AMA Membership

[STrider]

The membership envelope is sitting on the dining room table. I have faithfully ignored them for about 10 years, but I'm thinking about it now. Is it worth the $40 something/ year? What do you get for your hard-earned scratch that you really like?

[kurt]

I joined for one year. I never felt like I got my money's worth and often disagreed with their support or lack of support for various issues.

$40 was a lot for a worthless magazine.

[WoodButcher]

I went with the member, well worth it option, but member, undecided would have been a better choice. I see it kind of like the NRA (non-member for about 15 years). Some of the lobbying I like and some I don't. However, I'd rather seem someone out there doing something to protect our interests than not. I just joined the AMA a couple of months ago and I saw it as a way to toss a little money towards motorcycle interests and got a magazine in the deal. I probably like the legislative alerts on the web site best, but you don't have to be a member to get to that.

So, like I said, kind of undecided, but leaning towards a positive.

[bushwhacker]

Is it worth $40 a year to be a member of the AMA.

The magazine you get is not that great. I have never used any of their discounts. I have never taken any sort of AMA tour.

That said -

Is it worth the $3-500 dollars I give each year to the Depelchin Children's Home.

Is it worth the money I give to pan handlers looking for a cup of coffee.

My membership in the NRA when I very seldom shoot anymore and I am not a hunter.

I could not justify any of these to someone who did not agree with them, but they are all worth it to me.

I am a member of the AMA because I like the idea of someone fighting for the rights of motorcyclists. Do I agree with everything the AMA does. No. Some days I am not sure I agree with anything the AMA does, but at least they are doing something which is more than I can say for me.

I go out and ride on a regular basis and let someone else fight my battles for me. I figure the least I can do is give them a few dollars a year.

-

[StoneTriple]

I joined for one year. I never felt like I got my money's worth and often disagreed with their support or lack of support for various issues. $40 was a lot for a worthless magazine.
That's about how I feel. I joined about ten years ago just to become a member of the Long Riders program that was starting at the time. After a few years, I felt the same way txmedic felt - "disagreed with their support or lack of support for various issues".

There were the occasional rumors that they weren't as altruistic as they make themselves out to be. There was also a problem with them not wanting to allow Air Fence to be used at races they didn't sanction. If they were truly concerned only about rider safety, then why would they try to keep it out of some venues? Alot of people believed they had some other interest in Air Fence.
I don't know what ever happened with that. I let my membership expire a couple of years ago and quit following them.

The magazine was ok. The occasional useful article or ride destination. However, it's really just a big AMA sales brochure.
Reminds me of ESPN - the occasional good sporting event, but most of the time, you're just watching ESPN tell you how awesome they are.
:roll:

[Texas T]

I'm really in line with Bushwhacker on this...

I'm an NRA life member but I haven't shot in the last 6 months other than to renew my CHL and I don't compete in the GSSF any longer.

I renew my AOPA membership every year although I haven't been behind a yoke and rudder pedals in years.

I've been an AMA member since before buying the bike.

I support all three organizations with my money not necessarily because I agree with everything they do, but because they are the biggest dogs on the porch when it comes to supporting the right for me to do some of the things I enjoy doing.

This is not meant to flame anyone, but I think we have an obligation to ourselves (riders)(pilots)(shooters) to help preserve what rights/privileges we do enjoy for future generations and supporting lobbying groups is the best way we can do that today (IMHO). YMMV

[Tx Rider]

If I join will they fill my mailbox with junk mail and harrass me for more money monthly by phone like the NRA?

[Squeaky]

I originally joined for the insurance discount, and definately got my money's worth in discounts at some local shops on gear and accessories (10%). The magazines were just something extra, IMHO.

However, my membership just ran out and I have yet to renew. I think I have most of the gear I need for now, and have found online shopping a better experience if you don't have to have it right then and there.

So I'm with the Member-Undecided group...

[Tourmeister]

Looks like a lot of people have faith in John to keep us updated :lol: More power to the man!

Adios,

[John Bennett]

:oops:

[Tourmeister]

:tab Hehe, no need to blush! You provide a valuable service ;-) I do my part, you do yours, everyone else does theirs. Perhaps it will make a positive difference!

Adios,

[STrider]

I am happy to see that my two "joke" responses generated the largest combined per cent. It confirms my feeling about not joining AMA.

BTW John Bennet-- I appreciate the notices. I like that I am made aware of whats happenin, without any bothersome reading or research of my own!!

[Texas T]

BTW John Bennet-- I appreciate the notices. I like that I am made aware of whats happenin, without any bothersome reading or research of my own!! Spoken (written) like a true 'murrican!

:mrgreen:

[Mr Ed]

If I join will they fill my mailbox with junk mail and harrass me for more money monthly by phone like the NRA?No. They're nowhere nearly as irritating as the NRA ;-)

I'm a life member of the AMA. I don't like everything they do and virtually never take advantage of discounts I could, but I'm still firmly in the "well worth it" camp.

