Why do you wave?

[BradfordBenn]

While riding the past couple of weeks, I noticed lots of riders wave. Some people don't. It is not a brand thing, it is a motorcycle thing, but it made me think...

Why do you wave?

[gambrinus]

Because I don't want to me mistaken for a HD rider....


RW

[frazz]

to acknowledge a fellow celebrant of the two wheeled journey and of life:clap

[Win3855]

Just to say "Hey". Also to irritate some whom I know won't wave back! Although lately, some of their passengers do.

[MarkF]

I got tired of waving and having some not wave back. It made me feel like an idiot. In Connecticut I've noticed most HD riders and all most all non-helmet riders never wave back. So, now I only wave first to BMWs but always return a wave.

MarkF

[Cliffy777]

on account of I wanna. I likes to ride bikes and I likes when others do as well.
I couldn't put it any better than Byrd did. Ditto.
I quit waving to HD riders for awhile, but I have started up again - I figger if I wave and they don't, then its their problem, not mine. When my journey is over I can look God in the eye and say, "Hey - I waved...."
BTW - good question Brad.

[MCMXCIVRS]

I wave at nearly every motorcyclist I see while riding. Most wave back, the ones that don't, don't bother me. I sometimes fail to wave due to having a handful of clutch or because I did not see them in time. The riders who choose not to wave back due to attitude leave me not feeling silly for waving at them, but rather a bit sad that they feel they are too proud to associate with others who share the passion for riding. If its because of a brand thing, then they are small minded people who need to put down others to mask their own inadequacies, and that is sad.

So the answer to the question, why do I wave. I guess its just to show appreciation for a common passion.

[Rich]

for the same reasons you guys gave. I notice that lone Harley guys usually wave back, but when there are two of them they must not think it's manly or something. But one more thing I notice, is if the guy has a passenger, they almost always wave back. I guess their women are just the friendly sort, huh? :) I went through this stage where I didn't wave, unless the other rider waved first, but then I started thinking, to them I was just another snobby BMW rider. So now I just wave and if they don't return it, so what, I'm not out anything.......

[snoone]

I'm finding that most Harley Guys are now returning or initiating waves, however there are still the guys who just bought their first Harley (the pseudo outlaw wannabees, weekend riders /professionals in their day jobs) or the guys that are simply just too cool to acknowledge others experiencing the joy.

[85138]

Why do I wave? Camaraderie or acknowledgement of my 'partners in crime'.

As Harley ownership has broadened I think more HD riders do wave back though I agree they're still predominant along w/ the non-helmet riders in the 'do not wave back camp'. I've also encountered Beemer riders who don't wave back as well. (not sure about this but I think primarily the older BMW's)

[GSTom]

I grew up in a small farming community. There, drivers still give each other a wave consisting of raising the index finger from the steering wheel.
It's just a friendly way of acknowledging the existence of someone from your community, in this case the community of motorcyclists.

[James.A]

While I always notice other motorcycles in traffic, I do not always wave, or return a wave. In thick traffic, at high or low speed, I do not like to take my hand off the bar or even allow the few seconds of distraction. Therefore, I do not have an opinion on non-wavers. Sometimes I return a wave with a nod of the head. (helmeted, of course)

[Tinboatcapt]

...Well, I guess it just feels right. If they don't wave back, It must feel right to them no to. So be it.

It is interesting to note the different styles. The open hand in the traditional greeting, the single (index) finger pointed at the ground, Fingers lifted from the grip without lifting the palm (and variations).

The North Dakota single (Index) finger lifted from the wheel,
The single finger ... Well it is sort of a wave!

:eek

I'll need to practice the North Dakota wave. I leave for Turtle Lake, ND this afternoon.:D :bliss
Jim

[MarkF]

Originally posted by tinboatcapt
It is interesting to note the different styles. The open hand in the traditional greeting, the single (index) finger pointed at the ground, Fingers lifted from the grip without lifting the palm (and variations).

The North Dakota single (Index) finger lifted from the wheel,
The single finger ... Well it is sort of a wave!

