Worlds Largest Family

Motorcycling is popular because of its ability to be different things to different people: Riders can enjoy a short day trip or a monthlong cross-country trek; machines can vary from a 500 Street to 114 cubic inch CVO Street Glide; riding can be a solitary or group activity; and uses can range from recreational to utilitarian.

Harley® Owners Group, which was organized nationally in 1983, focuses on sharing the camaraderie of riding and owning a Harley-Davidson® and is successful- with more than 1 million members around the world for many of the same reasons that riding is.

Rich Malmgren, Treasurer of the Harley-Davidson® Of Fargo H.O.G.® Chapter, enjoys the group because it "gives you and excuse to get out and ride." And he really enjoys the longer overnight rides organized by the group.

"There's no pressure. We have all kinds of skill levels and we try to make it as comfortable as possible for anyone who is new," adds Rich, who rides a 2023 Breakout among a few other H-D Motorcycles!

For Mary Haberer, who has logged 116,000 miles on her 2006 Fat Boy, H.O.G.® is about the relationships. "H.O.G.® is a great way to meet people who share the passion of riding. There are so many fun H.O.G.®-sponsored events every year. You can attend as many as you wish, but you shouldn't feel obligated to attend all of them."

Mary was already a H.O.G.® member in the Sioux Falls chapter at J&L Harley-Davidson® when she met a Fargo couple who invited her to join their chapter. "They were so welcoming and invited me to join their chapter. I did just that and went on their signature Beartooth Run in July of 2011 and every year since."

She adds that the Fargo H.O.G.® Chapter led to the most incredible experience of her life when she won the Chapter Exchange to New Zealand. "In March of 2015, my husband and I spent three fabulous weeks riding in New Zealand and attended the Iron Run H.O.G.® Rally in Queenstown. The H.O.G.® family we met became friends for life and will always be welcome in my home," she says.

Another benefit of the group is the tie that develops between members and the dealership.

Adriannah Smith is the Marketing Manager for Harley-Davidson® Of Fargo and the Chapter Manager for the H.O.G.® Chapter. "Our members turn into great friends and we get to know them  & their families by their first names," Adriannah says. "They also volunteer & help us out a TON at the Dealership, such as providing free gift wrapping on the weekends during the holiday season, and running the Demo Rides when we host the H-D Demo Truck."

Chapter members are in charge of planning and leading their events each year. For 2023-2024 riding season, the Fargo Chapter plans its annual Beartooth Pass ride; a Dam H.O.G.® Ride, held together with the Glacial Lakes Harley-Davidson® H.O.G.® Chapter and the J&L Harley-Davidson® H.O.G.® Chapter. In addition, the club will have dinner rides, grey pride rides and other weekend rides in the summer.

"What I try to tell people is we don't put any pressure on the riding," Rich says. "If you want to ride and you don't have someone to ride with, come out. The worst thing you want to have is someone buy a bike and never ride it."

In the same spirit of building members, Mary adds: "Ask a member to join you on a ride or event. Ask a friend to join H.O.G.®. Don't let it be said that 'no one asked.' Make our chapter the chapter that asked."