Outlaw motorcycle gangs have been a persistent challenge for law enforcement in the United States since the 1960s. These organizations, often referred to as “one-percenter” motorcycle clubs or simply Mc Biker Gangs, are deeply entrenched in criminal activities across the nation, from coast to coast and throughout the heartland. The term “one-percenter” originated from a statement by the American Motorcyclist Association, asserting that 99 percent of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens, implicitly categorizing these gangs as the remaining, rebellious one percent. These mc biker gangs are notorious for engaging in a wide array of illegal operations, including drug trafficking, contract killings, and various forms of theft, posing a significant threat to public safety.
Their notorious activities have propelled outlaw bikers into popular culture, often romanticized in films, television shows, and books. Hunter S. Thompson’s groundbreaking work, Hell’s Angels, provided a stark and unflinching look at the brutal reality of these gangs. More recently, the hit TV series Sons of Anarchy reignited public fascination with this dangerous subculture. Alongside the infamous Hells Angels, groups like the Mongols, Pagans, and Bandidos remain actively involved in criminal enterprises today, underscoring the ongoing challenge they present to law enforcement and communities.
Recent events highlight the continued and evolving threat of mc biker gangs. In a notable incident, two high-ranking members of the Pagans mc biker gang faced federal charges in June 2021 for allegedly assaulting a man they mistakenly believed to be associated with the rival Hells Angels. Furthermore, reports in March 2022 indicated the Pagans’ expansion into New York City, despite a history of legal troubles including the arrest and racketeering convictions of 20 members. Adding to the list of violent episodes, a large-scale biker brawl in Massachusetts in May 2022, involving rival clubs, resulted in seven injuries and occurred at one of the gang’s clubhouses. Past incidents, such as the deadly 2015 gun battle in Waco, Texas, involving hundreds of bikers from various mc biker gangs—leaving nine dead and 18 injured—serve as grim reminders of their ruthlessness and enduring presence.
Despite repeated arrests and law enforcement efforts to dismantle these organizations, it is evident that mc biker gangs are not only surviving but thriving. The following sections delve into some of the most dangerous mc biker gangs currently operating in America, detailing their territories, membership size, and criminal activities.
Warlocks MC
Territory: Eastern Seaboard
Approximate membership: 500+
The Warlocks mc biker gang have cultivated such a reputation for brutality that even within the outlaw biker world, many refuse to associate with them. Their history is stained with extreme and indiscriminate violence, including assaults on rival gang leaders and the wanton killing of police officers. Florida is considered the Warlocks’ stronghold, with 11 chapters established throughout the state. Their influence extends beyond US borders; in 2014, four members were apprehended in Alberta, Canada, during a large-scale drug and weapons raid, demonstrating their reach and involvement in international criminal networks.
The Highwaymen MC
Territory: Detroit (with chapters across the Midwest and South)
Approximate membership: 300+
Based in Detroit, the Highwaymen mc biker gang are smaller in membership compared to giants like the Outlaws and Hells Angels. However, their size has not diminished their capacity to disrupt peace and engage in criminal activities in the “Motor City” and beyond. Founded in the 1950s, the club has been the target of numerous extensive law enforcement investigations. A significant operation in 2007 led to the arrest of 40 members and associates on a range of charges, from racketeering to police corruption. The gang’s leader, Aref “Scarface” Nagi, received a 37-year prison sentence, highlighting the severity of their criminal conduct and the legal repercussions faced by mc biker gang leadership.
Black Pistons Motorcycle Club
Territory: Nationwide
Approximate membership: 400+
Within the hierarchy of mc biker gangs, some tasks are considered too risky or morally questionable even for the most hardened clubs. In such cases, “support clubs” like the Black Pistons are utilized. These smaller groups operate at the behest of larger, “mother clubs,” handling drug dealing and violent crimes. The Black Pistons MC are the officially recognized support club for the Outlaws mc biker gang. Their members have been implicated in various crimes across the country, including a drug distribution network in Georgia, a violent assault in a Michigan bar, and a gruesome dismemberment case in Illinois, illustrating their widespread involvement in serious criminal activities as part of the larger mc biker gang structure.
Vagos Motorcycle Club
Territory: Southwest
Approximate membership: 4,000
The Vagos mc biker gang primarily focuses on large-scale drug smuggling operations across the Mexican border. However, their criminal activities extend beyond drug trafficking. In 2011, they were implicated in the assassination of a Hells Angels member in Nevada, showcasing their willingness to engage in extreme violence against rivals. Adding to their notoriety, the Vagos were accused of setting booby traps intended to harm police officers in California. This accusation led to a defamation lawsuit against a local police department, which the Vagos ultimately won, highlighting the complex and sometimes legal battles associated with mc biker gang operations.
