Re: [ST] RAT membership

["Garry Simmons" <garrysimmons@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm the Pittsburgh RAT pack leader, so here's my take on it:

If all your RAT membership gets you is Torque magazine, it's not worth it. 
Torque has nice production values and there are some good articles, but it's 
clearly a Triumph marketing publication. I figure Torque is worth (maybe) 
$10/year.

If you go on a RAT Raid, you save $20 over the non-member price. You get 
first dibs on reservations in the event it sells out. These events take lots 
of organization and national RAT leader provides a lot of help along with 
the local pack leaders. Triumph also kicks in prizes for the event. The 
manpower, financial support and prizes all cost money that is funded by RAT 
memberships. RAT Raids are a lot of fun. Highly recommended.

RAT members get priority booking of rides when the Triumph Demo Truck rolls 
into town.

I don't belong to the AMA or other motorcycle organization, so my RAT 
membership gets me a discounrt (10%?) on my bike insurance (Progressive).

We used the RAT member discount with Avis? Hertz? (I'd have to check with my 
wife) to get a sizable discount on a rental car for our upcoming ski trip to 
Tahoe. I want to say it was in the range of $100. You may have other ways of 
getting discount car rentals, but it worked for us.

You don't have to be a RAT member to attend your local RAT pack events. 
Heck, you don't even need to own a Triumph to go on the rides. Are you 
looking for riding partners? Are you looking to meet people that can show 
you some new great roads? Looking for some new friends that share you 
passion for Triumphs? Well, the local RAT pack might be a great place to 
accomplish those goals.

I didn't have anybody to ride with when I bought my Sprint RS after a long 
layoff from riding. I inquired about a local pack and there wasn't one. So I 
started the pack myself. I've met a lot of great people in the year and a 
half I've been running the pack. THAT is what really makes RAT worth it to 
me, is the new friendships. I ride a lot and have discovered many great 
roads. It's a blast putting together fun loops of twisties and sweepers and 
sharing them with others.

Some shops do offer discounts and/or special privs to members. My shop 
doesn't do anything special for RAT members, but they do kick in prizes for 
the RAT raid. I've read about shops that give 10% discounts on in-stock 
parts/accessories or give RAT members priority service appointments. It 
varies.

For me, it's worth it. Your mileage may vary based on your 
schedule/interests, the proximity of a local pack, or how active the local 
pack is. If you don't have a local pack, but wish you did, do what I did and 
start your own.

Garry 



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