Topic: Is anyone here a member of the American Motorcycle Association?

[Hope]

They claim:

As an AMA member, you'll get discounts on parts, gear, insurance, event tickets, roadside assistance, lodging, rider training, car rentals, motorcycle shipping and more... Nationwide offers up to 10 percent discount on insurance to AMA members... Roadgear.com: AMA members get a 10 percent discount on riding gear, luggage, accessories, and books at Roadgear.    MotorcycleJunk.com: AMA members get $10 off the annual subscription rate to this online resource for buying and selling bikes, parts, and accessories.   AMA members can get a 10 percent discount on stays of up to seven days at 450 KOA campgrounds in the United States and Canada.  Save 10% on Bike lubricants and other supplies at www.proformanceUSA.com.   

Has it been anyone's experience that the discounts are a good incentive to join?  Are the discounts worth the membership fees?

Any other pros to joining AMA that you can think of?

Here is a link for your reference: http://www.amadirectlink.com/joinama/lp/bb/riding.asp

What kind of discount do you get at Bike Bandit?

[knowseeker]

I joined many years ago (I am a "Life" member) mostly to support the motorcycling cause politically, but I have gotten a discount or two over the years.  I don't usually think about my AMA membership when buying stuff, could'nt tell you if it would make it worth your while.  They do put out a pretty nice magazine which has bike and equipment articles as well as legislative news, court info, rides and riding info, etc.

Yours,
Dave

1974 CB350F

[333]

Yes, most dealers give a discount, but the dealer that I used to work for didn't give all the discounts the AMA offers.  And then there's politics.

I gave up my membership over politics.  Years ago when HOV/commuter lanes started poping up, Virginia was (illegaly) not allowing motorcycles on during HOV times.  They have since seen the error of their ways, but no thanks to the AMA.  The AMA didn't think this was an issue worthy of spending time on.  Instead, they were following noise regulation for off-road vehicles.  Even in talking to the AMA rep, HOV issues were not important enough to do anything about.

Nice magazine.

[Uncle Ernie]

I'm a life member.  Bike Bandit gives you 10%, as my rusty collander of a brain recalls.  I don't really pay much attention.  If I need a discount, I just try to steal it.  Shopping with kids creats a good diversion.           Oh alright- I'm kidding.   I think maybe you might get a discount at some motels, too.  OK magazine if you can't afford City Bike or Cycle World or Motorcycle Consumer News, or...
I got it for the same reason people hate it; politics.  Just like a lot of people want the government to be and do everything but con't, neither can the AMA.  But- it's pretty much all we have in defense of motorcycling rights.  It's lighting a match on a dark night;  it's better than nothing.

[GroovieGhoulie]

Just joined the other day.  Only because I'm planning on attending the Hodaka Days gathering in June and to do any of the events, you have to be an AMA member.

[cb350twin]

I,m not a member but I have a sticker on my bike from the 70s that says. "Warning the American Motorcycle Association will pay a $200 reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the thief of this motorcycle while owned buy a member of this association. haha

[CharlieT]

Belonged years ago when racing. Rejoined again a few yrs back. Don't really care about discounts. Mostly support for theri politcal activity/interventions in various arenas.


BTW, what the *H* is an HOV?

[333]

High Occupancy Vehicle.  Here in Virginia it used to mean 3 or 4 people depending on the road.  Now it only takes 2.

[Gordon]

BTW, what the *H* is an HOV?

High Occupancy Vehicle.  Originally intended for busses and the like, but they then began allowing motorcycles or any car with two or more occupants to use those lanes as well.  Large metropolitan areas use them in an effort to relieve some congestion on major thoroughfares, but in my experience, almost every time I'm in one on my motorcycle, the person in front of me that's keeping me from bypassing traffic is driving alone.

edit:  written after 333's post

[CharlieT]

Ahhhh, ok. Don't got too many of them around here where most roads are two-lanes....one in each direction. Do sometimes wish, though, that they had a FIL.......Farm Implement Lane 

[eldar]

I thought about joining the AMA a few years ago but heard that there was too much politics in the group and that they only lobbied for what they thought was needed and did not actually listen to the members.
For the sounds of most people here, that may be true.

[Uncle Ernie]

Most of the "politics" that bugs some vocifierous people is that the AMA is trying to stradle the fence on the "loud pipes save lives" and "helmets suck" issues.  Hard to keep everybody happy.  In the meantime, real issues like many neighborhoods ban motorcycles altogether, and many insurance companies won't pay if you get hurt on a bike, go begging.

[eldar]

And that is the thing, they get in on too many small things but not enough major issues. But you are right, it is hard to please everyone. Even though wearing a helmet is obviously a good thing!

[DammitDan]

Didn't you know helmets are dangerous?  Just imagine getting it snagged on something while you're sliding down the road...  Snap your neck in an instant!

It's why I always wear a DOT rated block of cheddar cheese on my head instead.  Cushions my fall, crumbles on impact and makes a tasty treat when you finally slide to a stop!

[CharlieT]

Do you mean one of these:




THought abuot them, but they only seem to come in that one color and it didn't match up well with the paint job on the bike. That and when I was trying it on in the store, these durn mice kept following me around

[Jeff]

I've been a member a couple times. I've never used their discount because I was always able to get a discount that was better some other way.

Their magazine sucks, IMO.

I always joined because of the political clout they have. But I always let it run out because I didn't feel like it really did anything. That, and they have completely hosed racing in the US.

The best perk I ever got was better bike parking at Road America during the superbike races.

Jeff

[74cb750]

I was a member for maybe 15 years but let it laspe while unemployed for
several years.....never used their discounts once.
Just a political association, but they do some good in the high population states
with explaning motorcyclists' viewpoi;nts on pending legislations.

I believe at one time the AMA had surveys of members opinions, but the last 5
years of membership don't recall being asked my views.
peace,
michel

[bobsmith]

I'm a life member in the N.R.A., and compair it with the AMA in that it is necessary, but run by a bunch of tight ass elitist  republicans who think they speak for the entire membership.

[dusterdude]

they do,you have to vote for the tight asses in charge.

[Jeff.Saunders]

I've been a member for several years - in all honesty to get discounted rates on booth space at AMA events.

Having said that, in general terms the AMA is better than no AMA...  ...although I disagree with some of their middle of the road positions (like the helmet issue).  They do bring to light some interesting issues, and occasionally their involvement is beneficial to all of us.

[andy750]

Did a search for roadside assistance and came up with this. Since Im riding to Mid-Ohio from Boston Im looking for some kind of backup (though in reality someone always stops to help should you breakdown). Has anyone used the AMA Mowtow roadside service?

I used to have Honda Riders Club of America roadside service but it no longer offers the roadside assistance.....

thanks
Andy

[Jonesy]

I joined the AMA so I could be part of the pit crew in my friend's pro supermoto team (It was required).

Having said that, in general terms the AMA is better than no AMA...  ...although I disagree with some of their middle of the road positions (like the helmet issue).  They do bring to light some interesting issues, and occasionally their involvement is beneficial to all of us.

Agreed. Just my opinion, from what I've seen compared to the past, they've gotten better on the politics end (ABATE really seems to be the group to belong to now if you want someone to fight for going helmetless and loud) and they did a major revamp to the magazine, which I think is for the better.

[andy750]

Thanks Jonesy but what about the roadside assistance program??   

cheers
Andy

[Jonesy]

Don't know.. I never looked into it. I have AAA+, which also covers motorcycles, so I don't worry about it. 

[andy750]

Whats the deal with AAA+? What do they offer? I used to have AAA for the car but didnt know they covered bikes as well.

cheers
Andy