The Bandidos Motorcycle Club who are outlaw bikers, or Bikies, as they are called in Australasia. They are not to be mistaken with Bikers who are simply people who ride motorbikes.
The fiercely independent individuals and their diverse groups have entered the modern folklore as Highwaymen and Cowboys did in olden times; sometimes good and sometimes bad, heroes and villains at the same time.
The Bandidos are no exception.
Donald Chambers was the man behind the creation of the Bandidos, which were founded in Texas in 1966. Chambers is a Vietnam Veteran and former US Marine. The Bandidos, which have their roots in Texas, now number more than 5,000 people and are spread across 200 chapters located in 22 countries. The Bandidos are also part of the One-Percenter Club, which is one of the “Big Four”, as defined by US authorities.
Are they? Bandidos and other Outlaw Clubs do occasionally get into legal trouble. They may deal in unlicensed drugs and “second-hand” goods of all kinds and descriptions, but is that what makes them bad?
Remember that the business model of these companies is only successful because there is a market for their products. This market is found in the more polite sections of society.
Some people would say that they are simply mischievous men and women who love motorcycles.
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club Patriots who are family-oriented
Bikers display their loyalty to the nation with pride. / MAGADoodle
They are usually patriotic and loyal to their Clubs. They also love to have fun. They are hard workers, hard partyers, hard players, and hard dividers. They’re a strangely contradictory, but refreshingly unique mix of liberalism and conservatism.
Bikers are generally against homosexuality, veganism and other things, but they support gun rights and approve of the use of recreational drugs and herbal medicines in general.
Bikers are involved in charitable work all over the world. They hold fundraising rallies, provide rides for children with disabilities, and help elderly women cross the street. The Bandidos are no exception.
The Bandidos are characterized by their love of speed, open roads, the smell of gas, and the sound of screamed metal. It’s almost uncanny how much they resemble car enthusiasts. They are our relatives, on the road. It is shameful that media and political bias have conspired against us, when history and blood have determined that we should be allies and friends.
How Do The Bandidos Motorcycle Club Make Money?
Most bikers have regular jobs. Bike gangs are represented in the ranks of many professions. These include lawyers, accountants and doctors. They are also found amongst airline pilots and firefighters. True story.
The clubs are organized in a corporate manner, with a wide range of business activities, such as freight and courier service, import and export services, hospitality, security, sporting goods and other “hard-to-find” items.
Bandidos, like any global franchised business, have their own internal disputes from time to time. They also occasionally disagree with other “firms” involved in similar lines of work. The ‘code of ethics’ is used to settle disputes and work out contracts. It may seem undiplomatic and even agrarian from the outside, but it reflects the straight-forward honesty of the bikers.
What is the verdict? There will always be a few bad apples in every box. In the case of apples, which is a well-organized Motorcycle Enthusiasts’ Club weeding out those few before they can taint all the others.
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club Facts
- They have a slogan that says We’re the people who warned you about
- The Bandidos, the fastest-growing motorcycle club in history, is a global outlaw motorcycle group.
- Don Chambers, who founded the club, modeled the colors of the club after the red-and-gold motif of the United States Marine Corps, after serving in Vietnam as an Marine.
- The “great Nordic biker battle” was fought between 1994 and 1997 by Hells Angels, Bandidos and other motorcycle clubs in Scandinavia. In a bloody battle involving machine guns, anti-tank missiles and car bombs taken from a Swedish army depot, at least 11 people died and dozens were injured.
- Bandidos has chapters in the US and Canada, Australia, Thailand (Singapore, Malaysia), Costa Rica, Germany, Denmark (Norway, Sweden), Finland, Belgium, Italy Luxembourg, France, the Channel Isles, and Germany.
- Bandido Bikers often wear patches such as the number 13, the letter M (for Motorcycle), F.T.W. F— the World, as well as threatening patches like “Accept No Mercy”.
- The bikers who are in charge of Bandidos MC have all been given Spanish titles – the Big Boss is called El Presidente; the Secretary is El Secratario, and the Vice president is El Vice Présidente.
- All Bandidos must wear a visible patch from 150 feet.
- According to the rules, a Bandido that commits suicide cannot have a real Bandido burial.
- The Bandido Code: Don’t lie. Don’t steal. Hard drugs and needles will not be tolerated.
- It usually takes 2 years to become a Bandido. There are 3 stages: hangaround, prospect and probation.
- Chambers adapted the name and logo of the club, a cartoon Mexican potbellied wearing a sombrero, carrying a sword, and a pistol, from Frito-Lay’s “Frito Bandito”, featured in the chipmaker’s 1960s ads before they became politically correct.
- Bandidos membership is not cheap. The cost includes $275 to pay the national treasury and $275 for the new patch. In addition,
- $500 is charged for members whose Harleys are out of commission for longer than 30 days.
- The Hells Angels, another infamous MC group, is a constant rival.
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club Timeline
1966-1970s – Formation and Early Years
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- The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, led by Donald Eugene Chambers (also known as “Mother”, “Uncle”, or “Mother”), was founded on March 4, 1996 by a group of motorcycle enthusiasts.
- Early years of the club were low-profile. The focus was on motorcycle riding and camaraderie between its members.
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1980s: Expansion and Growth
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- In the 1980s the Bandidos experienced a significant increase in popularity and influence, both nationally and globally.
- The club has chapters in many states of the United States, as well as Australia, Canada and Europe.
- The Bandidos were known for their distinct colors, a red-and-gold patch with a cartoon bandit in a sombrero carrying a machete.
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Turf Wars, Criminal Activities and the 1990s
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- In the 1990s, tensions between rival motorcycle clubs and the Bandidos increased. These conflicts were often violent, giving the Bandidos their reputation as being involved in turf wars.
- Bandidos are also being scrutinized more closely by law enforcement agencies, who have intensified their efforts in combating the criminal activities of motorcycle gangs.
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The 2000s: Legal and Internal Troubles
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- In the early 2000s, the Bandidos were roiled by internal conflicts and struggles for power. The disagreements between the leaders and over the club’s direction led to splintering and schisms.
- The Bandidos continued to face legal troubles, as members were arrested and charged for various crimes including drug trafficking and racketeering.
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The 2010s: Legal issues and international presence
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- Bandidos chapters were located in many countries. Law enforcement agencies have continued to target this club, resulting in arrests and prosecutions.
- Interne conflicts continued, and there were occasional reports of power struggles and infighting among Bandidos leaders.
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Note that the Bandidos and other outlaw motorcycle clubs have been accused of violent crimes, criminal activity, and participation in organized crime. Although not all of the members are involved in criminal activities, it is important to note that this subculture of outlaw motorcycle clubs has been linked with a criminal element.