Waving at each other on rides Q

[ryeflyer]

:wave

OK heres a question for you biker types to debate. When I rode down to TN/NC and Cherahola/Deal's Gap etc. I tried to follow the protocol of acknowledging fellow riders with a slight wave. Sometimes I was reacting to a wave, sometimes I initiated it. Used to be a thing in the UK too - when I owned a VW GTI we all flashed each other as we went by. Silly, but fun. Helps pass the time on I-81 too!

However, and there's always a however, :D about 25% or more of the time I would get no response from riders if I waved going to and from Deals Gap. That's fine, there are safety reasons etc for not responding, and maybe social ones too. I rather UNscientifically noticed that many of the non-responders were riding HD's. In fact on one occasion I could have been mistaken for thinking that a particular rider let me know that he thought I was number one, if you get my meaning. Now I am not a broad brusher and sterotyping person, so I thought I woudl throw this open for a little commentary and debate.

So Miss Manners, how does a biker behave towards fellow bikers on such matters?

:wave

[mrocket49]

I found that when I rode a Japanese cruiser, the HD group didn't seem to like that too much but on my Beemer, most seem to wave. Same with my British bike.

When I first started riding about 30 years ago, there was alot more waving but also less bikes on the road. This was probably true with cars as well. When they first came out, everyone probably waved to each other but as their numbers increased, it got to be too much. Ever notice around a rally site where there are plenty of bikes, there's not alot of waving going on.

Overall, I've found the folks on dual-purpose bikes to be the most waverly (new word). I think it's because they're having the most fun.

[kcallstate]

I wave to everyone regardless of their ride. If they don't wave back, oh well. It is a habit I've had for the last 25 years of riding. Whenever I'm driving my wife's Mini, I also wave to all other Mini's... Just as a way of saying, "I hope you're having as much fun as I am!" It's the same with other riders...

Here's a quick story about today's rider relations compared to the past... Whenever I or my riding group have passed a rider on the shoulder, we ALWAYS stop to offer help. As many of you know, that is just not the way it seems to work today. Last summer, riding on the local interstate, I pulled over to help a guy who had broken down with his beautiful custom chopper. He was quite taken aback by my actions. I pulled out my meager standard issue BMW tool kit and he was able to tighten up his final drive sprocket on the rear wheel that had come loose and was hitting the spring arm. He was very nice and appreciative and actually admitted that he would probably not have stopped to help me in the same situation. But after our meeting, he says he will stop for all riders in need. Maybe we turned one of them into an oldschooler after all!

[Richr8]

...there are times when I am riding that I am focusing so hard on what is in front of me that I miss a wave. When someone doesn't wave back, I assume they are equally preoccupied with the business at hand.

[SNC1923]

I don't return/initiate a wave about 30% of the time. It's always because I'm occupied (in a turn) or didn't notice the other bike until too late.

Riders sometimes wave at me from the other side of the freeway, six or eight lanes away. I almost never see them until too late.

When a rider doesn't return my wave, I assume that most of the time it's for the reasons listed above. If not, well, what can I do? I just keep waving.

[GlobalRider]

Around here, no problem due to the low concentration of motorcyclists. I don't mind :wave.

But when in an area with a high concentration of motorcyclists (the Alps comes to mind), it gets to be very tiresome and you don't want to appear rude, especially as a foreigner. Its the "yes, I know we have something in common, wave" and the "yes, I know you enjoy motorcycling wave" (and if you don't, you're doing something very wrong), but give my arm a rest. ;)

[shadowraven]

If it's a nice day, not much traffic, clear roads and an occasional bike (1-2 per hour) I'll wave. For the rest of the time I usually ignore other riders. I'm a major advocate of bike safety and unless I have ideal conditions, I'm focusing on the task at hand. There is a reason people think I'm an outcast.......:brow

[hondarider]

