Anyone a member of GWRRA????

[TrikerMimi]

We were thinking of joining GWRRA and were looking for some more info from members. Is it a good move? Sounds like a great organization and just want more info. Thanks!

[katfish16]

We were members for several years. I would suggest U visit ur local chapter U want to join and see how U get along with the group. We were in one chapter in Mississippi that was Great!!!!! Moved to Alabama and no matter what we did we did not fit in with the chapter.. they were very clandish.

So we got out of GWRRA. I also did not like the changes in the get togethers where each member had to bring 5 items to be given away or raffeled off. Seems to me every time I turned around they were asking for the member to do something so GWRRA would not have to do it..

U can always try it and if U don't like it all U have lost is about $50 or $60 for a couple..

Good luck...

[wingking51]

GWRRA is an organization that promotes "Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge". If you join GWRRA, you don't have to "belong" to a local chapter.There are no chapter dues and no elected officers. You don't even have to own a Goldwing to be a member of GWRRA.

Actually, you are welcome at any chapter in GWRRA. If the first chapter you go to doesn't fill the bill in what you are looking for, try another chapter. You are not locked into a chapter just because it is the closest one to your home. Some chapters ride more than others. Different strokes for different folks. You can belong to GWRRA and not participate in a chapter. It's your choice.

[pasadenajim]

Different groups work for different people...and chapters vary widely. You do NOT have to be active in a chapter to belong to the national GWRRA.

That being said, I am "life" AMA: 643840. I am "life" HOG US 0513536. I am only "annual" in GWRRA since 2003: 177376. I am also a member of a real live AMA sanctioned M/C, a group with over a hundred years of tradition. Clearly, I am a "joiner". That's my bias and perspective. I was planning on discontinuing the GWRRA membership and only belong to TRI. Since TRI is no more, I'll continue with GWRRA to participate in the trike related stuff.

The monthly magazine is good. The organized events are worth participating in, at least some times. The Gold Book can be a life saver or just a useful source of info. You may find more than a fair share of old farts and coots in the GWRRA; however, local groups vary widely. (For a trike rider that may not be a problem! We certainly have our share of those folks.) Try GWRRA Try it for a couple years. If it doesn't work for you stop renewing your dues. Do it.

[Blondie Gal]

Different groups work for different people...and chapters vary widely. You do NOT have to be active in a chapter to belong to the national GWRRA.

That being said, I am "life" AMA: 643840. I am "life" HOG US 0513536. I am only "annual" in GWRRA since 2003: 177376. I am also a member of a real live AMA sanctioned M/C, a group with over a hundred years of tradition. Clearly, I am a "joiner". That's my bias and perspective. I was planning on discontinuing the GWRRA membership and only belong to TRI. Since TRI is no more, I'll continue with GWRRA to participate in the trike related stuff.

The monthly magazine is good. The organized events are worth participating in, at least some times. The Gold Book can be a life saver or just a useful source of info. You may find more than a fair share of old farts and coots in the GWRRA; however, local groups vary widely. (For a trike rider that may not be a problem! We certainly have our share of those folks.) Try GWRRA Try it for a couple years. If it doesn't work for you stop renewing your dues. Do it.

Have to chuckle at the 'fair share of old farts and coots' - that describes us perfectly! About 90% of our 100+ active members in the Killeen chapter have trikes and ride very often in groups. We don't participate in many rides; they leave waaaaaay too early for us, but we enjoy the social part of it. Our chapter doesn't insist on any consistent participation, and they've never asked us to donate or bring any door prizes - our chapter staff does all that. We've been with them almost two years and really appreciate the fellowship.

The Texas District Convention is going to be here in Killeen for the second year, and we will be able to see GWs from all over the state - an amazing sight!! Try it for a while; you don't even have to join to attend meetings - see if you like the group and the way the meetings are conducted. You'll know - trust me.

[Papa Zook]

I agree that GWRRA chapters do vary a lot from one to the next. From my experience, some are friendly and will make anyone feel welcome. Others are pretty clicky and act almost as if the old long time members don't really want newbies messing up their thing. Some chapters ride a lot and others dont do too much. Like the above posters said, visit your local group a few times before you join and see if its a fit for you.

Or you could always start a local T.O.I Chapter!

[Flyboy_TN_Y]

Hi Mimi and Mick,

I'm a recent / new GWRRA Member in TN.
My advice is go visit a GWRRA Chapter near you and then you can see what it's about.
Each Chapter is different, visit several see how you fit in or don't.
Try different chapters until you find one you are happiest being associated with. You join the National organization not chapters and you are free to go to any chapter meeting.

You can find links to the Illinois District ( each state is called a district)
here's the region link GWRRA Region E

There are alot of fun activities and events to be involved in. Great Educational programs.

