The wave

[billk7457]

I don't know. When I started riding about a decade ago, I got quite a thrill when a rider approaching in the opposite direction, and as he/she got closer, gave me a left hand wave. And, I gave one back. I didn't know who it was and whoever it was didn't know me. Ah, but that wave! It was special because to me it was like I finally made it into the "Brotherhood." Like our "secret handshake."

Since then, a lot of riders have gone by and a lot of waves have been exchanged. But, sadly, a lot of waves haven't. I always give a wave to a rider. And, i still get a kick when I get one back. And most riders do.

If you by chance read this let me know if you are a waver, or not. And, if not, why not? Maybe I am missing something. Maybe I am just an old sentimentalist, but I see the wave as a sign of solidarity, camaraderie, and unity. I am interested in what others think about "the wave."

[earwig]

I always wave but it's annoying when people don't wave back and you feel like a loser lol.

[MmeMagpie]

I wave at anything on two wheels.

My best friend recently got a '60s Peugeot moped and asked me why all the bikers are waving at her. She hasn't quite wrapped her head around the idea that she's one of us, now. She's also 59

[Brackstone]

I wave at everyone as well. There is one guy in my neighborhood who does not wave back.

I pretend that his hands are glued to his motorcycle and he can't take them off because otherwise he'll fall.

[NC Narrator]

I wave...but I have a question. How do you wave? I've seen the single finger, two fingers, entire hand - all downward with fingers pointed to the ground. I've also seen multiple variations where the hand comes up off the bike. Then there are some who just kind of lift their fingers ever so slightly without actually losing contact with the bike.

[blues2cruise]

Sometimes there is too much activity going on in front of me and I don't notice another rider until it is too late. Or I'm right in the middle of a curve and can't take my hands of the grips or during a shift....I'll give a nod instead.

I usually wave back...except for the occasions like the ones I mentioned.

[dr_bar]

I wave...but I have a question. How do you wave? I've seen the single finger, two fingers, entire hand - all downward with fingers pointed to the ground. I've also seen multiple variations where the hand comes up off the bike. Then there are some who just kind of lift their fingers ever so slightly without actually losing contact with the bike.

I guess my question would be, "Does it really matter?" If you've been acknowledged then that's all there is to it. Wave yourself, however you feel comfortable...

[ceemes]

I've noticed a marked decrease in bikers waves, however there has been a corresponding increase in giving and receiving the cagers middle finger salute.

[jstark47]

I wave more in the winter when there's few bikes around. In the summer when I pass a bike every 3 minutes it gets tedious.

[sapaul]

I usually nod, also a lot of bikers on our roads.

[billk7457]

well, yeh, a wave, a nod--some kind of recognition. It's nice to say Hi. And, I think that's what the wave is about.

[Flipper]

I wave to everyone, every time.
This is why.

Learning to ride a motorcycle has taught me a lot about myself.
I started riding about 7 years ago, wanting to fulfill a childhood dream.
I was scared and didn't have much positive encouragement from family and friends.
Riding taught me that I'm braver than I thought.
That I can keep my wits about me when things get dicey.
Most importantly, it taught me that I don't need others approval to express my feelings or try things that interest me.

I found that I don't need a response from another rider to enjoy giving a wave.
Every wave I give, is a celebration of the joy I feel when I ride.
I wave because I like to.

[joolz]

I know this ancient-

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.


Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature, and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.


Top Ten Reasons Why Sport bikers Don't Wave Back

10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.


Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave Back

10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgement.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, and talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.


Top ten reasons 1%s don't wave back:

10. You aren't wearing the colors.
9. You aren't riding an "American" bike.
8. Bike is vibrating so bad they might fall off.
7. Too high.
6. Too drunk.
5. Too dizzy from being punched in the head last night.
4. You might be a narc.
3. Stash might fall out of pocket.
2. Not cool.
1. Afraid underarm odor will knock themselves out.

[Haeberle]

I wave at everyone, most people in Arizona wave back. Sometime the sport bikers don't wave, and the moped riders may not know about it.

[Grey Thumper]

I wave to everyone, every time.
This is why.

Learning to ride a motorcycle has taught me a lot about myself.
I started riding about 7 years ago, wanting to fulfill a childhood dream.
I was scared and didn't have much positive encouragement from family and friends.
Riding taught me that I'm braver than I thought.
That I can keep my wits about me when things get dicey.
Most importantly, it taught me that I don't need others approval to express my feelings or try things that interest me.

I found that I don't need a response from another rider to enjoy giving a wave.
Every wave I give, is a celebration of the joy I feel when I ride.
I wave because I like to.

Awesome post, thanks for writing it.

[madjak30]

I wave at everyone...as long as I notice or I'm not too busy concentrating on riding...

Quite rare to not get a wave back...even Harley guys like the wave...
I enjoy waving at the scooter riders, it confuses the CR@P out of them..."what? am I doing something wrong?" good for a laugh...mostly young kids that are just learning. (can ride a 50cc scooter here with a learners permit which you get at 14...too young in my opinion, but I don't make the rules)

Later.

[totalmotorcycle]

I always wave at everyone, it's something that I feel makes the motorcycle community a community.

Mike

[dr_bar]

With some of the answers here, it sure would be nice to have a like button... LOL

[totalmotorcycle]

With some of the answers here, it sure would be nice to have a like button... LOL

Looks like I'll have to find a "Like" or "+1" smilie then to add.


Is this one too small?

Mike

[madjak30]

That one might be a little big...but yup!