What is considered the origin of the first outlaw motorcycle club?

The concept of the first outlaw motorcycle club can be traced back to the post-World War II era. After the war, many veterans returned home to a society that they felt disconnected from, leading to a sense of camaraderie among former soldiers. This social condition fostered the establishment of motorcycle clubs as groups for the veterans to bond over shared experiences, promote freedom, and embrace a rebellious lifestyle.

During this time, the culture surrounding motorcycle riding shifted significantly, as returning servicemen modified motorcycles, particularly the Harley-Davidson, marking the emergence of the outlaw motorcycle phenomenon. The formation of clubs such as the Hells Angels in 1948 exemplified this transition, as these organizations often embraced an outlaw identity, distancing themselves from traditional motorcycle associations and embracing a more turbulent, anti-establishment ethos.

In contrast, while the post-Vietnam War period saw the emergence of new motorcycle clubs influenced by the social upheaval of the 1960s, it wasn't the origin point. The Great Depression and the early 20th century also presented different social contexts that did not center around the formation of outlaw motorcycle clubs in the same manner as after WWII, where the foundations for what we recognize as outlaw groups today truly began to take shape.