"biker gangs"
in relation to teh topic about the Marine who was murdered by police:
just how bad are these "biker gangs" I hear of, like Hells Angels, Pagans, etc?
I am just not very familiar with them outside of the cliche "Any Which Way But Loose" movie biker gang.
EDIT: and the bikers I've met personally are usually nice middle aged, middle class men, many of whom are veterans
I am familiar with the Rolling Stones concert incident, but my understanding was that the guy who was knifed drew a handgun at the concert and the Hells Angels were hired to provide security. So it was a proper response to use deadly force if they thought he was about to shoot somebody. (in retrospect if the LAPD or NYPD were providing security instead they would have shot the perp 30 times and also hit somewhere between 3-12 innocent bystanders [:p])
just how bad are these "biker gangs" I hear of, like Hells Angels, Pagans, etc?
I am just not very familiar with them outside of the cliche "Any Which Way But Loose" movie biker gang.
EDIT: and the bikers I've met personally are usually nice middle aged, middle class men, many of whom are veterans
I am familiar with the Rolling Stones concert incident, but my understanding was that the guy who was knifed drew a handgun at the concert and the Hells Angels were hired to provide security. So it was a proper response to use deadly force if they thought he was about to shoot somebody. (in retrospect if the LAPD or NYPD were providing security instead they would have shot the perp 30 times and also hit somewhere between 3-12 innocent bystanders [:p])
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there are many good non-fiction books concerning this topic . i suggest you read a few and draw your own conclusions. do a search of the names you mentioned and you'll find them in most libraries or on the web .
they are formidable (sp?).
wrench.0 -
I was once in a "biker gang." There were four of us. Three really because the fourth could never seem to get his bike over 45 mph and he always got lost. We were a fearsome lot we were. 0 -
Many of them are a rough bunch to say the least, they're good guys if you respect them, or are introduced to them by the right people. Many of them have severe drug issues, speed and meth. are common. 0 -
Two can keep a secret if one is dead. 0 -
They are 1 percent of all crimes committed by bike riders.[;)]
The H.A. just celebrated their 50th birthday. They are the largest with the Bandits being a close second. The Pagans & the Outlaws make up the top four largest Out Law Biker groups. Do not confuse anyone with a Harley Owners group patch as being an OLB. And, you will not see an AMA patch on an OLB ether.
Trinity +++0 -
I remember when the Sons of Silence were the most feared and reviled Outlaw MC in Colorado. Now you can shop for related merchandise from their on-line store.
How warm and fuzzy.0 -
quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
I was once in a "biker gang." There were four of us. Three really because the fourth could never seem to get his bike over 45 mph and he always got lost. We were a fearsome lot we were.
Were you a member of the Wild Hogs? lol.0 -
quote:Originally posted by peon
quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
I was once in a "biker gang." There were four of us. Three really because the fourth could never seem to get his bike over 45 mph and he always got lost. We were a fearsome lot we were.
Were you a member of the Wild Hogs? lol.
We were much cooler. Our bikes were: 1978 GS1000, 1991 ZX11, 1994 GS500E, and a 1998 VTR1000. Guess which one was the "dud."0 -
This happened last year, eight members of a biker gang were found murdered on a farm in Ontario, Canada. Their deaths were related to some kind of criminal activity the gang was involved in and it was called once of the worst incidents of mass murder in Ontario's history.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/04/08/bodies-field060408.html0 -
Back in my younger days I ran with some nationally known "motorcycle club" folks. Through it's members this club owned numerous businesses, including some of the best bars/strip joints around and threw some heavy duty parties at their club house.
I had some good friends among them who'd do anything for me if I needed help, but there one a golden rule. You had to always keep in mind that no matter how decent they acted their loyalty was to patched members and you had to act accordingly.
I got along with them and never had any problems, but they most definitely fit the bill as an organized crime organization. I just made a point of staying out of their business. The reason you hear so little about them is because they make sure things always run smoothly so no unecessary heat gets brought down that might interfere with cash flow. They're heavily involved in various forms of business, both legal and illegal, not just partying together.
Make no mistake, these groups aren't just a bunch of good ol' boys who like to dress up and ride motorcycles. And just because someone is a vet it doesn't give them a full pass if they later choose to become a lowlife.0 -
Warriorsfan,
The Ontario killings were members of the Bandidos MC. The HA & Bandits in Canada have been at odds for a long time, but this particular incident appeared to be internal. It was a matter of the Bandidos taking care of business from within.
http://www.answers.com/topic/bandidos
Trinity +++0 -
Warriorsfan
The deal with the Bandidos MC in Canada, to my understanding was due to a power struggle among the group. It was the Bandidos killing Bandidos. The HA club had nothing to do with the killings.0 -
If you want a perspective of the Hells Angels from the late sixties, see if you can find the movie "Hells Angels Forever". It's basically a documentary of the Red and White. They didn't like how they were portrayed in "the Hells Angels" starring Jack Nicholson so they made their own movie. 0 -
regardless of the gimmick, be it a motorcycle, tommy guns and cars, street walkers, east side west side, etc... a gang is a gang.
gangs strength is its numbers.
then its weapons.
then its reputation.
then its territory.
