Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I know no one here ever actually exceeds the speed limit as posted on roads, but you may be able to help a brother (or sister) out on the road with this little hand signal that is somewhat well known. If you are rolling down the road and spot one of our fine law enforcement folks by the side of the road keep it in mind. When you pass someone going the other way rather just waving or giving the two finger down signal, tap the top of your helmet or head. This is a well known sign to slow down, police ahead. Also I have seen left hand staying level with the road and pressing towards the road a couple times (like saying, slow down) as a warning.

I mention this because I've had this help me on several occasions. If you are wearing a helmet and the other guy is not, and he doesn't know the sign he may flip you off thinking you are commenting on his lack of helmet, which is where the hand pressing down might be good. Either way, keep your eye open for others and watch for this key signal from others. Not that anyone here would need that signal or anything -

But please do it quick....that's hard to see @ 125mph!

And please wear bright yellow gloves!

I personally use the left hand pressing down towards the road... never knew about the helmet one, and I havent seen anyone else do it.

I young guy spin his finger around in a circle, kinda like a siren immitation... I found it hilarious, but I did get the point.

Yeah, I suppose the pressing down is about the best, since the head thing is not really clear what it means. That is just the one I've seen more around here. May be a regional thing. Anyway, just watch out for your fellow riders. Right?

The hand level and pressing down signal is the one I'm familar with. The hand patting the top of the head means 'stop screwing around and head home(or to whatever destination you had in mind)'

we use both signal for slowing down or cop in front here in CA. but for the bike from opposite directon I always use either hand up with thump down or patching helmet.

Around these parts (eastern WA, western ID), the tapping on top of the helmet is the usual sign.

I've always used the circling single finger as a sign to fire up bikes on a group ride.

A lot of guys flash their lights if there are cops around here if traveling in the opposite direction. A lot less likely to be mistaken than hand signals I think. When I was in Iowa about a month ago, a box truck helped me and a guy I had ran into on his CBR 600. He flashed his lights and we both got the message. We slowed down and came around the corner, and the cop was hiding right there on the edge of the woods. I was suprised a truck did that for us.

Don't they have helmet laws in Ohio?

I used the tapping of the helmet one day to warn a couple of sport bikers in North Van....He nodded his head and slowed down....Even though they deserved a speeding ticket, they at least slowed for a few blocks....