When and how to wave?

[DustyJacket]

I did not wave back to 2 bikes yesterday. The median was wide and I was fighting SEROUS turbulance from the cars in my lane, so I didn't see the oncoming bikes until too late.

Safety first!

Most times an unreturned wave is not personal.

[Kal]

I nod a lot, wave when I can... I dont get many back...

Sounds like I fit the catagory that the guy in the sorty waves at, at least he dosnt mention loony plates... Standard Honda, Jeans, Leather Jacket, boring Helmet...

There are a lot of scooters over here on loony plates and I think that you get tarred with the same brush...

Which is a pain in the O-ring as I ride a real bike and am not a scooter riding, burbury wearing, bling wearing, fake tan chav!!!

(apologies to any scooter riders in the neighbourhood)

The positive is that I have purchased my step-up bike and am looking forward to taking her out as soon as I am licenced for her...

[Optimusprime]

How you wave, how you ride, who you ride with, how many people you ride with, what you wear when riding, where you go, how long you go, what accessories you like, all summed up in one word, personality.

I wave because it makes me think Im in a close knit community and I know other people think the same, so I am going to do my best to wave at every motorcycle out there (even if the big bad biker dude is going to give me the finger wave), in which ever makes me happy (that happens to ba down and out, fully opened hand).

The most interesting thing I find though is that there is such animosity between sport bikers and cruisers, even though in all reality there is very little seperating the two, like one ought not to wave at the other because he is seated back instead of forward with a slighty different engine. That stuff I just dont get.

Shawn

[kyle]

The most interesting thing I find though is that there is such animosity between sport bikers and cruisers, even though in all reality there is very little seperating the two, like one ought not to wave at the other because he is seated back instead of forward with a slighty different engine. That stuff I just dont get.

Kind of makes me wonder if the same mindset that generates blind racism, religious intolerance, or what have you might be present in this venue also.... ie, this guy doesn't wave at that guy because due to his bike preference, he is superior to that guy and thus that guy is unworthy of a friendly wave.

Just a thought, and while I'm sure there are a few instances of such, I doubt very seriously that its par for the course.

[Magnum]

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

It could be more than "greetings fellow motorcyclists", but I doubt we'll ever know. To most people, it is probably just a wave. But to some members of groups, it might be a way to identify themselves.

When I was searching the internet for information about motorcycles, I found many groups that were multi-state, where members from one state visit another state. They set each other up with lodging, food, and the like.

[Mac]

Ok this subject gets under my collar a bit. I am a bit biased to HD riders!.

When I first rode here in Alaska, I was shocked to have a Harley guy wave at me, as I ride a sports bike. That was the first time in two years that happened. When I first started riding I thought that the wave was a universal thing and tried to the best of my ability to recognize all of my two-wheeled brethren. However in Phoenix, the HDs never seemed to acknowledge any of the rockets. I talked to my friends, other rocket riders, about it and they said they never get acknowledged by HDs. As the years went by, I have learned a little more on the subject, like we are not welcome to their events or in their parking areas. I actually got in a fight because a Katana (not mine) was parked in the bike parking area at the mall, and a group of HD riders lifted the bike up, put it in the middle of the traffic lane then proceeded to park their bikes in that same bike area. Luckily, I was with a few other guys and it was on. We never even met the Katana rider, but that was some gall.

I think it is jealously, honestly, they cant fit their fat o-rings on the rockets, their one-tooth ol’lady does not fit on the back to cover the tire rings their over tight “hog” shirts show off like a fashion don’t. Maybe it is the speed issue. Or maybe they are upset that we didn’t buy American.
Well I for one would love to buy American, if they ever decide to come out with a quality product that can compete with the Japs. HDs always have mechanical issues and are so expensive to fix. That was my main reason for buying Japanese in the first place.

So that is why, I as a rocket rider don’t initiate a wave with most bikes. Because they would rather we were not there, like some kind of bastrd little brothers. F them!

In Alaska some of this is different, perhaps it is because we only get to ride about 4 months a year, maybe another reason, but everyone here waves with the exception of the Vietnam HD riders, unless I am wearing my camouflage uniform then I garner some type of respect from them too.
Now, I always wave back to anyone who waves at me! But I still really dislike HD riders, but I give them the benefit of the doubt!

NOTE: I do not look at all HD riders as bad, just the o-ring holes.

[kyle]

Good on you for sticking up for the Katana... most people would keep going, "its none of my business" and let the owner deal with it himself. Kudos, man.

[Telesque]

I'll wave to anyone and everyone on two wheels whenever they're within a reasonable distance (usually the same distance I'd shout a 'Hey' to a friend if we were both on foot).

I usually do the 'low and behind' wave because, well, obviously your right hand is more important to have on the bike than the left, and by raising your left hand up in front of you, like you would on foot, you tend to catch a bit of air-resistance (especially at higher speeds), which might affect your now ultimately important single-hand-grip.

Out where I'm from, the cruiser guys tend to wave a lot more, and the sportbikers will only wave back (sometimes) after you wave to them. I think that's partly due to the fact that their position on the bike is more demanding on having two hands, and that there's that sort of 'age old rivalry' between cruisers and sportbikes, and they don't expect a return wave, so they don't bother in the first place.

If I'm in a non-waving situation, such as turning, I'll always at least try to give them the 'clutch-hand finger point' or a good, simple nod.

The reason I wave to -everyone- is because I know that if I don't, I'll be kicking myself for either 1) wondering if they would've waved back, or 2) watching them wave at me at the last possible moment, without a chance to return-fire.

[Gummiente]

I wave at everything on two wheels and always give a full high five arm's length wave, sometimes with a peace sign. I espeially like waving to scooters when I'm on my Harley because the shock just about sends them into the ditch every time.

Hey, if it has two wheels and an engine, who the heck cares where it was built!

[Mac]

Gummiente, is the exception to the rule and why I give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Good on you, man!

R/