How to Find Motorcycle Friends in Vancouver
Buying a motorcycle changes the way you experience a city.
Traffic feels different. Weekend plans suddenly revolve around the weather. Roads you never paid attention to become destinations. Before long, you start noticing other riders everywhere at traffic lights, outside cafés, parked along the waterfront, or heading north on Highway 99 on a sunny Saturday morning.
Then comes a realization that almost every new rider has at some point: "I don't actually know anyone to ride with."
It's a common situation, especially if you've recently moved to Vancouver, just bought your first motorcycle, or have always ridden solo.
The good news is that Vancouver has one of the most active motorcycle communities in Canada. Whether you're into sport bikes, cruisers, adventure motorcycles, touring, or simply enjoy relaxed weekend rides, there are communities that welcome new riders.
The challenge isn't finding riders, it is knowing where to look.
This guide brings together some of Vancouver's best motorcycle clubs, riding communities, social meetups, and online groups to help you meet other riders and become part of the local motorcycle scene. If you're not in Vancouver, our general guide on how to find motorcycle friends in your city covers the same ground for anywhere else.
Why Vancouver Is a Great City for Motorcycle Riders
Ask riders why they enjoy living in Vancouver, and the answer usually goes beyond the roads. It's the community.
Compared to many Canadian cities, Vancouver enjoys a longer riding season thanks to its milder climate. That means motorcycles stay on the road for more months of the year, giving riders more opportunities to attend events, join weekend rides, and meet people who share the same passion.
The riding community is also incredibly diverse. On any given weekend, you'll find:
- New riders on their very first motorcycle.
- Daily commuters who ride to work year-round.
- Adventure riders planning trips into British Columbia's backcountry.
- Cruiser enthusiasts enjoying scenic afternoon rides.
- Sport bike riders preparing for track days.
- Touring riders getting ready for multi-day road trips.
One of the nicest things about Vancouver's motorcycle scene is that there's very little pressure to fit into one particular crowd.
You don't need the latest motorcycle. You don't need years of riding experience. And you certainly don't need to own a particular brand.
What matters most is showing up, being respectful, and enjoying the ride.
What Kind of Riding Community Are You Looking For?
One mistake many beginners make is assuming every motorcycle group is the same. Different communities attract different types of riders, and understanding that will help you find people you genuinely enjoy riding with. If you're weighing something formal against something relaxed, our guide on motorcycle clubs versus riding groups breaks down the difference.
Casual Social Communities
These are ideal if your main goal is meeting people.
Most gatherings happen over coffee, breakfast, or evening meetups, with occasional group rides. They're welcoming, relaxed, and perfect for newcomers.
If you've never attended a motorcycle event before, this is where you should begin.
Motorcycle Clubs
Motorcycle clubs tend to have a more structured calendar. Many organise regular rides, camping weekends, charity events, and social activities throughout the year. Some clubs have formal membership while others are much more casual.
Don't let the word "club" intimidate you. Many Vancouver clubs actively encourage new riders to attend public events before deciding whether membership is right for them.
Sport Bike Communities
If your passion is performance motorcycles, you'll find communities built around spirited road rides, motorcycle photography, maintenance discussions, and track-day preparation.
These groups often organise faster-paced rides, so it's worth checking the expected pace before joining. There's no shame in choosing rides that match your confidence level. Experienced riders will tell you the same thing, and our beginner's guide to group motorcycle riding walks through what to expect on your first one.
Adventure and Dual-Sport Communities
Adventure riders are a community of their own. These groups spend as much time discussing camping equipment and GPS routes as they do motorcycles.
If your dream weekends involve gravel roads, mountain scenery, and exploring British Columbia beyond the pavement, you'll quickly find yourself among like-minded people.
Motorcycle Clubs and Communities Worth Joining in Vancouver
The easiest way to meet riders is to join communities that already exist. Fortunately, Vancouver has no shortage of them.
Whether you're looking for organised rides, casual meetups, technical advice, or simply people to enjoy a coffee with, there's something for everyone. Here are some of the communities worth checking out.
Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club (GVMC)
If you're looking for a community with history, the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club is an excellent place to start.
Founded in 1922, it's one of the oldest motorcycle clubs in British Columbia and has spent more than a century bringing riders together through organised rides, camping weekends, social events, charity initiatives, and touring adventures.
