So, I have received the year-end special discount, do-it-now-or-regret-it-forever membership offer from the AMA (the motorcycle people, not the doctors). For those of you who are or have been members....what's in it for me? What tangible benefits have you received? I am a member of various (dis-)organizations, and sometimes the benefits are tenuous, perhaps noting noticeable in the short term, but good for something in the long run, if for nothing else than to be able to be counted in the political-support numbers game.
It's a good question. I haven't been a member for years and they still contact me about legislative stuff and send links to protest this and that. So if you are buying it for their lobbying efforts that's a waste of money I think as they do it anyway for non-paying members. Towing you can get just about anywhere on other plans. Road racing....hmm I haven't watched US MC racing in years since it got screwed up sometime back. I watch MotoGP and WSBK. So all told, it isn't worth it to me. I mean, they charge members for the museum, you might a get a dollar discount or two. They provide discounts (dollar or two) to the MC shows....don't go anymore. Again, it isn't worth it to me.
I wasn't a member for many years then started realizing some of the things they did that helped me. Motorcycles allowed in the car pool lanes, I do watch AMA racing, I do go to the bike shows, etc. They will continue to lobby if they get enough funds. If everyone said screw it, they'd have to stop.