The VMOA yes or no

Jdk203 said:

Are there any events that are open to non members. So that we could get a feel for what the club is like? Also where could we find a list of events to see if there would be any we might be able to get to if we were to join? My best friend is a hardly guy (VROD) would he be out of place coming to one of these events with me if I were a member?

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Here in Ontario, and I do believe this is VMOA wide, we encourage everyone to attend. We welcome non-members and owners of other bikes along for the fun. Part of being a member and an officer of the club is, for lack of a better term, public relations. Showcasing our club and making friends is what it is all about. Normally our rides will have 20-25 members, several Vmax owners who are not members, and a few "others".

Jdk203 said:

Are there any events that are open to non members. So that we could get a feel for what the club is like? Also where could we find a list of events to see if there would be any we might be able to get to if we were to join? My best friend is a hardly guy (VROD) would he be out of place coming to one of these events with me if I were a member?

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All the events and rides I organize for the VMOA are open to anyone who wishes to attend, along with friends and family.
Your more than welcome to come down and ride in our almost warm weather right now for Bike Week 2010. Our schedule is posted in the Organized Events.

If you do a search on this forum with the keyword "VMOA" you will find that most of the pros/cons of joining have been discussed.

Without saying anything negative, I believe www.vmaxforum.net is THE site to join; great people, ride news, vendor discounts, on-demand stories, pictures, chat. Plus, you will find in the archives here most if not all of the major discussions on anything related to the VMax.

Buster allows you to join/browse this forum for free so that if you like what you see you can give your informed support.

Personally, any club in your area is worth considering if it has good people, does your kind of riding (e.g. touring, short cruises, etc), is energetic, encourages responsible riding, and promotes the sport of motorcycling.

Cheers,

Blaine

I joined in late '06 or early '07 I think and let it lapse for a few months here or there. Overall it's a good organization but the forum itself kinda blows. It's just not very clubby feeling IMO.

I'm NOT a club kind of guy because I HATE clicks and clubs tend to always have them. I'm an equal opportunity friend so clicks kind of piss me off. You'll find the clicks in the VMOA but most everyone is nice enough.

I think the VMOA is worth the expense but I get nothing out of the mag. I usually bin them without taking them out of the envelope. ESPECIALLY the last one... lol

Overall WELL worth the 30 or so bucks. I hope to make at least ONE event this year. My pregnant wife is keeping me from Topeka.

I have been a active VMOA member since 2001. I did take a few years off when I lost two close riding buddies within a months time. Shocked the hell out of me!!! Now that I have reinstated last year with a newer 2005 vmax, I realized in my absence there are a bunch of new faces within and I am now trying to promote our local area by stepping up as the local area chapter leader. I always organized rides for VMOA, so I figured why not just take the title with it too. I have had nothing but good experiences within the VMOA. YES, there seems to be a bit of so called drama, which is BS in my eyes, but thats my opinion. We all have the right to be heard so be it!

I am all positive and I get my bang for the buck being a member.

Micheal Moore
VMOA #2116

I'm not a 'club' kind of guy either, prefer to entertain myself.

But on the VMOA? Of course, it's a good bunch of guys, all interested in the V Max...why not support it?

We got these big expensive motorcycles, pour hundreds of dollars into them to keep the monkey from taking a big bite out of our ********, and then complain about $30 in dues?

Just don't track AFAIC. 'Course that's JMO...nothing more!

Would have to agree, Its only 30 bucks..Yes, Join, stay a Member .But I would like to see some VMOA events in NY. Do we have a Regional Director? The fine people on this Board have pulled off some very nice runs and events with out the VMOA. I check the VMOA site for Local events in NY. Only thing I read is Anarchy as of late...:th_favorites24:

We have Americade in the North East.

http://tourexpo.com/data/index.php

This would be a Perfect event to have the VMOA organize and sponsor Just an Idea.