The Sons of Silence MC
Territory: Midwest and South
Approximate membership: 250-275
The Sons of Silence mc biker gang, based in Colorado, is among the smaller gangs on this list, but they compensate for their size with extreme ruthlessness. For decades, they have been engaged in violent turf wars. Initially, they established their territory in Colorado, Arizona, and Kansas. Seeking protection and alliances, they later aligned with the Hells Angels. This alliance, however, made them a target for smaller, rival clubs. A 1999 raid on a Sons of Silence clubhouse uncovered a cache of heavy weaponry, including machine guns, pipe bombs, and grenades, demonstrating their preparedness for violent conflict and their involvement in illegal arms.
The Pagan’s MC
Territory: Eastern Seaboard
Approximate membership: 1,000+
Founded in the late 1950s, the Pagans mc biker gang did not evolve into a criminal organization until John “Satan” Marron assumed leadership in the late 1960s and 70s. Today, they are recognized as one of the “Big Four” outlaw motorcycle clubs in America and are widely feared due to their connections with the Italian Mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood. The Pagans are allegedly involved in 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 murder Hells Angels using homemade grenades, and in 2018, a raid on a Rhode Island clubhouse revealed a substantial stash of illegal weapons, including a rocket launcher, underscoring their capacity for extreme violence and sophisticated criminal planning.
Bandidos Motorcycle Club
Territory: The South, primarily Texas
Approximate membership: 5,000+
True to the saying “everything’s bigger in Texas,” the Bandidos mc biker gang is one of the largest one-percenter clubs in the United States, with over 5,000 members globally. Based in San Leon, Texas, their primary criminal enterprise is drug smuggling across the U.S.-Mexican border. Bandidos members have been implicated in multiple murders, adding to their reputation for violence. The FBI considers them one of the “Big Four” outlaw motorcycle clubs, a designation reinforced by their significant involvement in the deadly Waco gun battle, which highlighted their scale of operations and propensity for large-scale violence.
Outlaws Motorcycle Club
Territory: Eastern and Central U.S.
Approximate membership: 1,700+
Established in 1936, the Outlaws mc biker gang are believed to be the oldest outlaw motorcycle club globally and have only grown stronger over time. With over 1,700 members spread across hundreds of chapters, the Outlaws wield considerable influence over drug smuggling at the Canadian border and control significant territories in the Great Lakes region. Their criminal record includes serious offenses across the nation. They are considered the Hells Angels’ main and most formidable rivals, engaging in frequent and often violent conflicts, marking them as a dominant force in the outlaw biker landscape.
The Mongols MC
Territory: Southern California
Approximate membership: 2,000
The Mongols mc biker gang may not have the nationwide reach of the Outlaws or Hells Angels, but within Southern California, they are just as feared. Due to long-standing connections with local street gangs, the Mongols effectively seized control of Southern California from the Hells Angels in the 1980s and have maintained dominance ever since. The rivalry with the Hells Angels is deeply rooted and decades old. The Mongols were originally formed by bikers who were denied membership to the Hells Angels reportedly due to their race. Today, the majority of Mongols members are Hispanic or Native American, setting them apart demographically from many other predominantly white mc biker gangs.
Hells Angels MC
Territory: Nationwide (Strongest in California)
Approximate membership: 2,500
When most people think of outlaw motorcycle clubs, the Hells Angels mc biker gang are likely the first to come to mind. This gang has achieved such notoriety that it is formally incorporated in both the U.S. and Canada. Their business operations even include legal actions, such as suing films like Wild Hogs for copyright infringement related to their iconic image. Despite these legal and corporate aspects, the core of the Hells Angels, comprising approximately 2,500 hardcore members, is deeply involved in a wide spectrum of criminal activities, ranging from large-scale drug trafficking to racketeering. Their aggressive nature has fueled long-standing and violent feuds with numerous other mc biker gangs on this list, including the Mongols in Southern California and the Outlaws along the Canadian border. They are, for good reason, the most widely recognized one-percenter gang globally.
Avengers Motorcycle Club
Territory: Midwest
Approximate membership: Unknown
Founded in the late 1960s in Michigan, the Avengers Motorcycle Club mc biker gang became embroiled in a violent conflict with the Iron Coffins and Forbidden Wheels clubs in the late 1990s. With members involved in racketeering, arson, assaults, and even incidents of firing upon West Virginia State Troopers, this gang attracted significant negative attention. Their activities were serious enough that the Pagan’s mc biker gang, a larger and more established club, reportedly placed a hit on the Avengers’ leader, illustrating the high-stakes and dangerous environment of mc biker gang rivalries.
