Explore the World of Motorcycle Clubs: History, Culture, and Global Reach
Outlaw motorcycle clubs (MCs) have a rich history dating back to the post-WWII era in the U.S. Formed by returning veterans seeking camaraderie, these clubs have evolved into diverse organizations with a global presence.
This article delves into the history and culture of MCs, showcasing their international reach. You’ll discover the unique stories behind these groups and their impact on various regions.
17. Bacchus MC
Date Founded: 1972
Financial Info: $200 per month membership dues, reportedly*
The Bacchus MC holds the honor of being one of the world’s oldest motorcycle clubs. Its name, Bacchus, is a reference to the Roman version of Dionysus, the Greek god of women, wine, and singing.
Bacchus MC @bacchus-mc/twitter.com
Bacchus has a wide influence, as it is Canada’s third-largest biker gang. Its influence in Canada has increased, and its membership is around 200 people, a great jump compared to what it was years ago. The gang has come a long way from where it started in a very rural area in Canada.
18. The Grim Reapers
Date Founded: 1965
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
The Grim Reapers call Louisville, Kentucky home, and they are most prominent in the Southeastern part of the U.S. 1965 was the year the Grim Reapers popped up on the Southern scene. The club spread quickly. By the mid-seventies, chapters in Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee popped up.
The Grim Reapers @courierpress/Instagram
The club only accepts people who ride Harley-Davidsons, which makes sense, as its primary ally is the Hells Angels. As for rivals, the Kings Crew, Rebels, Outcasts, Warlords, and RCMP all count themselves enemies of the Grim Reapers.
19. The Road Runners
Date Founded: 1978
Financial Info: $12 per person for a ticket to one of their rallies*
The Road Runners started in Poland under the name “Veteran Club,” and the MC is one of Poland’s oldest. The club was founded by Miroslaw Miro Stefanczyk, a man who remains a legend in the rocker and motorcycle scene in Poland, even though he passed away in 2005.
The Roadrunners @6ceee0958/flickr
Stefanczyk was instrumental in helping the scene form and grow, and when he passed on, rockers from around the world, both Road Runners and people from other gangs, attended his funeral.
20. Sadistic Souls MC
Date Founded: 2010
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
The Sadistic Souls MC is a relatively newer outlaw motorcycle club, and it has an ideology that pervades its members. The club was started in 2010, and it has gained a large influence in America.
Sadistic Souls MC @sun-9/imgur.com
The MC has chapters in U.S. states such as Tennessee, Ohio, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Illinois, as well as in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
21. The Sons of Satan
Date Founded: 1949
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
The Sons of Satan MC was founded in 1949 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Often called just “The Sons,” the biker gang is a support club for the Pagans. Interestingly, the Sons was founded by returning WWII vets, and it began as a family-oriented group.
The Sons of Satan @sonsofsatanmc/Facebook.com
It was John “Satan” Marron, later the President of the Pagans, who turned the Sons into an outlaw gang during the ‘60s. The Sons became known for its intense rivalry with other gangs, especially the brief feud they had with the Pagans.
22. Brother Speed MC
Date Founded: 1969
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
Though less populated than it once was, Brother Speed MC is still “active,” and it is one of nine active biker gangs in the state of Oregon. The club was formed in Idaho in the late ‘60s, and it is widespread throughout Washington, too.
Brother Speed MC @motorscostume/Instagram
These one-percenters have been known to tangle with just about any gang that comes their way, including the Mongols. Their feud with the Mongols is perhaps what has gotten Brother Speed such a headline-making name.
23. The Coffin Cheaters
Date Founded: 1970
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
Founded in Perth in 1970, the Coffin Cheaters are bitter rivals of the Finks MC (also on this list), and the Daily Telegraph named them one of the “most dominant biker gangs” in the entire country of Australia.
The Coffin Cheaters @apinews/flickr
The Coffin Cheaters was the first Aussie gang to go international. As for its position among other gangs, the Coffin Cheaters call the Hells Angels their allies. The 1%’er gang is legally savvy; they had their logo trademarked years ago so it could not be copied or used.
24. The Phantom Outlaws
Date Founded: 1969
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
The Phantom Outlaw MC got its start in Chicago in 1969, and it has, in recent years, teamed up with another Chicago organization, the Vice Lords. The Phantoms are a predominantly Black gang, with most members riding Harleys and other choppers.
The Phantom Outlaws @topology/imgur.com
In fact, some of the Phantoms are actually pledged to both the Vice Lords and the MC at the same time. Though the outlaw gang has somewhat of a social media presence, it is far lower-key than other groups of its kind.
25. El Forastero
Date Founded: 1962
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
El Forastero was founded in 1962 after the club was turned down to become a chapter of the Satan Slaves MC. The EFMC means “The Foreign,” and its moniker comes from a work used in the Old West to refer to cowboys coming into Mexican territory.
The average age of the bikers in El Forastero is between fifty-one and sixty, according to media outlets. Still, that doesn’t stop the club from being dominant in cities such as Sioux City, Iowa and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
El Forastero @rogues-mc/Instagram
26. The Iron Horsemen
Date Founded: 1965
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Iron Horsemen is distinguished by its insignia: a winged, metallic horse head with a motto that reads, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it weren’t for the Iron Horsemen, the highways would rust.”
The Iron Horsemen @hotcarsimages/Pinterest
As far as enemies go, the Iron Horsemen have quite a few. They call the Detroit Highwaymen, Outlaws, and Iron Order nemesis, while their allies are the Phantoms and the Brothers VIII (8) Motorcycle Clubs.
27. Los Vagos
Date Founded: 1964
Financial Info: $282,000 total revenue per year (CauseIQ)*
Sometimes called the Green Nation, Los Vagos got its start in California during the 1960s. They’re still active in the Southwest, and their club’s logo, fittingly, is the Norse God of Mischief, Loki. There are almost 4,000 full-patch members.
Los Vagos @motor.maydaysur/Pinterest
In addition to its Loki insignia, other patches worn by the Vagos include the number twenty-two, which refers to “V,” the twenty-second letter of the alphabet. You can also get a “Motorcycle Family” patch after a probationary period and validation by the higher-ups in the gang.
28. Trust MC
Date Founded: 1984
Financial Info: Unconfirmed
Trust MC has chapters in Germany (where it originated), Belgium, Poland, Romania, and Thailand. Trust was always unique, as it was one of the few motorcycle clubs that permitted its members to drive Japanese-made bikes.
Trust MC @Motorcycle Clubs Germany/Facebook.com
Trust has become dominant in Bavaria. They operate alongside the Hell’s Angels, Outlaws, Gremium, and Bandidos, and, though they have allies, they do have occasional territorial issues with other gangs.
29. Solo Angeles
Date Founded: 1959
Financial Info: Makes thousands for charities each year*
The Solo Angeles Club is famous for a good reason, and it consists of a bunch of bikers who just want to give back to their communities. It is known for its annual charity run, where it delivers toys to poor children living in Tijuana, Mexico.
Solo Angeles @Serch S!/flickr
The Club was founded in 1959 in Tijuana, and its insignia is a chopper bike. Though some individual members might have run afoul of the law, this tough biker gang is predominantly known for its big heart.