Topic: waving to other riders

[plug1]

 I was reading the reader's write-in section of a v-twin mag when I came across a letter criticizing the act of waving to other riders. His opinion was that this is a dangerous practice due to the rider removing his hand from the handlebars and also falsely alerting other drivers of an impending turn. I myself don't wave to other riders unless I'm waved at. I just thought this guy had an interesting viewpoint , however far-fetched.

[ekpent]

In and around Michigan a left hand toss either up or usually down under the bars,more of a finger toss, is usually a given for our fellow bikers on the road.The crotch rocket guys are to busy to be players,or to young, but most guys on old scoots or cruisers will say "hey" on the road.Anybody remember the fist up   We are Brothers on the road 

[Peters1983]

I make it a point to wave to other riders, usually it involves a quick low slung peace sign. A proper hand turn signals to me would be completely horizontal or vertical arm with a flat open hand or index finger. I don't think it is a far fetched idea not to wave at a rider, it mostly depends on the comfort level of the rider. there are times i do not think it is appropriate to remove your hand from the bars i.e. heavy traffic or again a situation where you would not feel comfortable but I do a lot of country commuting (not a lot of stopping or turn offs) so I see the same people every day. that I think is courteous, in the city it is a judgment call.

in reply to ekpent, the rocketeers wave constantly, the Harley guys are a different story. but we have a lot of "hardcore" bikers where i live and some are just too cool for school.

[Brian G]

I try to acknowledge other riders as they pass - depending, as Peters says - on the traffic situation. Ride the bike first.

It may be a subjective opinion, but it seems to me that 75% of the people coming in the opposite direction wave back. If they don't, they're usually 'cruiser' riders (I can't tell if they're Harleys or Volusias or Shadows or whatever - just that they're leaning back and have their feet forward. Nonetheless, they're Brothers of the Road and I'll give them a wave. Have done since I started riding on a BSA C15 in 1967 

Regards,

[bird]

Same here in Australia.
Old school guys wave or point, whatever. Harley riders – forget it. And young riders just don't know.
Waving is a vanishing courtesy all motorcycle riders should respect and continue to do.
Let's not let it fade away.

[Old75_ratafe]

What about a simple smile and head nod to the other riders?  If I'm at a stop sign or cruising at a constant speed I could see a light wave but I prefer to keep my palm on the grip.... never know when those MI potholes will rear their head.

[Doctorlumen]

I was just thinking about this today, actually. I failed to wave at another biker while I was changing lanes. I was checking over my shoulder and basically missed him/her. I felt a little guilty. But more to the point; I always make an effort to say hey. If it is a bike or rider I know, I tend to throw "the horns". If its an amazing machine of one sort or another, the wave is accompanied by a full seat-twist to "take it all in". If its the first day of sun (I live in Seattle) I have been known to throw both arms up in a "hoooray" sort of fashion.

I firmly believe that the wave is an affirmation of character and spirit...its why motorcyclists are some of the most interesting people a person could meet. Hell, I even wave to scooters from time to time...those SOBs are nuts to ride those under-powered squirrely little things year round in the city. So maybe I get my milk money stolen from all the "cool" kids at school, but two wheels is two wheels.

And, for the record, Harleys never wave back. So F*** them. But to be fair, I giggle a little every time I see a Hog low-side.

[swellguy]

There's an old joke on Harley boards or among the garage built chopper crowd that goes something to the effect of "I ain't waving . . . I'm changing gears".
Personally, if you're cruising, removing your left hand to make some sort of brief jesture puts you no more in danger than taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds. I think it's a polite thing to do but have noticed over the last few years that I've met more and more people who don't think it's "cool" to wave at other riders. I do, just the same, but rarely do I receive a wave back these days.  

[-CB-Jamie-]

I've only been riding about 8-9 months now and never really knew bikers did this at the start, but then every bike i passed gave me a nod of the head so thats what i do now, i think its much safer than waving with your hand as both hands are still on the bars and you can keep your eyes on the road. You do get the odd one who doesn't nod or wave back though

[Hush]

I've always aknowleged other riders with a wave or nod the head ever since I got on the road 38 years ago.
Mind you now I have to be careful cos sometimes when I wave these days they pull over and surrender!

[eideteker]

I make it a point to wave to other riders, usually it involves a quick low slung peace sign.

I drop my left hand and give 'em four - think open palm with the thumb pulled in - since I'm on a four-cylinder bike.

[JBMorse]

I feel no obligation to wave to another rider.  Unless I have something in common with someone, like they're also riding a vintage bike.  Otherwise it just seems to me like a "ooooh look at me!!!" thing.  Especially when the other rider waves at me without looking at me to see if I wave back or even acknowledge them. 
On my cross country trip I was on the highest section of the blue ridge parkway when I somehow got stuck behind a pair of loud and slow cruisers.  The riders were waving around to everyone and you could tell they were enjoying being seen and heard.  Well, they effectively spoiled that section of the parkway for me because they were putting along at granny speeds and at one point really screwed up a turn because they thought waving at oncoming riders was more important than paying attention to the road. 
The blue ridge is fantastic though, on a weekday!

