Outlaw Biker vs. One Percenter: Key Differences

By James “Hollywood” Macecari – Insane Throttle Biker News

First, I want to thank everyone for the questions I received following the publication of my new book, Power & Betrayal. One of the most frequently asked questions was, “What qualities must a person have to survive the outlaw biker lifestyle?” This is a topic I could discuss at length. Since time is limited, I’ll provide an overview of some of my thoughts.

First and foremost, what do you consider the “outlaw biker lifestyle”? If you’re thinking about my experiences in the ’90s and the events in Power & Betrayal, you’re way off. What happened in that book wasn’t the outlaw biker lifestyle—it was pure street gang shit, and I’ll be the first to admit it. Sure, I started out in the Predadores MC, but that club split into three different factions. So, in all fairness, it wasn’t a true outlaw motorcycle club.

You might feel a bit lost from this point on if you haven’t read the book. Here’s a link where you can get a copy. After reading it, you’ll be able to return to this article with a better understanding of what I’m talking about.

True Outlaw Biker Lifestyle

If you think the outlaw biker lifestyle is all about drug dealing, gun running, and pimping out women, you’re sorely mistaken. The true definition of an outlaw biker is about not conforming to society’s expectations. It’s about living life on your own terms, being the man you want to be, not what someone else expects you to be.

Living the outlaw biker lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to be part of a club. That’s one thing that always frustrates me when people discuss this topic. Motorcycle clubs don’t define the outlaw spirit. Instead, they bring together like-minded individuals who share that spirit into one group.

Yes, you can be an independent biker and still be considered an outlaw biker—at least in my eyes, anyway. Personally, I couldn’t care less what others say about this argument. One of the key qualities of an outlaw biker is exactly that: not giving a damn about other people’s opinions.

A person must live life on their own terms. This makes them an outlaw by definition because others in society expect conformity in one way or another. Groupthink isn’t part of an outlaw’s vocabulary—and it shouldn’t be, anyway.

The one percenter lifestyle, isn’t that the same thing?

I’m going to be honest here: a true outlaw doesn’t need to advertise their status. No, I don’t believe it’s the same thing. The one-percent diamond was groupthink—something clubs used to shove in “the Man’s” face. People get too caught up in the shenanigans of club life. I rode in a 1% club, but I’m no longer part of one. So, am I still a one-percenter? Hell no—I don’t need a label to know who I am.

Motorcycle clubs do not represent the Outlaw Spirit. James Hollywood Macecari

The 1% diamond is just club political bullshit, in my opinion. All it does is show other clubs who’s got the bigger ego. The sad thing is, many of these clubs invite people who don’t even represent what that patch is supposed to stand for.

Let’s put it this way to make it easier to understand: Do you need that patch to be a man? Hell no, you don’t need a diamond to prove your manhood. Do you need that diamond to stand up for yourself and fight back when necessary? Again, no, you don’t. Do you need that diamond patch to take on someone wearing one from another club? Nope—it’s just as easy to smack that guy in the jaw as it would be anyone else.

The diamond life is lived within a club environment. Being a true outlaw means living it on your own. Just because I left that MC doesn’t mean I’m not the same man I was when I was in. I never lost who I am because of a damn patch or groupthink perceptions.

Years ago, people criticized Chuck Jines for calling himself an outlaw. Groupthink kicked in, and everyone started bashing him. But if you look at the definition of an outlaw I’ve given, you’d see he fit it perfectly. He lived life on his own terms and didn’t need a patch to justify who he was or what he stood for.

Outlaw Biker Lifestyle Vs The Streets

Let’s say you’re still clueless about defining the outlaw biker lifestyle. If you’re one of those people who think members of diamond clubs are just gangsters, you’re in for a disappointment.

If that were true, why did over 90% of the guys in my club struggle to pay dues? By the way, that’s about the same percentage for all diamond clubs. If you believed the news media, you’d think these guys were lighting hundred-dollar bills on fire. That’s not true at all and never was.

Most of these clubs built their reputations on the actions of just a few people. It wasn’t the club itself that was criminal; it was those few members who put in the work and earned that label.

The outlaw biker life is tied to the actions of a few individuals. Most members of those outlaw clubs are far from street outlaws. Why do you think many street and prison gangs don’t respect them? Because they already understand what I’m trying to explain to you.

1% diamonds is club political bullshit in my opinion. All it does is show’s other clubs who’s dick is bigger. James Hollywood Macecari

The qualities you’re going to see in street gang members are way different that members of a motorcycle club.