Unlike what some people imagine when they hear the words "motorcycle club," GVMC isn't centred around one type of motorcycle. Members ride everything from adventure bikes and cruisers to sport bikes and touring motorcycles. It's also known for welcoming riders with different experience levels, making it a good option if you're still building confidence.
If you're hoping to become part of a long-standing riding community rather than simply finding people for occasional rides, GVMC is well worth exploring.
Best for: Riders looking for an established motorcycle club with regular events and an active calendar.
Join them here: Facebook | Follow on Instagram
MotoSocial Vancouver
If walking into a motorcycle club feels intimidating, start with MotoSocial instead.
MotoSocial isn't about memberships or formal rides. It's about creating a space where riders can meet over coffee, admire each other's motorcycles, and have conversations that often lead to future rides.
One of the reasons MotoSocial has become so popular is because it's incredibly welcoming. You'll see brand-new riders chatting with people who've been riding for decades. You'll see scooters parked beside adventure bikes. Nobody seems particularly interested in what you ride. The conversations are what matter.
If you've recently moved to Vancouver or don't know anyone in the riding community, MotoSocial is probably one of the easiest places to introduce yourself. Their monthly meet-ups take place on the last Thursday of every month, May to September.
Best for: Beginners, solo riders, and anyone looking to meet fellow riders without the pressure of joining a club.
Join them here: Website | Follow on Instagram
Rain City Bike Crew
If you're looking for a riding community that extends beyond motorcycles, Rain City Bike Crew deserves your attention.
Rather than focusing only on weekend rides, the community regularly organises coffee meetups, game nights, restaurant visits, social events, and spontaneous rides whenever the weather cooperates. Everything revolves around building friendships first. Motorcycles simply happen to be the thing that brings everyone together.
The community is hosted primarily on Discord, making it easy for members to ask questions, organise rides, or simply chat throughout the week. It's also one of the more inclusive communities in Vancouver, welcoming riders of all experience levels and almost every type of motorcycle, including scooters.
If you're looking for people rather than just rides, Rain City Bike Crew is one of the best places to start.
Best for: Riders looking for genuine community and regular social events.
Join them here: Discord | Follow on Instagram
Bikes & Coffee Vancouver
Sometimes, the best rides don't begin with a destination—they begin with a cup of coffee. That's the idea behind Bikes & Coffee Vancouver.
Unlike traditional motorcycle clubs, Bikes & Coffee is centred around casual meetups where riders can park their bikes, grab a drink, and spend time talking to people who share the same passion. There's no pressure to join a club, no expectation to commit to a full-day ride, and no concern about what type of motorcycle you own.
On any given meetup, you'll likely see everything from café racers and adventure bikes to Harley-Davidsons, sport bikes, scooters, and custom builds. It's one of the easiest environments for someone attending their first motorcycle meetup because conversations happen naturally.
Ask someone about their motorcycle, where they've ridden recently, or what route they'd recommend for a weekend ride, and chances are you'll leave with a few new contacts in your phone.
Best for: Riders looking to expand their network in a relaxed, social setting.
Join them here: Facebook | Follow on Instagram
Vancouver Motorcycle Riders Club
If you're active on Facebook, this should be one of the first communities you join.
The Vancouver Motorcycle Riders Club has become a popular place for local riders to share upcoming rides, ask technical questions, buy and sell gear, and discuss everything from weather conditions to route recommendations. It's also one of the quickest ways to discover rides happening across Metro Vancouver.
A word of advice though: don't join the group and immediately post "Anyone want to ride?" Spend a little time getting involved first.
Comment on ride photos, ask questions, congratulate someone on their new motorcycle, or contribute to discussions. You'll become familiar with the community, and people will become familiar with you. When you eventually join a ride, you'll already recognise a few names.
Best for: Finding local rides, staying informed about events, and connecting with riders across the Lower Mainland.
Join them here: Facebook
604 Motorcycles
Another community that's frequently recommended by Vancouver riders is 604 Motorcycles. While it operates primarily through Facebook, it has grown into more than just another online group.
Members regularly share information about weekend rides, motorcycle events, scenic routes, new gear, and local motorcycle news. It's also a useful place for beginners looking for advice before purchasing their first motorcycle or upgrading to something new.
Because the community includes riders from across Metro Vancouver, you'll often find rides starting from different parts of the region, making it easier to join one that's close to you.
Best for: Riders looking to stay connected with Vancouver's wider motorcycle community.