I tend to wave to every rider I pass...I'm just happy to be out riding regardless of whether I'm on my little 74 Honda Scrambler or a big twin...I've noticed that some of the HD guys I ride with absolutely refuse to wave to someone who isn't riding a Harley...seems silly...I know that every one of them was riding a Japanese bike at some point in their lives...too caught up in trying to uphold the Billy-Bad-Ass persona they paid $20,000 for...silly...as if a doo rag and an officially authorized HD set of Korean made leathers makes you somehow cooler than the rest of the world...rest assured, I'll happily wave to the guy on the step-thru scooter and I'll stop to offer assistance to the grizzled road dog on the shovelhead...life's too short and one person can never have too much good karma:thumb

[BradfordBenn]

I wave to almost everyone... However I do safety first, if I can not wave safely I don't wave.

[rgvilla]

:wave

[hondarider]

I wave to almost everyone... However I do safety first, if I can not wave safely I don't wave.


So you don't endorse waving during a down shift...on a steep downhill turn...on a gravel road?:laugh

[Greenwald]

Having spent 7 years recently as a police motor officer on a Road King, I sort of 'infiltrated' the Harley sub-culture that exists in motorcycling today. While Harley affeccionados proved to be some of the nicest fellows (and gals), including many of those whom I rubbed shoulders with during five days at Daytona Bike Week, they are a bit stingy with the 'wave' if they recognize you as something other than Milwaukee Iron.

The orignal author of this thread is correct in the assumption that the majority of failed waves can be attributed to Harley riders. That is 'the elephant in the room' that all of us see, but nobody wants to comment too loudly about.

I'll probably get stoned trying to drive thru Milwaukee for saying all this, but three deacdes in law enforcement has hard-wired me to call it like I see it.

I wave at RIDERS, not MAKES. May we all.

[85138]

In my experience and observation, HD riders return the wave the least.

Now which make is second? I wouldn't be surprised if it's BMW.

[BuddingGeezer]

Most of the time I wave, sometimes I don't. This country has become an unfriendly place. I used to pick up hitch hikers, now I don't. 30 years ago whenever I trailered my boat at the end of a fishing day other fisherman would ask how I did. Me also to them. Today you get glared at, especially with the 30 year old crowd. Did the competion of tournament fishing do this? Same thing with motorcycle riders. Did my generation not teach our kids courtesy, did TV commercials put in our minds 'I have to have the best, and your brand is inferior'? Who knows, it's the way it has become.

[jdmetzger]

I used to get plenty of waves riding around here. The interesting thing is I notice a LARGE drop off in waves when I'm wearing my high-viz Olympia AST. I guess I don't look "cool enough" to wave to.

I used to wave all the time, until at the MOA rally I found myself getting overly distracted by it. Now I don't worry about it if I'm in the middle of a high-speed curve. :)

I DID stop to help someone once on the side of the road. I was cruising across Canada (About 3 minutes from the Ontario-Quebec border) last July and saw a guy pushing a bike (new HD), with his wife carrying two helmets behind him. Turns out his fuel gauge is not accurate, and his calculations weren't correct for a head wind. :doh I gave him a few cups of gas from the Airhead, asked him to "pay it forward" and continued on. It was a nice break after riding for a while.

[PacWestGS]

H-D It's a sub-culture all of its own marketing, don't let it bother you. I don't, the older "Bikers" wave more often than the RUBs/Weekend Warriors. The new kids on crotch-rockets are too screeed to remove a hand or too focused on keeping it in their lane to wave, so they get a pass on the return wave.

I wave so often (if I can) that I hit the side window in my car/truck when driving.

I'll stop or slowly ride by anyone stopped in an odd place on the road whether riding or driving. I remember pushing my bike many miles a long long time ago.

But that's just me. I wave, if you don't or can't I no longer care, life goes on.

I feel bad when I'm riding (in Colorado, Oregon and some other places) when I don't return the wave from oncoming pick-up truck drivers. That blows me away how friendly some states are as compared to others.

