About the HSTA:
"Promoting excellence and safety in the enjoyment of motorcycle sport touring."

Last updated: 02/06/2008
 

As we've stated numerous times throughout this web site, we're always on the lookout for new friends to "share the ride", to join us in our passion for the road. To that end, we present herein what we're all about, and sincerely hope you will find us worthy of your interest.

About Us: The HSTA was founded in 1982 as the Honda Sport Touring Association, and is chartered by the American Motorcyclist Association. Our primary purpose is to bring together riders whose focus is motorcycle sport touring, defined in perhaps as many ways as there are members. There is one point of commonality among us, however: a lifelong commitment to developing our skills, to attain maximum enjoyment with maximum safety. We aim to set no records for speed or distance. We espouse the principles of The Pace. When the winding road beckons, we heed its call with a full tank of gas, a minimum of luggage, and a maximum of respect.

The majority of us ride sport-touring bikes—FJRs, STs (Japanese, British, Italian!), RTs, RSs, VFRs and ZZRs—but our definition of "sport-touring" is broad enough to encompass everything from R6s to R90s to Gold Wings to GSs. While Hondas tend to predominate among us, that reflects the market, not our stance. Owners of all makes are encouraged to join, and enjoy the same membership benefits.

The HSTA has members throughout the United States and Canada. In California, membership is split approximately evenly between North and South. Our membership distribution map provides a good overview. Members range in age from late teens to late eighties, with a median age between 35 and 45, and include virtually all socioeconomic strata. For a more detailed look at member demographics, see the results of a broad member survey conducted in 2001.

What You Get: It's all about great riding in great company. The California Chapter of the HSTA meets throughout the year to enjoy day, weekend and longer rides. At the basic level, we meet for breakfast at a congenial location, then spend a few hours enjoying some of the best back roads California has to offer. The overnighter events provide the opportunity to enjoy a few peak off-bike experiences, like a tour of Hearst Castle. And the long-weekend events give us a chance to enjoy those seldom-visited roads a bit farther from home. From Death Valley to Big Sur, Anza-Borrego to the Trinity Alps, California offers roads and conditions unsurpassed anywhere in the world. To see where we're headed next, check out our ride calendar.

The national HSTA organization directly sponsors regional events around the country, highlighting every year with STAR, the Sport Touring Association Rendezvous, in locations varying and alternating between the Eastern and Western United States. In 2004, California hosted the show in Mammoth Lakes. For 2006, it was in Avon, Colorado, an all-time favorite destination for the entire national membership.

In addition to the rides and camaraderie, our most valuable assets, HSTA membership brings a number of other benefits:

 • HSTA Blue Book - This complete listing of HSTA members around the country is an invaluable resource. Most members have indicated a level of assistance they are able to provide to their fellow members on the road, from bike storage to help with mechanical issues, to emergency trailering.
 • STAReview - Our national newsletter comes to you every month with columns, articles, ride and event reports from around the country, product reviews, and a classified ad section free to all members.
 • Country Store - This is the one true source for HSTA goodies like pins, patches, T-shirts, sweat shirts, caps, and more.
 • CalHSTA Newsletter - Our local newsletter is published several times a year and mailed to your door, replete with California-specific news and information regarding upcoming events, as well as reports on outstanding rides from around the state.
 • Vendor Discounts - Select motorcycle gear and service providers offer discounts to card-carrying HSTA members, with savings ranging from 5-20%.

Join Us: See who we are in the members survey, browse our photo albums from events past. Like what you see? Then link on over to the National HSTA website's membership application page. There you will find additional information, and an application form for download. If you would like to become an HSTA member, just print the form and mail it in.

If you want to give us a try before committing, we can handle that as well. Pick an event to take place in your area from our ride calendar and get in touch with the ride host, or just show up at the pre-ride breakfast and introduce yourself! The ride host will be able to provide answers to any questions you may have about the nature of the ride you are considering. We look forward to meeting you!