| Author | Message | ||
     Cataract2 |
Well, just got voted into the local Hog group (Space Coast HOG). Now, just need to keep on the owner about getting the BRAG group started. | ||
| Shky_jake  |
Cataract2, Here is a few tips on getting a Brag group started: 1. Get as many Buell riders as you can to start meeting up on a regular basis. 2. Go to Meetup.com and start a meetup group and get you riders logged in and posting. This is what I and a couple of other buddies did to get the dealership here to take notice. When we got all of us on the same page we set a invade the dealership ride and went there and talked to the SalesManager who put us in touch with the right people. Hope this helps. And Good luck Shky | ||
| Cataract2 |
From what the owner has stated is that he is interested in starting a Brag group. He's been getting the paperwork together for this and is sending out letters to notify owners in this area of it and for them to contact me. Crossing fingers this works out. Thanks for letting me know about that though. I'll give that a try also. | ||
| Clown  |
The more you ride together, the more the dealership will take notice. Use the Dealership as a starting or ending point for a ride. Hopefully they will recognize your efforts. Also, invite one of the dealership staff to ride with you and your group. If no one there rides a Buell, hopefully the owner will let them use a shop bike. That's what we have done and it had made both the dealership and the BRAG group very successful. Take a look at the 3%'s thread on storm fronts. | ||
| Gomo  |
You also should let the Dealer be aware (if he/she is not already) that BRAG clubs are far different than HOG Chapters. This is not only in size of membership, but styles of riding, types of rides/events, and mostly attitude. Being a part of both HOG & BRAG, I can see the differences. The first was, after stepping down from being the HOG chapter Director to become the BRAG club Director; I was treated almost like a traitor - even though I am still a HOG member and fairly active. For the most part, HOG members do not understand BRAG clubs. They are used to riding to the buffets and hanging around then riding for desert. They spend all "day on the road" and do 150 mile ride in 8hrs. While the BRAG club does 150 miles in 3hrs (or less), stops for a quick coffee - then heads out again. HOG is a large social club of Harley owners; BRAG is a club of Riders. As long as you and your dealer realize this - things should work out. | ||
| Vegasbueller  |
I am one of Shakey Jakes cohorts in the Vegas BRAG chapter. Keep in mind that this isnt something that will happen overnight. I also have to second Gomo on that his statement. The pace of a HOG ride can be mind numbing to say the least. Not to say that it wouldnt be a good idea to at least say "hello" to the local HOG members and build a relationship there. Their money spends as good as anyone elses when you host an event.  Good luck! | ||
| Gomo |
I agree with Vegas. Keep an open line of communication with the HOG chapter. After time you may have some join you as well. We are planning on inviting the HOG chapter to join us for a ride, so they can see how we do it. We are ready have HOG members joining us (right now it's because of a fall out of officers, oh well) and we will do what we can to accomindate the cruisers on our rides, with out holding back those that want to zip along (basically hand our routes and meeting points and work it from there). We push that we are a Riding club first more than a sportbike club and this develops interest. There are some HOG's on Atkins diet that just want to ride. Good Luck | ||
| Vegasbueller |
And hey...let all of us know what ideas you guys come up with for events and rides. This is a great place to get/share ideas for fundraisers and the like. "There are some HOG's on Atkins diet that just want to ride." Never really thought of it that way! | ||
| Cataract2 |
Anyone got a step by step of how to be a director of a Brag club? Also, I might be in luck here. The owner of the dealership has owned Buells in the past and currently owns a RC-51 (he's selling it though). He's into track days to top it off. From what I've been told he likes the Buell brand and wants to get more involved in it. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
 I was elected co-director of our chapter. Man, it just takes being yourself, being dynamic and out going. You have to get out there and meet your people so to speak. It does take some work, and a lot of it is done right here on the computer making contacts and spreading the word about your group. (I spend hours a day on here adding events, checking local happenings, etc.) Like Jake said, I would get a meetp.com group started or a Yahoo group and then make up flyers/cards to guide potential members to the group. Make friends with these people and go from there. | ||
| Gomo |
I was lucky and had great suport from my dealer. We are running the club very casual. Just doing rides to where the members want to go. Keeping the politics out of it, no real officer positions (as compared to HOG). My title as Director is to basically make sure the business end of things are done. If we just ride and all "pay their way" out on the road, then we have no need for fund raising events to raise cash - which also raises a different level of how folks feel things should be done. Keep it simple - just ride and make it enjoyable for those attending (learn to flex) | ||
| Gomo |
Also get a BRAG membership so you know whats going on with their events | ||
| Blublak  |
I'm not currently with a local BRAG Chapter (the closest one is a ways away and getting there for 'meetings' is difficult for me), however I am the Sr. RC for my local SCRC chapter. This has taught me a lot about planning, execution and the leading of a ride. I like to avoid the 'political' crap and just wanna ride and have some fun. The few times I'd ridden with my local HOG chapter (I'm a member of both BRAG & HOG)their idea of a good ride was hit the highway and head out IronButt style until you need gas. Fill up, then ride a back road (two lane highway this time) to food. Then back the same way. This was all done in a strict regimented manner. For me, even on my Harley, it was tedious and boring.. I'm told since a completely new group is now in charge over there, that the style has changed somewhat, I may have to check it out someday. OK, some ride basics. Plan it out. Know the roads your going on and pre-ride them prior to the actual run (surprises or sudden turns aren't a good thing when leading a group). Prior to departure, do a briefing, go over hand signs used, passing them back, and what sort of roads your going on. (I'm famous for choosing a very un-straight line when ever possible - while one of my Captains has a thing for straight line cruising) Try to get a read on the types of riders your going with. If you rocket down a road you know