Attracting younger people

[exeric]

My first AMCA meet was the Maguire Field meet at Winter Garden, Florida, circa 1976. I was 24 years old with long hair and met Bud Cox, and Bob McClean who both urged me to join the AMCA. I have never experienced the motorcycle snobbery mentioned by some, but have met more than a few first class jerks, and obnoxiousness is in their DNA. You'll find that attitude in every part of the world, and throughout our journeys in life- - - Not just the AMCA. Older members have always been profoundly helpful to me and are the reason I have been personally successful in this hobby. I have always been as helpful and generous to new, and younger members but my attitude to attracting new members has always been the same. You can't make someone love old motorcycles, or bribe them into joining the AMCA. If that love for old motorcycles is in them, they will become AMCA members.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

I debated whether I'd share my experience because I expected exactly the sort of replies on this thread telling me it is isolated incidents.

Please know I understand others are relaying your experiences joining the AMCA 30 to 40 years ago and the great friendships you've made. I expected the same in joining and in joining a chapter.

Over the past several years I've introduced myself to a lot of people and tried very hard to become an active AMCA member. I've written articles for our chapter newsletter, offered to do pro bono work for the club (I am a professional museum administrator and fundraiser), shared on this site, and the list goes on. Despite constantly trying -- pretty much no one gives me time of day and pretty much all I run into are hostile attitudes towards the bikes I enjoy.

My observation is that unless you're part of an established clique in a chapter -- you're invisible and don't have the great experiences relayed here by older members. And, it ain't easy to get into one of the chapter cliques, either.

My reality has been very different from the "good old days" and it is only because of my thick skin and eternal optimism I remain a member.

But please understand there a LOT of people under the age of 50 into vintage bikes. There's a reason they don't join.

I'd kill to have the experience RichO is explaining about his chapter. It is 180 opposite of what I've experienced.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Whoa back up the bus Chuck! I don't know who you've run into but I've been a member for 40 years and in our chapter since a couple of months after it's founding 40 years ago and I haven't met the people your talking about.

I've been on almost 40 National road runs all over this country and have never seen what you and your wife have experienced. It simply wouldn't be accepted.

I'm not at all disputing your experience -- but I can share I was literally told to move my wife's "piece of **** sportster" from a parking spot at the Driftless Chapter Road Run in September 2022. I was told several times sportsters weren't welcome -- by the same people who then went and talked to a rider on a NEW Indian. Yes, a NEW Indian was on our "vintage" ride and welcome -- but not my wife's 1967 XLH.

I was then told by others I had to park my Guzzi with the "other Guzzi's" because my bike wasn't welcome with "real" motorcycles. When I pointed out that there was no assigned parking -- a group of pan riders literally told me that if I didn't move my bike that it "might not be there in the morning." I'm not joking in the least. All of those jokers were buddy buddy with our national directors wearing their shirts.

That road run was just a friggin disaster for my wife and I. My trailer was made fun of -- my car was made fun of -- and not in a friendly "take it and give it" sorta way that you guys are talking about. It was openly hostile to the point my wife asked if we could leave early and I had to talk her down. She wouldn't even ride pillion because of the openly hostile attitude we were shown by so many people on that road run. It was a really, really shitty experience and she was in tears at breakfast on our last day, which more or less ruined my experience too.

The only people who were even a bit nice to us were the folks from my chapter, plus the Olsen's. Otherwise, it was nothing but harasment or an openly hostile "who are you" attitude from the moment I unloaded until the moment we left. Problem was compounded by my chapter falling into cliques. Folks were texting each other and setting up things -- but not involving all chapter members present. It left my wife with a very, very bad taste in her mouth and she asked several times why we pay dues to a chapter that isn't including us. I understand it was about friends doing things with friends . . .but you can't make any new friends if you exclude your newer chapter members from your insider information.

I really talked it up to my wife and we were really looking forward to the road run together. Instead, we ran into a LOT of complete and total a$$holes who ruined the AMCA for my newbie wife and pretty made sure I won't be attending any more road runs because my wife won't support me taking the time off and spending the money to attend.

thank you Rich for being a straight up guy in our interactions, and for the invite. I have had great experiences with our Rocky Mountain Chapter (now headed by a good buddy of mine) and have a couple of buddies in the evergreen chapter. It truly seems the folks west of the mississippi are WAY nicer and more welcoming than the folks east of the river.

[T. Cotten]

Of course you do Tom... Sorry you have had BAD experiences with some people and situations but don'[t paint us all with the same brush...

Please do not put words in my mouth, Rich.

