let's hear more...
Richard

[Nickel Norton]

Rich,

Thanks for the feedback. It's good to know we've got the concern recognized and are looking at how to resolve it. I'll reach out to Buck to see what we're doing and what else can be done. As originally said, any ideas for growth are welcome!