Phillip Woodham, 71, from Ashburton died in the crash involving two other vehicles about 1.30pm on State Highway 8, between Hayan and Tekapo Canal Rds, in Pūkaki on Saturday.
Woodham was described by the club as a "real genuine Kiwi".
Patriots Defence Motorcycle Club South Island president Darren Dumble told the New Zealand Herald: "Woody was a real genuine Kiwi who loved to ride and loved his mates.
"He loved nothing better than turning up to a club function with a cheeky grin and a bunch of tall stories told with a dry wit,” he said.
Woodham served in the NZ Army as a section commander.
"To be a section commander, you need to have an excellent rapport with the troops, something Woody would have excelled in.
"Woody loved his bike, he rode a Harley very carefully.
"He was never one to tear up the road, if anything, he would loiter around the back of the group, taking in the view and just being happy he was with his mates."
Woodham also worked on fishing boats after leaving the army and was a truck driver.
Police have released the name of another man killed, Gavin James William Beere (85), of Christchurch.
Malaysian Canterbury University students Wan Adlina Alisa (20) and Megat Ashman Aqif Megat Irman Jefni (21) also died.
Fellow students Nur Firas Wafiyyah, Lya Issable Walton and Muhamad Faris Mohd Fairusham, from Wellington's Victoria University, were injured.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
