Reactions to:
Full Membership for Valkyrie Owners in the
Gold Wing Road Riders Associationz
contributions requested

From Foyil (Crash)

My feeling right now is that we go our own way and I'll try to explain why.

When we initially approached GWRRA and professed an interest in joining their ranks, as I understand it (and I got my info from the 'major domo' of the western region Ron Tolson who I know personally) the majority would have accepted us as Full members. But there was a small vociferous group that felt that "WE" did not fit the mold of the typical 'Gold Winger' and our bikes weren't really Goldwings anyway. I feel that attitude still exists. It is only because we have developed into a viable 'DUES PAYING' motorcycling family that the powers that be in GWRRA have rethought their position.

We obviously have become a source of income not just to our own group but to the vendors that serve us. As the saying goes, 'there is strength in numbers'. The larger the number of items purchased the better price we get from the vendor. It should be apparent that 700+ (and growing)
additional members would swell the buying power of the GWRRA. We therefore have become a valuable asset to the GWRRA. It's as simple as that. Course the reverse analogy applies as well (and I am probably cutting off my nose to spite my face here), the VOA gains a lot of buying power by joining GWRRA. I just don't feel the focus is the same though. I personally have owned three previous 'Goldwings'. GL1000, GL1100, & GL1200, but in every case they were the naked uncluttered, no plastic, standard model. What's the saying, I don't trust a motorcycle I can't see through.

Personally I feel we should (VOA) should go our own way. If however the majority wanted to join forces with the GWRRA so be it. As is presently formatted, I would remain a VOA member but probably would not avail my self of the GWRRA activities. I have been to Blue Knights Rallies and the old Rider Motorcycle Touring Club and other large conflagrations and standing in line to get a meal ticket, and poker hand, and be told where to go and when to do it, is just not my cup of tea. You wanted a comment, you got a dissertation.
Foyil Harris

Overall, I can't help but see this as a good thing for Valkyrie owners, GWRRA and it's membership. As a recent Valkyrie convert from a Gold Wing and a GWRRA member, I was fully prepared to change over to Associate status. This was to maintain my GWRRA membership status for a lot of the benefits it offers, even to Associates and Boosters. Let'sface it, for a lousy $35 a year the magazine alone is probably worth the price of admission. Add in the fact that most Honda shops will give you a 10% discount (also true of HRCA membership) and then all the Rallies and what not, and it really starts to look like a bargain.

Like others, I've never enjoyed the thought of being considered a "second class citizen" especially when it comes to associations with other motorcyclists. But frankly, the politicking and social cliques that seem to naturally arise in any organization the size of GWRRA are bound to irritate some. My only comment here is to either learn to deal with it, or simply decline to participate. Nobody is putting a gun to anyone's head here. I've also found myself attending less of the local chapter meetings and "ice cream" runs of late, but I still have a lot of rewarding contact with GWRRA members all the same.

Another thought here as well. GWRRA has always put forward a good voice with Honda for its membership. This will no doubt continue and can do nothing but help the Valkyrie owners. A more recent development though, and one I wholeheartedly endorse, is GWRRA is now working with AMA, MSF, and other motorcycle groups on issues of safety and riders rights. This is new for the Association, but with 60,000+ members, should add some much needed weight to these very important areas.

Let me close with this; GWRRA is one of those things where you can take as much or as little of what they have to offer as you desire. You can be someone who goes to all the meetings and other events, holds a position of office, and is the first one to sign up for parade duties. Or, you can simply reap the benefits of being informed on important matters regarding your motorcycle, riding techniques, and legislature that may affect you. For example, you don't HAVE to put your name in the Gold Book and you don't have to go to monthly meetings. But I think all of you, who haven't done so already, at least owe it to yourself and significant other to give it a try. You just might find some very nice, like-minded people you wouldn't mind spending some time with.

My $.02 anyway,
Don Kuhlman
GWRRA, AMA, HRCA
98 Black Standard

From BobG

As far as my thoughts go regarding GWRRA decision to give Valkyrie owners full membership, I really don't think it means much. I have never joined a club for the type of motorcycle that they or I rode. I join because of the people in the club and the type of riding they do. I have belonged to several chapters f GWRRA, some good and some bad (like any club) . I wish it were like it was when I first started riding (1947), in those days if you rode a motorcycle that in itself made you a member of a special club, one where people just got together and went for rides with no thought given to what you were riding. I personally believe that the more diverse the bike types are the more diverse the riders are and this makes a club more interesting.
Thanks for including me. BobG.

From Carlo,

When I first ordered my Valk in 12/96, I had been logging into the board about a month or two prior. At that time, full membership was grandfathered. Unfortunately, by the time I decided to join in late January, that grandfather clause turned into a stepchild clause, as I got a Booster status. That personally did not sit well with me, and after substantial debate, in February I told Rich to just cancel my membership.

Later that spring and through part of the summer, Rich and I tried running the idea of an open cruiser organization, with the Valk as the marquis bike, past the GWRRA management. The idea was to bring MANY new memberships to the GWRRA through this proposed cruiser group, and in October of that year, I rode to Salem to discuss this personally with Rich and the others in attendance. I must admit, both Rich and I got our minds blown by those Valk SIG members who did attend, because the MAJORITY voted such a cruiser group should be ONLY Valkyries.

While this put a damper on our plan, we were nonetheless enthusiastic about a Valkyrie group, and continued to push for full membership. As the months rolled by, the decision stood that the SIG could only offer Booster status, and when Jon came by and stated he'd provide the resources for a board, I was one of the 1st to jump on board (#2).

Personally, I have rejoined the GWRRA because I had always stated when that day came, I would return, and for months, I purposely avoided  even lurking and most definately, posting there.

