Outlaw motorcycle gangs have etched a dark mark on the landscape of American crime since the rebellious 1960s. These notorious organizations, often referred to as “one-percenters” – a term born from the American Motorcyclist Association’s claim that 99% of riders are law-abiding citizens – are deeply entrenched in illicit activities across the nation. From coast to coast and throughout the heartland, these gangs are implicated in everything from drug trafficking and arms dealing to contract killings and various forms of violent crime.
The mystique surrounding outlaw bikers has been amplified by popular culture, romanticizing their dangerous lifestyle in films, television, and literature. Hunter S. Thompson’s seminal work, Hell’s Angels, offered a raw and unflinching look into their world, while the hit TV series Sons of Anarchy reignited public fascination with this subculture. Beyond the infamous Hells Angels, groups like the Mongols, Pagans, and Bandidos continue to operate, maintaining a firm grip on the criminal underworld.
Recent events underscore the persistent threat posed by these groups. In 2021, high-ranking members of the Pagans faced federal charges for assaulting an individual suspected of Hells Angels affiliation, highlighting the ongoing tensions between rival gangs. Reports in 2022 indicated the Pagans’ expansion into New York City, despite previous racketeering convictions of numerous members, signaling their relentless ambition. A violent biker brawl in Massachusetts in May 2022, leaving seven injured, served as a stark reminder of their propensity for violence and territorial disputes. Furthermore, the infamous 2015 Waco, Texas gun battle, which involved hundreds of bikers and resulted in nine deaths and eighteen injuries, remains a chilling example of the deadly consequences of biker gang activity.
Despite law enforcement efforts and frequent arrests, these biker gangs demonstrate a remarkable resilience. They adapt, evolve, and continue to operate, making them a persistent challenge for authorities and a source of ongoing concern for communities. This article delves into some of the Biggest Biker Gangs currently active in America, shedding light on their territories, membership, and criminal enterprises.
Warlocks Motorcycle Club
Territory: Eastern Seaboard
Approximate membership: 500+
The Warlocks Motorcycle Club boasts a reputation so brutal that even within the outlaw biker community, many groups avoid association with them. Known for extreme and indiscriminate violence, the Warlocks have a disturbing history of assaults on rival gang leaders and the cold-blooded killings of law enforcement officers. Florida serves as their primary stronghold, with 11 chapters operating within the state. Their influence extends beyond US borders, as evidenced by the 2014 arrest of four members in Alberta, Canada, during a large-scale drug and firearms seizure, showcasing their international reach in criminal operations.
The Highwaymen Motorcycle Club
Territory: Detroit (with chapters in the Midwest and South)
Approximate membership: 300+
Based in Detroit, the Highwaymen Motorcycle Club may be smaller in membership compared to giants like the Outlaws or Hells Angels, but their impact on the Motor City’s criminal landscape is significant. Founded in the 1950s, the club has been the target of multiple extensive law enforcement investigations. A notable operation in 2007 resulted in the arrest of 40 members and associates on a wide array of charges, including racketeering and police corruption, exposing the depth of their criminal network. The gang’s leader, Aref “Scarface” Nagi, received a substantial 37-year prison sentence, underscoring the severity of their offenses and the legal repercussions they face.
Black Pistons Motorcycle Club
Territory: Scattered across the United States
Approximate membership: 400+
Within the hierarchical structure of outlaw biker gangs, some tasks are deemed too risky or undesirable even for the most hardened clubs. This is where “support clubs” like the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club come into play. These smaller groups act as extensions of larger “mother clubs,” undertaking drug dealing and violent crimes on their behalf. The Black Pistons are the officially recognized support club for the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, and their members have been implicated in criminal activities across the country. These range from drug distribution networks in Georgia and brutal barroom assaults in Michigan to gruesome acts of dismemberment in Illinois, demonstrating the breadth and severity of their involvement in illicit operations.
Vagos Motorcycle Club
Territory: Southwest
Approximate membership: 4,000
The Vagos Motorcycle Club’s primary criminal enterprise revolves around orchestrating drug smuggling operations across the U.S.-Mexico border. However, their activities extend into extreme violence, as evidenced by their involvement in the assassination of a Hells Angels member in Nevada in 2011, highlighting the deadly rivalries within the biker gang world. Adding to their notoriety, the Vagos have been accused of deploying booby traps targeting law enforcement officers in California. This accusation led to a defamation lawsuit against a local police department, which the Vagos ultimately won, showcasing their willingness to engage in legal battles alongside their criminal endeavors.
The Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club
Territory: Midwest and South
Approximate membership: 250-275
The Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club, based in Colorado, is among the smaller gangs featured here, but their size belies their reputation for ruthlessness. For decades, the Sons of Silence have been deeply entrenched in violent turf wars. Initially establishing their territory in Colorado, Arizona, and Kansas, they later formed an alliance with the Hells Angels for protection, a strategic move in the complex landscape of biker gang rivalries. This alliance, however, made them targets for smaller, competing clubs. A 1999 raid on one of their clubhouses yielded a cache of machine guns, pipe bombs, and grenades, revealing the extent of their armament and preparedness for violent conflict.
The Pagan’s Motorcycle Club
Territory: Eastern Seaboard
Approximate membership: 1,000+
Formed in the late 1950s, the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club transitioned into a criminal organization under the leadership of John “Satan” Marron in the late 1960s and 70s. Today, they are recognized as one of the “Big Four” outlaw motorcycle clubs in America, commanding fear and notoriety due to their alleged connections to the Italian Mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood, suggesting a complex web of criminal alliances. The Pagan’s are accused of large-scale drug production and smuggling and have been linked to numerous conspiracies, bombings, and illegal weapons transactions. In 2010, 19 members were arrested in New York for plotting to assassinate Hells Angels members using homemade grenades, emphasizing the intensity of inter-gang conflicts. A 2018 raid on a Rhode Island clubhouse uncovered a significant stockpile of illegal weapons, including a rocket launcher, illustrating the gang’s access to and willingness to utilize heavy weaponry.
Bandidos Motorcycle Club
Territory: The South, particularly Texas
Approximate membership: 5,000+
Embracing the Texan adage that “everything’s bigger in Texas,” the Bandidos Motorcycle Club lives up to its reputation. With a global membership exceeding 5,000, this San Leon-based gang is one of the largest one-percenter clubs in the world. Their primary criminal focus is drug smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border, exploiting their strategic location and extensive network. Bandidos members have been implicated in numerous murders, reflecting the violent nature of their operations. The FBI officially recognizes them as one of the “Big Four” outlaw motorcycle clubs, a designation reinforced by their central role in the deadly Waco gun battle, highlighting their significant presence and influence in the outlaw biker world.
Outlaws Motorcycle Club
Territory: Eastern and Central U.S.
Approximate membership: 1,700+
Established in 1936, the Outlaws Motorcycle Club is considered the oldest outlaw motorcycle club globally, and they have only solidified their power and reach over time. With over 1,700 members distributed across hundreds of chapters, the Outlaws wield considerable influence over drug smuggling along the Canadian border and control vast territories within the Great Lakes region, demonstrating their strategic dominance in key geographical areas. Their extensive criminal record includes serious offenses throughout the United States. Notably, the Outlaws are considered the Hells Angels’ most formidable and enduring rivals, engaging in frequent conflicts and power struggles, solidifying their position as a major force in the outlaw biker landscape.
The Mongols Motorcycle Club
Territory: Southern California
Approximate membership: 2,000
While the Mongols Motorcycle Club may not possess the nationwide reach of the Outlaws or Hells Angels, they command unparalleled fear and respect in Southern California. Leveraging long-standing connections to local street gangs, the Mongols effectively seized control of Southern California from the Hells Angels in the 1980s and have maintained their dominance ever since, demonstrating their strategic prowess and territorial ambition. The deep-seated rivalry with the Hells Angels stretches back decades, fueled by the Mongols’ origin story: they were founded by bikers reportedly denied Hells Angels membership due to their race. Today, the Mongols’ membership is predominantly Hispanic and Native American, distinguishing them within the often white-dominated world of outlaw biker gangs.
