Outlaw Biker Gangs

Motorcycle clubs are a great way for motorcycle enthusiasts to get together. They can share rides, stories and advice. If you have a problem with your bike, someone at your local biker gang can most likely offer useful advice. Often biker clubs are like a second or even a first family for many of the members. Groups such as the Patriot Guard Riders perform a valuable civic service.

However, there is a sinister side to some motorcycle clubs. After an inter-gang fight in the early 40s, the American Motorcycle Association released a statement that ninety nine percent of motorcycle gangs do not break the law, but that left room for one percent who do. Outlaw motorcycle gangs call themselves "one percenters" and are vastly different from groups like the Patriot Guard Riders. Groups like the Hells Angels or the Mongols regularly engage in criminal activity. Hells Angels tattoos often depict images of death, and aptly so. This outlaw biker gang has been involved in countless acts of drug trafficking, prostitution, brutality, arson and murder.

Often outlaw biker gangs fight each other over turf. For example, the Great Nordic Biker War was a violent war between the Hells Angels and the Bandidos and their respective allies. It took place in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden and claimed eleven lives.

Most motorcycle clubs are nothing like this, even though the riders may look "bad". The average motorcycle rider joins a club simply for the fun, and the joy of riding with wind in his face.