If I can't wave, (hands busy) I'll at least try to raise my head as an acknowlegment. I keep trying to teach my wife to wave at everybody and/or return waves but I find I always have to wake her up first. :laugh

[tuckerdt]

I bought a new HD in 2004 and people(?) waved to me for 37k miles. I figured it was a motorcycle type of thing. Last Fall I traded in the HD and bought a BMW. Out of 20 bikes I passed, I typically received one wave back. Then I realized, it was mostly the HD bikes that didn't wave. My neighbor, an HD rider who has HD on every piece of clothing, jokingly (I thought) told me I had to remove the HD stickers from my truck. But then I thought, isn't this the way it is in our country today, especially fueled by Washington, DC? You're either on one side or the other; there is no room in between. However, I still wave when it is safe and convenient, although I have to admit, sometimes I feel the urge to suck four of my digits back in.:nyah

[wezul]

Ha!
Want to get dissed? Try riding a Vespa! Quit your whining and wave! :wave

[henzilla]

H
I wave so often (if I can) that I hit the side window in my car/truck when driving.I'll stop or slowly ride by anyone stopped in an odd place on the road whether riding or driving. I remember pushing my bike many miles a long long time ago.

But that's just me. I wave, if you don't or can't I no longer care, life goes on.



I have hit that window also, as little as I use the cage these days!:laugh
I wave, but going thru a rally area or popular riding roads it can be overload.
I wave at riders, not makes,have a HD and do the same regardless of who/what is riding.
I had to laugh, we miscalculated a fuel run due to a severe headwind and were 1/3 gallon from making a West TX oasis...NO one stopped, even with a damsel in distress in a Olympia jacket . One of the group pressed on and brought back a full tank to pull from as none of the 6 of us had enough to get the siphon primed...even the GS! we got the usual " YIKES,BIKER" lock the doors and hit the gas looks...kind of sad actually. When we made the fuel stop, a truck/trailer with 4 -4wheelers and several fuel cans pulled in right behind us...Would they have stopped? I guess I will never know, but I do pay it forward when I can:wave

[Dawgmiester]

In regards to waving, I use to wave at just about everyone (if it could be done safely). However, it use to bother me somewhat when I would give a friendly wave and the other motorcyclist seemed to just ignore me. So for the past few years I have been giving a friendly salute to all motorcyclists (not the adventure rider salute) regardless what type of bike they are on.

[kbasa]

If I can, I wave. If they don't wave back, no worries. Sometimes, we're just busy.

[rgvilla]

If I can, I wave. If they don't wave back, no worries. Sometimes, we're just busy.

All politicians wave KBASA, it's in the genes:wave

[mrocket49]

Ha!
Want to get dissed? Try riding a Vespa! Quit your whining and wave! :wave

Sometimes, I wave to people on mopeds! It's fun to see the look on their face.

[Hodag]

I always wave or shake my foot if I have to keep my hands on the bars

[SIBUD]

Sometimes they don't wave because you don't belong to the Brotherhood.

The Brotherhood of the Road by Shalom Auslander

I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community? a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan.

Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassle handlebars and the studded luggage and the half-helmets? God, they drive me crazy.

You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them.

They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two-wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they've got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grampa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you.

Ducati guys? I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.

Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep on going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ass. I never wave at Kawasaki guys.

I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way.

Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two-piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at those guys with the helmets with the loud paintjobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet? Like I'm going to wave back to that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.

To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special?"

[Crow18]

I always wave or shake my foot if I have to keep my hands on the bars

I wave when I can, but sometimes my hands are occupied or my attention is elsewhere, and then I feel a little guilty afterward and wave harder at the next guy. Sometimes, if I see a bike as I'm approaching an intersection, I'll put the bike in neutral so I can wave as I come to a stop. I have to admit, if the other bike is a H-D, some part of my mind is saying "Why bother?" as I take my hand off the grip.

I only shake my foot if someone scratches my belly.