Jim

For an interesting read on this topic see MOTOR CYCLE ADVENTURES North Georgia, Western North Carolina and East Tennessee by Hawk Hagebak. Page 8 Code of the Road - The Art of the Wave is just great!

MarkF

[jgr451]

I have a dark fairing and my gloves have black palms and red backs.I am sometimes reluctant to lift a hand off the bars if I am accomplishing a manoeuver that requires concentration.I have discovered the art of raising my hand and turning the back in the dead air zone behind the fairing,so the oncoming rider can see a flash of red.Otherwise,the more subtle forms of wave would go unnoticed.
That's how.
Why?
I think it is to acknowledge the common danger we all experience as riders and to acknowledge that we are both still out there.An affirmation of cheating death once more...

[BradfordBenn]

I wave for a couple of reasons:

[list=1]
To say howdy to another member of the riding family
To break up the monotony if riding on a super slab
To have fun
To encourage peace (I wave with my hand in a peace sign)
When I have the throttle lock on I wave with the right just for laughs
If I am stopped, to let the rider know I am okay
'Cause there are enough people out to get us
To pass on wishes for safe journies to the other rider, whether they return the wave or not.
[/list=1]

Seems like a small thing, but it is kind of like the Freedom Bell or Angel Bell. It makes me feel better and it ain't hurting anyone, so why not?

I disagree with the Harley statement. On the way back from the National the three of us (BoxerGrrlie, BMWRTRider, and myself) saw quite a few packs of riders. The Harley riders waved as often as anyone else, if not more. When the packs were going by, usually all of the riders waved.

It is definitely a regional thing though. In the Plains States the HD packs would wave, in Indiana small groups of HD will wave but packs don't. I wave either way.

I have also found myself waving while in the car, which cracks me up. I am trying to figure out a way to put an indicator on the car that I am a rider.

[CustomSarge]

Been riding since '68, waving all the time (except when unsafe). No general rule to will/won't, except new HD bikes w/young(?) guy on board. Won't; I think because he's too cool & needs both hands on his new penile substitute.

[The_Veg]

I pretty much wave whenever I can. My reasons go along many of the lines already expressed here, but when in the moment it just feels good- I like being friendly and having that friendliness returned. I've always been a lover of the concept of a great brotherhood of man or something like that, and waving to other riders feels like a tiny little step toward that ideal.

[ian408]

I just like to wave :D

Try this sometime when you're driving the cage. Instead of
waving out the window, lift two fingers off the steering wheel
and acknowledge a cop. It's funny, but I rarely get a wave
from a motor but two fingers off the wheel almost always
gets the same. Go figure.

But why do I wave? For many of the reasons already cited.
Most of all, because it's an acknowledgement of another
rider.

Ian

[JetDoc]

I always wave at the cops on the side of the road... Makes 'em wonder what you've been up to!:bliss

[mdcruiser]

I wave to show the other rider I'm on his/her side; I'm a member of the same (beleaguered...) community; I will come to his assistance if he needs it; etc.

I wave out of solidarity!

[RT_guy]

Originally posted by MarkF
I got tired of waving and having some not wave back. It made me feel like an idiot. In Connecticut I've noticed most HD riders and all most all non-helmet riders never wave back. So, now I only wave first to BMWs but always return a wave.

MarkF

I don't notice that here in the coastal Carolinas. Us suth-ners are a friendly sort. Either that, or it's so durn hot, it feels good to get a hand out in the breeze now and then. :D

[DarrylRi]

I like to wave because it feels good to me. Doesn't matter if they don't wave back.

However, I do have another reason for waving: I hope to get a sign back should there be speed trap or other obstruction ahead. I always give the slow down sign if there's a radar trap or sudden traffic stop ahead.

[ScottM]

I just like to wave. I don't really care about a return, though many do. Just a way of saying "have a safe ride".