[KRONUS0100]

usually a head nod if in turns................otherwise its a low upside peace sign to simply mean........KEEP IT RUBBER SIDE DOWN.  seems to be the norm around here.

[MCRider]

Gotta do it. One of the last traditions of civilised peaceful persons. I remember at age 17 just got my Bonneville and someone waved at me. After that I was hooked.

Whether its returned or not.

[mystic_1]

Wave to scooter riders?
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=75594.0

    
I wave at everyone on 2 wheels....
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50354.0

    
That MC wave
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20999.0

    
wave/no wave
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=12324.0

    
the wave on a vintage bike vs others
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=34362.0

    
The Wave
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=1422.0

    
History of the HD wave revealed!!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=33887.0

    
A good story about the motorcycle wave.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36202.0


The Motorcycle Wave
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=10310.0

    
waving to other riders
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=77197.0
(infinite loop! )

    
Harleys,baggers and cruisers.Yawn.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=75344.0


The "Anti-Wave"
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=38216.0


When did everyone become a butthole?
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=54325.0


Non verbal communication questions
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=38057.0

    
Reason's riders don't wwave back
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=47788.0



Just sayin'.

mystic_1

[flybox1]

Hey Plug....you started this thread in hopes of getting thoughts and opinions from the forum.
ever think that this is a topic thats been covered before?
ever use the search button?

we'll it looks to me you got a good answer, from a pretty good source.
dont be quick to diss a reply....

[rhos1355]

I don't wave to other riders unless they've got a post count of 100+ on their forums..................... just saying.

[sangyo soichiro]

I make it a point to wave to other riders, usually it involves a quick low slung peace sign.

I drop my left hand and give 'em four - think open palm with the thumb pulled in - since I'm on a four-cylinder bike.

I really like this.  I never thought of it that way.  Maybe the two-finger Harley wave is supposed to represent a V-twin.  I'm going to do the four-finger from now on.  Unless I'm on one of my thumpers, then it will be a one-finger.   

[mystic_1]

sorry, I don't sit around reading 4 year old threads.

Many of those threads are much less than 4 years old.  Even if they were, would that make the information in them invalid somehow?

George Santayana said "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

mystic_1

[sangyo soichiro]

It's not that big of a deal to start a new thread IMO.  Kind of like talking about that deer hunting trip again.  I did like to see all the links to the other threads though - put a smile on my face. 

[flybox1]

It's not that big of a deal to start a new thread IMO.  

+100

i do have a problem with those who diss others for taking the time to look up previous threads, compile them, and post for all to review.  this forum has tons of good info, spread out over years, easily buried. good on anyone for bring up worthy dead-threads.

[mystic_1]

It's not that big of a deal to start a new thread IMO.  

+100

I agree, to a point.  For example, how many more "what kind of oil do you use and why" threads or do we really need? 

There's lots of information here for people willing to read it.  In fact, the points in the OP's opening post are mentioned in some of the threads I linked.

That said, I don't really expect people to stop posting these sorts of threads, I was just trying to highlight the fact that this topic, like many others, has been covered Ad nauseam.

cheers

[hotpocket]

I was reading the reader's write-in section of a v-twin mag when I came across a letter criticizing the act of waving to other riders. His opinion was that this is a dangerous practice due to the rider removing his hand from the handlebars and also falsely alerting other drivers of an impending turn. I myself don't wave to other riders unless I'm waved at. I just thought this guy had an interesting viewpoint , however far-fetched.

sounds like a lame excuse to be a dick.  ever driven a bike with a suicide shift? it's alot harder then "waving". 

[MCRider]

I was reading the reader's write-in section of a v-twin mag when I came across a letter criticizing the act of waving to other riders. His opinion was that this is a dangerous practice due to the rider removing his hand from the handlebars and also falsely alerting other drivers of an impending turn. I myself don't wave to other riders unless I'm waved at. I just thought this guy had an interesting viewpoint , however far-fetched.

sounds like a lame excuse to be a dick.  ever driven a bike with a suicide shift? it's alot harder then "waving". 

Yeah. I mean if you're actually in a turn then no one minds if the waiving ceases, its understood. Going straight a quick wave and back on the bars is nothing. We're not asking for a date or anything.

The wave should be as meaningful to the waver as the wavee. Acts of kindness are always returned, wings of a butterfly and all that.

[plug1]

we'll it looks to me you got a good answer, from a pretty good source.
dont be quick to diss a reply....
[/quote]

  I thought this forum was for all to post as they please. Sorry I didn't do the extensive research that must be required to participate. It cracks me up how some folks judge others by the amount of posts displayed under their name. Guys get keyboard muscles when they're half a world away.  Anyway, I don't have a problem with waving and I don't think it is unsafe. I thought the letter's author had a far-fetched pov, that's all.