[mistermike]

If it's safe to do and I am not in a place where there's a ton of bikes, I wave, but I generally ignore Harley riders unless they wave first, or I'll wave right after passing their sorry butts. :rocker

[mrich12000]

I don't bother waving. However I do stop and help stranded motorist. With the dead ones I go through their gear.

:wave :wave :rofl :rofl :rofl :wave :bikes then kick them to make sure:brow

[snoone]

Why be like everyone else. Start a new trend... Start flashing the peace sign instead of waving!! I wonder if anyones against peace.

[BeemoKat]

Like most of the rest of us I wave, unless I have too much other business at hand (pun intended), or near a rally where there are just too many bikes to wave at. When my wave doesn't get returned, oh well. If I don't return someone else's wave, oh well. :wave

[PMonk]

One day in the distant past, must have been after 1986 since I was on a 1986 Harley Davidson Police special, I waved at a couple of BMW riders with their matching suits and matching helmets somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
They didn't wave back those snobs. I guess they were too stuck up to wave at a couple on a big white Electra Glide that was overloaded with camping gear.
They just king of stared at me like I was some kind of freak.
Really turned me off of BMW people. I was between R75/6 and R1100RT's at the time.

[screwtop]

I'm an equal opportunity waver. I wave when I'm on the GS, and I wave when I'm on the Deuce:wave

I would estimate that waves are reciprocated about 75% of the time when on the HD regardless of what the other biker is riding. I'd say it's about 50-50% when I'm on the GS from metric bikers and HD riders, and about 90% from fellow BMW riders (usually an enthusiastic wave at that!).

[wlpmd]

I wave regardless. Sometimes the other rider is looking directly at me and does not even acknowledge me passing. My new theory is that they are afraid to take their hands off the bike because of all the vibration! Big tough club members ..... afraid to take one hand off the bars! I always just wave to them more enthusiastically, smile and ride on! They are missing the spirit of the ride. :brad

[Consultant]

In the Amish country of Ohio, the Amish men usually wave by pointing a finger up. The reason for this is that they are pointing up to acknowledge God. As both a bicyclist and BMW rider, I find they more often wave at bicyclists but he older men usually wave in return if I wave first. Personally, I don't wave first to bikers without helmets unless they wave first. Then only a few fingers off the the bars.

[vetsurginc]

I initiate a wave whenever I can safely, anybody on two wheels and a motor I figure we're in the same group.

When I'm on the HD Heritage and wave to other brands I get fewer responses. When I'm on the Beemer I tend to get more returns. Go figure

:bikes

[BeemerArp]

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.

[bluehole]

I always wave to the guys on the mopeds and scooters. They seem stunned that someone on a bike will wave back. I know necessity/certain circumstances plays a role, but often those guys are riding in the rain, cold and heat.

A few months ago I was approaching an intersection and waved to an on coming cruiser. No response. Just for fun I kept waving at him...finally he responded. Probably just wanted to get the nutcase (me) out of the way. :brad

Sometimes not getting a return wave bothers me and I am not sure why. I think the closest analogy I can come up with is that I feel like I am extending my hand for a handshake and the other person turns and walks away. It bothers me much less than it used to...getting that tough skin. ;)

[bmdubyou]

Hey BeemerArp....those top 10 Reasons were awesome! Got a great well needed laugh from those! thanks:wave

[Picinisco]

:wave
Used to be a thing in the UK too - when I owned a VW GTI we all flashed each other as we went by. Silly, but fun.


Interesting that this thread would be started by a "Brit At Large". When I came to the US and started riding here, I discovered "the wave". Not something that the Brits do. I never rode on the European continent so did not have experience of the wave there. I like the wave whether returned or not. I asked by brother-in-law in Scotland why they do not do this there and his answer was it was just a silly thing to do. However having thought a little about it I would assume it is because we wave here with the left/clutch hand and I would assume that that is the case too in Europe but since Brits ride on the left/wrong side of the road a left hand wave is difficult to see and a right hand wave is out of the question.