Here in aggressive CA I have stopped the single finger wave at cage idiots. Have instead begun using something I learned while I lived in Germany. They used a hand single that looks much like our OK sign. Of course the meaning is slightly bent to mean A@$ hole. Also touching your helmet means s@#$ for brains. Lost on many, but I certainly feel a lot better. I guess now the secrets out.;)

[James O]

I wave because the fact that you ride outweighs what you ride. I wave at everyone. I find that it isn't the brand of motorcycle, but where you are riding (city vs country, etc) that seems to influence whether you get a wave from other cyclist. Lately I've had more Gold Winger's not wave than any other brand. Go figure:dunno I usually just hold out the left hand for all brands, but I'm pretty sure I look like an idiot when a fellow BMW rider goes by.:rocker

James O

[Cliffy777]

why would you "look like an idiot when a fellow BMW rider goes by"? Am I missing something (as is usually the case)?

[jmerlino]

It's kind of a cliche to say that Harley guys don't wave, but as far as I can tell, there's no brand division between guys who wave and guys who don't.

Women, on the other hand (at least the ones that I can readily identify as women under their helmets) always wave.

[chasman]

I wave to see how many of the Harley riders are man enough to take one hand off the handle bars.........most aren't! 8>P


Riding Like the Wind (and waving)...

CHASMAN
Black '02 K12RS

[Zbag]

I stopped waving at every body. The things that make me not wave are traffic or safety. And people that can’t see me AKA no wind shield or helmet.

[Scootertrash]

I wave just to keep my fingers from cramping up on the hand grip...

[username]

ive got three motorized vehicles, two of the three get me waves. my vw bus is one, and all the other aircooled folks here in town wave to each other. beetles, rails, ghias, and other buses. even the folks in the late model water-cooled vanagons wave. it's wonderful.

on the motorcycle, it's the same. all bmw people wave to me. most everyone else does here too, but maybe we're just friendlier. some sport bike folks dont wave, but that's ok with me.

it feels good. we pass tens of thousands of cars and ignore each other. think about it, we're ten feet from each other going 70mph! is that cool or what? and yet we're all bored as hell with it. it's inhuman. so the waving to fellow riders/air-coolers is like a connection in a vast sea of sameness. it's a way of saying, 'i noticed you. hello! look, we're both alive! woooo!' and it's a gesture of goodwill. waving is like smiling or laughing, it just feels good to do. i feel good even when i wave and no one waves back. perhaps it's the lithium.

also, i am not a 'cool' waver. the harley guys around here do this thing where they sort of just drag their left arm. it's very cool. sport bike guys, especially the ducati crowd, sort of point to me. i imagine them winking and making that, 'chk chk' sound with their tongue against their cheek. they are *very* cool. i've tried those waves out, but they dont work for me. so i hold my hand way up and i actually wave it, not *quite* like a little kid, but close. it's fun.

[username]

Originally posted by Cliffy777
why would you "look like an idiot when a fellow BMW rider goes by"? Am I missing something (as is usually the case)?

maybe he just looks like an idiot in general? i guess we'd have to see him for ourselves. can you post a pic?

:D

[James O]

Ok. To username; Yeah I guess, in general, I do look somewhat like an idiot.
To Cliffy; I typically just do the left hand out, kind of " too cool for school" wave. When I see a fellow beemer rider, I have a tendancy to be a little more animated in greeting those folks, as the simile I included in my last post might imply.
:rocker


Sorry for the confusion. As long as my dry sense of humor amuses me, I'll be happy.

James O

[username]

Originally posted by James O
[snip] When I see a fellow beemer rider, I have a tendancy to be a little more animated in greeting those folks, as the simile I included in my last post might imply.


in that case, you dont look like an idiot at all, you look cool.

sounds like i wave like you. :D

[SCDorman]

I wave at all riders, I guess just as a point of solidarity or something.

I was raised in a small Iowa town and on the standard one-finger-off-the-wheel wave. It gets applied whether driving an auto, truck or tractor. You just get used to it because there's a better than 50% chance anyone you meet is someone you know. After I left home, it took time to stop expecting to wave...but that was many years ago.

