HSTA

[STindy05]

What is your opinion on HSTA? Is it worth the money?

[STindy05]

Ok...so i as trying to creat a poll on this one. Guess I don't know how to do it, so just tell me your thoughts. Anyone from Indiana a member?

[Mellow]

You don't really need a poll for general comments unless you want a yes or no type answer...

I think many don't like that you have to pay for the membership however, I've heard nothing but good about the events they put together and the friendships fostered by such a group... can't beat that.

[SteveST1300]

Sure you can look at what we have here. It just doesn't get any better than this!!!!!

[Mellow]

Sure you can look at what we have here. It just doesn't get any better than this!!!!!

Well, I wasn't going to say it... LOL

I don't know how much the dues are, heck I have a hard time attending the events we have here much less add another group in the mix, so I just haven't looked... I never did like that the gwrra required a membership due and I know that turned into lots of political ramblings, maybe still is..

This is free and it always will be.. I'll never create an event myself that requires a registration fee.. that is just me, cause I'm a cheapo... I, on the other hand, would never have an issue paying to go to WeSTOC as the price of admission is well worth what you get.. I just wouldn't pay for every STOC event.. that would be too much to me... just my opinion.. as events evolve, they get to a certain point where a level of finanical commitment is required in order to get the event activities or accommodations processed. I'm just way too lazy for that...

[STindy05]

I don't really mind the fees. I guess for my situation, I just don't have a lot of vacation time and many of the events on our board would take at least a day if not more travel time each way. With not having that kind of time as maybe some of you do, I was looking at the HSTA as a possible means to ride with other people who share the passion. I know they have many weekend or just sunday rides a person can attend. I guess would your opinion change some if you were in my situation? Or would you just go ride on your own?

[Mellow]

Well then.. the real issue is .. We don't have any STOC events in your area... hmmm... time for some planning...

Also, just post up a meet/greet at some location and before you know it, you'll have some show up that want to do a Sat or Sun ride somewhere.. It's that easy.

[Earache]

I'm an off and on again HSTA member (forget to pay my duess from time to time) and former Indiana State Director.

Indiana is lucky in that it has a rather strong HSTA group and most are pretty active. So I think you get more from it by being an Indiana resident. Participation might be less in other areas.

Also, since you're local, many people to do Sunday rides with and they might clue you in to areas you've not ridden in before. Also others to ride to further away events with.

The fees are reasonable, but they are there - so that's soemthing to consider.

IF you have any specific questions, please PM me or post your question.

Eric

[Earache]

Well then.. the real issue is .. We don't have any STOC events in your area... hmmm... time for some planning...

Also, just post up a meet/greet at some location and before you know it, you'll have some show up that want to do a Sat or Sun ride somewhere.. It's that easy.

I had thought of doing a Tech Day at my place this Spring. Have tools, bike lift, etc. If anyone from the area would like to do a oil change, brake service day or soemthing like that, let me know. Might even get Crazykz to come down to teach us some electrical stuff.

[Mellow]

I had thought of doing a Tech Day at my place this Spring. Have tools, bike lift, etc. If anyone from the area would like to do a oil change, brake service day or soemthing like that, let me know. Might even get Crazykz to come down to teach us some electrical stuff.

That's cool!.. we really don't have enough going on in that area, every event doesn't have to involve mountain riding..

[Earache]

That's cool!.. we really don't have enough going on in that area, every event doesn't have to involve mountain riding..

Yeah, but riding through cornfields, as exciting as that sounds, loses it's appeal after awhile...

[BigTom]

Quote by Mellow
That's cool!.. we really don't have enough going on in that area, every event doesn't have to involve mountain riding..

Does that mean Yuma and Lubbock could alternate Boredom SToc? There might be others...Minimum Requirement: 100mi to the first curve that is not a freeway entrance/exit.

I have found that hotel/motel/campground rates go down considerably in the off season. BOREDOM is cheap!

[Mellow]

Does that mean Yuma and Lubbock could alternate Boredom SToc? There might be others...Minimum Requirement: 100mi to the first curve that is not a freeway entrance/exit.

I have found that hotel/motel/campground rates go down considerably in the off season. BOREDOM is cheap!
Hey, it's an idea... lol...