Don't get me wrong in any way, its only 30 bucks...I waste more than that on a bad meal. But if we want to attract new Membership or retain current, we need to look at new Venues.

My .03 Cents

Is Dave the director for the NE (NY included)?

Steve Katz is the NE Regional Director, which includes NY.

Thevmaxrider said:

Steve Katz is the NE Regional Director, which includes NY.

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Is he on the forum? Whats Dave Torres director of?

gamorg02 said:

Is he on the forum? Whats Dave Torres director of?

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I am not sure if Steve is a member here or not to be honest. Dave Tavares is the New England Regional Director.

vmaxride06 said:

Would have to agree, Its only 30 bucks..Yes, Join, stay a Member .But I would like to see some VMOA events in NY. Do we have a Regional Director? The fine people on this Board have pulled off some very nice runs and events with out the VMOA. I check the VMOA site for Local events in NY. Only thing I read is Anarchy as of late...:th_favorites24:

We have Americade in the North East.

http://tourexpo.com/data/index.php

This would be a Perfect event to have the VMOA organize and sponsor Just an Idea.

Don't get me wrong in any way, its only 30 bucks...I waste more than that on a bad meal. But if we want to attract new Membership or retain current, we need to look at new Venues.

My .03 Cents

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Might take my son or daughter to Americade this year or next...heard it was a great family-oriented venue.

New venues would be appealing. Modifying existing venues can work too especially if you're around a lot of great roads. For example, we have a ride in Ontario called the 507 Run which winds its way through the Kawarthas. Bob, Dave, and Cory vary the route each year so that it's fresh. They are also considering making it an over-nighter as opposed to a day trip to mix things up a bit.

Trevor started a track Event at St. Thomas last year for race buffs. Not my thing but it had some great reviews and some surprising results.

www.vmaxforum.net is a great forum to support. I have connected with folks here and got great route info for my Buffalo Wings/Finger Lakes trip. This sort of led to the International Pizza Run which I hope to attend this year. Gotta love spontaneity!

Cheers!

Blaine

Thevmaxrider said:

Steve Katz is the NE Regional Director, which includes NY.

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Thevmaxrider said:

Dave Tavares is the New England Regional Director.

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whast the difference?

North East... New England... Same geo area... Right?

Re: VMOA activities in New York

the americade rally is "the" event in New York state (outside of NYC).

I am the upstate NY chapter leader. I participate in many local bike night and fund raiser type events and have rarely seen more than one vmax at any events around central NY (utica-syraucse region)

The last club listing I rec'd had roughly 12-15 members in NY state.

Last year I participated in the champlain valley bike rally in August. The only other vmax I saw over three days of the event came in from Vermont.

I travel a lot of my job and cover the champlain valley (Plattsburgh) as well as Utica and Syracuse.

If any members are reading this and would like to get together for a vmax event or particapate as a group in a bigger event, i would be happy to organize it. Better yet, get your non-member vmax friends to participate and join us.

The truth is, around central NY, vmax sightings are fairly rare.

Steve

americade info: http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?p=126350#post126350

Re: VMOA activities in New York

FatMax said:

the americade rally is "the" event in New York state (outside of NYC).

I am the upstate NY chapter leader. I participate in many local bike night and fund raiser type events and have rarely seen more than one vmax at any events around central NY (utica-syraucse region)

The last club listing I rec'd had roughly 12-15 members in NY state.

Last year I participated in the champlain valley bike rally in August. The only other vmax I saw over three days of the event came in from Vermont.

I travel a lot of my job and cover the champlain valley (Plattsburgh) as well as Utica and Syracuse.

If any members are reading this and would like to get together for a vmax event or particapate as a group in a bigger event, i would be happy to organize it. Better yet, get your non-member vmax friends to participate and join us.

The truth is, around central NY, vmax sightings are fairly rare.

Steve

americade info: http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?p=126350#post126350

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Hi FatMax........nice bike you got there:eusa_dance:

I see you mention Plattsburgh........what about the Seaway Valley Watertown to Massena????

