A motorcycle club (MC) is an organized club of dedicated motorcyclists who join together for camaraderie, strength of numbers, companionship, education, rider training, and socialization.

Membership

Motorcycle clubs vary a great deal in their objectives and organizations.

Mainstream motorcycle clubs or associations typically have elected officers and directors, annual dues, and a regular publication. They may also sponsor annual or more frequent "rallies" where members can socialize and get to know each other. Some, such as BMW MOA and BMW RA annually publish in book form lists of members that can be used by touring motorcyclists needing assistance.

There are a great many motorcycle riding clubs, including those sponsored by various manufacturers, such as the Harley Owners Group, Iron Indian Riders Association and Honda Riders Club of America. Large national independent motorcycle clubs, such as BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, BMW Riders Association, and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA), are abundant. Other riding clubs exist for a specific purpose, such as the Patriot Guard Riders, who provide funeral escorts for military veterans.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is the largest American motorcyclist organization. It serves as an umbrella organizations for local clubs and sporting events. As of March, 2006, the AMA counts 269,884 active members and many chartered clubs.

Clubs can include police, military, and firefighter clubs (or a combination thereof) such as the Iron Pigs MC, Steelhorse Posse MC, Iron Warriors MC, Shamrocks MC, Blue Knights MC, Red Knights MC, Choir Boys MC, Knights Paladin MC, Dragonslayers FF MC, and Wind and Fire MC. Some Clubs claim to be "Law Enforcement Motorcycle Clubs" (LEMC's) An authentic LEMC consists of at least 75% Law Enforcement members and every Officer in the Club is a Law Enforcement Officer.

Various military and veterans MCs include the Armed Forces of America MC, U.S. Military Vets MC, the Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets MC, the Proud Few MC, the Leathernecks MC, American Badgers MC, Veterans of Vietnam MC, Rolling Thunder MC, and the Buffalo Soldiers MC. Still other MCs include the Boozefighters and the San Francisco MC. One online directory of MCs lists 216 clubs.

“Biker” clubs

In some "biker" clubs, as part of becoming a full member, an individual must pass a vote of the membership and swear some level of allegiance to the club. Some clubs has a unique club patch (or patches) adorned with the term "MC" that are worn on the rider's vest, known as colors. The oldest motorcycle clubs in the U.S. are the Yonkers MC, founded in 1903, the San Francisco MC, founded 1904, and the Oakland MC.

In these clubs, some amount of hazing may occur during the prospecting period, ranging from the mandatory performance of menial labor tasks for full patch members to sophomoric pranks, and, in the case of some outlaw motorcycle clubs, acts of civil disobedience or crime. During this time, the prospect may wear the club name on the back of their vest, but not the full logo, though this practice may vary from club to club. To become a full member, the prospect or probate must be voted on by the rest of the full club members. Successful admission usually requires more than a simple majority, and some clubs may reject a prospect or a probate for a single dissenting vote. A formal induction follows, in which the new member affirms his loyalty to the club and its members. The final logo patch is then awarded. Full members are often referred to as "full patch members" and the step of attaining full membership can be referred to as "being patched".