I still randomly get the urge to do so and put it in play.

Steve

[Cliffy777]

I have redoubled my waving efforts. And I am lifting the left hand into the air and either flashing a "peace sign" a la BB or a definate wave (don't wanna get in a rut or be a total copycat). I don't give a hoot if they wave back or not. If I should see a fellow beemer I try to be more animated - like standing at attention or jumping off the back and being pulled along by the bike for a few yards or so.....well, I do wave more better to beemers.

[jmerlino]

Fell in behind another BMW rider for a few miles the other day. He pretty much ignored me the whole way, but when we parted company at a stop light he gave me the thumbs up. :brow

[iRene]

I wave because I can.
I used to own an MGB, and we were a small contingent, so we always waved!
I have my crisp "sportbike" low wave, and for other beemers, I often point at them first,
then give the sportbike salute.
My high, girlie "chick wave" I save for people I'm actually deriding.
That one involves the arm up, palm forward and downward flexed wagging fingers, sort of a "ta-ta!".
That lets the stuck up non-wavers know that they missed a chance to score points with a chick.
And it is true, it seems often that the female passengers or obviously female members of a group do wave more often.

[IndyGT]

<B>I wrote a motorcycle column for <I>The Indianapolis News</I> back in the '80s and addressed the waving thing thusly:</B>

You can see it in their eyes.
You're sitting there at an intersection, waiting for the traffic light to change when you notice the car next to you.
It's your average family car filled with your average dad and mom and the kids.
Maybe the kid are fussing at each other, but they're probably looking at you and your motorcycle.
Sometimes they smile and wave and other times they just stare. You look at their faces and see that look. It's a look that says if they could trade places with you - suddenly be transformed into licensed motorcycle operators with bikes just like yours - they'd give up their window seat in the back instantly and forever.
Then Dad turns and, if you look closely, you can see the same yearning in his face.
Maybe he's fed up with the yammering of the kids or maybe he's going somewhere he doesn't want to go.
Maybe he's got a motorcycle of his own in the garage at home and seeing you on your bike reminds him of how he'd rather be riding free instead of stuck in a stuffy steel box on four wheels.
But more likely, he's always wanted to ride but never had the time or the energy or the nerve to get into motorcycling. Never mind the reasons. All that matters at the moment is that he would change places with you just as quickly has his kids would.
The scene changes and you're riding along a residential street and suddenly you notice that your passage is a sort of minor neighborhood event.
Kids on bicycles watch admiringly as you ride by.
Their parents look up from their lawnmowers or sprinklers or other yardwork to take note of your passage.
It's an extraordinary car that gets that kind of attention just rolling down the street, but almost any motorcyclist can expect it, even if his bike is well-muffled and whisper-quiet.
And here and there you can see that look again. That look that reminds you you're doing something special. Something infinitely more fun than what anybody else is doing.
The scene changes again and you're riding down the interstate. Up ahead in the distance, through shimmering waves of summer heat, you see the headlight of another bike approaching.
Your eyes include the light in their scan of the scene ahead and details of a riding and motorcycle begin to materialize around it. You know that across the median and down the road the other rider is probably watching you and your bike take shape around the white fire of your headlight.
Just before you meet, you see the other rider's left hand come up in a friendly wave and, almost without thinking, you return the greeting.
So why did he wave and why did it seem so natural to wave back at this complete stranger? Chances are, if you knew the guy, you might not even like him.
You don't see car drivers waving at each other as they meet on the highway. If you met the other rider on a sidewalk or in an elevator, you wouldn't exchange greetings.
The reason for the wave and the admiring looks is the inescapable fact that, when you ride a motorcycle, every ride is an adventure, whether it's a transcontinental journey or a trip to the store for a loaf of bread.
Most non-riders sense it intuitively and it's practically an article of faith for those who ride.
Those who ride take a greater risk than those who don't.
But then, how many car drivers look forward to the drive to work and back or find themselves laughing out loud at the sheer joy of the road on a sunny day?

