Motorcycles are icons of the open road and American freedom. And bikers of all stripes are not shy about sharing their opinions. You could say bikers and Biker Patches go together like Harleys and leather.
Biker patches are nothing new, of course, They've been a natural part of the biker world pretty much since motorcycles began. And with modern embroidery equipment, just about any opinion can be expressed on a biker patch. There's a patch for any rider, whether an outlaw, a military veteran, a member of a manufacturer-sponsored riding club or anyone in between.
The most common biker patches associate with motorcycles is, of course, the classic three-piece patch worn on the back of a rider's jacket or vest. A three-piece biker patch is traditionally worn by riders who are members of a so-called "outlaw" biker club, one that's not sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association. In this context, "outlaw" refers only to the lack of AMA approval, and doesn't necessarily reflect on whether members of the club are law-abiding.
Admittedly, some riders do engage in illegal activities, and these members and their clubs are referred to as "one-percenters." These tend to get more publicity than law-abiding riders.
The three-piece biker patch is customarily worn as a large center piece featuring a club specific design, flanked by two rockers, one above and one below the center piece, on the back of a jacket or vest. The top rocker shows the name of the club, while the bottom shows the state or city to which the club belongs.
Three-piece biker patches are typically earned only after an apprenticeship and initiation process that may last years before a rider is accepted as a "full patch" member of the desired club. The rigorous entrance requirements, which can vary from club to club, guarantee that the three-piece biker patches are hard-won and worn with pride, usually for life.
Other organizations such as riders' clubs sponsored by motorcycle manufacturers don't have any specific membership requirements beyond owning the bike in question. Harley-Davidson's Harley Owners Group (HOG) is an example of this kind of club. Members of such clubs typically wear one-piece biker patches rather than the three-piece biker patches worn by the "outlaw" clubs.
Some rider groups serve a specific function, and the biker patches they wear reflect that function. Biker ministries, law enforcement rider clubs, veterans' riding groups and the Patriot Guard Riders, who provide funeral escorts for military veterans, for example, all have their own specific biker patches.
In addition to the larger back patches, many riders choose to wear smaller biker patches as well. These may include flag patches, political or humorous statements or memorial biker patches to commemorate fallen friends. Many like biker patches that denote a special road trip. From funny to friendly to brutally frank, there's a biker patch to say just about anything.
For many, biker patches represent a lifestyle. For others they represent a way of life. Those who don't know the difference will never be a biker.
About the Author
Patches4Less is an industry leader in the design and production of custom Biker Patches. The company produces custom patches in a variety of sizes, colors and styles to suit any occasion.