I haven't testified to any "BAD experiences" of my own; Please quote me where I'm wrong.

The loss of my Chapter was confusing at first.

But the only Meet within reach only got better.

....Cotten

[RichO]

Peter I remember Smitty climbing Bothurd (spelling) Pass in the Rockies on his 1915 Indian Twin in 1987 when the motor stuck half way up. He waited till it cooled down then rode it up over the top. No small feat. Two grand gentlemen in your photo. Us "kid's" amused them to no end!

[PRG]

…and Rich, how bout the withering gaze of Mort Wood, of military bearing who missed nothing of perceived miscreants? The Hampton Inn beside the Daytona Speedway was the defacto headquarters for the AMCA officers during Bike Week. We, admittedly, were not well received when our crew showed in mass in 1990 for the first time, myself on a loud yellow Norvil Commando, often ridden shirtless. The rest of the time we spent drinking beer and riding around the parking lot at all hours. By the mid 90’s the old guard had been bludgeoned into accepting us somehow. Here’s two old “tough nuts” cracking a smile behind my then over the top hotrod Chief making its first appearance in 1997 with matching English Pudding Basin (and still no shirt). Spent many a mile with these two on Road Runs before and afterward, Smitty often on his dusty old Sport Scout.

[pisten-bully]

To address the original question about how to attract younger members, I'd say Peter's on to something with the Vespa. Somehow, if you can, try to attract a cadre of enthusiasts that favor two wheel machines from the 60's and 70's...any flavor and not just Pans and Shovels, but Vespas, Hondas, Beemers, etc....bikes that people remember from their youth.

(I often ride with a friend who rides his /5 BMW, and we have an informal contest....during stops if anyone comes over to gawk at two old bikes we make note of which bike gets the first and most attention...he gets a big head because often people fuss over his '69 BMW and ignore my '46 Indian...and it's because they remember riding, owning, or lusting after a motorcycle from the '60's or '70's when they were younger.)

My 2 cents!

[RichO]

Of course you do Tom. Yes, we call it at our Chapter level the 'Corporation" but it doesn't exist without the Chapter's. We control our existence. We actively engage younger members and we've always been gender blind. We see a "Floater" and we latch on to them like velcro. The more the merrier and we are there to help them if they need it. ALL motorcycles are welcome and actively sought out. Yes. there are groups of members who have ridden many years together but are always looking for someone new to join in. I remember pre-2000 when it was Bob Mclean and the AMC. Some of the older group back then were tough nuts to crack but we were up to the task and made some good friends. About women riders. One of the best times I ever had was as a motorcycle safety instructor helping new women riders perfect their riding skills then going out and getting their own m/c and coming back and telling me how much they enjoyed two-wheel flying like I did. We have more than a few out here. Our meet also has our local awards for best European, best British, best Japanese, etc. We enjoy all motorcycles. Sorry you have had BAD experiences with some people and situations but don'[t paint us all with the same brush. We avoid those just like you should. Like anyone would. If someone spends their lifetime becoming an ***hole doesn't mean it's worth the effort to change them. Just hang out with someone who isn't.

[PRG]

Howdy sir,

I must be living on a different planet. For 7 straight years and many misc. afterward I didn’t go anywhere without this Vespa, 2nd pic is of it on the Wednesday Indian Breakfast Ride at Daytona and it was my default swap meet machine, lovingly received everywhere and people still as ask about 25 years later. Out of my 3 “Big Twins”, only one has been on a Road Run in 35 years, of late it’s been this “sissy” all white BMW. Note our Little Rock member’s stunning Guzzi gassing up behind us, I would own and proudly ride that one in a second.

I joined the AMCA as a whippersnapper years ago when many of the original members, Doc Pat, Smitty, etc. were still extent and then grown a bit curmudgeonly. I can only say an eye brow was cocked through these decades viewing what I was riding occurred on two occasions: as a young member too poor to afford an original paint machine appearing to have been in my possession for years I created then what is now referred to as a newly patenaed 46 Chief…and then when we took to riding Vincent’s. The latter deserving of some derision, I will admit, as the perceived elitism conveyed by these is no doubt deserved and having its origins with their owner’s club I am no longer a member of. Unlike these for which there is no reasonably priced entry level machine we have lots options, cone shovels, etc.

When riding with RichO’s crew in Monterrey it was heartening to see so many young enthusiastic members. I’ve forgotten how resilient a young vigorous body can be aboard a mid 60’s hard tail Sporty chopper with an unpadded king-queen seat on rough terrain.

[T. Cotten]

I get Chuck's point perfectly, Folks.