Hells Angels Motorcycle Club
Territory: Nationwide (Strongest presence in California)
Approximate membership: 2,500
When the term “outlaw motorcycle club” is mentioned, the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is often the first and most prominent image that comes to mind. Their notoriety is so widespread that they are legally incorporated in both the U.S. and Canada, a testament to their organizational structure and enduring presence. Beyond their criminal activities, they engage in legitimate business ventures, including trademark protection and even lawsuits against entities like movie studios for copyright infringement, as seen in the case of Wild Hogs. However, the core of the Hells Angels’ operation remains deeply rooted in criminal enterprise. Their approximately 2,500 hardcore members are involved in a vast spectrum of illegal pursuits, ranging from large-scale drug trafficking to racketeering. Their aggressive nature has ignited long-lasting feuds with numerous other gangs, including the Mongols in Southern California and the Outlaws along the Canadian border. The Hells Angels’ pervasive influence and decades-long history have cemented their position as arguably the most well-known and infamous one-percenter gang globally.
Avengers Motorcycle Club
Territory: Midwest
Approximate membership: Unknown
Founded in Michigan in the late 1960s, the Avengers Motorcycle Club engaged in intense conflicts with the Iron Coffins and Forbidden Wheels clubs in the late 1990s, highlighting the volatile nature of biker gang rivalries. Avengers members have been involved in a range of felonies, including racketeering, arson, assaults, and even acts of violence against law enforcement, such as firing upon West Virginia State Troopers, demonstrating a brazen disregard for the law. Their escalating criminal activity attracted significant attention, even drawing the ire of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club, who reportedly placed a hit on the Avengers’ leader, illustrating the dangerous consequences of crossing established biker gangs.
The Breed Motorcycle Club
Territory: Northeast
Approximate membership: 20 – 60 fully patched (as of 2015)
The Breed Motorcycle Club, established in New Jersey in 1965, experienced rapid expansion during the 1980s, briefly becoming one of the most feared one-percenter clubs in the northeastern United States. While now headquartered in Pennsylvania, its members have faced arrests and charges related to a variety of crimes, including running protection rackets, sexual assaults, gang assaults, and the production and distribution of crystal methamphetamine, indicating a diverse portfolio of illegal activities. Despite a potentially smaller fully patched membership compared to larger gangs, The Breed’s criminal history underscores their dangerous presence.
Outcast Motorcycle Club
Territory: Centered in Detroit with chapters in the South
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Outcast Motorcycle Club, an all-black one-percenter club, was founded in Detroit in the late 1990s, emerging in a landscape where racial segregation was prevalent within outlaw biker culture. The Outcasts have been engaged in a protracted and violent feud with the Wheels of Soul Motorcycle Club, reflecting ongoing territorial and power struggles. Members have been implicated in numerous murders, including the 2014 shooting of a Wheels of Soul member in Birmingham, demonstrating the deadly consequences of these rivalries. Beyond violence, they are also involved in drug distribution, contributing to the cycle of crime and conflict.
Brother Speed Motorcycle Club
Territory: Northwest
Approximate membership: 200+
The Brother Speed Motorcycle Club, founded in Boise, Idaho, in 1969, arguably possesses one of the most striking names among outlaw biker gangs. Their members have a long and established history of methamphetamine distribution and engaging in assaults against rival gangs, underscoring their involvement in both drug trafficking and violent crime. Notably, Brother Speed is known to confront not only smaller clubs but also larger, more established gangs like the Mongols, demonstrating a willingness to engage in conflict regardless of the opponent’s size or reputation.
Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club
Territory: Centered in Detroit with chapters around the country
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club, formed in Chicago but based in Detroit, is distinguished by its close ties to the Vice Lords street gang. In fact, some individuals hold membership in both organizations simultaneously, blurring the lines between street gangs and outlaw motorcycle clubs. These connections to the Vice Lords have facilitated the Phantom Outlaws’ expansion across America, broadening their reach and influence. Furthermore, these alliances have enabled them to assert themselves and hold their ground in violent confrontations with rival gangs and motorcycle clubs, highlighting the strategic advantage of cross-organizational affiliations in the criminal underworld.
Cossacks Motorcycle Club
Territory: Texas
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Cossacks Motorcycle Club, established in Tyler, Texas, in 1969, has remained primarily confined to the state, unlike many other gangs on this list with national or international chapters. While the Cossacks do not have an extensive history of drug trafficking or widespread violent crime compared to some other groups, their notoriety stems largely from their significant involvement, alongside the Bandidos, in the infamous 2015 Waco shootout. This single, highly publicized event, resulting in numerous casualties and arrests, has secured the Cossacks a place in outlaw biker gang infamy, demonstrating how even localized groups can achieve national recognition through participation in major incidents.