The Breed MC
Territory: Northeast
Approximate membership: 20 – 60 (fully patched, as of 2015)
The Breed mc biker gang, established in New Jersey in 1965, experienced rapid growth in the 1980s, briefly becoming one of the most feared one-percenter clubs in the northeastern United States. Currently headquartered in Pennsylvania, its members have faced arrests and charges related to protection rackets, sexual assaults, gang assaults, and the production and distribution of methamphetamine. Despite its smaller current size, The Breed’s history reflects a significant period of criminal activity and influence within the mc biker gang landscape.
Outcast Motorcycle Club
Territory: Centered in Detroit, with chapters in the South
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Outcast Motorcycle Club mc biker gang is an all-black one-percenter club founded in Detroit in the late 1990s. They have been engaged in a long-standing and violent feud with the Wheels of Soul Motorcycle Club. Members of the Outcast MC have been implicated in numerous murders, including the 2014 shooting of a Wheels of Soul member in Birmingham. Beyond violence, they are also involved in drug distribution, highlighting the multifaceted criminal operations of even newer mc biker gangs.
Brother Speed Motorcycle Club
Territory: Northwest
Approximate membership: 200+
The Brother Speed mc biker gang, founded in Boise, Idaho, in 1969, undoubtedly has one of the more striking names among outlaw clubs. Its members have a long history of methamphetamine distribution and assaults against rival gangs. Notably, they are known for confronting not only smaller clubs but also larger, more established gangs like the Mongols, indicating a willingness to engage in conflict regardless of opponent size or reputation within the mc biker gang hierarchy.
Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club
Territory: Centered in Detroit, with chapters nationwide
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club mc biker gang, formed in Chicago but based in Detroit, is distinctive for its close ties to the Vice Lords street gang. In fact, some individuals are reportedly members of both groups simultaneously. These connections have facilitated the Phantom Outlaws’ expansion across America, enabling them to maintain their position in a series of violent confrontations with rival gangs and motorcycle clubs, leveraging street gang alliances to enhance their reach and power within the mc biker gang underworld.
Cossacks Motorcycle Club
Territory: Texas
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Cossacks mc biker gang were founded in Tyler, Texas, in 1969, and have remained primarily within the state, not expanding to other regions. Unlike many other clubs on this list, the Cossacks do not have a long-standing history of drug trafficking or widespread violent crime. However, they gained significant notoriety for their prominent role, alongside the Bandidos, in the 2015 Waco shootout. This single event, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, has indelibly marked them in the annals of mc biker gang violence.
Sons of Satan MC
Territory: Nationwide
Approximate membership: 100+
Support clubs play a critical, albeit often unseen, role in the structure of mc biker gangs, handling the more covert and dangerous tasks for larger, more visible clubs. The Sons of Satan MC function as the support club for the Pagans. Given the extensive criminal activities attributed to the Pagans themselves, the types of crimes undertaken by the Sons of Satan are likely to be particularly serious and violent, though less publicly documented due to their support role.
Devils Disciples Motorcycle Club
Territory: Nationwide
Approximate membership: 1,400+
Originating in California in 1967, the Devils Disciples Motorcycle Club mc biker gang have a decades-long history of involvement in racketeering, drug trafficking, robberies, and assaults. Now headquartered in Michigan, the club suffered a significant blow in 2006 when numerous members were convicted for their involvement in methamphetamine trade. In a surprising twist, Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, known for his reality TV show, is a former member of the Devils Disciples, an unexpected connection to mainstream popular culture.
Unknown Bikers Motorcycle Club
Territory: Focused in New York
Approximate membership: 100+
As their name suggests, much about the Unknown Bikers mc biker gang remains shrouded in secrecy. What is known is that they are based in New York and operate several clubhouses throughout the state. They are also known for their aggressive stance; in 2016, approximately one hundred members confronted a Hells Angels clubhouse in Long Island following a dispute over patches. This willingness to directly challenge the Hells Angels indicates a level of boldness and potential for violence that should not be underestimated.
Diablos Motorcycle Club
Territory: Nationwide
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Diablos Motorcycle Club mc biker gang are not only involved in drug trafficking and murder but are also explicitly white supremacist. Racism is unfortunately prevalent within outlaw biker culture, and the Diablos MC openly embodies and promotes these racist ideologies. They were involved in a large-scale brawl with the Outlaws in May 2019, which resulted in injuries to two individuals, further illustrating their propensity for violence and inter-gang conflict, compounded by their racially motivated stance.
