Shriners

Believe it or not, there is a strong association between that peculiarly American phenomenon, the Shriners, and Harley-Davidson. Drill teams have become common, and perform intricate, highly disciplined maneuvers at outdoor shows. Many of them are based in the US's south¬eastern corner, and the Al Menah team from Nashville is typical. It has 16 members mounted on identical police-style Harleys (without the sirens or red lights) and was formed in 1958. Even by the early 1980s, it had still won more top three trophies than any other team. The competitions aren't just about bike control; there's a strong militaristic aspect to the Shriners in their demand for cleanliness, uniformity and a good turn-out. Inspections are said to be just as tough as those for the Marines!