bottom line, its all mafia type activity. you dont hurt me because we will retaliate type stuff.
meaning to do well and actually doing well are not the same thing.
gangs have clubs or hangouts which acts as the corp headquarters. it has bylaws, no matter how bizaar. it has a typical top down management system. its organized, thus its considered 'organized crime' when something is done by 'the gang.'
a mc club and a mc gang are 2 different things, though a mc gang will hide under the title as a club to mislead. occasionally they do civil things to give the appearence of being do gooders as a disguise.
bible says: 'bad company corrupts good morals."
most old bikers in pre hippy days, were ww2 vets looking for a way to revolt against the system that forgot them. they began clubs so men could share their pains with others that could relate. it usually involved loose women, gin mills, smoke, drink, knives, guns, and bikes. in order to be individuals, custom bikes became personal creations to reflect who they felt they were. much symbolizm was involved with biking i/e: gas tank art was copied from the battle tank and airplane art practice,) chains,(depression/opression/unity,) leather,(began from flying jackets,) skull and crossbones, (death raiders, military command symbols, etc..) bikes represented the inexpensive care-free life available to those that were always drifting,(military roots to always packing up, moving out, and going somewhere else,)
since bars always seemed to attract people with baggage and problems to be shared, bars became the hangouts for bikers. but bikers always butted heads with straight boys and got in fights for smelling and looking rank after a hard ride. so, they bagan travelling in numbers for security when fights broke out. since most biker vets were poor and spent most of what money they had on booze, smokes, and dope, they couldnt afford haircuts and felt it wasnt needed anyway, since they were tired of being told to, after having it shoved down their throats every day in the military.
basically they were the beginning of a new era, the non conformists that were the cornerstone for the hippy movement.
today, youd be hard pressed to find a true biker club or biker gang with military roots. hobo vets on wheels? not any more. a lost society indeed.0 -
Should have joined the Woopie Dingles [:D][:D][:D] 0 -
There all good boys[8D] just a few give bikers a bad name 0 -
Join the Wild Hog's[8D] I know nothing about these so called Biker Gangs[8D] 0 -
About 90 percent of "Biker Gang" exploits were blown out of proportion by the Hollyweird movies.. Most of the things attributed to "Biker Gangs" never really happened.
Over the years I have ridden with some Hells Angels, Pagans, Louisville Outlaws, Devils deciples (canada) . Most were decent family people, there were a few bad apples that tried to live up to the stigma put on them by the media though. The main thing about most of the "Gangs" was " Dont take none , dont give none" . in other words , leave me alone and I will leave you alone.. As with any "Gang" , mess with one, ya mess with all..
Most motorcycle " gangs" are very low keyed today, in fact the pagans around here dont wear their colors much anymore, and ya never see any hells angels around here anymore..0 -
I'm a motorcycle gang.
I have 5 stars.
Doug0 -
I myself ride with Hells Geezers. We are pretty tame.
The bike gangs were heavily envolved with drug distribution.
I rode about 200 miles with a group of Apaches out of Oklahoma once, back in the '60's. Kind of like the "hoods" I knew in school. Seemed like pretty decent guys. State police would pick us up on the north end of town, escort us through and drop us off at the south end of town. From the Illinois State Fair to St. Louis.0 -
the titles of most mc gangs dont reflect wholesome living.....[;)] 0 -
How would it look with a name like the "Hells pansies" LMAO..Naturally they wanted tough sounding names. When I was 6 or 7 the 5 boys in the neighborhood made up a gang, we called ourselves the Bad ass 5..[:D][:D][:D] 0 -
There was a Branch of the Hell's Angels that rode through I-81 off the exit and through town then back on the latter entrance ramp about 8yrs or so ago. I was assigned to see they made their way back onto the ramp. I pulled my cruiser over and held any other traffic up from getting on the ramp. I tipped my hat to their waves and kind comments, they appeared to be a very peaceful bunch to me. 0 -
I was a member of The Hell's Satan gang. Some of you might remember us from The Simpsons episode that featured us. 0 -
I have been and wasacquainted with bikers from famous biker gangs in the early 80s and they were all Drug Runners and into other various illegal activities.
I will not post here some of the stuff I saw and experienced but I will say a teenaged friend of mine was shot in the head over a 10.00 debt he owed to a gang belonging biker.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Nighthawk
I tipped my hat to their waves and kind comments, they appeared to be a very peaceful bunch to me.When on a run, certain members ride in designated positions within the formation.
The officers (Prez/Vice Prez/Sgt-at-Arms, etc) within the group are easily identifiable by where they're located. As an LEO, if you have to conduct any dealings with the group it will simplify the contact if you go directly to the ranking member. Deal directly with him and the others will follow his lead.
Never make the mistake of falling in behind them, initiating a stop on the entire formation and making your initial contact with those riding in the rear positions. These are the "prospects", meaning they haven't yet achieved full membership and are often looking to impress the rest. They're the most likely to get stupid with you instead of just taking care of business in a straight up manner.
BTW-Whenever you see a run where they're flying colors, watch for their trail vehicle(s), which will be large enough to carry spare gear and haul anyone's bike that develops problems. That's where the good stuff is.0 -
I belong to the "Independent as Hell" club[;)] 0
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