Who Was the First Motorcycle Gang?

Most historians and law-enforcement sources point to the Outlaws Motorcycle Club—founded in 1935 in McCook, Illinois—as the earliest group commonly recognized as a true “outlaw” motorcycle gang, though earlier motorcycle clubs existed and were not criminal organizations. The distinction matters: early-1900s clubs focused on camaraderie and racing, while the “outlaw” subculture crystallized later, especially after World War II.

What “Motorcycle Gang” Really Means

The phrase “motorcycle gang” is imprecise and often controversial. Many riders belong to motorcycle clubs (MCs) that are lawful social or riding organizations. The term “gang” typically refers to groups that organize around criminal activity or openly reject mainstream motorcycling bodies and norms. In the mid-20th century, some clubs embraced “outlaw” identities—separate from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)—and later adopted the “1%” badge after a widely quoted AMA statement in 1947 claimed that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding. This history helps explain why identifying a single “first motorcycle gang” depends on whether one means the first riding club, the first AMA-independent club, or the first criminally oriented outfit.

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club (1935): Often Cited as the First Outlaw MC

Founded in 1935 at a bar in McCook, a suburb of Chicago, the Outlaws MC—also known as the American Outlaws Association (A.O.A.)—is widely regarded as the earliest “outlaw” motorcycle club. The group went dormant during World War II, like many clubs, and re-emerged in the late 1940s and 1950s. Over subsequent decades, the Outlaws expanded across the United States and internationally. While the “one-percenter” label didn’t exist in 1935, the Outlaws’ early non-AMA identity, later 1% culture, and longevity have led historians and law-enforcement agencies to treat the club as the prototypical outlaw MC. It is often described as the oldest surviving organization of its kind.

Before Outlaw Culture: Early Motorcycle Clubs

Well before the outlaw identity took hold, riders formed clubs centered on racing, touring, and fellowship. These organizations helped popularize motorcycling and created a social infrastructure for the sport. The following examples are among the oldest documented American motorcycle clubs.

• Yonkers Motorcycle Club (New York, founded 1903): One of the oldest continuously operating motorcycle clubs in the U.S., focused on organized rides and events.
• San Francisco Motorcycle Club (California, founded 1904): A long-standing West Coast club known for early endurance runs and community activities.
• Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM, 1903–1919): An early national body that predated the AMA, fostering organized motorcycling and advocacy.

These clubs were not “gangs” in the modern sense; they emphasized sanctioned events, safety, and the social side of motorcycling, laying the groundwork for the sport’s growth.

Postwar Clubs That Shaped the Outlaw Subculture

After World War II, demobilized veterans, abundant surplus motorcycles, and a taste for independence fueled the rise of clubs associated with the outlaw image. Several groups founded in this era became pillars of the subculture—some later designated by authorities as criminal organizations, others remaining primarily social but influential in style and mythology.

• Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington (POBOB, 1945): A California club often linked to the outlaw scene’s early identity and the postwar rider ethos.
• Boozefighters MC (1946): Founded by “Wino” Willie Forkner; associated with the 1947 Hollister event that spurred the “1%” narrative, though the club disputes criminal characterizations.
• Hells Angels MC (1948): Emerged in California; later became one of the most internationally recognized outlaw clubs.
• Pagans MC (1959): Originated on the U.S. East Coast and expanded into a major outlaw presence.
• Bandidos MC (1966): Founded in Texas; grew into a large international network.

These groups helped codify the iconography—patches, colors, and hierarchy—associated with outlaw motorcycle culture, even as their activities and reputations varied by chapter and era.

Why There’s Debate Over “First”

Several factors complicate the answer. “Outlaw” originally meant non-AMA-affiliated, not necessarily criminal; press coverage blurred distinctions; and many clubs have layered origin stories. The Outlaws’ 1935 founding predates the post-1947 “one-percenter” label, yet their identity and continuity place them at the head of the outlaw lineage. Meanwhile, older clubs such as Yonkers MC and San Francisco MC demonstrate that organized motorcycling long preceded the criminalized narratives popularized in mid-century media.