Sons of Satan Motorcycle Club
Territory: Scattered across the United States
Approximate membership: 100+
The Sons of Satan Motorcycle Club exemplifies the role of support clubs within biker culture. They function as the officially recognized support club for the Pagans Motorcycle Club, undertaking tasks and operations at the behest of the larger gang. Given the Pagans’ own extensive criminal activities and violent reputation, the Sons of Satan’s involvement in illicit endeavors is implicitly understood and likely mirrors the types of crimes associated with their parent club, though specific details may be less publicly documented due to their support role.
Devils Disciples Motorcycle Club
Territory: Scattered across the United States
Approximate membership: 1,400+
Originating in California in 1967, the Devils Disciples Motorcycle Club has engaged in a wide range of criminal activities for decades, including racketeering, drug trafficking, robberies, and assaults, establishing a long history of illicit operations. Now headquartered in Michigan, the club suffered a significant blow in 2006 when numerous members were convicted for their involvement in methamphetamine trafficking, demonstrating the impact of law enforcement efforts on disrupting gang activities. In a surprising and lighter note, Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, the well-known reality TV personality, is a former member of the Devils Disciples, an unexpected connection between outlaw biker culture and popular entertainment.
Unknown Bikers Motorcycle Club
Territory: Focused in New York
Approximate membership: 100+
As their name suggests, the Unknown Bikers Motorcycle Club maintains a degree of secrecy and limited public information. They are known to be based in New York and operate several clubhouses within the state. Despite their enigmatic nature, their willingness to engage in confrontations is clear. In 2016, a large group of approximately one hundred Unknown Bikers surrounded a Hells Angels clubhouse in Long Island following a dispute over patches, showcasing a bold willingness to challenge even the most established and feared gangs. This act of aggression suggests that the Unknown Bikers, despite their low profile, are a force to be reckoned with within the New York biker underworld.
Diablos Motorcycle Club
Territory: Scattered across the United States
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Diablos Motorcycle Club is characterized not only by its involvement in drug trafficking and murder but also by its deeply ingrained white supremacist ideology. Racism is a pervasive issue within outlaw biker culture, and the Diablos are an overt example of this, proudly promoting white supremacist beliefs. Adding to their violent reputation, they were involved in a large-scale brawl with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in May 2019, resulting in injuries to multiple individuals, highlighting the volatile and racially charged dynamics that can exist within the biker gang subculture.
Thunderguards Motorcycle Club
Territory: Delaware and the mid-Atlantic
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Thunderguards Motorcycle Club is part of a group of all-black clubs that emerged partly in response to the exclusionary membership policies prevalent in many other biker gangs, reflecting the racial divisions within the outlaw motorcycle world. Formed in Delaware in the 1960s, this one-percenter gang has established a strong presence in mid-Atlantic states such as South Carolina and Georgia. Members have been linked to a range of crimes, including shootings and cocaine distribution, demonstrating their involvement in violent and drug-related offenses within their operating territory.
Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club
Territory: Scattered across the United States
Approximate membership: Unknown; chapters in at least five countries
The Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club gained early notoriety through Hunter S. Thompson’s portrayal in Hell’s Angels. While founded in San Francisco, they were later displaced by the Hells Angels, illustrating the territorial dominance of the latter. Currently headquartered in Oregon, their primary sources of illicit income include methamphetamine distribution, theft, and weapons dealing, indicating a diverse portfolio of criminal activities. Gypsy Joker members have also faced accusations of serious violent crimes, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and torture, cementing their reputation as a particularly ruthless and unpleasant group within the outlaw biker landscape.
El Forastero Motorcycle Club
Territory: Midwest
Approximate membership: 100
El Forastero Motorcycle Club, whose name translates to “the foreigner,” is considered a classic example of a ‘second-tier’ one-percenter gang. They may not possess the extensive reach and influence of “Big Four” clubs like the Outlaws or Hells Angels, but their members are nonetheless actively involved in criminal activities. Their operations primarily include methamphetamine distribution and motorcycle theft, focusing on more localized criminal enterprises. El Forastero was formed in Sioux City, Iowa, in the early 1960s, establishing a long-term presence in the Midwestern outlaw biker scene.
