18 year member. Bottom line these are the only people willing to take on the land closure people, the NHTSB,insurance people,state law maker city law makers, gated communities all of which are trying to limit your use of motorcycles on public lands/highways. Do they always win,no of course not. What is important is they are doing this on a daily basis nationwide. On top of that they promote things like the ISDT, road races, flat track,motocross, trials,Grand Tours and all kinds of discounts at different places,motels,clothing,rental cars. Warm and Safe will sell to you at 18% off. Lots of others. Pit entry at a lot of races. Daytona started as an AMA race. Sturges started as an AMA race. Laudon, Laconia, etc etc. So my feeling is if you ride, join,you will find out a lot about whats going on behind the scenes in the motorcycle world with regard to your freedom to ride.