[STindy05]

I would be interested in a Tech day also. Everyone's gotta change their oil! There are some decent roads in southern Indiana(compared to the straight roads of northern IN). Maybe we could make it a weekend event, have a Tech day on Saturday and then a test day on sunday and hit some roads to the south. Gotta test the farkles and service work done.

[Earache]

Sounds like a plan, STindy. I put up a post oin the tech section about it - just need to pick a date.

I live about 8 miles south of 465 off of Route 37 (Center Grove area). Brown County is only 25 miles away....

[msnyder755]

sounds like an Indy500STOC

[forgitaboutut]

if you have the time its worth it......
great group !
2 things I don't have enough of...time and money!

[George]

if you have the time its worth it......
great group !
2 things I don't have enough of...time and money!

TIME is the only thing you can run out of.

If you have TIME, you have:
time to earn more;
time to learn more;
time to spend more;
time lend more;
time to love more;
time to mourn more;
time to be all that you can be,
or less;
time to err,
or not;
time to build,
and time to, to, to...
time do all that we all should do;
time to...

well, y'all get the idea. I wish Derek STill had all of his time.

I still miss my boy.

[Mellow]

Yeah.. the only time you have is right now.. and even that only last a second.. then it's gone.. better spend it well..

[George]

HSTA? They have MANY good events (ride_hsta.com). And MANY GREAT people (Eldon Rixx, Pryor, OK, Diane Almond, Asheville, NC). I'm an ex-state director (IL) and a long time member, currently lapsed. I've made and kept many friends there.

My thought, tho, is that the web has made it _less_ necessary. Ya, many folks don't have access yet, but _we_ all do and we meet here and spend the diff. on ga$ 'n tars.

STOC started as an auxiliary to the HSTA (and to the old moto list). It grew to be the STOC liST and then st-owners grew out of that. It's all a natural progression. Can you say "Evolution"? I knew you could. ;^)

[number9]

I had thought of doing a Tech Day at my place this Spring. Have tools, bike lift, etc. If anyone from the area would like to do a oil change, brake service day or soemthing like that, let me know. Might even get Crazykz to come down to teach us some electrical stuff.


I got dibs on the machining center :bannana

[IndyST]

+1 on the HSTA comments. I'm currently the Indiana Co-Newsletter Editor (really just distribution). I joined in September of 03 right after getting the ST and have made many great friends. There are many sanctioned events and non events including the annual STAR (sport touring annual rendezvous). The dues are $35 and include a free member’s only event which runs around $30-$35. Keep in mind there are many different makes of bikes in the HSTA. Most of the Sunday rides will regularly have BMW’s, DUC’s, Aprilia’s, Wings, R1’s, Guzzi’s and even an ST or two. Even ridden with Eric or should I say tried to keep up with him. I have never regretted being a member and the benefits are increasing every year. Never dull roads on any HSTA rides. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Mike

[Norm Kern]

I joined HSTA in 2001 when I got an ST1100. I live in Ohio, which is a very active HSTA region (about 200 members).

After attending a couple of events, I felt like I had wasted a lot of time- IN THE PAST. Here were the people I had wanted to ride with on the kind of roads I like to ride and I felt I had wasted 20 years looking for them when all I had to do was look in the right place.

Attending HSTA events gives you access to a great group of people and you get to ride the best roads in various parts of the country. One thing about HSTA that I really like is that all brands are not merely accepted, they are celebrated. (about 30% of members ride Honda) This means that if your fancy changes from one brand or model to another, you still "fit right in" with all the other members.

Several posters have lamented that HSTA is not free. That's true, but let's see what your money buys.

The HSTA Mail Pouch Fly-By event held in Marietta, Ohio, every August costs $20 to register. What do you get for $20? Your registration packet includes 3-5 suggested routes with maps and instructions, prepared by locals who know all the best roads.

On Friday night, there's a cookout of dogs, burgers and drinks.

On Saturday, most people ride routes or roll their own, leaving in small groups, usually 2-6 riders. Usually, a dealer shows up with some new bikes for demo rides, which are unsupervised. I got to try three models of BMW on a couple of years ago on SR26, a beautiful twisty that runs NE from Marietta.

