| Outlaw motorcycle clubs have existed almost since | | | | Percenters or outlaw clubs. |
| the origin of motorcycles. Almost as soon as | | | | Outlaw motorcycle clubs started emerging all over |
| motorcycles began production in the early twentieth | | | | the United States and included clubs like the Bandidos |
| century, clubs began emerging around the United | | | | Motorcycle Club, the Pagans Motorcycle Club, and the |
| States, although the outlaw label would come about | | | | Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. With the arrival of the |
| later. These clubs brought together motorcycle | | | | Vietnam War, the clubs experienced sharp increases |
| enthusiasts for rides and other events. | | | | in membership as disenfranchised veterans found |
| One of the first long lasting motorcycle clubs to | | | | acceptance and solace in the clubs. |
| emerge was the McCook Outlaws in 1936. The group | | | | The influx of Vietnam vets also brought drug culture |
| would later be called the Chicago Outlaws and is now | | | | into the clubs, as many soldiers had been introduced |
| known as the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. The group | | | | to illegal drugs in Asia. The clubs received negative |
| supposedly formed for long distance touring and | | | | labels from the outside and were often targeted by |
| racing. Alcohol consumption and partying were | | | | law officials. Hollywood presented a number of |
| secondary, but important, reasons as well. | | | | movies that built on this negative, violent perception. |
| With the end of World War II in 1945, young soldiers | | | | A sub-culture developed surrounding the groups. |
| returned home looking for more adventure. Veterans | | | | Many members of the outlaw clubs insist that illegal |
| often sought other war survivors out for | | | | activity happens with only a small percentage of the |
| companionship and understanding and the lure of | | | | members and shouldn't be used to label everyone. |
| motorcycle riding became entwined in some of these | | | | While places like Canada have seen more violence |
| relationships. The American Motorcycle Association or | | | | and illegal drug activities in recent years (in what is |
| AMA sponsored many clubs during the post war | | | | known as the Quebec Biker War), perception in the |
| years. | | | | United States has seem to shift somewhat. Popular |
| In the late 1940s, after a disturbance in the town of | | | | television series, like Monster Garage, portray |
| Hollister, California, some individuals responded to a | | | | members of an outlaw motorcycle club in a more |
| Life article by stating that the disorder was due to | | | | favorable light. |
| only a small percentage of the motorcyclists there. | | | | Outlaw motorcycle clubs have an important place in |
| The statements seemed to many to have come | | | | the history of the twentieth century. Although their |
| from the AMA and some biker clubs broke away | | | | image has not always been positive, the sub-culture |
| from the organization. Clubs not associated with the | | | | of the clubs has influenced American culture. |
| AMA would come to be known as the One | | | | |