Steve

[TrikerMimi]

GWRRA chapters do vary a lot from one to the next. Some are friendly and will make anyone feel welcome. Others are pretty clicky and act almost as if the old long time members don't really want newbies messing up their thing. Some chapters ride a lot and others, like our local chapter dont do too much. Like the above posters said, visit your local group a few times before you join and see if its a fit for you.

Or you could always start a local T.O.I Chapter!

WE WOULD LOVE THAT!!!!! We are already TOI members!:wtg:

[Lucky]

I have been a GWRRA member for about a year.I ahven't attended a chapter meeting yet ,but I do like their GOLD BOOK and the monthly WING WORLD MAGAZINE!The magazine is what I really joined for.RIDE SAFE

[TrikerMimi]

Thanks everyone for your input! I will attend the meeting next month and let you know how it goes! You all are the best!

[John Luciano]

Been a member since 1997.. Went to about 4 meetings . then changed groups went to 5 meetings . found they never talked Motorcycles.Dogs ,computers, grand kids etc.Back then the trikes were new stuff. I brought my trike to the meeting ,after the meeting no one of the 20 members in attendance even came over to look at it. Never went back.Still a member great magazine Wing World.

[Papa Zook]

WE WOULD LOVE THAT!!!!! We are already TOI members!:wtg:

Well we'd love for you to start a chapter in your area. PM trikeleader (Tom Goettl) and he will assist you.

[vwjoe]

WE WOULD LOVE THAT!!!!! We are already TOI members!:wtg:

I second that a chapter here be nice. I am in oaklawn i could help.

[Badon3]

Hi we have been members of GWRRA for 11 years --they have changed and it seems they took the F out of fun --check the diffrent chapters out and find one you like --the road service is worth the price to join -- i have a trike and the alt. went out they sent a flat bed tow truck out and i payed nothing --the tow was 160.00 --the new officers in GWRRA need to get back to the basics before they loose more members than they have --you can have a great time with the right chapter --im glad we joined ---

[Badon3]

Hi we are members fo IL.Z2 ==we meet the second sunday of the month at old country buffet on north ave in north lake --we meet around 8:00 or so to have breakfast and the meeting starts at 8:30 runs about 45 mins. we would love for you to come to one of the meetings and go for a ride with us after --if you have any questions send a e-mail we will try to answer all the questions you might have --towing and the wing world mag. is worth the cost of joining --they towed my trike with a flat bed and it cost us nothin --they payed 160.00 --thats worth 3 years of membership !!!thanks

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

We joined GWRRA in 1990 and have become Life Time Members as of this year (you have to belong for 20 years and then on the 21st year, you become Life Time members. This reduces your annual cost.)
Member # 66xxx.

We belong to Chapter J in Wisconsin and we have held many officer positions and were named "Chapter Couple Of The Year" in 1995.
As years flew by, many of our friends left and we decided to stop going to Wing Dings and other RA functions.
We then joined other clubs and went to their rallies and ride.
We now like to travel by ourselves or with a few friends.
I continued to stay a member mainly because of the Wing World magazine and their web site.

If you are interested in joining, just go to a local chapter meeting and check it out.

You can find one near you by going on their web site.

[Saltywheels]

Smartest thing I did after buying the trike. Checked out a couple of the local so Cal chapters & have hooked up with the friendliest bunch who also happened to be closer than the others. Makes it convenient to meet at the start of rides & for monthly Chapet meetings / breakfasts. Just saying!

[Meastro319]

Hey trikerMimi,
I joined a chapter here in our area about a year ago. it is Illinois Chapter V. We meet the first Tueday of every month at Portillo's on Randall Rd. in the St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia area. Let me know if you want to go next month and we can ride over together. I'm in West Chicago. My trike is an '86 Honda Aspencade.

[dusty74]

I have been a GWRRA member sense 1989 never belong to a chapter Mag and Gold is what I look for.

[ultraboy]

I'm one of the ones who was a member of TRI. I worked seminars and trike judging at the last two Branson trike-in's and wrote articles for TRIKES Magazine. I was on that Mag's masthead. My last article on Lehman Trikes, was in the May issue of Wing World as well as an earlier issue of TRIKES. Anyway, when TRI went T.U. I was told that TRIKES Magazine would continue to be published, and could be subscribed to for $10/year. No contact after that tho, LOL. I did not apply for a refund of my un-used TRI dues, and automatically became a member of GWRRA. Last week, the local chapter called and asked if I would be interested in joining their chapter. When I told them I have Harley Trikes, the person said "Oh......" then silence. I was waiting for them to say something, when I realized that they had hung up. No offense intended toward GWRRA, which I think is a fine group, we were treated pretty well with TRI, and gladly accepted into JJ's MO TRI chapter, but I doubt we would be welcomed into an all GW chapter. Just my .02, and again, no disrespect intended.