On Saturday evening, there is a nice buffet with drinks and dessert, followed by a great outdoor party with tire kicking, swapping lies, etc. At about 8PM, they start drawing for door prizes. About 150 people attend the rally and more than half of them win door prizes. Prizes range from a can of chain lube to helmets and jackets.

HSTA reserves a large block of rooms at the host motel at a special rate- last year it was about $60 per night.

I don't know about you, but to be able to register for an event like this for $20 sounds like a bargain to me.

Of course you must be a member of HSTA to register for most of the events.
HSTA membership costs $35 per year. BUT, non-members now get a free first year membership when they register for their first event.

I guess if you don't have $20 to spare, HSTA is not for you. Otherwise, why not attend an event when there is one near you and try it out. With your membership, you get a monthly national magazine and a regional newsletter.

If you participate at all, you will probably find at the end of the year, renewing for $35 per year is a no-brainer.

Check out HSTA at http://www.ridehsta.com

Best wishes,

[fredz43]

I agree that the HSTA is tops as far as motorcycle clubs, in my book. As mentioned, it is open to any brand, any model. It is about people that enjoy sport touring and we don't care what you ride. The events held throughout the USA from Feb to Nov each year offer the best roads in the area of those events, as well as many friendly, like minded people.

The HSTA magazine, STAReview is very good, with articles about the events, product reviews, classifieds, etc.

One benefit that I had not taken full advantage of until last year is their hotel/motel discounts throughtheir account with Choice Privileges. Previously I had always been happy with the prices I got through Expedia.com and saved a lot that way. I was pleasantly surprised that the HSTA discount for hotels is much better, about twice what I had been getting. That alone saves me more than the $35 per year.

We have historically had a good relationship with Honda, as evidenced by my being invited to be one of the first 6 people in the USA to ride and review the ST1300 for 2 days in June of 2002. In June of 2003 at our annual biggest event, STAR, held that year in Charleston, WV, we had the Assistant Manager of Motorcycle Press attend for the week and he held a meeting for ST1300 owners to get feedback about the new bike. In 2000 we had STAR in Avon, CO and had demo bikes by BMW and Honda. Ours was the only demo fleet in the USA that year to have the then new RC51 as well as all the rest of the sport and sport touring models. The Manager of American Honda Press Relations, Racing and Motorcycle Training, accompanied by the Manager of HRCA attended that year. By the way, the first HRCA rally was at STAR in Avon in 1990 (I believe that was the year, I wasn't a member yet).

I have been a member since 1992, served as Southern IL Director when George had Northern IL, Regional VP and had the privilege of serving as President for 2 terms, so I may be a bit prejudiced, but I can truly say that many of the best friends that I have met in my 63 years on this earth, I met through the HSTA.

This is taking nothing away from STOC and STOC events. I have been a STOC member since the beginning, am member number 17. It is a fine on line club, and this is the best ST related site anywhere, in my opinion. They offer different types of membership experiences, I believe and both are first rate. There is no reason to pit one against the other, as there is no rule against taking advantage of more than one motorcycle related organization.

[RideTN]

I agree with the remark that it is not a "them versus us" thing. the likes and dislikes that i read about on this forum are consistent with those of the HSTA riders. it is about sport-touring among friendly people and the HSTA just has a broader approach as far as other makes but just seems to "filter" out the eggheads who think they have the only acceptable brand of sport-tourer.

HSTA should have an online forum and personally i believe they should focus on having something similar to this forum for the HSTA members to keep up with and i fear that if they do not take the initiative in that area the HSTA will fade away over time. They could have online memberships for free to such a forum and still have fees for those who attend events or wish to receive the other benefits. nice to have dinner and things like that when you go to an event and its worth it to me.

You cannot go wrong being a member of HSTA and attending one event will have you convinced.

[IndyST]

Well said Fred, Terry and Norm.:03biker:

[Earache]

I got dibs on the machining center :bannana

It's there any time you wanna use it - just bring lots of aluminum with you!

[Earache]

[QUOTE=IndyST;194493 Even ridden with Eric or should I say tried to keep up with him.....

Mike[/QUOTE]

I told ya; ya gotta shift into second gear!!!:D