Bikes and etiquette

[frozennorth]

I wave to all riders (sans scooters), and I'm happy to report that here in Canada, about 80% of the riders--cruisers, sport tour, rockets--wave back, nod, or somehow acknowledge that you're not a cager.

Heck, I'll occasionally even get a low 5 from a HD and then notice colors in my mirror.

[iowabeakster]

Saturday,

14 of 15 riders waved to me. The couple that didn't were busy screaming at each other while riding helmet-less. I don't think they noticed me, although the other couple they were riding with both did.

Sunday,

I didn't count but would estimate: 1 of 25 waved. Although a Harley rider in front of me nearly rode off the road craning his head around to check me out.

Sunday riders are less friendly.

[GypsyRR]

Although a Harley rider nearly rode off the road craning his head around to check me out.

That happens to you too???



Maybe it's okay to do this, but I wouldn't do it. I was out Saturday riding and after passing a cruiser and his SO riding on the passenger seat I came into a little town about 5 miles later. A train had traffic stopped, so I pulled in line behind the last car and just turned off my engine and sat for a bit. As I was reaching into the tank bag to get a bottle of water, the Harley & his SO pull up right next to me. I can see from the corner of my eye (and my strategically angled mirror) that he is starring at me and just throttling the Harley drowning out my music. Uncomfortable with his encroachment on my space, the loud pipes, and even more so with his starring, I finally turned and smiled and nodded. He just nodded back and continued to stare and rev. Never spoke to me, just starred. She on the other hand, starred daggers into the back of his head. Awkward moment that went on and on and on ......

Once the end of the train was in sight, I put up my water, put on my gloves, started my engine while he sat and revved his Harley some more. As soon as the car in front of me moved, he throttled and cut me off and almost threw her off as well. Fortunately, I'm not prone to road rage. Unfortunately for him, I think I know every short cut and back road in the lower 150 counties of Texas, and so I was soon ahead of him again at the other end of town and then on my way towards the European Bike Rally in New Ulm (unfortunately, I was too shy to stop and participate)

But, I'm glad to know this kind of stuff happens to you too, Iowa!

[TonyT607]

In the NYC/NJ metro area I typically wave at almost everyone; but as has been pointed out the H-D guys almost never do. The most enthusiastic wavers I've noticed are fellow BMW pilots, followed by Ducatisti, then the Japanese sport bike riders.

There is a guy in my neighborhood somewhere who rides a beautiful-mint condition 1968 Harley. I have no idea what model it is but it's gorgeous and not too loud. The guy started talking to me at a red light once. Very nice guy, a "real" rider. I get a very friendly salute whenever we pass each other.

I do get alot of smiles, waves, and positive comments from people in BMW cars on the road, at red lights, in parking lots, etc. One time a guy in a new 5 series moved up next to me in the Garden State Parkway and as I glanced over he made the "trade" gesture; pointing to my bike, then back to himself back and forth...

[Biff's R]

Tony you should have traded him. You could have traded the car in for more bikes than what you started with.

Most around here wave.

I don't wave if I am in a corner, or shifting.

[R4R&R]

I will always return a wave if I see the other rider in time, and will usually initiate a wave.

You know what really pissed me off today on the way home from the bash? I was in Fredericksburg, VA. and it was nice out - lots of Harleys around. I come up on some poseur riding his 'custom' Sportster an after I pass him (which is usually the case) I give him a wave. No return wave. A few miles down the road we are both stopped at a traffic light and he pulls up right in front of me in the other lane and still doesn't wave. The some other Harley dudes pass going the other way and he waves to them. Typical of this area. I felt like giving him the ADV wave when I passed him again.

[cmann]

When I rode cruisers, it was the low-5. Now, I do the finger point, as if to say "you're the man!" It seems awkward doing the low-5 on the r.

[DJ Downunder]

Now, I do the finger point, as if to say "you're the man!"

DJ

[iowabeakster]

gypsy says:

iowabeakster wrote:
Although a Harley rider nearly rode off the road craning his head around to check me out.



That happens to you too???

In my case, I think he was looking at my bike.

[geothepencil]

But, I'm glad to know this kind of stuff happens to you too, Iowa!

