Understanding the 1%-er
 

First, a little "back story". I was out on the Road King with my wife yesterday, and ran accross a bunch of guys on sport bikes at a gas station. I recognized them as a local riding club that I had run into at another gas station a month or so before, while in my 911, on my way to a PCA drive. The first time, they were all very interested in my car, and we had a nice chat about it, sport bikes, yadda yadda yadda.

Yesterday, I recognized several of them, so I said "hi", introducing myself as the Porsche guy from last month. We had another great chat; friendly guys, one and all. So, they asked me if I would like to unlimber the Ducati and go on a ride with them, and gave me a card.

I have to say, though, the patches put me off a bit. Yes, they were wearing patches - including one that said "prospect". They just didn't seem like "that kind" of riders, so I wondered if they really knew what those patches meant. Thirty years ago, I was dangerously close to some folks in those circles - "patch holders" - and had the good sense to walk away.

Anyway, I went home and found their website. With it, I found a link to this, a guide to the world of the outlaw biker, the "1%-er". So, yes, these sportbikers know good and well what their patches mean in this world. I don't think I'll be riding with them...

So, for your education (and entertainment...), I offer a link to this "1%-er 101" website. There is a lot of information here, and while written in a very sympathetic tone towards these guys, I found it to be fairly accurate from my recollections, at least. Granted, this is their perspective, and as such leaves out most of the bad. But, it does provide insight into a very bizzare (and, unfortunately, growing) little dysfunctional subculture. Anyway, here it is:

http://www.rcvsmc.net/index.html

Last time I saw a guy in a bar here with a "prospect" patch on the back of his leather vest, there was no question as to whom he was with. He and his cohorts looked and acted the part and they had some pretty cool bikes too. This area is Sonny Barger's home base, so you run into those guys once in a while.

I didn't know those sorts rode crotch rockets, ever. Hmmm. Learn something new every day i suppose.

After reading the 1%'er rules i could not help but chuckling that "outlaw bikers" have so many rules and laws to adhere to. Haha, kind of contradictory aint it?

Looks to me like a bunch of grown men looking for the family structures they never had as children. Kind of sad.

Sounds to me like a minor undertone at many p-car events. ;):D

So if I read this correctly, 1%ers are basically thugs on bikes? Hells angels types?

I'm pretty sure they still don't. I'm pretty sure that the guys I ran into represent a few knuckleheads who really don't get it, in spite of the link on their very own site. We do, however, have a couple of local "clubs" that will be happy to enlighten them. I just don't want to be riding with them on that day...

Amazing, huh? Rules on how to be an "outlaw".

Yes, that would be correct.

1% clubs are just outlaw gangs who happen to ride motorcycles. No different than say the bloods or crips

Rules seem reasonable enough. Heck...not much different than any of our local Homeowners Association bylaws :rolleyes: .

Breaking any of the following Rules will be reason for immediately kick-out from club and probably an Ass Kicking:

1. Failure to pay his dues according to the section dealing with the paying of dues.

2. No hype. No use of heroin in any form. Anyone using a needle for any reason other than having a doctor use it on you will be considered hype. (Automatic kick-out from club)

3. If any brother gets hooked on any drug that is dangerous to the club he will be helped first. Then he will be dealt by the executive board.

4. No narcotics burn. When making deals, persons get what they are promised or the deal is called off (Automatic kick-out from club).

5. If you're selling dope you don't do it as a club member, you don't wear your colors, you don't wear your club T-shirts (Automatic kick-out from club).

6. There will be no stealing among members. Anyone caught will get an ass kicking and be kicked out of the club (Automatic kick-out from club).

7. If a patch holder or prospect throws his colors or quits, colors are pulled (Automatic kick-out from club).

8. Members cannot belong to any other clubs.

9. If a group or individual attacks any member, the whole club shall stand behind him and fight if necessary. If, however, the member is drunk and aggressive and purposely starts an argument, the rest of the members will escort him away, or step between before trouble starts.

10. No member will disgrace the club by being yellow. (The above rules will be put forward to applicants. If they cannot abide by these rules and are not in favor of them, they will be denied membership to the club.)

11. No member will destroy club property purposely.

12. No member will take the attitude that he doesn't have to help other members and other members don't have to help him

13. No member will go against anything the club has voted for and passed.

14. No member will get together on their own and plan something for themselves on club rides. It will be brought up to the whole club and the whole club will participate in anything that is decided upon.

15. The club will always stay together on rides, runs, parties, field meets etc. and will not fraternize with club's rival clubs. The only way a member will be permitted to leave the main group will be to notify the president or whoever is in charge. When the time comes that the majority feels it is time to leave, we will all leave together. Anyone staying behind for a good reason will do so at his own risk and can expect no help.

Cindy & I played pool in a local dive yesterday...the local "road maggots" were there, playing the badass role. Guess they switched bars.We just kept playing pool. They were no problem.

Loud & boistrous was annoying...but really, no problem. Just role playing. Tattoos, leather, patches, emblems.

A decent logging crew would easily kick their asses...

Absolutely. Problem with the bike gangs, though, is it wouldn't end there. Having lost face, these guys will stop at nothing to "get even". Right up to and including burning houses down, raping wives and daughters, beating the hell out of male children (maybe even raping them, too), catching the individual loggers alone and ganging up on them, and on and on. They have a very twisted definition of "honor" in their little world, and will do the most dishonorable things to uphold it. Or to regain it. And they have nothing but time...

Banditos? They seem to be on sport bikes more often than not.

it's what happens when dimwits find each other.

probably more fashion conscious than metrosexual office workers.

most boys grow out of those attitudes somewhere in high school. 'honor' gets tossed around a lot by such people. psha i say. honor is playing a contributing role in society, providing for your family, loving and respecting your wife as an equal human being, shunning drugs, being a good example to all children (not just your own), etc etc etc.

giving up on all of this and becoming a thug who tries to legitimize his laziness by calling it a 'lifestyle' is being a pussy. a big fat pussy. kicking ass is easy if you're built for it. adding positives to this world is much, much harder and we all deserve a pat on the back for not being pussies or, as they prefer to be called, 1%'rs.

Nope, they are strictly a Harley only club.

Yep.

The rules are a hoot:

So who are the sport bike guys around here with the B's on their vests?

And did you notice that the dues for the club in the post above were $500/year? Ouch.

You guys knew some rude 1%ers. The ones I knew were decent folks, who liked to drink heavily, kept their drugs outside our bar (that was a standing rule with ANYONE), and didn't let each other break stuff inside the bar. When they would come out for the night, we would give them loud live music and lots of beer, and they would make sure that nothing bad happened anywhere within a block of the joint. It was often the safest shotgun bar in AZ :)

What they did on their own time, away from our property was their own business.

I'm printing these rules and presenting them at our next vespa club meeting... I'm so excited!