Iron Horsemen Motorcycle Club
Territory: Northeast and Midwest
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Iron Horsemen Motorcycle Club, founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, with chapters across the United States, is most infamous for a particularly brutal crime committed in 1997. In this incident, three members beat an off-duty police officer to death in Maryland, a crime that brought significant negative attention and legal repercussions to the gang. Beyond this egregious act of violence, the Iron Horsemen have also been involved in drug smuggling, weapons dealing, and numerous shootouts across the Northeast and Midwest, demonstrating a pattern of violent and illicit behavior throughout their operational territory.
Sin City Deciples Motorcycle Club
Territory: Scattered across the United States
Approximate membership: Unclear – one of the fastest-growing clubs in America
The Sin City Deciples Motorcycle Club was initially formed as a black motorcycle club in Gary, Indiana, in 1966, reflecting the historical context of racial segregation within biker culture. However, today their membership is racially diverse, and notably includes a significant number of military veterans, setting them apart from many other outlaw gangs. The Sin City Deciples are recognized as one of the fastest-growing motorcycle clubs in America, experiencing rapid expansion across the United States, indicating their increasing influence and reach. Members have been charged with a wide spectrum of serious felonies, ranging from kidnappings to gun-running, and are known for enforcing internal discipline and dealing with perceived transgressions with extreme force, earning them a reputation for both rapid growth and ruthless internal control.
Peckerwoods Motorcycle Club
Territory: Western USA
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Peckerwoods Motorcycle Club is explicitly identified as another whites-only motorcycle club, underscoring the persistent issue of racism within segments of outlaw biker culture. Their inclusion on lists of dangerous gangs is primarily due to their documented involvement in racist attacks, indicating that their criminal activity is motivated by racial hatred and violence. Given the odious nature of their crimes and ideology, minimal elaboration beyond acknowledging their existence and racist violence is warranted.
Iron Order Motorcycle Club
Territory: Scattered across the United States
Approximate membership: Unclear
The Iron Order Motorcycle Club presents a unique and somewhat controversial case within the outlaw biker world. Composed predominantly of military and law enforcement personnel, they publicly claim to be a law-abiding club, a stark contrast to the “one-percenter” ethos of traditional outlaw gangs. Despite their stated adherence to the law, the Iron Order has been involved in numerous violent altercations with established one-percenter gangs in recent years, suggesting underlying tensions and conflicts. This friction raises questions about their long-term trajectory and whether they may eventually evolve into a more traditional outlaw club, despite their current composition and stated principles.
Night Wolves Motorcycle Club
Territory: Russia
Approximate membership: 7,000+
While outlaw motorcycle culture is often seen as originating in America, dangerous clubs exist globally. The Night Wolves are a Russian motorcycle club with significant ties to the Russian government, reportedly receiving direct funding from the Kremlin, blurring the lines between organized crime and state-sponsored groups. Formed in 1989, the Night Wolves act as enforcers for Vladimir Putin’s ruling political party and adhere to the President’s conservative social and moral framework, which includes strong hostility towards the LGBT community. Their political alignment and reported state support distinguish them from typical outlaw gangs driven primarily by criminal enterprise, suggesting a more complex and politically influenced organization.
Rebels Motorcycle Club
Territory: Australia
Approximate membership: 2,000+
Australia has a substantial and active biker culture. While many prominent American clubs have established chapters in Australia, the Rebels Motorcycle Club stands out as a dominant force within the Australian biker underworld, surpassing even international gangs in local influence. The Rebels boast thousands of members who are involved in a wide spectrum of criminal activities at all levels, including murder, large-scale drug distribution, and auto theft, demonstrating a comprehensive and deeply entrenched presence in Australian organized crime.
Rock Machine Motorcycle Club
Territory: Canada
Approximate membership: 1,000+
Between 1994 and 2002, the Canadian province of Quebec became the epicenter of extreme outlaw biker violence. During this period, the Hells Angels engaged in a brutal and bloody turf war against Rock Machine, a Montreal-based one-percenter club. This violent conflict, known as the Quebec Biker War, resulted in over 160 deaths, including numerous innocent bystanders, and countless injuries, highlighting the devastating consequences of biker gang conflicts on public safety. The Rock Machine’s role in this war underscores the intensity and deadly nature of biker gang rivalries, particularly when competing for territory and criminal dominance.
