The MC Bikers contrast with the traditional bikers by many points.

Some of them ride Choppers, modified motorcycles, personalized  and stripped of some of their original accessories in a general way the refusal of much of the conventional notions of the political and economic society they live in . It reveals a sartorial trend and a look that identifies at first glance their membership in this environment. The long hair and the beard are no longer present almost permanently, however the tattoos is almost systematic and reflects their aesthetic taste and cultural attachment. As for their outfit, it consists of jeans or leather pants, a leather jacket, completed with a leather or jeans  sleevesless vest worn directly from on top of the jacket .

The patches that adorn their jackets are all signs of recognition and belonging (such as personal colors or club colors displayed on the back of their jackets or vests).

 

They like to gather at parties (support party organized by other MC’s) or Concentres / Gatherings of Harley Davidson, Indians, Victory bikes and Customs Choppers, during which, beer, music, animations, (exhibitions of motorcycles , Burnout, slowness races, free ride, run ...), tattoo shops and everything related to their environment, striptease shows and various concerts, complete the event.

 

If some of them live on the margins, for the most part of them, they are fully integrated into society:The Bikers can have, in addition to his singular life of Bikers, a quite regular civil life, a family life, a job or looking for one. Thus, the Bikers of modern times is no longer a marginal break with society, even if he still has this fierce desire for independence and a spirit of rebellion.Behind the beards, shaven skulls, tattoos and jackets creating this look sometimes disturbing, they are mostly people very quiet and without history. Officials, executives, workmen etc ... form the biggest part of the « band » . Few Bikers Are Living Even From A Club Income.

 

Fraternity and Respect.

What characterizes them is their interest in the Brotherhood.

If all the bikers are in solidarity with each other, the MC bikers consider the other bikers of the club as brothers.

This respect notion, like Fraternity, is one of their primary values. They respect all individuals and do not look for any fight. They live their passion, their ideal, their philosophy without asking anything to anyone. Therefore, apart from a Brother, no one must have anything to say to them and even between Brothers they are bound to respect! Any breach of this rule can be considered a provocation even aggression.Some of them and especially the 1% er can then react with extreme violence to the risk of putting themselves in danger!

 

Motorcycles

They are hooked to their bikes and the pleasure of riding with. In general they drive Harley-Davidson and rarely Japanese motorcycles (unless it has undergone enough modifications).

 

The word Gang has a controversial meaning. For the media and the police, it means a Gang in the sense of "criminal group" .

This concept of 1% outlaw motorcycle clubs originates from the existence of motorcycle clubs that do not comply with the established society standards. This « gang » notion was exaggerated by a journalist after the coverage of a riot which took place in Hollister California USA, in 1947. This riot inspired the movie « The Wild One » with Marlon Brando.

After that event, 1% of the bikers, mainly MC Bikers were considerate as troublemakers, lawless, drunken, filthy bands, rebels versus 99% of regular bikers. Today, only very few MC bikers wear the diamond patch with the inscription "1%er".

 

For many MC Bikers, riding a Harley-Davidson and living their parallel life is the best way to clearly display their choices and ideas while cultivating their difference. The refusal to allow oneself to be "formatted" by society, a Rebel spirit and an immoderate taste for Independence and Freedom will eventually lead to joining the "1% er".

 

The MC biker is not an isolated being and belongs to a large community, his club, higher and lower rank support clubs and brotherhood. This community is a clan with a ritual dimension, even religious.

 

The fundamental difference between MC clubs and regular clubs is notably in the recruitment of the members. In a MC, the rules of life, especially the solidarity in all circumstances between brothers require a progressive integration of new members.

In regular clubs such as the HOG ( Harley Owners Group ), there is no selection or co-opting, there is only one rule: to own a Harley and pay his yearly subscription fee to the HOG which belong to the MoCo.

There is a significant difference compared to other motorcycle clubs in particular MCs. In these latter cases, postulants, as in a monastic order, go through different stages:

- to train the novice, who will go through the hangaround stages (literally who turns around), then prospect (potential candidate) for an indefinite period by allowing him to sit down his decision to join the chapter

- and especially to allow the members of the chapter, the full-patches that is to say full members, to better know the newcomer in order to determine if it will be able to make the unanimity of the members of the club, a prerequisite for its integration as a full-patch to this club.

 

Members of all MCs have specific patches, logo and insignia with a geographical indication of the club, the emblems and names of countries, regions, counties, cities visible on the back of the jackets accompanied of course distinctive signs according to the nature of the club. They are called "colors".

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