When and how to wave?

[blair]

My first Sunday of riding, and I noticed quite a few other riders out in the sunshine. And many of them noticed me.

Most waved. Always something below and outside their left grip.

I got sideways peace signs, single finger points, and relaxed and open hands. And one no-wave nod.

Is there a reason for the low wave instead of a high one? And is there any sort of communication going on beyond "greetings fellow motorcyclist" there?

Why do sportbike riders never seem to bother?

And why does nobody smile?

--Blair

[New_R]

I don’t ride a bike yet, but I know a little from what I've heard/seen from my dad. When he is on his bike he waves/signals to every person on two wheels. As for the type of wave, it depends on what he’s doing at the time. If he's at a stop and another motorcyclist stops next to him he says something like "good day for a ride...” or "nice bike...”. Sometimes people don’t wave back or ignore him for whatever reason but there are plenty more that wave back.

[Lion_Lady]

I always stick my hand out... never much thought to what I'm doing with my fingers... when I can do it safely. Up down, whatever works that moment.

I've observed that the cruiser riders tend to just lift fingers of the clutch hand or stick two fingers down/out. Most sport bike riders don't wave, but I wave anyhow (cause some do wave back).

If I'm in a turn or something that requires both hands then I try to nod my head. In my ff helmet, you can't see if I'm smiling or not.

P

PS Somewhere, I've got a link to a whole 'explanation' of why riders of different makes or motorcycle don't wave. I'll find the link and post it, cuase its pretty funny - NOT politically correct, and makes fun of every make/type of bike on the road.

[DivideOverflow]

I do the head nod, or wave if someone waves at me first... I see about 50 other bikes when I go out, lotta people to wave to.

[JustJames]

I don't think about any sign just wave and enjoy the ride. I alway let the left hand off the grip and push streight forward in either vitory sign or full fingers.

Becarefull when you see thump down sign tho. it means you'd better slow down becuz an accident or cops in front of you.

[polarelf2003]

Always something below and outside their left grip.

I use whatever works, but it's usually it's a little easier to hold the hand below the grip than above; different muscles.

"greetings fellow motorcyclist" there?

Why do sportbike riders never seem to bother?

I think you answered your own question there Just kidding, in their behalf, some sportbikes will wave back if, you wave first. Same thing goes for Harley riders, but replace "if" with "if and only if"

[shawnhpi]

I wave and mostly NOD due to me wantin to keep hands on bars while riding.

But Ive noticed that the cruiser style bikers don't bother waving to me.

most sports bikes do wave. if there is a group maybe like 3 of the 7 will wave.
I doin't wave 1st or nod. I will though just to show the friendlyness.

[icariz83]

PS Somewhere, I've got a link to a whole 'explanation' of why riders of different makes or motorcycle don't wave. I'll find the link and post it, cuase its pretty funny - NOT politically correct, and makes fun of every make/type of bike on the road.

I read that explaination on www.svrider.com on the message boards there. However the site has been down lately, otherwise I would repost it!

It is funny, but you have to take it with a grain of salt otherwise your panties will be all in a bunch.

[kyle]

Most waved. Always something below and outside their left grip.

I usually go above, actually, but I've never seen anyone else do the same. It seems almost like a "hey" as opposed to a "hello", but who knows.

Why do sportbike riders never seem to bother?

And why does nobody smile?

Probably too busy hanging on for dear life! No, most I've seen around here will wave, unless they're in a group. But I will almost always wave unless the other rider(s) are on the other side of the interstate in traffic (ie, busy focusing on the task at hand as opposed to someone way over there trying to be friendly).

But really, the reason any person doesn't wave is completely unknowable, unless you ask that person. Maybe they didn't see you, maybe they're a new rider and aren't comfortable taking a hand off the handlebars, maybe they think they're too cool to wave... who knows. Best you can do is keep waving and enjoy the ride.

As for smiling, same thing goes, but assuming you can see their mouth, my best guess is they're afraid of getting bug stuck in their teeth!

[Snake]

I wave all the time, and I don't smile..... well because I never smile. but I always enjoy the ride. I'm just naturally a serious person.