What Unaffiliated Bikers Can Patch Onto Their Kutte
If you are a motorcycle enthusiast who enjoys riding with your friends, show off your style and personality by wearing a leather kutte (also known as a vest or a cut) with some patches.
Patches are embroidered or stitched pieces of fabric that display various symbols, logos, slogans, or designs related to your interests, hobbies, beliefs, or affiliations. However, before you start patching your kutte, you should know some rules and etiquette that govern the biker culture, especially regarding outlaw motorcycle clubs (OMCs) or one-percenters.
OMCs are groups of bikers operating outside of specific community guidelines. They are called one-percenters because they are said to represent the 1% of bikers who are outlaws, while the other 99% are law-abiding citizens. OMCs are territorial and protective of their patches. They usually consist of a three-piece design: a central logo with the club’s name and two curved patches (called rockers) above and below, indicating the club’s location or territory. OMCs also wear other patches that signify their rank, status, achievements, or deeds within the club. These patches are sacred to OMC members and are earned through a long and rigorous process of initiation and loyalty. They are not to be worn, copied, or disrespected by anyone who is not a club member.
Therefore, if you are an unaffiliated biker, meaning that you do not belong to any OMC or any other recognized motorcycle club (MC or RC), you should avoid wearing any patches that could be mistaken for or offend an OMC or an MC.
Here are some tips on what unaffiliated bikers can and cannot patch onto their new leather kutte:
- Do not wear a three-piece patch design, as this is reserved for OMCs and MCs only. If you want a logo or a name for your group of friends, you can use a one-piece patch that does not resemble any existing OMC or MC patch. You can also utilize a two-piece patch, but make sure that the bottom patch does not indicate a location or a territory, as this could be seen as a challenge or a claim by an OMC or an MC. For example, you can have a patch that says “Road Warriors” on top and “Ride or Die” on the bottom, but not “Road Warriors” on top and “New Hampshire” on the bottom.
- Do not wear any patches associated with the Big Five OMCs: Hells Angels, Mongols, Outlaws, Bandidos, or Sons of Silence. These are the most notorious and powerful OMCs in the world, and they have a history of violent conflicts and wars with each other and with other OMCs and MCs. This includes using television and redacted OMCs like the “Vagos” or “Sons of Anarchy.” Wearing any of their patches, colors, symbols, or slogans could get you in serious trouble or even put your life at risk. For example, do not wear a patch that says “Support 81”, “Mongol Nation,” “Outlaw Forever,” “Bandido By Choice,” or “SOS.”
- Only wear patches that have a specific meaning or significance in the biker culture if you know what they mean and have earned them or have permission to wear them. Some patches indicate a biker’s rank, role, or function within a club, such as “President,” “Vice President,” “Secretary,” “Treasurer,” “Road Captain,” “Sergeant-at-Arms,” “Enforcer,” or “Prospect.” Some patches indicate a biker’s skills, achievements, or deeds, such as “1F” (first female), “1K” (1000 miles in 24 hours), “DILLIGAF” (do I look like I give a f***), or “FTW” (f*** the world).
Some patches indicate a biker’s affiliation, support, or respect for a specific club, such as “MC” (motorcycle club), “RC” (riding club), “SC” (support club), or “SYLO” (support your local outlaws). Some patches indicate a biker’s personal beliefs, preferences, or lifestyle, such as “Christian Biker,” “Veteran,” “Patriot,” “Lone Wolf,” or “Straight Edge.” Some patches indicate a biker’s involvement in illegal or immoral activities, such as “1%” (one-percenter), “White Cross” (grave robber), “Red Cross” (homosexual), or “Filthy Few” (killer). If you need clarification on what a patch means or if you have the right to wear it, it is better to avoid it altogether.
- Wear patches that reflect your interests, hobbies, beliefs, or affiliations, as long as they are not offensive, controversial, or provocative to other bikers or the general public.
You can wear patches that show:
- your favorite brand of motorcycle, such as “Harley-Davidson,” “Indian,” “Triumph,” or “Ducati.”
- your favorite type of motorcycle, such as “Cruiser,” “Sport,” “Touring,” or “Adventure.”
- your favorite genre of music, such as “Rock,” “Metal,” “Punk,” or “Blues.”
- your favorite sport, team, or athlete, such as “Football,” “Patriots,” “Brady,” or “Super Bowl.”
- your favorite movie, TV show (nonbiker), character, or actor, such as “Star Wars,” “Breaking Bad,” “Darth Vader,” or “Heisenberg.”
- your favorite hobby, activity, or pastime, such as “Fishing,” “Hunting,” “Camping,” or “Gaming.”
- your favorite animal, flower, or symbol, such as “Eagle,” “Rose,” or “Skull.”
- your favorite motto, quote, or saying, such as “Live Free or Die,” “Born to Ride,” “Ride to Live,” or “Four Wheels Move the Body, Two Wheels Move the Soul.”
- your own name, nickname, or initials, such as “Bob,” “Bobby,” “BB,” or “B.” The possibilities are endless as long as you are respectful and creative.
In conclusion, wearing a leather kutte with patches is a great way to express yourself and your passion for motorcycles. Still, you should also know the rules and etiquette governing the biker culture, especially concerning outlaw motorcycle clubs. Following these tips can avoid unnecessary conflicts and enjoy your rides peacefully. Ride safe and have fun!
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Source: Conversation with Copilot ChatGPT4, 1/19/2024 Edited and rewritten by William Ritchotte
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