[wgraybuckley]

Some of the non-wavers are asleep. Others are concentrating on the right should looking for an emergency stopping place to figure out what is causing "that noise."

[jwhite518]

I wonder if anyones against peace.

Of course, the Harley riders are against peace.

[Picinisco]

Of course, the Harley riders are against peace.


Wow that's a bit of a generalisation!

[jwhite518]

It's a JOKE.

[Picinisco]

It's a JOKE.

I didn't get it.

[snoone]

It's a JOKE.

Totally got it! In addition they are mostly republicans, gun owners and wear wife beater t-shirts.

[twins4life]

I find that about 50% of my waves to the "potato-potato" riders go unresponded to. Lately I have been ignoring them unless they wave first.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I find that about 50% of my waves to the "potato-potato" riders go unresponded to. Lately I have been ignoring them unless they wave first.

I have tried that and I actually get waved at by Harley's a lot more :laugh . I guess the true riders, regardless of brand bike will wave or acknowledge each other while on the road. The posers are just.......:dunno

[RandyB]

I've started paying attention since this thread started. I've ridden a couple thousand miles in the last month and seen 15 or so BMW riders. Not one waved back. Cruiser riders wave. Squids wave, although they wobble like drunks when they do. Gold Wingers wave. Then again, none of the Beemer riders were on Airheads....

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I've started paying attention since this thread started. I've ridden a couple thousand miles in the last month and seen 15 or so BMW riders. Not one waved back. Cruiser riders wave. Squids wave, although they wobble like drunks when they do. Gold Wingers wave. Then again, none of the Beemer riders were on Airheads....

Your bike maybe too old to get waved at...:stick :laugh :rofl

[redrider]

Rode 100 miles today and met one other rider.A Harley Dresser.He :wave first.Fancy that.:brow

[RandyB]

Your bike maybe too old to get waved at...:stick :laugh :rofl

They were probably trying to figure out how to make their next payment. :stick

[riderR1150GSAdv]

They were probably trying to figure out how to make their next payment. :stick

:rofl :rofl

A few years back I was in Key West where an eldery man approached me talking about my RT. He thought it was the most expensive bike there as it was a BMW. I told him it was the least expensive bike as it was not a 'custom' job from a few well known 'builders'. He couldn't believe someone would pay $100 K for something that would't start.... :violin :rofl (in front of Sloppy Joe's no less)
There were all kinds of OCC's,Indian Larry and other makes I have no clue about. This gentleman told me that despite the 'low' pricetag on my bike he liked it the best :thumb

[mistermike]

I've started paying attention since this thread started. I've ridden a couple thousand miles in the last month and seen 15 or so BMW riders. Not one waved back. Cruiser riders wave. Squids wave, although they wobble like drunks when they do. Gold Wingers wave. Then again, none of the Beemer riders were on Airheads....

I hear you. I've observed more than one person on a late model bmw who just as may well be on a harley or anything else. You know the guy. Has to have the bmw shirt on, sans jacket, mind you, when ever he goes for a "ride," i.e. less than 75 miles. Sometimes wear loafers on a short ride to the store for milk and eggs. Only trusts the dealer to work on his always shining machine. And generally has marginal riding skills that are only exceeded by his false bravado.

[sfarson]

Wave at or nod at all, and don't bother to look to see if responded to. Isn't my issue.

[Jamming]

I try to wave to all rider's, if they don't wave back it's their problem.

Couple of funny things, I ride to work everyday, there's a Phoenix Motor Officer lives by me and we end up riding together almost everyday. He's on his Police bike. Never met him until recently when I HAD to stop for fuel. He followed me off the freeway, to the pump, got off, introductions were made. We then rode rode off, pretty cool.

I stopped for a HD rider on the side of the freeway last summer. He had a rear flat. He asked if I had a phone, as his was dead, so he could call a tow. I asked him why? I pulled out my plug kit and pump( he had tubeless) plugged it, hooked up my pump to his battery, got him on the road in less than 15 min. He asked about my tire kit and wanted to know all BMW rider's carried it. I told him most do.

