The Motorcycle Riders Association was originally formed in Victoria in 1978.

The Tasmanian MRA was formed in 1980. Its original purpose was to fight the Tasmanian Government and the Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB) over rapidly increasing insurance premiums. This three year battle was won in 1983 when the government agreed to peg motorcycle premiums to the same level as cars.

The MRA was responsible during this time for lobbying for and helping to set up the Tasmanian Motorcycle Rider Training scheme, which operated from 1981 to 1998, when the government withdrew support and funding and gave it to a private provider.

Since 1980 the MRA has organised and run the annual Toy Run, which raises huge amounts of Toys and gifts for the Salvation Army Christmas appeal.

Commencing in 1981 the MRA has organised and run the annual TasRally, which is the biggest and best biker party held in Tasmania.

Introduced in 1984, the MRA conducts the annual Motorcycle Awareness Ride in Launceston to highlight to the public, the need to be more aware of motorcycle riders on the roads.

Now, in 2007, the organisation has been restructured into three autonomous groups (Northwest, North and South). These three groups work autonomously, coming together to host the larger events such as Tas Rally.