I am guessing that is you as well.......I am now going to look into joining.....

Re: VMOA activities in New York

FatMax said:

the americade rally is "the" event in New York state (outside of NYC).

I am the upstate NY chapter leader. I participate in many local bike night and fund raiser type events and have rarely seen more than one vmax at any events around central NY (utica-syraucse region)

The last club listing I rec'd had roughly 12-15 members in NY state.

Last year I participated in the champlain valley bike rally in August. The only other vmax I saw over three days of the event came in from Vermont.

I travel a lot of my job and cover the champlain valley (Plattsburgh) as well as Utica and Syracuse.

If any members are reading this and would like to get together for a vmax event or particapate as a group in a bigger event, i would be happy to organize it. Better yet, get your non-member vmax friends to participate and join us.

The truth is, around central NY, vmax sightings are fairly rare.

Steve

americade info: http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?p=126350#post126350

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That's quite a ride you've got there! Looks great! I'd love to see some additional pics and hear some info on that gauge setup you have.

dannymax said:

I'm not a 'club' kind of guy either, prefer to entertain myself.

But on the VMOA? Of course, it's a good bunch of guys, all interested in the V Max...why not support it?

We got these big expensive motorcycles, pour hundreds of dollars into them to keep the monkey from taking a big bite out of our ********, and then complain about $30 in dues?

Just don't track AFAIC. 'Course that's JMO...nothing more!

Click to expand...

Yo Dan-o hence why you are collecting bikes for your own personal biker gang right :rofl_200: just wondering what did you make yourself do as initiation to get in, and who do you have to brown nose too all the time hahahahha

I don't think you need to join a club and pay for something like discounts or vmax info that can be had for free on sites like this or the Star site, if you need to be part of a club join one in your area ! You will do more riding with other bikers then waiting for a VMOA ride. The other Plus here in NY is the guys you meet in your local club will be close and wanting to ride just as much as you and have a inside line on local parts and service or just be there to lend a hand

Mark Rooney
Resigned North East Director VMOA

Jdk203 said:

Are there any events that are open to non members. So that we could get a feel for what the club is like? Also where could we find a list of events to see if there would be any we might be able to get to if we were to join? My best friend is a hardly guy (VROD) would he be out of place coming to one of these events with me if I were a member?

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My opinion.

Joining is well worth the $30. Here in the south Central region which is kinda BIG, we have 3 VMOA rallies a year. 2 in the Texas hill country and 1 in the Ozarks of Arkansas. Depending on weather, we see 30+ bikes in the Hill country rallies and between 20-35 bikes in Eureka Springs Arkansas.
There are all kinds of "bike" get togethers here in houston and usually not many v-maxes attend unless i am the one holding the event. last year at one of our Tech days at our house we had maybe 20 v-maxes with 3, 2008 bikes show up.
There is just something cool about seeing all those v-maxes in one place.
We have a couple local "members" that don't even own a v-max. but they joined anyway.
At our tech days i can't tell you how many carbs have been taken apart and cleaned, how many carb syncs we have done. Fork seals replaces, tires changed out etc. There just is about nothing that we don't do at our tech days and it costs nothing. Hell a good carb cleaning probably would save you $200-300 at the stealership.
Anyway up to date, at all three rallies in my region the vmoa pays for the meet and greet dinner so that in itself pays for your dues. there are many vendors that discount parts to vmoa members also.
At all our rallies any and all are welcome to join us for the ride. Harleys, sportbikes, couches etc. We just wait at all stops for those in the other bikes to catch up
At our eureka springs rally we get guys from 3 or 4 differant states make the rally. One member quoted that he likes riding with us because we ride somewhat briskly, not a parade ride as some other rallies and rides.
Anyway that is my opinion as usual but if you want to come down to any of our south central rallies this year you are welcome, member or not, we will show you how to ride that bike
Michael Hansen
vmoa 1701
South Central Regional Director.