15 Motorcycle Gangs That Still Rule American Roads

Every March, more than 400,000 people gather for Daytona Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Florida. This unique 10-day event celebrates motorcycles and bike culture, featuring events like concerts, races, and street festivals. Attendees include motorcycle enthusiasts of all kinds, from casual riders to members of official motorcycle clubs. (These are the cheapest motorcycles you can buy.)

Unfortunately, Daytona Bike Week can also bring rival biker clubs face-to-face during the celebrations. In the most recent event, held February 28 – March 9, 2025, members of the Warlocks and Mongols encountered each other at a gas station during the event, resulting in conflict. The conflict quickly escalated into riots and gunshots were fired into the crow,  injuring two Warlocks, although the injuries were not life-threatening.

Some motorcycle clubs are social groups of law-abiding riders, while others take their membership to more extreme — and often violent — levels. Then there are the “outlaw motorcycle gangs”, which are known for violence and criminal activity. (These are the most feared prison gangs in America.)

Whether you’re a rider or a curious observer, here’s a breakdown of some of the most well-known motorcycle gangs and the regions where you might encounter them. Motorcycle gangs are very regional, so the gangs you’d find in one part of the country won’t be found elsewhere.

(This is an updated version of a previously published story to reflect the events of Daytona Bike Week 2025 and the context of many of today’s motorcycle gangs). 

Why This Matters Today

Understanding the complexities of motorcycle gangs is important, particularly for those interested in economic stability and public safety. While Daytona Bike Week is a celebration of motorcycle culture, it also serves as a stark reminder of the potential for conflict and criminal activity associated with certain motorcycle gangs. Many outlaw motorcycle gangs are involved in organized crime, including illicit drug production and firearms trafficking. These activities have significant economic repercussions and often fuel further criminal enterprises, destabilize communities, and strain public resources. Monitoring prominent motorcycle gangs is a matter of public safety as well as economic security.

These are the 15 most prominent motorcycle gangs in America today:

1. Hells Angels Motorcycle Club

The Hells Angels are perhaps the most infamous motorcycle gang globally, with chapters in the U.S. and beyond. They’ve been designated as a criminal syndicate in several countries, as they do lots of illicit activity.

Known for their red and white colors, they originated in California in 1948.

2. The Bandidos Motorcycle Club

The Bandidos, founded in Texas, is one of the largest one-percenter motorcycle clubs in the world. Their motto, “We are the people our parents warned us about,” reflects their rebellious image. They’re also known for illicit activity, as you might imagine.

3. Mongols Motorcycle Club

The Mongols were founded in Southern California in the late 1960s. Now, they’re rivals of the Hells Angels. They are known for their black and white insignia featuring a Mongolian warrior.

4. Outlaws Motorcycle Club

The Outlaws, established in Illinois, predate the Hells Angels and are recognized by their skull and crossed pistons emblem. They currently have a strong presence in the Midwest, but they may be found elsewhere, too.

5. Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club

The Sons of Silence are known for their patch-over process, which involves absorbing smaller clubs into their ranks. Thanks to this process, they have been able to grow in the Midwest. However, they operate primarily in Colorado.

6. Pagans Motorcycle Club

The Pagans originated in Maryland and are prominent on the East Coast. Their insignia, the Norse fire god Surtr, and blue and white colors are easily recognizable.

7. Vagos Motorcycle Club

The Vagos is also known as the “Green Nation.” They have a strong presence in the Southwest and are known for their illicit activities.

8. Highwaymen Motorcycle Club

This Detroit-based club, founded in the 1950s, has chapters across the Midwest. Known for their black and silver patches, they are one of Michigan’s most prominent clubs.

9. Warlocks Motorcycle Club

There are two notable Warlocks clubs: one founded in Pennsylvania and another in Florida. They are technically separate, with distinctly different insignias. Both have a strong regional focus and aren’t considered international clubs.

10. Black Pistons Motorcycle Club

The Black Pistons serve as a support club for the Outlaws. They help with recruitment and logistics, making them a crucial part of the Outlaws’ network. They’re technically part of the Outlaws.

11. Iron Order Motorcycle Club

The Iron Order is a bit different from other motorcycle clubs, as they’re actually affiliated with law enforcement. They have a controversial reputation, as many motorcycle gangs are still associated with crime.

12. Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club

Based in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, the Gypsy Jokers are known for their colorful patches and turbulent history with rival clubs. They don’t engage as heavily in illicit activities as other gangs, but they do have some intense rivalries.

13. The Devils Diciples Motorcycle Club

Spelled intentionally with an extra “i,” this Michigan-based club has a long history of law enforcement scrutiny. They aren’t the most law-abiding motorcycle gang, after all.

14. Free Souls Motorcycle Club

This independent club operates primarily in Oregon and is one of the few motorcycle gangs not affiliated with larger outlaw groups. They’re largely independently run and not known for as many illicit activities as other gangs.

15. Red Devils Motorcycle Club

As an official support club for the Hells Angels, the Red Devils operate worldwide, often acting as a recruitment pool for the larger club. They’re considered “less intense” than the Devil’s Angels and often feed the larger club members.

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