For many years, we have been operating as individual motorcycle riders. Although many of us knew each other from school, the basketball courts, work and other social venues, we still often found ourselves looking for people to ride with and looking for destinations to ride to.

During the summer of 2003, several Portland area visionaries decided to bring the club concept to the Pacific North-West. We decided to use the MC club to educate the "urban" rider with regard to group riding dynamics, safe riding practices, and safety gear. We also decided to expand the horizons of the "urban" rider to include track riding, canyon cutting, and road trips.

We are certainly not the first motorcycle club in the area, but we are the first to form a club with the backdrop of our common urban heritage, experiences,and community interests. By the end of the summer, we drafted a mission statement and bylaws. And the Full Tilt Riders was formally founded on December 1, 2003.

By the spring of 2004, the FTR Mission and Message had spread to the upper Northwest. A group of mature riders from Seattle and Tacoma decided to band together and join forces with FTR-Portland. These pioneers formed the independent Seattle Chapter of FTR.

In 2005 a hand full of leaders took the FTR message to the midwest and formed yet another chapter. The Lake Michigan Chapter is now spreading FTR love all over the midwest. FTR will continue to grow and expand, but we will always embrace the Full Tilt Mission Statement and Bylaws.

The Full Tilt Mission is to build a strong and positive brother and sisterhood of people in the Pacific Northwest who share a passion for motorcycle riding.

Our mission is to project a positive and safety conscious image of riders to the community at large. We are also dedicated to providing community service activities in urban areas and fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie between all communities.

All new members must complete a probationary period as a prospect prior to becoming a Full Member or Auxiliary Member. Requirements are as follows:

1.Prospects must be sponsored by a Full or Auxiliary Member.
2.Prospects must undergo at least a 60-day probationary period, subject to the fulfillment of all requirements.
3.Prospects must complete at least 4 sanctioned FTR rides during their probationary period. A valid club ride must have at least 2 Board of Directors members and 2 Full members.
4.Prospects may be required to attend the motorcycle safety course if the Board determines that his/her riding skills require improvement.
5.Prospects must attend at least 1 official FTR club meeting during their probationary period.
6.Prospects must have a formal interview with the Board of Directors, during which it will be confirmed that they (Prospects) have an understanding of the full tilt mission and Bylaws.
7.Prospects shall pay a one-time Prospect fee, and monthly dues, as determined by the Board of Directors.
8.The Prospect probationary period may be extended at the discretion of the Board.
Approval.
9.Membership approval shall be voted on by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

1.Full Members must be at least 21 years of age and the owner and operator of a motorcycle or any make or model three-wheel trike.
2.Full Members shall pay a one-time initiation fee, an annual renewal fee, and monthly dues, as determined by the Board of Directors.
3.Founding Full Members shall be given the elite status of Founder, and shall pay a special initiation fee to be determined by the Board.
4.Full Members shall be required to participate in at least 4 officially Sanctioned FTR Club rides per year in order to maintain membership status.
5.Full members shall participate in at least 2 FTR-sponsored community charitable activities per year.

1.Auxiliary Members must be at least 21 years of age, and be affiliated with a Full Member.
2.A partner of a full member, who does not own and operate a motorcycle, shall be eligible for Auxiliary membership.
3.Auxiliary Members shall pay a one-time initiation fee, an annual renewal fee, and monthly dues, as determined by the Board of Directors.
4.Founding Auxiliary Members shall be given the elite status of Founder, and shall pay a special initiation fee to be determined by the Board.
5.An Auxiliary Member shall have all the rights granted to a full member with the exception that the auxiliary member shall not be eligible to hold a position of officer.
6.Auxiliary members, who subsequently acquires a motorcycle, shall pay a one-time fee and become a Full Member.
7.Auxiliary Members shall participate in at least 2 FTR -sponsored community charitable activities.

If you are interested in joining FTR, or have questions about the club, e-mail us at:

Portland area: Portland President
Seattle area: Seattle President
Michigan area: Lake Michigan President
New Chapter Inquiries: Founding Chapter