Join them here: Facebook | Follow on Instagram
BC Sport Bikes
If sport bikes are your passion, BC Sport Bikes is one of British Columbia's best-known riding communities.
The group has been around for years and attracts riders who enjoy everything from spirited weekend rides to track days and performance riding. Beyond organising rides, members frequently discuss motorcycle maintenance, riding techniques, aftermarket parts, riding gear, and upcoming events.
If you're new to sport riding, don't assume every ride will match your pace. Read the event descriptions carefully and choose beginner-friendly rides where possible. Experienced riders respect people who know their limits far more than people trying to keep up.
Best for: Sport bike riders and enthusiasts looking for an active riding community.
Join them here: Forum | Follow on Instagram
DualSport BC
Not everyone wants to spend every ride on paved roads.
If your idea of a perfect weekend involves gravel roads, mountain trails, camping, and exploring British Columbia's backcountry, DualSport BC is a community you should know about. The organisation has been helping adventure and dual-sport riders discover new routes across the province for years.
Members regularly organise day rides, overnight trips, camping weekends, and larger adventure events that showcase some of British Columbia's most scenic landscapes. Even if you've only recently bought your first adventure motorcycle, it's worth joining the community and learning from riders who've spent years exploring the province.
Best for: Adventure and dual-sport riders looking to explore beyond Vancouver.
Join them here: Facebook | Follow on Instagram
Don't Overlook Vancouver's Motorcycle Dealerships
One mistake many riders make is thinking dealerships are only useful when you're buying a motorcycle. In reality, some of Vancouver's strongest riding communities have formed around local dealerships.
Throughout the year, dealerships host:
- Demo ride events
- New model launches
- Charity rides
- Maintenance workshops
- Customer appreciation days
- Seasonal ride-outs
These events are often smaller than public rallies, making them much easier for new riders to attend. Some dealerships worth following include:
- International Motorsports
- Trev Deeley Motorcycles
- Holeshot Motorsports
- Pacific Motosports
Follow their social media pages or subscribe to their newsletters. Many announce rides and events weeks before they happen.
Be Consistent
Many people attend one ride, don't immediately make friends, and decide it isn't for them. That's usually a mistake.
Friendships in the motorcycle community happen the same way they do anywhere else, through familiarity. The riders you briefly chat with today might be the same people inviting you on a weekend ride next month.
Keep showing up. Recognize familiar faces. Introduce yourself. The community gets smaller the more often you ride.
Looking for Smaller, Organized Group Rides?
Social media has made it easier to discover riding communities, but organizing an actual ride can still feel chaotic. Meeting points get buried in group chats, route changes are shared across multiple apps, and it's often unclear who's actually attending.
That's where ride-planning platforms like Tribes can help. Instead of piecing together information from Facebook posts, Instagram stories, and messaging apps, riders can see everything they need for a ride, meeting point, departure time, route, and attendees, in one place.
It doesn't replace riding communities. It simply makes joining and organizing rides easier.
Don't Wait for an Invitation
The biggest misconception about the motorcycle community is that you need to know someone before joining a ride. You don't.
Every experienced rider was once the new person standing beside their bike, wondering if they should introduce themselves. Most riders remember exactly what that felt like.
Say hello. Ask questions. Compliment someone's motorcycle. Stick around after the ride instead of rushing home.
Those small conversations are often where lasting riding friendships begin. Because at the end of the day, motorcycles may bring people together—but it's the shared experiences on the road that turn fellow riders into friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I meet motorcycle riders in Vancouver?
Some of the best places include MotoSocial Vancouver meetups, local dealership events, community Facebook groups, charity rides, and popular riding destinations like Horseshoe Bay, Squamish, and the Sea to Sky Highway.
Are there beginner-friendly motorcycle groups in Vancouver?
Yes. Many local communities welcome new riders, especially at social meetups and beginner-friendly group rides. Always check the event description or ask the organizer about the expected pace before joining.
What's the best motorcycle ride near Vancouver for meeting other riders?
The Sea to Sky Highway is one of the most popular routes in British Columbia. Riders frequently stop at places like Porteau Cove and Squamish, making it easy to meet other motorcyclists.
Do I need a specific type of motorcycle to join a riding group?
No. Vancouver's riding community is incredibly diverse. You'll find cruisers, sport bikes, touring motorcycles, adventure bikes, and scooters all sharing the same roads.