Talk around motorcycle clubs has heated up since Sons of Anarchy came onto our screens way back in 2008. While most people know that this popular TV show was based on the infamous Hells Angels biker gang, what they might not realize is that the Angels aren't the only outlaws to don Harleys, patches, and follow obscure rules. Motorcycle clubs like the Hells Angels - many even more notorious - can be found across the globe. Do you know any of these rarely-talked-about biker gangs?
The Gladiators
To join a biker gang, you have to fit the bill. The MC decides what they expect from their gang members, and this differs from gang to gang. But if you fancy joining The Gladiators in Ohio, it's important to realize that there are very strict rules you must adhere to before applying. In fact, The Gladiators only allow former military personnel to join their motorcycle club. Not only that, but you have to ride a very specific bike.
The Gladiators are known for their love of Cruiser bikes, which they can be seen riding around Ohio on a regular basis. You won't ever find them outside of Ohio, though, due to issues with rival gangs.
Black Pistons
Many of the motorcycle clubs on this list were actually founded to support larger gangs, and that was also the case when the Black Pistons were founded in 2001. This gang was founded to support the Outlaws, and while they're their own individual club, they ultimately report to the Outlaws. Now, they help out the Outlaws across Europe, Asia, and North America. Being a Black Piston is still very much a full-time job, though.
To even be considered to join the biker gang, you need to own an American-made bike, be over 21 years old, and know a member of the Black Pistons. When you get your patch, you then have to attend every single meeting and event organized by the club.
The Pagans
Although there are countless biker gangs across the globe, the "Big Four" have dominated the MC space for decades. And while it probably won't surprise you to learn that the Hells Angels are part of that quartet, what you might not realize is that The Pagans are also on that small list. These two motorcycle gangs aren't friends, though. In fact, The Pagans and the Hells Angels are sworn enemies.
The Pagans dominate the East Coast of America and are almost as well known as their rivals - and they're not afraid to protect their turf if they have to.
The Highwaymen MC
If you've ever been to Michigan, you may have spotted patches like this riding around the state. That's because The Highwaymen MC was founded in Detroit in 1954, and its members have since claimed Michigan as their own. Of course, they have also expanded outside of the state - but they have to be careful what they call their turf, as they have been in a bitter rivalry with The Outlaws for decades.
Today, you can also find The Highwaymen in Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, and Indiana - but they'll always see Michigan as their home turf and will protect it at all costs.
The Rebels
All biker gangs have been subject to scrutiny over the years, but there's no doubt about the fact that The Rebels have come under fire more than most. This is largely due to the fact that their logo is the American Confederate flag. But what's so intriguing about that fact is that this MC was actually founded in Australia before making its way across the pond and to the United States.
Today, the Rebels can be found across the globe, and it seems as though they're proud of their roots. They call themselves a "true 1% motorcycle brotherhood," and they put a huge emphasis on loyalty and honor.
Cossacks MC
Although some biker gangs are very open about the fact that they're a motorcycle club, the Cossacks MC prefers to fly under the radar a little more. They try to make a name for themselves as a result of their charity work and outreach and ultimately call themselves a "working man's club." But there's no denying the fact that this biker gang is a huge part of biker gang culture.
The Cossacks are huge in Texas, but this hasn't gone down well with rivals the Bandidos. As a result, these two motorcycle clubs have been in a bitter feud for decades.
Rock Machine
A huge player in Canada, the Rock Machine MC can be found across eighteen chapters in the country. And while it seems as though the members of this biker gang haven't felt much of a need to spread outside of Canada, that might also have something to do with the fact that this MC formed much later than the other biker gangs across the globe. In fact, they were only founded in 1989.
Their small size also means that it's much cheaper to be a member of the Rock Machine than some of the other motorcycle clubs on this list. To wear a Rock Machine patch, you need to pay just $100 a month in dues.
Caloh Wagoh
Technically, the Caloh Wagoh MC no longer exists - but that's not to say that former members aren't still floating around with their motorcycles in tow. This particular biker gang was founded in 2016 as a result of a merger between the Trailer Trash MC and the Crips in the Netherlands. While many of the members of this MC were from the Netherlands, many were also originally from the Republic of Suriname in South America.