I will always stop for a rider on the side of the road, no matter the brand. I carry tie downs in the truck, all though my bike is my main transportation.

Rog

[RandyB]

Budding Geezer and I put in a couple hundred miles yesterday and I got in another couple hundred today. Everybody waved except.... the new model BMW riders. Even the rat pack of Harley riders we passed waved.

I stopped to check on an R1200 rider a while back who was stopped along the road. He just glared at me when I asked if he was OK. The next time that happens, I'll take his keys.

Today, I even had two sport bikes turn around and come back to see if I was OK while I was sitting alongside the road. Great guys.

[tuckerdt]

I know this sounds stupid, but I when I got my BMW I noticed many other riders didn't wave (although I didn't wave first)..... and I wanted to blame the HD riders, etc.

Then one day I initiated a wave to every bike I passed if it was safe and I saw them early enough.... and got a return wave from every single rider regardless of bike brand.

Since then I get the majority of waves returned if I initiate it.... and that includes HD, crotchrockets, mopeds, scooters, etc. There are lots of reasons for a wave to not be acknowledged, but that's not my worry, it feels good to greet others on bikes.

[KGT1200]

Joe Rocket Yellow Jackeet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by hondarider
I rode my Harley on Friday and received enthusiastic waves from every bike I passed...I rode the GS on Saturday and was universally snubbed by every bike I passed...I finally gave up all together...I wore my black Harley sweatshirt in an attempt to sway the crowd...it didn't work

I went from Northfield to Redwing tonight, and every one gave the fella on the GS in the flaming yellow jacket a "four finger flick to the side" which I prompty returned.

I never solecit a "wave" from other than like kind BMW riders; HD riders reserve those full "queen Elizabeth howdy-in-the-streets" wave for other HD's I think, But If you have stature in the saddle which the GS rides up higher than any of the two wheels goiong down the road, and you are taller and a bit thicker than "Shirley" was on "laverne and shirley", and you give them the "flick" most are willing to assume you pack emough coolness to deserve a return flick.

Personally I acknowledge with a flick even the most lowly moped! What the hell, the issue here is the rush you get on two wheels!Not the show and tell who owns the most horses deal!

Those of us that started out riding japanese were used to "those snobby beemer guys" that went by us jappy boys without even so much as an acknowledgement that we existed! I don't forget those days, and after owning two Beemers now,I still refuse to put my hand in the same silver lined cookie jar! Snob is what a snob does, I always say!

Red

[tuckerdt]

After a long life of riding Japanese, American, and German bikes, my conclusion is: no matter what type of bike you consider, *******s to saints own them.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it......

[beemerron]

This was sent to me last week and is good for a few yuks.

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 Sportbikers 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.
It's 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.


And Finally...

Top Ten reasons Metric Cruiser Riders don't wave back

10. New leather jacket was purchased at the same size as suit jacket. 9.
Didn't know that the bike wouldn't fly off the road if left hand was
removed. 8. Was looking at the handle bars wondering what accessory
could mount where. 7. Was wildly grasping at some valve under seat. (3.7
gals BAH!) 6. Rider was actually pulling up black socks and pulling down
on jeans trying to close a few air gaps. 5. Rider was too caught up in
reciting his mantra 'Left hand clutch' 'Right hand Gas AND Front brake'
'Left foot Gears' 'Right foot Rear brake' 'And for Gods sake Both feet
down at light'. 4. Waved after you went by. You just thought they didn't
wave. 3. Was searching GPS to find local Bike wash. 2. Rider wasn't
really waving, was doing wind airfoil test with hand and arm. 1. Rider
was involved in trying to get new throttle stop to STOP.

[BeemoKat]

After a long life of riding Japanese, American, and German bikes, my conclusion is: no matter what type of bike you consider, *******s to saints own them.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it......

You da man!