[DucGirl]

I went with the member, well worth it option, but member, undecided would have been a better choice. I see it kind of like the NRA (non-member for about 15 years). Some of the lobbying I like and some I don't. However, I'd rather seem someone out there doing something to protect our interests than not. I just joined the AMA a couple of months ago and I saw it as a way to toss a little money towards motorcycle interests and got a magazine in the deal. I probably like the legislative alerts on the web site best, but you don't have to be a member to get to that.

So, like I said, kind of undecided, but leaning towards a positive.

agreed - I'm a member - and I'm willing to throw some money their way again....acutally I just renewed my membership yesterday - I also donated some money to the group as well and got a nifty silver legislative supporter sticker...lol

the way I see it - the only person to get irritated at for them not covering the things you want to see covered is yourself....:)

I've used the action alters on their page to write about 10 letters thus far, and will continue on the items that I see fit....you don't have to agree to all of it to join...pick and choose your battles - there's not a single group out there that will agree with everything you want - unless it's the [insert your own name here] group....hehehe

[DucGirl]

If I join will they fill my mailbox with junk mail and harrass me for more money monthly by phone like the NRA?


nope - I haven't recieved a single call and the only mail i get is the rag and the renewal letter from them....:-)

[jhansen]

AMA member for 22 years with three to go for "life member" status. I agree with most of the folks here that the AMA and I don't always agree on things and that I could care less about trials results but as was said before, they are the biggest dog barking the loudest for motorcycle issues. Worth every dime. I have also used the discounts and it has added up.

[Chirpy]

Pretty much in line with Bushwacker...not perfect, but the best we've got, so I joined again. Mostly to get Schwantz and Ulrich on the board to fix racing.

Boy. That worked, didn't it?

Funny thing though, the AMA is three times the size of the ACLU, but rarely gets the favorable press that the AntiChristianLosersUnion gets. But they get far more than the NRA, which is over TEN times the size of the AMA.

Yes Virginia, the NRA is 30 times the size of the ACLU. Which is a more "mainstream" organization if you judge by membership?

What other way is there?

[Tourmeister]

ACLU is not anti Christian, they're just anti liberty in general ;-)

[Cagiva 549]

I have been a member for many years , I think if AMA got out of racing ,racing would be better for it . On the other hand the only way you can get insurance to promote a race is if it is AMA sanctioned. The future doesn't look any better . As long as people can't take responsabilty for there actions, and we have idiots in power that are determined to save us from ourselves we need somebody to try to lead them in the right direction . I wish AMA would use all of my membership fees for lobbying , At least they do go to bat for bikers , not all causes I agree with , but think where we would be with out them. Let some body else take over race sanctioning , and the magizine is in the same group as the rest of them, if it cost more than 5 bucks a year cancel it .As for junk mail, at least its all motercycle oriented. SEYA

[Bluedevil]

been a member for 22 or 23 years. can't quit now cause when I hit 25 it is free membership.
I agree with most of what they do except the racing part, never been in to that.

[Craig in Houston]

Hey, a year old thread! I love it!
I've been a "Charter Life Member" since 1996. And bascially...I became a member in 1971 when attempting to sign up to race MX at Rio Bravo in Houston. I was informed it was an "AMA Qualifer", and even Amatures, had to be a member to compete, so I paid the extra $25. and joined.
All things said and done! To this day, I carry my "Charter Life Member" card. But can't fathom any reason to need to show it!

[Loyd]

Think I may have to join to race some of the enduro season.

[backmarker]

Was a member for nearly 15 years. When they get out of racing completely I'll consider rejoining.

[Tim Kreitz]

Was a member for nearly 15 years. When they get out of racing completely I'll consider rejoining.

Lots of people feel that way. They are perhaps the worst sanctioning body for racing in the entire world.

They also talk out of both sides of their mouths on a regular basis. About a year ago, the entire Rights section of the magazine was dedicated solely to motorcycle noise and how the AMA opposes things like aftermarket exhaust systems and straight pipes on bikes. "Loud pipes lose rights," it chanted, cowering at the feet of an American public that is becoming more socialistic and totalitarian all the time. But what do you think the very next thing I saw was as I turned the page? That's right, a gigantic feature spread on Daytona Bike Week that highlighted photo after photo of motorcycles of all types sporting straight pipes and otherwise modified exhausts.

I'm a member, and will probably continue to be since they are our only official voice in Washington. But their various hypocracies and ineptitudes frustrate me to no end.

[rocketbunny]

I was a member for a year and let it expire.

I joined mainly because of Motow, but have since found a better roadside assistance service.

I really dislike the AMA's stand on several motorcycling issues. If I had the option to selectively choose which platform items my money would go to, I'd join again. As it is, I don't choose to support them. The bad outweighs the good for me.