However, the Caloh Wagoh MC was judicially dissolved in 2021 as the club was accused of being involved in violent acts and fatal incidents. They're set to appeal this dissolution, though.
The Sons of Satan
Often called "The Sons," the Sons of Satan MC has been around since the late 1940s and was originally founded by World War II veterans. In fact, the original aim of this biker gang was to provide support and brotherhood to returning soldiers who needed a helping hand. In the 1960s, however, John "Satan" Marron (who later became the president of the Pagans MC) decided to turn this family-orientated club into a fully-fledged outlaw gang.
Although they later had a feud with the Pagans, it seems as though this has settled down now. In fact, they're now dubbed as the main support club for the Pagans.
Hells Angels
Arguably, the most famous biker gang in the world, the Hells Angels, are both famous and infamous at the same time. This MC was founded in 1948 and has since grown to be the largest outlaw club in the world. In fact, they have over 6,000 members across 467 chapters in 59 countries. But while they're famed for their outlaw behavior, there's no denying that the Hells Angels have also leaned into their fame.
Today, many smaller motorcycle clubs complain that the Hells Angels have commercialized themselves by selling merch and even hanging out with celebrities. But this has also made them very rich in the process.
The Warlocks
While many of the biker gangs on this list are enemies of the Hells Angels, the Warlocks are allies. This MC was founded in 1967 and has its roots in Philadelphia - a city they still call their main home. But that doesn't mean that they haven't expanded. You'll now find chapters of the Warlocks across the U.S., and a huge portion of the members of this MC have military service in common.
If you spot a Warlock on the highway, you might notice their slogan, "Born to Lose." This is a huge part of the Warlocks' ethos, showing their loyalty and devotion to the club.
The Night Wolves
When you think of Russia, you probably don't think of a ruthless biker gang. But that's exactly where the Night Wolves was founded. They're known as the biggest biker group in the country, but they have also made their way out of Russia and now have 45 chapters across the rest of the world. However, the Night Wolves have been criticized over the years for being way too politically motivated.
When they're not riding around on their motorcycles, though, this biker gang earns its money through its very large collection of rock clubs and tattoo parlors. So, they're also pretty rich.
The Roadrunners
Although you might know this club as the Roadrunners MC, this biker gang was first formed in 1978 and was called the "Veteran Club" back in the day. The club credits Miroslaw Miro Stefanczyk as its founder, one of the most famous bikers in Polish history. And it wasn't long before Miroslaw managed to turn his small club into something extraordinary - and something that is now known across the globe.
What's interesting about this club is that there are a few other motorcycle clubs with the same name in the United States, Italy, and Switzerland - but the original Roadrunners will always be the Polish MC.
The Loners MC Nomads
Although they're officially known as the Longer MC Nomads, this biker gang is often just known as the Nomads - and you might spot them riding around in Canada. That's because the MC was founded in Ontario in 1979 and has stuck its ground ever since. But what's so interesting about this MC is the fact that the members of this group once tried to become members of the Hells Angels.
However, they all hated the process and eventually decided that they didn't want to join the infamous biker gang. As you can imagine, they don't have the Hells Angels on their ally list.
The Outlaws
It's hard to imagine a world without biker gangs, but these motorcycle clubs have been around since the early 1900s. In fact, it's generally considered that The Outlaws is the oldest MC in the world, and it was founded in 1935 by John Davis. Since then, it's expanded to become the third-biggest biker gang in the world, with 275 chapters across 23 countries and over 3,000 members wearing its patches.
You can't just join The Outlaws, though. Joining one of the biggest biker gangs in the world is a tough process, and you have to be vetted in person before even being considered.
Sadistic Souls MC
Many of the motorcycle clubs on this list have been around for decades, but the Sadistic Souls MC is a lot younger. This biker gang was only founded in 2010, but that hasn't stopped it from taking over the world. At the time of writing, the MC has chapters across the U.S., as well as in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. However, this club has been criticized heavily over the years.