No problems today, but we were on a river ferry with three lanes on the barge, 2 car lanes and 1 for bikes, 7 Harleys and 2 BMWs. When we got to the fur side, the bikes always go first, the guy next to me fires up his VRod with the LOUDEST pipes I've ever heard and gets ready to roll off. I pushed my starter button (Kbike) and couldn't hear a thing. I thought the guy next to me in the pick up truck was gonna fall out laughing because he saw me looking at the tach to see if my bike was running or not. The guy with the VRod is my next door neighbor and drives a BMW car. Go figure.

Anyway we waved a lot today and the one exception I can think of is at rally sites where you just can't possibly wave at everybody unless you have a fake hand on a spring tied to the bike. Say, that's not such a bad idea. I'll have to work on that !

geo

[Lost Rider]

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new
Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is
partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover
their
ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his
hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to
lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene
gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise
arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories
dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height,
programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation
system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

Top 10 Reasons Sport Bike Riders Don't Wave:

10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement
and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of
the
socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't
want
to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits
prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. Its too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave Back
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgement.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod,
XM, or talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.

[ASQTec]

L - O frigin' L! Some good ones there, Chi.

[NAIAD]

I've been waving the "low five" at other motorcyclists (heck, even the occasional scooter) for about 40 years in my rides around Washington, Nevada and most of the other Western states. My rides have been on a variety of bikes, Hondas, Suzukis, Harleys, Ducatis, and of course, the last couple of years on the R (best of all ).

I've found that most other riders do give me a wave back, with, as noted above, the exception of some Harley riders. On my (Quick)Silver R I've noticed that I now seem to get more "returns" from everyone, even the Harley riders. My pet theory about the somewhat improved rate of return from the Hog crowd is that they recognize a BMW as another sort of classic ride. This is quite a big change from the 10 years or so as a Ducatisti on a 900 Supersport. A LOT of the Harley riders during that period looked at me in what seemed to be surprise of a wave from a sportbike. Personally, I was somewhat amused at some of those looks!

But over the years I've taken the opportunity at roadside rests, motels, cafes, etc to strike up talks with others traveling on two wheels. By and large my experience is that the vast majority of riders are pretty good people who share my love of two-wheeling regardless of brand. I always stop if I see someone who looks like they may need help, without regard to the "type" of brand of bike they happen to ride.

And if other motorcyclists (or bikers!) don't wave back, that's okay by me. I'm having way too good a time to think much about it!

[DJ Downunder]

Good one ChiTown..

DJ

[Lost Rider]

I can't take credit, I got it from a BMWMOA thread....
Still quite funny, and true.

[sloopy_farklehump]

I love watching peoples reaction to my husband when he waves. He rides a Road King. When he's wearing his leather and beanie helmet the other members of his clan are demonstratively happy to see him. However, if he's wearing a full face helmet and his bright blue Polaris jacket (waterproof and warm), he is shunned

[fj_pastor]

Here in Spain we wave making a the "V" with two fingers.

So for that reason on bike forums our last letters on a post seem like:



VVVVVVVVVVVVVvvvvvvvvvvvssssssssssssssssss

[leoquattro]

Hearing from you all how much politeness amongst bikers is still alive in all continents, I have decided to start a sort of crusade here in Italy trying to re-educate my fellow bikers to wave at each other as we used to do years ago!
So starting tomorrow I will wave at other bikers, including HD but excluding scooters and mopeds. I'll let you know the statistics.
Ciao
Leoquattro

[NCPadgett]

I am new to all this, but have learned that waving is normal amoung most motorcyclist. However for the past two weeks there has been alot of people moving through the area going to Myrtle Beach for bike week and most of them wouldn't wave. After about a week of tolerating their anti-social behavior, I began waving like I was running for office just to annoy them. Couldnt tell what they were riding, looked like American made cruisers, but they were always in packs. The usual people on the daily commute are freindly and almost all wave

[wncbmw]

I will almost always acknowledge another rider, regardless of bike or brand, with a wave. Unless traffic or road conditions demand my attention. The type of wave varies however!

On the interstate, the low five is typical for all riders. Fellow Beemer pilots merit a 'hands above the handlebar' wave; fellow Roadster pilots get a little more enthusiastic wave. If I am loaded for a trip and meet a fellow Beemer pilot also loaded, he gets a 2-fingered salute!

And of course, if riding in a driving rain or snow, any other rider, regardless of brand, gets a salute or wave!

Scooter riders get ignored!

How's that for an explanation?!