Only the 'establishment' can run off a whole chapter.

....Cotten

[RichO]

Whoa back up the bus Chuck! I don't know who you've run into but I've been a member for 40 years and in our chapter since a couple of months after it's founding 40 years ago and I haven't met the people your talking about. I will say this though that when I joined I was 35 and half the "old" guys gave me **** but since I was a combat vet like my Dad and I'd come from a tough High School I gave it right back. I hung with members that rode chops like me and we transitioned to full fendered rides later. On early road rides (first in 1987) I'd hear the talk but guys like Kenny Edmonds from Oregon would tell them to shut up because he remembered what they were like and what they rode when they were our age. The Washington and Oregon until last year both had women Chapter presidents. Our new 39 year old President's wife rides a chopped Sporty and is a multi tour combat vet. I've been on almost 40 National road runs all over this country and have never seen what you and your wife have experienced. It simply wouldn't be accepted. There's all types in this world so I'm sure there are in this club too, but there's way more good than bad. P.S. The Guzzi stuff is in the mail. Check your box in a couple of days. Come to OUR swap meet and to one of OUR road runs and get treated right. Other Chapter's will do the same!

[chuckthebeatertruck]

As a “younger” person who’s been around this scene more than 30 years, the AMCA is not friendly to folks under 50. And if you don’t show up on a big twin, you’re obviously not worthy and need education. Every meet someone tells me i shouldn’t have an italian bike at an american meet. i get made fun of for riding aermacchi around meets. the assumption is i’m cheap, a wanna be harley rider, and a newbie. none is true. more to the point, exactly how often do you see aermacchi running around?

Every swap meet is also an endless sea of “mentors” who live to talk at you like you’re a ten year old. This includes our leadership as some of the shittiest encounters i’ve had have been with our ED and national board members who are always too important to talk to anyone but chapter presidents.

it’s even worse for young women. my wife recently joined both the club and our chapter. she’s over 50 and came to bikes only recently. she came to her first and last road run. she felt so unwelcome and mansplained to by the grey beards about her scooter that she’ll never be back. i had to beg her to come to our winter chapter meet because of how cliqueish these things oft are.

people talk this big game about being inviting, and i call bullshit. i couldn’t sign up for the black hills run because my wife refused to come along after her experiences with the amca. to put this in context, my wife attended a bunch of meets, chapter meetings and a road run having the same experience each time: old guys talking down to her and the women giving her the stink eye to the extent we both now wonder why we are bothering trying to be involved in the amca and chapters.

Rare is the person who treats “young” people as the adults they are and takes the time to figure out whether you may actually have experience or anything to contribute.

It gets tiring to deal with the fools jabbering about their “knowledge” and their bad assery because they automatically assume young folks are broke and uninformed.

among the only amca friends i’ve made are other young people who are totally ignored on road runs. we wind up talking about the bullshitty behavior and pompous attitudes of the “experts” seeking to “mentor” us.

[gharper]

I'm bribing my son in-laws, both about 30. One rides a newer Harley, the other has only ridden one of my old sidecar rigs once, but he is hooked!. I'll be picking up 2 WL's soon that have been restored years ago, very low miles but in storage for years. First task is to get them running again, which doesn't involve anything major at all. Then we can ride them and hopefully get them hooked! They're both excited about the prospect!

[RichO]

Well I guess we've lucky out here in Nor Cal because our new chapter President is 39 and he's also our chapter chief judge for our National swap meet. He's got a couple choppers in the garage which we all did back in the sixties but he has a nice '46 stock Chief coming around and a 1954 FL (both full fendered) among other bikes. We just passed the torch in the last couple of years to the third generation to run the chapter forty years in. We've been actively working on our chapters survival since it's founding. Most the younger ones around here started with affordable cone shovels then worked backward as they saved money and their young families progressed. They save broken knuckles and pans that us older members would pass by but they've learned the skills to bring them back from the dead. Lots of sweat equity is all it takes. Mentoring is actively practiced by us older grey beards. We don't want forty years of hard work (the chapter) to go down the drain so it's all about self preservation at this point. It's not easy and those young ones are not hanging on trees but when we find one we make sure they don't get away. They are us and we were them. Our national road runs in Washington. Oregon. and Cal parking lots are full of them youngin's.

[exeric]

Young people, Folks,...

Are immune to nostalgia.

....Cotten

That's my experience with nieces, and nephews of the plug-n-play generation. They walk right by all my other bikes, but want to see my '66 Honda 450. That is until they see it and then they don't believe it's a Honda.