A drive for profitability
Ability to read people
Ability to take it all the way if needed
Hustling is in there blood
Except Prison or Death is their only two choices in life

The qualities that most club members strive for. Notice I say, “most,” drive for because in all honestly most of the time it’s bullshit.

Brotherhood & Community
Freedom & Tradition
Expression & Loyalty
A want to be apart of a like minded people.

This short list of qualities of each is very different isn’t it? Did you notice none of the qualities of a street gang member cross over to the Outlaw Biker Lifestyle side? It’s because it doesn’t, they’re two different types of people.

Brotherhood & Community

Anyone who rides a motorcycle wants to share the experience with like-minded people. They want others to connect with because riding is something they have in common. That’s the basic reason motorcycle clubs were formed. They were never intended to be street gangs. You didn’t need the qualities of a street gang member to join a club.

To be part of a one-percenter club, you needed a genuine passion for riding your motorcycle. Pivoting to being an outlaw biker, I believe that same quality is essential. You’ll want to be on that bike every chance you get because it defines who you are.

The independent biker has all the community they need. You don’t have to be tied to a motorcycle club to enjoy the broader biker community. An outlaw biker will find plenty of like-minded people at rallies, bars, or wherever else. The difference is, they don’t need a patch to be themselves.

I believe independents share a truer vision of brotherhood than those in motorcycle clubs. As an independent, you don’t have to navigate politics or impress anyone. This allows you to build genuine bonds with other like-minded people.

Most of these clubs made their reputations off a very few people. James Hollywood Macecari

If you want to know the key quality someone must have in the outlaw biker life, it’s independence. If you’re always caught up in groupthink, how much of an outlaw are you really? At that point, aren’t you just a sheep?

An independent is the true outlaw because he stands on his own two feet. He doesn’t need others to back him up to solve a problem. He doesn’t rely on a group ganging up on someone because he can handle it himself. Where has the admiration for that kind of person gone? Instead of celebrating individuals like that, people cheer on club members who rat-pack.

By the way, here’s a question for all of you: If a one-percenter gets rat-packed by another club, why doesn’t he return for revenge? Why wait to give back what was given? A true outlaw would go after anyone involved. If you come at me with others in tow, it’s open season. Unfortunately, you won’t find many people with that mentality in one-percenter clubs.

Individual Expression & Loyalty to ones beliefs

It’s unfortunate that many people today don’t stand for much. Sure, they claim they do, but when it comes to backing words with action, it’s all empty. I’ve always believed admitting one’s mistakes is one of the most powerful statements a man can make. If you’re wrong, own it and fix it. Hell, I have to do this when I get a story wrong here on Insane Throttle.

Why do I think it’s so important for someone to admit their wrongs? Because that shows they’ll be honest with you. It’s a quality many bikers used to have. In modern times, we rarely see this trait in people. It’s sad and unfortunate because it was one of the qualities that made people respect bikers. You always knew you’d get a no-nonsense, straight-up deal with them.

An independent is truly the outlaw because he stands up on his own two feet. James Hollywood Macecari

Going hand in hand with admitting one’s wrongs is staying true to your word. I know many of you have dealt with people who no longer honor their word, including motorcycle club members. I never thought I’d see a patched member lie to another, but now it’s a daily occurrence in clubs. You can’t even trust your so-called brother anymore.

As an individual, you should always strive to back up your word. If you can’t follow through, don’t tarnish your reputation. Accept the defeat or admit you can’t do something—it’s not a bad thing. People will respect you more because they’ll know what you say is what you mean.

Individual expression is a hallmark of an outlaw. This could be in how you carry yourself or how you view the world. I believe these two qualities determine the respect others give you. If you carry yourself like a professional, you’ll earn a lot of respect. If you act like an idiot who thinks a diamond patch makes you bulletproof, you won’t get any.

I think it all boils down to being yourself. Don’t change who you are or how you act because of a patch—or lack of one. Be the truest person you can be. That’s the number one quality I believe matters most. Let me know what you all think. Drop your thoughts in the comment section, and let’s hear it.

James Hollywood Macecari

Sources:

What does a 1% motorcycle club patch mean

INDEPENDENT BIKERS: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF A BIKER COMMUNITY

I am an outlaw biker ask me anything.

NOW HERE!! POWER & BETRAYAL OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE CLUB LIFE BY JAMES HOLLYWOOD MACECARI. GET YOURS NOW