To be more specific, the club has been classified as a white-supremacist outlaw motorcycle club - and they even claim on their website that they are the "militant arm" of the Aryan Nations.
Brother Speed MC
If you ever find yourself driving around the state of Oregon, keep your eyes peeled for patches like this. That's because this is the mark of a Brother Speed MC member, a prominent - but small - biker gang in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. But while this gang isn't known for its size, there's no denying the fact that its members are mighty. They've had feuds with almost every biker gang on this list, actually.
Their biggest feud of all time has been with the Mongols. And while things seem to have settled down now, it's believed that tensions are still rife between the rivals.
El Forastero
Many of the biker gangs on this list have been formed because they were turned down as chapters of other big gangs - and that was the case with El Forastero MC. Although there was once a time when the gang wanted to become members of the Satan Slaves, their request was rejected. So, El Forastero was born as a result. Today, this biker gang has a presence in Minnesota, Minneapolis, and Iowa.
What makes this biker gang stand out from the crowd is that it's full of largely older men, and they tend to accept older individuals as prospects rather than the younger generation.
Los Vagos
Although some may know them as Los Vagos, this biker gang also goes by the name of Green Nation. This MC was founded in 1964, and they're still going strong today with around 4,000 members who all pay their dues and wear their patches. But Marvel fans might be particularly interested in this MC, as the members of this biker gang wear the logo of the Norse God Loki on their cuts.
But that's not the only patch that they wear on their leather jackets. The higher up they climb in the MC, the more patches they earn - similar to a soldier earning his medals!
The Sons of Silence
Not to be confused with the fictional Sons of Anarchy, the Sons of Silence can be found roaming the streets of Colorado - but that's not their only turf. The MC has also expanded across the globe despite the fact that they're a relatively small biker gang. In fact, it's been noted that they only have around 250 to 500 members patched into their club. That's a lot less than some of the others on this list.
Despite this, the Sons of Silence have a great retention rate, as it seems as though they only choose the best members for their gang. Because of this, they're extremely loyal.
Los Comancheros
Australia is home to some of the biggest biker gangs in the world, and almost all of them were founded by immigrants who moved Down Under. This was also the case for the Los Comancheros MC, which was founded in 1968 by William Ross, who had moved to Australia from Scotland. However, it's fair to say that William wasn't everyone's cup of tea, and his leadership was questioned over the years.
When he was in charge, he referred to himself as the "Supreme Commander" and handpicked a select group of high-ranking outlaws to create a "Strike Force." Some people loved his military style, while others weren't impressed.
Kinfolk MC
Motorcycle clubs always have a president at the helm, but when a member of the Bandidos MC didn't appreciate how the club was being run, he decided to leave and start his own club instead. And in 2016, the Kinfolk MC was formed. As you can imagine, this didn't go down well with the Bandidos - especially when many of their members decided to jump ship and join the Kinfolk MC instead.
Since its inception, Kinsfolk MC has been able to add countless chapters to its roster, including chapters in Europe and South America. So, this gamble definitely paid off for the ex-Bandidos member.
Los Bandidos
Founded by Donald Eugene Chambers in 1966, Los Bandidos is one of the most famous biker bangs in the U.S. But it's fair to say that they've expanded far behind their home country. The MC now has over 2,500 members that can be found across 22 countries, and they have a whopping 330 chapters to their name. In fact, they're considered to be another one of the "Big Four" biker gangs in the world.
But what you might not realize about joining an MC is that it will cost you money. To be part of the gang and enjoy the perks of the club, you have to pay your dues. To be a Los Bandidos, it'll set you back around $600 a month.
Notorious MC
It might surprise you to learn that there has been a huge surge in biker gangs in Germany over the past couple of decades. Although these motorcycle clubs were founded years after the Americans, they have quickly risen to fame and grown in numbers. This has been the case for the Notorious MC, which first revved its engines in 2013. However, this outlaw gang is pretty independent, and doesn't focus its attention on rivals or allies.
Instead, they tend to do their own thing and go about their own business. But as you can imagine, this has still landed them in hot water with other gangs.
