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So you were driving down the road the other day when a pack of motorcyclists passed you loudly. As you looked at their matching jackets you thought, I wonder what club they belong to? What if it’s a gang? How do I tell? Here are some common ways to find out:

  • Club logo on their back
  • Club name above the logo
  • Club name above their heart

There are 8.8 million licensed motorcyclists in the U.S. The vast majority of them don’t belong to any kind of club. But thousands of motorcyclists prefer cruising with friends and have formed an official “riding club.” A few even belong to “motorcycle clubs” which often have an additional social aspect. Some of these clubs are for members of the same profession, such as a fire department. Others are for residents of the same town.

Not every club advertises itself. But going back to the 1950s, there are some traditional “colors” motorcycle clubs have developed to wear while riding. These are a series of patches sewn on to a jacket cut down to a vest. Why a “cut?” So you can wear it over a range of outfits, from full riding leathers to a t-shirt.

Group of bikers from multiple outlaw motorcycle clubs ride in a protest together
Motorcycle club | Uncleroo via iStockPhoto

The back of a cut is usually dominated by a colorful club logo. Above the logo a banner or “top rocker” has the club name written out. The front of the cut often has the motorcyclist’s name, a club office if they have one, and the club name. The club name is traditionally on the left, right above their heart.

No motorcyclist will refer to their club as a “gang.” But some may call it an “outlaw motorcycle club.” As outlaw clubs were increasingly portrayed in the media, the American Motorcycle Association held a 1960s press conference to insist that “99% of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens” so many members of “outlaw motorcycle clubs” wear a “1%er” patch above their name on their cut. This is an easy way to tell if they are in an outlaw club.

Another way to tell is the name of their club. The five largest outlaw motorcycle clubs in the United States (according to the DoJ) are the Hells Angels, Mongols, Bandidos, Outlaws, and Sons of Silence. 

Next, learn more about outlaw motorcycle clubs, or see an interview with a former Hell’s Angel in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.