GWRRA bennies

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tlbranth
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GWRRA bennies

#1

Post by tlbranth »

Here's a message I sent to GWRRA:

I signed up for Skymed. I checked prices on a couple of motels in places I often travel. Then I checked expedia. Expedia beat Skymed every time.
I've found that a lot of your "bennies" are just fluff with not much real value. Rescue Plus is an exception.
I know you don't want to hear any of this and maybe you don't care....but it's happy hour here and I'm throwing out random advice.
Terry
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desertrefugee
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#2

Post by desertrefugee »

:lol:

I sort of came to the same conclusion.
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brianinpa
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#3

Post by brianinpa »

I have read far too many posts like this and that's why I never joined GWRRA.
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Liam
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#4

Post by Liam »

I wish I knew what all of the above actually means.:)
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#5

Post by scootsx2 »

I dropped my GWRRA membership two years ago. There is just something about that organization that just never set right with me and their magazine is nothing more than a year-long ad for WingDing.
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#6

Post by WingMan71 »

I still keep my membership, but primarily for the Rescue Plus towing service. That IS a good deal.

I also like the Wing World magazine mostly for Stu Oltman's tech tips section and the interesting travel stories that members submit. If you just got your January issue, you can turn to the last page and look at the Readers Ride section. There's picture of my wife and I with our current stable of three Gold Wings at the top of the page!

My wife and I have gone to a few of the Wing Dings, and they're fun for what they are. But, once you've been to a few they can get old since they're always the same old thing. Buying stuff for your bike from vendors at a Wing Ding is not a good deal. Prices there are ridiculous, and you can do much better buying on line. We are not interested in getting into the management of chapters, etc. or many of the typical local chapter activities, mostly because we don't like group riding. We prefer to ride ourselves or with just one other couple with the same riding style.

At that said, they have over 70,000 members in some 50 countries, so there must be a lasting attraction. I see many retired couples who are big time into GWRRA and I applaud them for it. What a great hobby and what a great way to find like-minded folks to ride with and befriend and to stay young and keep riding. Congrats to them, I say! action1

***
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tlbranth
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#7

Post by tlbranth »

Yes, I'm in it for the Rescue Plus and the Gold Book. I tried belonging to a chapter but except for 2 or 3 people it was a clique that I was an outsider to. I found the vests with long ribbons of badges to be hilarious and wondered if a secret handshake would be next. The magazine is a waste of paper except for Stu Oltman's column and the occasional well-written trip story. Ads are usually for expensive chrome items which are never evaluated and about which I'm uninterested.
Terry
Don't own a Vanagon
Don't work at Boeing
Life is good

1999 GL1500 SE
2002 Honda VT750 "ACE"
1975 GL1000
1970 CB750
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#8

Post by 77Gowing »

I'm with Liam.
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#9

Post by Whiskerfish »

Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA)

As I recall it was started by a couple that had a passion for the bikes back in the 70's. It was awesome back then.

Since it has been sold out and has turned into a capitol adventure. Huge participation and huge money maker. Listed as a non profit but that is pure BS. They hold riding and leadership seminars so they use that to qualify under the educational clause of the Tax code. The people in management are getting rich. Very structured and regulated. Power hungry people love it because they can climb the ranks and brag that they are a so and so in the organization. Mom & Dad have been members forever and I know quite a few others. Some are realistic about what it is and some are not. The internal organization is very cult like from my perspective.

Many people hang on to their membership just for the Gold Book, the road side assistance, and Stu Oltman's Tech writings. That seems to be a common thread from everyone I know.
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Re: GWRRA bennies

#10

Post by CYBORG »

I agree with all you, and others have said. The couple that started it divorced and she got the organization in the settlement. Was never the same. I was a chapter vice president for a while, still got the vest.
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