Satudarah MC
Founded in the Netherlands, Satudarah MC is extremely famous - but not for the greatest of reasons. Although it was once one of the biggest motorcycle gangs in the country (and in the world) it was actually dissolved by the government in 2018. The outlaw club had been under fire for decades due to its associations with violent crime and trafficking, and the Dutch government eventually decided to put an end to the club once and for all.
However, that doesn't mean that the Satudarah MC has gone completely. Although it's no longer active in the Netherlands, it still has active international chapters elsewhere. In fact, it's believed that they have over 2,000 members.
The Coffin Cheaters
When you think of Australia, you might not immediately think of biker gangs. But this country is full of motorcycle clubs that all want to be the biggest fish in a small pond. However, one of the most prominent gangs in the whole of Australia is the Coffin Cheaters MC. As well as having a huge member pool, the Coffin Cheaters also made a name for themselves when they became the first Australian biker gang to expand outside of the country.
They're also extremely close to the famous biker gang the Hells Angels, and having a big biker gang like the Hells Angels on your side is definitely something to be proud of.
The Phantom Outlaws
Although biker gangs are predominantly full of white males, that doesn't mean that there aren't any black motorcycle clubs. If you head to Chicago, you might spot the Phantom Outlaws riding around on their Harley-Davidsons. This MC was founded in 1969 and has since expanded across the country, with wannabe prospects loving the fact that the gang welcomes black members. In fact, the MC just keeps expanding to become bigger and bigger.
In recent years, the MC has even teamed up with the Chicago Vice Lords, and some of their members are signed up as dual-members of both gangs at the same time.
Osmanen Germania
As you can probably tell by the name, the Osmanen Germania MC was founded in Germany. And while it was only founded back in 2015, this biker gang only lasted three years before the German government forced them to shut down their headquarters. They were told that they had to disband and stop their outlaw behavior, and this was largely due to the fact that the biker gang was formed by extremists.
Despite the negative reaction to this biker gang, the members of this MC grew exponentially over the course of their three years. In fact, they had over 300 members across 16 chapters.
Bacchus MC
As the third-largest biker gang in Canada, you could say that the Bacchus MC is a big deal. This is pretty impressive, considering this gang was formed in rural Canada before spreading out further afield and patching in more and more members as the years went by. Since 1972, this biker gang has become a household name in the country - and it's fair to say that its reputation has also spread across the globe.
If you spot a member of the Bacchus MC out and about, be sure to check out their vests. You should be able to see a brotherhood patch, which signifies their allyship with the Original Red Devils Motorcycle Club.
The Gypsy Joker MC
Motorcycle clubs often call themselves the 1%. This came from The American Motorcycle Association, which once said that “99% of the motorcycling public are law-abiding; there are 1% who are not.” And in SoCal, the one-percenters are called the Gypsy Jokers. This MC has been around since the 1950s and has very quickly made its way across the world and across various other support motorcycle gangs. In fact, there are thousands of them.
Although the Gypsy Joker MC is big in America, it's also known for having a strong foothold in both Brazil and Norway. So, keep an eye out for their patches if you're ever in these two countries.
The Red Devils
There are two Red Devils in the MC world. There's the Red Devils Motorcycle Club, which hails from Canada, and then there's the RDMC - which was founded in 2001 and largely focuses on its territory in Australia. But what's so interesting about the Red Devils is that this biker gang was formed as a way to support the Hells Angels. They're a separate entity, but still very closely linked to the infamous biker gang.
In fact, they spend their days supporting the Hells Angels both in Australia and abroad, providing them with help and support whenever they need it. After all, they're all about brotherhood.
The Road Rats
Although they try and fly under the radar, there are many biker gangs in the United Kingdom - and it's widely regarded that the Road Rats MC is the toughest group of outlaws in the country. This biker gang was founded in the 1960s and quickly rose to prominence due to their inability to make friends. Today, it's said that they have feuded with almost every other biker gang in the country.
But we guess it's in their nature to cause trouble. Before the Road Rats jumped on their motorcycles to become a serious biker gang, they were actually a street gang.