Thunderguards Motorcycle Club
Territory: Delaware and the mid-Atlantic
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Thunderguards Motorcycle Club mc biker gang are one of several all-black clubs that emerged partly in response to the racial exclusion policies of other gangs. 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 various crimes, including shootings and cocaine distribution, demonstrating their involvement in serious criminal activities within their operational territories.
Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club
Territory: Nationwide
Approximate membership: Unknown; chapters in at least five countries
The Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club mc biker gang gained early notoriety through Hunter S. Thompson’s Hell’s Angels. Although founded in San Francisco, they were later displaced by the Hells Angels. Currently headquartered in Oregon, their primary sources of income include methamphetamine dealing, theft, and illegal weapons trading. Members have also been accused of serious crimes such as murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and torture, establishing them as a particularly dangerous and brutal mc biker gang with international chapters.
El Forastero Motorcycle Club
Territory: Midwest
Approximate membership: 100
El Forastero Motorcycle Club mc biker gang (Spanish for “the foreigner”) is a typical example of a ‘second-tier’ one-percenter gang. They may not possess the extensive reach and influence of clubs like the Outlaws or Hells Angels, but their members are fully capable of engaging in serious criminal activities, particularly methamphetamine distribution and motorcycle theft. This gang was formed in Sioux City, Iowa, in the early 1960s and remains a significant criminal entity in the Midwest region.
Iron Horsemen Motorcycle Club
Territory: Northeast and Midwest
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Iron Horsemen Motorcycle Club mc biker gang, founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, with chapters across the United States, are infamous for a particularly brutal crime in 1997. Three members beat an off-duty police officer to death in Maryland. The gang has also been linked to drug smuggling, illegal weapons dealing, and shootouts across the Northeast and Midwest, illustrating a broad range of violent and organized criminal activities.
Sin City Deciples Motorcycle Club
Territory: Nationwide
Approximate membership: Unclear – one of the fastest-growing clubs in America
The Sin City Deciples Motorcycle Club mc biker gang were initially formed as a black motorcycle club in Gary, Indiana, in 1966. Today, their membership has diversified to include members from all races, and notably, many are military veterans. This club is recognized as one of the fastest-growing outlaw motorcycle clubs in America, with rapid expansion across the United States. Members have been charged with a wide range of serious offenses, from kidnappings to gun-running, and are known for enforcing internal discipline with extreme harshness, indicating a significant and expanding criminal presence.
Peckerwoods Motorcycle Club
Territory: Western USA
Approximate membership: Unknown
The Peckerwoods Motorcycle Club mc biker gang are another whites-only club included on this list due to their documented history of racist attacks. Their activities and ideology are centered around racial hatred and violence, making them a particularly disturbing presence within the outlaw motorcycle subculture. Further details are intentionally limited due to the repugnant nature of their hate-driven actions.
Iron Order Motorcycle Club
Territory: Nationwide
Approximate membership: Unclear
The Iron Order Motorcycle Club mc biker gang is unique among outlaw motorcycle clubs. Composed predominantly of military and law enforcement personnel, they claim to be a law-abiding club. However, they have been involved in numerous violent altercations with traditional one-percenter gangs over recent years. This increasing conflict suggests that despite their claims, the Iron Order may be on a trajectory to becoming considered a full-fledged outlaw club, blurring the lines between law enforcement affiliations and outlaw biker activities.
Night Wolves MC
Territory: Russia
Approximate membership: 7,000+
While America is often seen as the birthplace of outlaw motorcycle culture, dangerous clubs exist globally. The Night Wolves mc biker gang are a Russian club with direct funding from the Kremlin. Founded in 1989, this group functions as enforcers for Vladimir Putin’s political party and adheres to the President’s conservative social and moral framework, including strong hostility towards the LGBT community. Their political alignment and state sponsorship set them apart from typical mc biker gangs, highlighting the diverse global manifestations of outlaw biker culture.
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, few can rival the Rebels Motorcycle Club mc biker gang. This club boasts thousands of members who are involved in a wide spectrum of criminal activities, including murder, drug distribution, and auto theft, making them a dominant force in the Australian criminal underworld and a significant international presence in the mc biker gang landscape.
Rock Machine MC
Territory: Canada
Approximate membership: 1,000+
Between 1994 and 2002, the Canadian province of Quebec became a central battleground for outlaw biker violence. During this period, the Hells Angels engaged in a brutal and bloody war against Rock Machine, a Montreal-based one-percenter club and mc biker gang. This violent conflict resulted in over 160 deaths, including numerous innocent bystanders, and countless injuries, marking one of the most intense and devastating periods of mc biker gang warfare in North American history.
