Patches4less.com

Motorcycle patches occupy a unique niche in the world of custom embroidered patches. They’re not just an ordinary patch. They represent a part of a biker’s identity, and their sense of self.

That’s because they’re more than just an indication of membership in a group of people who ride. They’re a declaration of brotherhood. You want the symbol of that brotherhood to stand out and be easily recognizable when you ride. You want first class products, made with the latest technology and finest quality materials.

It’s easy to find a good supplier for your (or your club’s) needs, with just a little bit of effort. You can get great products at great prices by following a few simple tips.

For starters, look for a supplier with a track record. You wouldn’t buy a bike from a company that just opened its doors a week ago, would you? You shouldn’t buy patches from someone who just set up a website, either.

A business that’s been around for a while is doing something right. It’s not hard to start a Web-based business these days. It’s easy to go for one-shot sales with no concern for repeat customers. It’s a lot tougher to stay in business long enough to establish a reputation for quality and fair pricing that leads to repeat customers. Loyalty brings rewards for business owners.

It really comes down to customer service. The Number One priority of any good supplier will be customer service. Expect that company to listen to you, and create the motorcycle patches YOU want. Ideally, you want to work with a company that has one or more riders on staff. People who know the meaning of the open road are best qualified to create products relevant to it.

Check out a company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau. If they care about customer service and resolving order issues quickly and fairly, they’ll have a BBB rating of “A.” You shouldn’t settle for anything less.

When it comes to pricing, any reputable supplier will have a “no surprises” bottom line. A good company won’t charge you for artwork, revisions, setup or shipping.

Consider the artwork. If you have an established design, your supplier should be able to reproduce the lettering precisely and the colors accurately. If you’re updating the design, or if your club is new, a good company will have artists on staff who can work with you to create the perfect design, and revise it until it is exactly what you expect it to be.

You’re proud of your club. You want a product that looks good enough to be worn with pride. You should expect your supplier to be committed to providing you with the finest quality product possible at a fair price. With a little bit of research, it’s easy to find a supplier that will create the custom motorcycle patches that do your club proud.

If bikers had a uniform, it would surely be made of leather or denim and adorned with biker patches. Bikers have dressed this way almost since motorcycles were invented. It’s how they show that they are not constrained by the conventional lifestyle of “cagers,” i.e., those who drive four-wheeled vehicles. Yet at the same time, their apparel often denotes their allegiance to a group and solidarity with fellow riders at the same time. 

Biker patches are a longstanding tradition, almost as much a part of the motorcycle world as leathers and boots. The reasons for wearing the patches can be as varied as the people wearing them. Riders can wear them to show club membership, demonstrate their political beliefs, honor fallen fellow riders, or sometimes just to stir up a little trouble.

Regardless of the point of view, there’s always a great selection to choose from so there's something for everyone. 

From club names, to bike runs, religious sayings, and bold statements, there’s no limit to the ways a biker can distinguish him or herself through the use of a patch. The different styles can also indicate the club from which a biker hails. You might see riders who belong to the Harley Owners Group wearing one-piece sets, while full-fledged motorcycle clubs wear the 3-piece sets. Riders’ clubs sponsored by motorcycle manufacturers such as Harley Owners Group generally don’t have any membership obligations beyond owning the specified make of bike. These groups typically don’t require any type of initiation process.

On the other hand, riders sporting three-piece sets probably had to earn their patches, most commonly over a period of several years. To become a member of a motorcycle club requires enduring an apprenticeship and initiation process that can take years of time and diligent adherence to club requirements. Those accepted to wear the three-piece sets wear the colors for life. It’s a hard-won accomplishment not to be taken lightly.

But no matter how a biker acquires his or her patches, they’re always a prized part of the apparel. Like badges of honor, those small embroidered treasures tell us where a biker’s been, and what he or she holds dear.