When you think of a typical biker, what do you think of? Leather, holes in the wall bars, long hair, tattoos? Many bikers must fight against this stigma that exists against bikers. In reality, most cyclists are your typical male and female members of society. However, there are bikers who fit the mold mentioned above. These individuals associate with groups. These groups of people are often called motorcycle gangs. We’ll take a look at the most notorious motorcycle gangs in America.
One of the most notable and popular is Hells Angels. Don’t let the name fool you, these members are as tough as they come. Formed as a secret gang, it is often difficult for people to know exactly how long this group has been around. Hells Angels can be seen in the United States such as Russia, New Zealand, South America, Europe, and Australia. This organized crime syndicate typically only rides Harley Davidson motorcycles and they reside on the FBI’s list of the “big four” motorcycle gangs. Members of this gang can be recognized by the official “death’s head” and red and white lettering. To be a member of Hell’s angels, one must be male, have a driver’s license, have a working motorcycle, and cannot be a child molester or have applied to be a police officer. Once these requirements are met, applicants go through a lengthy process that includes three stages: wait, prospect, and finally a full patch. A group called the Mongols was formed in retaliation to the Hells Angels because they were not allowed in due to their Hispanic nationality.
The Bandidos gang was formed in San Antonio, Texas in 1966. Today they are among the most notorious motorcycle gangs in the United States. The Bandidos feature a catchphrase of We are the people our parents warned us about. With all the criminal activity, the FBI has characterized them as an outlaw motorcycle gang. Founding president Don Chambers modeled the group’s colors as gold and red after his service in the Marine Corps. He was later convicted of murder in El Paso, Texas. The Bandidos serve as rivals to the Hells Angels and there are reports of alleged murders and turf wars due to the tension.
The Vagos gang is another motorcycle group from California. The members originally called “the psychopaths” bear the insignia of the Norse god of mischief, Loki. They also predominantly dress in green. Like the Bandidos, this gang is classified in the FBI’s group of motorcycle outlaws.