leaving a bunch of lost, bewildered individuals behind you in the dust.. They won't want to ride with you again. Also, take into consideration speed and possible skill levels, don't plan a ride that will force someone out of their comfort zone.. at least not the first time they ride with you. Last, despite what some folks may think, you don't need a 'destination'.. just a turn around point. There's a lot more to it than that, especially when riding with large groups (which is something you may run into with HOG participation) Some of the larger rides (like our annual poker run) I do as 'self guided' (here's a list of directions to each stop, have fun!). I've been told we put on a blocking clinic (but national doesn't like that we do it) for larger rides. And I've even had other chapters O's come out with me to see how I do it. Yes, all this takes work on the part of the 'Ossifers'. But you do it 'cause you like it and the smiles from those that attend are all the pay you need to tell you to do it again sometime. Phew.. this got kind of long huh? Sorry, just wanted to toss in my $.02 and ended up starting a lecture.. If you want any more info, please just ask, I'm sure that a bunch of us here have similar knowledge we could all share. Later, | ||
| Cataract2 |
I am part of the National BRAG (got that when I bought the bike). These are all good things to know here guys. The roads in this area are a bit of a problem though. straight, flat, boring. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
"If we just ride and all "pay their way" out on the road, then we have no need for fund raising events to raise cash - which also raises a different level of how folks feel things should be done." I have to agree with that 100% ... I have seen some bigg biggg issues in other "groups" because of that. When I spoke of raising money, I mean like a rider assitance fund for family or injured members. We also are timkering with the idea of adopting a family for the holidays, and the money could come in handy for that. Blublak: Lots of great points! Ride planning is crutial, and "teaching" the members that have never been involved with a group ride is a task at times. I know our first ride of more than 5 bikes we looked rather...disorganized to say the least. | ||
| Gomo |
A little more info: I have to agree about ride planning. Communication is very much the key. Being a MSF RiderCoach, I pass on the information needed to do group rides - to both the HOG & BRAG clubs. Although there are basic rules for both, sport riding needs a little more understanding of what you expect from your rides to keep them safe. As far as meetings, our club did not do so well with them. they rather ride and chat on the road than hang out just to meet. So for this year (2005) we will have a meeting in the beginning of the year to go over group riding and discuss what things/rides we want to do for the year. Then we schedule the 3rd Sunday of each month for a club ride (any other rides that come up, we'll let the members know about). As of now, all needed info is done via email and/or our new webpage (linked below). If folks are looking for more of a social aspect and relaxed riding approach, we reccommend the HOG chapter to them (most of them are already there). Like I said earlier, we are promoting ourselfs as a riding club - for all types. Since we are a small club (15-20 members) things like this are easy to work with. If for some reason we grow far larger, we can always revisit our approach to the club - with the members input; it's their club. I went from being a Director of a HOG club that has been formatted for the past 18yrs with members that find change hard, to starting a new club from scratch with members that always want new and interesting. There is no one right way of doing things. There is a lot of trial and error with doing a new club, but that can be fun as well. Just keep things safe, fun, and simple and things should work itself out. Just some $.02 more http://mysite.verizon.net/res94lu0/hudsonvalleyridersclub/ | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Gomo: Sounds like you have a great group happening! Good start on the web page as well. That is one of our next steps. I hope that I am adept enough to set up a message board as well. I also like the way of pitching the group as a "riders group". I am not much for boardroom meetings either! Right now, we are only about 12 to 15 strong, and like you said, the guys are always looking for something new to do. I am guessing that the guys in Florida will share the same issue that we have here, and that is that curves and challenging courses are hard to find. Nick | ||
| Blake |
"2. Go to Meetup.com and start a meetup group and get you riders logged in and posting." Or use the Storm Fronts page here.  | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Hey Blake... we utilize the heck out of our section on Stormfronts! Meetup works for us too. We actually use about 5 different venues for communication. That also makes us more visible on the web. We appreciate having our own corner of the BadWeb! | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Cataract2: Here is the link to our meetup group so that you can see what we have going on there: http://buell.meetup.com/4/ | ||
| Cataract2 |
Thanks Vegas. Think I'll do that. | ||
| Tramp  |
i was gonna try to prospect with hog once, but the initiation and prospect period looked toooo difficult, plus the high-mileage they have to log on skeeered me. they are hard-core, man... | ||
| Gomo |
Tramp - I was wondering when you were going to chime in on this one. I understand you have fear about buying larger waist jeans, but did you ever consider the George Foreman pants with the elastic hidden on the inside? You could then be a Hogger cruising 85 miles in 7hrs to the Fantastic Buffet........remember the hard-core part of HOG is their stomach lining. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Cataract2...lemme know how this all works out for ya! There is a chance that we will be moving to Orlando next year. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Will do Vegas. | ||
| 1313  |
initiation and prospect period looked toooo difficult And here I thought HOG's motto was 'Ride to Eat, Eat to Ride'...Well it sure is around here anyways! 1313 | ||
| Tramp |
gomo, yer killin'me! the conchos and (officially licensed) engineer's boots clash with my thong.... | ||
| Cataract2 |
Accually, they just got a new directors board when I got voted in. Seems the new leader is pushing for more rides than any one person can do this year. Checking the list it sure seems to be happening. | ||
| Tramp |
you weren't joshing about being 'voted in'? i thought you get instant membership by purchasing a new hd, like a toyota owners' group or whatever. so what's next? prospect rockers? clubhouses? | ||
| Cataract2 |
Instant into the national. Local chapter requires being voted in. |