The Grim Reapers
Many new motorcycle clubs want to be allies with the infamous Hells Angels, and the Grim Reapers have the pleasure of calling themselves friends of the popular motorcycle club. They take this allyship very seriously, and the Grim Reapers have made it their mission to protect and serve the Southeastern part of the United States. In fact, many of their members are proud residents of Louisville, Kentucky - with others in Tennessee, Indiana, and Illinois.
You can't just rock up and join the Grim Reapers, though. To even be considered for a patch, you need to ride a Harley-Davidson and go through a very strict "prospect" process.
Trust MC
Many of the biker gangs on this list got their start in the U.S., but that wasn't the case with the Trust MC. This gang of outlaws was actually founded in Germany and has since expanded its reach to many other countries outside of the U.S., including Thailand, Poland, and Romania. But that's not the only thing that has made the Trust MC stand out over the years. They also have different rules when it comes to their bikes.
Unlike American motorcycle clubs that only allow American-made motorcycles, members of the Trust MC primarily ride Japanese-made motorcycles. Despite this discrepancy in their bikes, they're still allies with the Hells Angels.
The Iron Horsemen
Biker gangs are distinguishable from each other by their patches and insignias, and the insignia of the Iron Horsemen MC is certainly impressive. This metallic horse head is easy to spot from a mile away and perfectly links up their slogan of "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it weren't for the Iron Horsemen, the highways would rust." So, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for them if you're driving around Ohio.
This MC has been riding around the streets of Ohio since 1965, and there's no doubt about the fact that they've made their mark. In fact, they're not very popular in the MC world, with countless rivals across the globe.
Solo Angels
When you think of biker gangs, you might think of organized crime and violent acts. And while it's not hard to understand why a bunch of outlaws have such a reputation, it seems as though the Solo Angels are doing their bit to change that reputation. In fact, their sole purpose is to give back to the community and do everything they can to help the less fortunate. It just so happens that they also ride motorcycles!
This MC can be found in Tijuana, and they're particularly focused on helping children who need a helping hand. Of course, that doesn't mean that they haven't been in trouble at all.
Wheels of Soul
Over the years, many biker gangs have been called out for discriminating against non-white folk. But when Wheels of Soul MC was founded in 1967, they decided to make it their mission to fight back against these rules and allow bikers of all races to join their outlaw club. To this day, it's one of the most diverse biker gangs in the world, with many of the members living near its HQ in Philadelphia.
While their main clubhouse is in Pennsylvania, the club has also expanded outside of the state. And while it has many rival gangs, it also has many allies who support its cause.
No Surrender
What happens when a biker gang member decides to leave his MC? Well, most of the time he decides to start his own club! That's what Klaas Otto decided to do, anyway. When he left the Satudarah MC, he chose to form the No Surrender MC - and it's no secret that this decision worked in his favor. He's been the President of the biker gang since 2013, and it now has over 1,500 members.
While this MC knows what it likes, it also knows exactly what it doesn't like - especially when it comes to other biker gangs. And it's well-known that the members of No Surrender don't get on with the Hells Angels.
The Devil's Disciples
What you might not realize about motorcycle clubs is that they fall into one of two categories: they're either sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association, or they're not. If they are, they have to abide by strict rules and regulations. But if they're not, they can do what they want and run the risk of being punished as a result. The Devil's Disciples decided that the latter option suited them better.
While their dealings have gone under the radar over the years, their name rose to prominence when it was revealed that Dog the Bounty Hunter had joined the Devil's Disciples when he was just 15 years old. Of course, he later chose to leave.
Los Diablos
California is teeming with motorcycle gangs, and this can lead to feuds and fights over territory. Involved in these disputes is the Los Diablos motorcycle gang, which was founded to be a support club for the Los Bandidos. In fact, they wear the exact same colors as their allies to show the world that they pledge their allegiance to their fellow riders. Of course, you might already be familiar with this biker gang.
If you're a fan of the Grand Theft Auto games, you'll know that the Los Diablos make an appearance as the villains. What else would you expect for a gang of outlaws, after all?