Bottom Line

If the question seeks the earliest widely recognized outlaw motorcycle gang, the Outlaws Motorcycle Club (founded 1935, McCook, Illinois) is the most commonly cited answer. If it refers to the earliest organized motorcycle groups in general, then pre-World War I clubs like Yonkers MC (1903) and San Francisco MC (1904) came first—but they were clubs, not gangs.

Summary

The Outlaws MC, founded in 1935, is broadly regarded as the first true outlaw motorcycle gang. Earlier motorcycle clubs existed in the early 1900s but were not criminal groups. The post–World War II era then produced the clubs that defined outlaw biker culture, including Boozefighters, POBOB, and the Hells Angels, solidifying the imagery and structure associated with the subculture today.

What was the original biker gang?

Early biker clubs established by World War II veterans included the Boozefighters, the Hells Angels, the Market Street Commandos and the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington. Various other clubs, such as the Bandidos, the Sons of Silence and the Warlocks, were later formed by Vietnam veterans.

Who was the first outlaw MC?

The first outlaw motorcycle club was the Outlaws MC, founded in McCook, Illinois, in 1935, though it was initially known as the McCook Outlaws and later became the Chicago Outlaws before expanding nationally. The “1%” moniker, used to distinguish them from law-abiding members, became a defining characteristic of these clubs, and the Outlaws are considered the oldest club to embrace this “outlaw” identity.
 
Key facts about the Outlaws MC:

• Founding: Established in 1935 by John Davis and other Electro-Motive Company employees at Matilda’s bar on Route 66 in McCook, Illinois. 
• Early Years: The club was inactive during World War II but re-formed afterward and attended the first major post-war rally in Chicago in 1946. 
• Name Changes: The club was originally called the McCook Outlaws MC, then became the Chicago Outlaws MC, and eventually evolved into the Outlaws MC, according to Wikipedia. 
• “Outlaw” Identity: The term “outlaw” became synonymous with the 1%er biker clubs that operated outside the rules of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), a distinction the Outlaws were among the first to adopt. 

What is the oldest motorcycle gang?

The oldest motorcycle club in the world is the Yonkers Motorcycle Club (YMC), founded in 1903 and officially recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Chartered by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) as its sixth member, the YMC has a long history of community involvement and operates as a public charity. 
Key facts about the Yonkers Motorcycle Club:

• Founding: Established in 1903. 
• Recognition: Officially recognized as the oldest motorcycle club in the world by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2019. 
• AMA Charter: The club has been chartered by the AMA since 1924. 
• Community Focus: The YMC is known for its commitment to its community and operates as a 501c3 public charity. 

What does 22 mean to bikers?

For some bikers, 22 represents the letter “V” for their club, such as the Vagos MC, while for others, it can be a nod to the statistic of 22 veterans who die by suicide each day. However, the meaning of numbers in biker culture varies, so “22” does not have a single, universal meaning. 
“22” as V for a Club 

• Vagos MC: Opens in new tabThis outlaw motorcycle club uses “22” as a way to represent their identity. Since “V” is the 22nd letter of the alphabet, wearing “22” on their vests is a form of claiming their name, similar to how other clubs use numbers for their initials, such as “81” for Hells Angels (H=8, A=1). 
• Veterans MC: Opens in new tabA club called the Veterans MC also uses “22” as a metonym for “Veterans”. In this context, it can be a way to show solidarity and support for their brothers who have served. 

“22” as a Statistic 

• Veteran Suicide: Many people outside the biker world associate “22” with the tragic daily statistic of 22 veterans taking their own lives. Some bikers, particularly those who are also veterans, may wear “22” to honor this cause and show their support for veterans’ mental health.

The Biker Context 

• Club Identity: Numbers in biker culture often have a deeper meaning, used to represent initials, concepts, or affiliations within the club.
• Varying Meanings: Because of the diverse nature of biker culture and clubs, numbers like “22” do not have a single definition but are often specific to certain groups.