Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I always wave to oncoming bikers (unless I don't see them or I'm pulling in the clutch). I was wondering what the 'protocol' is when you come up to and pass another bike on a 4 lane road (so 2 lanes on each side). Do you wave? Does it depend on what side you're passing on? Just wondering because now that it's warm out, I'm passing more bikes on the way to work. Oh - and I have not waved to them - seems awkward.

I try not to ever pass on the right side, i just dont like doing it. When passing though, if i can i try give a slight wave with my left hand as i go by.


JWF

I wouldn't do anything. It seems a little rude to me, like an "FU, you slow poke" kinda wave.

I think the biker your passing will understand that it is unsafe for you to wave. If you're on the left then you'd have to take your hand off the throttle.. If you're on the right you shouldn't be passing, or at least be super focused that you're not going to get squished passing on the inside.

I like to wave as I pass, sometimes they think I want to race.

Passing coming from the opposite direction, we generally nod to one another here, passing when travelling in the same direction, most tend to just wave low. But then in Britain we drive on the other side of the road to you guys, so its only the clutch hand that waves - no biggie

I've never seen anyone wave with anything other than their clutch hand, personally.

I wave with my clutch hand... I just raise it instead of dropping it to the side in the traditional "I'm afraid of the wind" style that seems to be popular... even though the wind down low isn't that different from the wind up above.

No one's ever called me on it and I can't see why it would offend anyone. Ride your own ride.

If riding slow I give the low wave, if faster sometmes I'll keep my hand on the handle bars but raise four fingers with clutch hand.

When going faster I believe its optional due to safety for everyones sake. If I wave and they don't, no offense taken. Same I hope for the other way around.

The guys I ride with will do a "right turn" arm signal with a clenched fist (like this) to wave at other bikers at intersections on the right, when passing or to return a salute from a military person or police officer. Everyone seems to understand what we're doing.