As the V.O.A. grew, I began to feel uneasy working with Jon, and after a political issue arose, I resigned, and, some of the individuals working under my direction also resigned, but we stayed in the V.O.A. as regular members, and Jon took up the task alone, for at least a month or two. He later found new execs to fill the offices, and I   know all have worked many hours to help the V.O.A. grow.

I would like to see the GWRRA fund the V.O.A. board, as I believe there are members who still do not understand fully where we get our system resources, and, what they actually cost Jon monthly. The figures really should be conveyed to ALL V.O.A. MEMBERS, in order that they can truly "sell" the idea of the V.O.A. to potential new members, advertisers, and sponsors. If the GWRRA were to sponsor the V.O.A. board, much of the revenues from dues would then go to the GWRRA, and benefits for members might increase faster than they may with the V.O.A.

In any event, I applaud the members of the GWRRA for clearly and finally allowing full membership for Valkyrie Owners, and, whether their true motivation was because of the recent Interstate model, or, due to the
phenominal growth of the V.O.A. so quickly, we shall never really know. Nonetheless, I am happy it has happened, and I'm looking forward to belonging to both organizations, actively, as the reality is we are ALL sharing in a unique experience, and hopefully, one day, all the
Valkyrie Owners can be under the same roof.

I encourage the management of the GWRRA and the Execs of the V.O.A. to make this a reality, and, I hope that Rich Doell gets well enough to pick up the reigns of this rejuvenated SIG, himself. He deserves the spot, and, we can all pitch in to help him.

Ride Safe, Carlo

From Brad

I may be a bit suspicious, but I feel that the GWRRA is offering us this for two reasons:

1. First and formost, its a money thing. They seem to realize they are missing some 700 plus members they could have had. Thats a serious amount of revenue that they no doubt want to get there share of.

2. The Valkyrie Interstate (and this is a distant second to the above) coming out has also caught their attention, and I think many wingers may end up changing to them and they want to preserve their current base of members.

Good luck Brad

From Gale

I've carefully watched the VOA develop and think it is the premiere organization for the Valkyrie owner bar none!  I can't think of a thing the GWRRA offers that I don't get with the VOA. The GWRRA people are good people of course and were gracious enough to host the original Valkyrie message board. I really wanted to be part of there organization and offered my services with web pages etc.  I knew the GWRRA would come around it just took to damn long!

- I've watched the Exec. Board at the VOA break their humps, pick-up the ball and run with it when the GWRRA just wouldn't or couldn't.  So now the GWRRA is back, but what of all the work the VOA has done to date.  I just can't see the GWRRA swooping in to correct their mistake. Don't let anyone fool you, we are all motorcyclist and have the highest regard for each other as such. But when the VOA started I stated I saw it as a threat to the GWRRA's SIG and I was right... Now I have to see the GWRRA as a direct competitor and threat to the VOA.
Just one valk riders opinion.... Gale

Check back often....  

    Gale...

Below is the announcement:

Posted by Mike Wright on November 11, 1998 at 14:22:11:

"We are pleased to announce that effective immediately owners of the Honda Valkyrie will be eligible for full membership status in the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. This change of eligibility is made for a variety of reasons. One of the primary factors considered in this decision has been the overwhelming number of requests we have received from our Members to open the doors to Valkyrie owners.   We also have many Members who are becoming owners of Valkyries and have requested to transfer their memberships.

In 1999, Honda will release a new touring model of the Valkyrie, conceived as the "Interstate" (sound familiar?). In anticipation of future releases of the Valkyrie in a touring mode, we are even more convinced that inviting Valkyrie owners to become full members is not only logical, but in the best interests of all parties involved.

Current Booster Supporters owning Valkyries who wish to change to a full Member status will receive pro rated credit on the remaining Booster fee and will also receive a $10.00 credit that will be applied to the full membership fee. To do this please call  1 800 843 9460 ext 210."

Best regards,


Mike Wright
Executive Director
Gold Wing Road Riders Association

11-11-98
Announced on the GWRRA Valkyrie Board:

Author's IP Address: 204.254.32.141

Posted by Glen Disheroon on November 10, 1998 at 11:10:42:

I read below "How to own a Valkyrie and be a full member of GWRRA".
Here's how. Fill out an application to become a full member and tell the Home
Office you own a Valkyrie and guess what, you will be a full member.
THAT'S A FACT...now. The rules have been changed, you can now become a
full member of GWRRA as being an owner of a Valkyrie.

Glen Disheroon, Region H Director, GWRRA

Follow up :

Author's IP Address: 204.254.32.141

Posted by Glen Disheroon on November 11, 1998 at 06:40:58:

In Reply to: Re: Valkyrie Full Member of GWRRA posted by Rich Doell on
November 10, 1998 at 22:33:32:

I am not a mouthpiece and my comment is not unauthorized. The National
staff meeting was held this past weekend, which all Regional Directors attend,
and it was announced at the meeting. As a Valkyrie owner myself, I was
excited to hear this new information. No offense taken, please notice my
original message where I said call the home office, have you done that? There
are several new and great changes coming out in GWRRA, so you will be
getting more news in a very short time.

Boosters title will be a thing of the past. Boosters will now be called
Associates and will be listed in the Gold Book and also receive a copy of the
Gold Book. Associates as we now know them, will be called members. This
alone is a great new addition and benefit. Now when we travel, there will be
more of our GWRRA family listed that we can call upon if needed for an
emergency or just meeting more new friends.

I hope this answers your statement.

Glen

Dont know what to think of all this but I will check out and get as many opinions as possible. Check back here often for more news....