The "Wave"

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TrueFaith · Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:49 pm

Well, it finally got into the 70s here in New England today and the roads were just packed with riders. I did a 60 mile spin in the country after work myself and it was a great day to ride. One thing that I'd forgotten after not riding for 20 years was "the wave". With so many bikers on the road today, it seemed I was constantly greeting other motorcyclists just as happy to be back on their bikes as I was. In 20 years of not riding I had almost forgotten how great it feels to acknowlege another rider on the road, just out there enjoying the weather. When I last rode in the 80s, a wave was a wave. Raised fingers on the clutch handle, shoulder level "how ya doin'" panoramic wave, there were all kinds. Today, however, I noticed that the most popular response is often the "low wave" below the handlebar with the palm facing down towards the pavement. Has this become the "standard"? Have actual "rules" been adopted on who can wave to whom? Have Harley riders given up the "fist" in favor of the "low wave"? Do riders of big touring bikes still refuse to wave to anyone? Are sportbikers still not allowed to wave at Harley riders? Or has that last great "taboo" been accepted by biker society? Who do you wave at and how do you do it?

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:55 pm

I say wave at everybody, if they don't wave back maybe they were busy at that moment.

Teek · #3 Unread post by **Teek** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:32 pm

I ride a sportbike and it's usually a low peace sign from sportbike to sportbike, or a couple fingers off the handle bar. I think that's because it's not generally done from a totally upright position, so a big wave is awkward, especially with wind buffetting from excessive speed

also they're usually in canyons with curves coming up, or on a coast highway with lots of traffic. It's just safer.

Harley riders tend to only wave at other Harleys.

matthew5656 · Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:14 pm

Teek wrote: Harley riders tend to only wave at other Harleys.

those god darned harley boys just don't have no manners these days!!!

SHADOW1100T · Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:10 pm

I wave because I want to, I don't even look to see if they wave back because I don't give a rip if they do or don't and I don't care whats being ridden, it's the fact that they are. If there wearing colors I don't bother, they have there own world their liveing in and it ain't mine.

ofblong · #6 Unread post by **ofblong** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:10 pm

I just wave like I normally would to someone I know.

erbgottie · #7 Unread post by **erbgottie** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:49 am

Whenever i ride i either drop the left hand down towards the pavment or stick it out straight, eaither way, I do it to every biker. It's fun to wave on a 2 way 4 lane highway to see if the guy will see you and wave back, it works sometimes

mgdavis · #8 Unread post by **mgdavis** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:07 am

I wave at everything with two wheels and a motor, including scooters. I figure it's good karma. If they don't wave back, oh well.

Erbgottie, that is one HUGE sig line.

#9 Unread post by **Big B** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:22 am

Teek wrote:
Harley riders tend to only wave at other Harleys.

that's a real misconception that really needs to die an overdue death. it's very rare i don't get a wave back from a harley rider, in fact a lot of the time they beat me to it. i've had harley riders give me a biker wave while tooling around on my zuma.

Brackstone · Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:42 am

Teek wrote:I ride a sportbike and it's usually a low peace sign from sportbike to sportbike

More than likely this actually isn't a peace sign it's a Victory sign it's origins are in japan (where your sport bike was probably made) and commonly used in Anime.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign