The Motorcycle hand "wave" while riding - Do you?

[bigbob 901]

I'm talking about this nice little gesture that most bikers seem to do on the street when passing by another motorcyclist going the opposite direction, usually one or both riders exchange a left hand wave at each other.

My point and question is , yeah maybe on a two lane country road on a summer play ride day where I haven't seen a rider for miles I will wave, but come on driving through city streets or whereever ya pass 100 motorcycles a week on the street. I don't want to wave. I like both my hands on the bars thank you and I don't know you so don't be waving at me is the way I feel. Sorry but this wave bit is too silly for my tastes. ?

any comments?

[ClosetCaseNerd]

a bit anti-social are we? seriously though, if you really dont like doing it, dont ?

i always felt it was good for comradre between "us bikers"

[CRF230Fmelike]

if you dont like taking your hand off the bars how about a friendly nod? ?

[treehuggerssuck]

I wave every time, it's one of my favorite things about being a motorcyclist. After 15 years it still gives me a chill down my back. I even wave to the stuck up harley riders, even after being flipped off by a few.

?

[mudhog]

I wave, not all the time but most times. Keep in mind though, if I think it's too risky (heavy traffic, etc.), then I don't. Does it bother me when other riders wave, no. Why should it ?

As far as you not liking anyone to wave at you, would you rather that they throw rocks at you? How do you know that the rider you just snubbed won't be the one who could've helped you with a flat/broke down bike?

I'm not trying to trash or put you down. I can't understand why something so insignificant would cause you so much ill will. Maybe it's a geography thing. Where I ride, whether it's on pavement or dirt, the vast majority of motorcycle riders I encounter all act friendly. I've been helped and have helped others numerous times.

All things being equal, I'm sure that everyone can respect your preferrence of not being greeted, smiled at,etc. Wouldn't it be less stressful if you just stayed home?

[mudhog]

Wait a minute tree, don't group all H-D riders together and call us stuck up. I never discriminate based on brand/type of bike ridden ?

[KrAsS]

I always wave. It sucks when you wave at dudes and they don't wave back though. ?

[treehuggerssuck]

Wait a minute tree, don't group all H-D riders together and call us stuck up. I never discriminate based on brand/type of bike ridden ?

my apologies, but being a sportbike rider who waves to everyone, the only people who don't wave back are harley riders, not all but some. I realized a long time ago it's not what you ride it's just that you ride.

[mudhog]

Wait a minute tree, don't group all H-D riders together and call us stuck up. I never discriminate based on brand/type of bike ridden ?

my apologies, but being a sportbike rider who waves to everyone, the only people who don't wave back are harley riders, not all but some. I realized a long time ago it's not what you ride it's just that you ride.

That's an honest statement and unfortunately, truer than what I wish was the norm. Thankfully, I don't see much of it here in the southeast. It's a shame that more people don't see the common denominator of it all, that we all love riding. (You listenin' BB?).

[PoorLilRich]

if im riding down on the berm close to the highway and see a biker, chances are they wave, i like waving to those guys because were both on 2 wheels and livin complete different worlds

its a nice thought

i always wave to dirtbikers and even quads on the trails though ?

[Joe105]

My house where I ride most of the time is right next to the highway. I get the wave alot and give it sometimes to. Sometimes a exchange of stairs at each others bikes is good enough. That or we both nod at each other. The best had to be this giant guy, must have wieghed 300 or more on a XR650 coming down the road and he had basicly a little bicycle helmet on his head, and as soon as he saw me come slidin around my front yard by the road his face lit up and he had this big smile and was wavin like crazy. I know he wasent a MXer, maybe he was just glad to see another XR, cause it was back when I had my XR100. Another good time was when I saw a crotch rocket rider coming up the road just kinda puting around looking at the scenes, so i pulled next to him and did a wheelie just to show off and he started doing one right next to me for about 50 ft then we both looked over gave a nod and went our seperate ways. Its that kinda stuff I love about this sport.

[Ccarl]

I wave everytime but Harley riders barely ever wave back, but with the way the harley crowd is moving, I could care less. My Dad was a die hard Harley man until he went to the 100th anniversary and he said over half were trailer queens down there. I have to agree, i see bikes all over that are 4-5 years old with 1700 miles on them? I mean come on. I love Harleys and always will, but it seems everyone with some money in their pocket all the sudden wants to be Jesse James or some Hells Angel. All you die hard harley guys I commend you, but I heard enough of what my dad said about the 100th festival. He sold his Heritage Softail and got a Kawasaki Concours....Riding a Harley with your busines suit on to work? I see it all the time, what a biker I say, hardcore!.

I always wave, and more than not, Harley riders are just way too good for my KLX when they are cruising down the last few miles into a biker run after they just unloaded their bikes two miles down the road. Throw a doo rag on and you are an instant badass, what a crock, My dad laughed and sold his, and he has countless miles in his Harley career.

[bigbob 901]

To clarify my message. I love biking and I'll allways liked the hand wave thing. Yes, I consider myself a friendly motorist and would offer help to another biker in an instant if needed.

I was just thinking sometimes I do feel it's becoming a bit more habit or a required courtesy, then actual comradeship. Here in The Sacramento, CA area, we have 10,000s of bikers. I mean on any sunday just riding down the street, I will pass 50 bikes in 30 minutes easy. There is a big harley shop nearby and here where I live it's near tree lined twisty foothill two lanes roads that people, sportbikes and HDs, come from miles around to ride. 50 bikers in 30 minutes is kind of over worked to wave each time don't ya think?

am I anti social or lazy? too sceeerred to let go of my bar every time or just a pragmatic SOB? Maybe some of all or maybe I reconize that 50 bikers is a bit much in a 30 minute stretch to wave at.

By the way all the harley riders in this area are very cool and wave alot.

also I just thought this would be an interesting post subject so I let it fly. i do like the wave , just not ALL the time like its required which i know it isnt ?

[Kev_XR]

I generally wave. On a country road, I figure if I can't ride with one hand, I'm probably going too fast.

If it is like saluting everyone in a parade, I can see relaxing a bit.

HD riders are the most likely not to wave back.

I occasionally wave to motorcycle cops, though I usually don't wave.

[elias]

It is the same for boaters. Everyone you go by in the harbor waves. ?

I do it also. Fraternal order of whackadoos.

[SXGalCRF250R]

It is the same for boaters. Everyone you go by in the harbor waves. ?

I do it also. Fraternal order of whackadoos.

It's kind of the same,but opposite with people who own Mustangs. Instead of waving, it's either the head nod, or the engine rev then floor it to see who's faster. I prefer the head knod as oppose to the wave.

[FOFIDDY]

I've got to defend the Harley riders for not waving. They are afraid if they let go, the bars will rattle off ?

[scooter141]

Ooohhhhhh god THATS FUNNNNYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

I did get to ride a 04' V-Rod, pretty fast, but still wont turn. I would ride that thing all day, or to the honda shop for a trade in. HEHEHEHE ?

[mudhog]

O.k. BigBob, after reading your second post, I have a clearer view of where you're coming from. ?

From what you've said, you definitely have way too many riders to constantly keep waving. Sorry if I seemed to be giving you the finger instead of a wave (Me begging forgiveness)

Ccarl, no doubt the harley community is over run with yuppies. Things have changed tremendously and unless you run with a club , or know some old-time riders, it's very easy to run into the weekend "biker". Hope the switch your dad made was for reasons other than the rubs. Bottom line is the same no matter what a person rides, if the rider likes what he/she's on, then :D

[mudhog]

I've got to defend the Harley riders for not waving. They are afraid if they let go, the bars will rattle off ?

Just a thought FOFIDDY, could the bar shake be from them laughing at you?