[PacWestGS]

I think it is to acknowledge the common danger we all experience as riders and to acknowledge that we are both still out there.An affirmation of cheating death once more... [/QUOTE]

I don't think it's the affirmation of cheating death once more, but the affirmation that we are all exposed to the same environment. Rain, heat, wind, CARS, and some of us: cold weather. And, we all have something incommon we ride.

For me, I try and wave all the time or nod my head up and towards the other rider if I can't or don't want to take my hand off the controls.

What's interesting is a lot of people don't get educated on the right waves; Pointing one (index) finger down at the road indicates a danger in the road for following riders. Raising your hand upwards and creating a circle with all fingers together indicates a police car ahead, next couple of miles or so. Most people for the sake of saying "HI" reach straight out and give a thumbs up fist; hold two fingers out; or riase their hand up over the handelbar and give a "peace" sign. What ever works for me.

Lastly, there are two kinds of people who ride bikes. "Motorcyclist and Bikers"

Motorcyclist - Enjoy the sport and the freedom associated with it. They take in all parts of the sport. :) P.S. They ride what ever they can afford, HD's included!

Bikers - Ride motorcycles like HD's (an image problem) especially home built ones, and young kids who ride in shorts with flip flops and no helmet because they haven't learned to crash yet :dunno

So don't let it bother you that the other guy is a "Biker", have fun and enjoy the moment. Live to Ride and Ride to Live.:bliss

[Gnome]

What Rich said...
:thumb

and to promote the word "good"

[ArticPrep]

It's pretty rare when I don't get a wave first, or a wave back. I usually hang with a lot of sportbike/crotchrocket riders (I have a BoxerPrep 2004 R1100S), and those guys/girls are always waving to me, somtimes actually going out of there way. The HD dudes usually don't wave at first, because they think "freakin Sportbikes..." but then they see that big ass boxer motor and the sound of my no-cat laser exhaust, and then they at least nod. But usually on the back roads, we are going really freakin fast, and all we/they see is a blur when we are tearing up the asphault.

[Dawgmiester]

I am sure like many of you it is an acknowledgment to the rider passing by. Acknowledging the common factors, dangers and delights of motorcycling.
Last week on a tour around Lake Superior. I was rounding a turn when I noticed a cyclist giving me a wave. I did not see him in time to wave back. At the last second the wave turned into an obscene finger gesture. I had a good chuckle. Obviously some people care weather you wave back or not. I find myself falling into that category. I do not pass along the bird if I do not get a wave back. However, the thought goes through my mind as to why they did not wave. Were they too busy looking at a hazard in the road that I may have missed. And that takes away from my complete concentration to the road. I have since started to give a two-fingered salute. But that now has me wondering if that could be misunderstood as a different signal. Perhaps misunderstood as a pat on the head signaling LEO up ahead.

Any thoughts?:confused:

[Cliffy777]

Just purchased David Hough's "More Proficient Motorcycling".
On page 41 he says two fingers up (palm out) means "Hello fellow motorcyclist". (If your palm is in I suppose it means something obscene in Europe and/or is the universal signal for a bunt.)
Henceforth I shall use this official palm out greeting. If someone misinterprets it - let it be on their head. I read the book.

[username]

we have enough ways to wave to each other, signal cops, and signal road hazards that if a rider, a cop, and a dead racoon converged upon my bike i'd look like a third base coach! :D

[Rad]

Originally posted by Dawgmiester Last week on a tour around Lake Superior. I was rounding a turn when I noticed a cyclist giving me a wave. I did not see him in time to wave back. At the last second the wave turned into an obscene finger gesture. :

If you have a GS and the other rider was also on an adventure bike, I would say he/she was give'n you the standard Adventure Rider.com salute. Not kid'n, were a little weird over there, just ask Kbasa:bliss

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by Cliffy777
Just purchased David Hough's "More Proficient Motorcycling".
On page 41 he says two fingers up (palm out) means "Hello fellow motorcyclist". (If your palm is in I suppose it means something obscene in Europe and/or is the universal signal for a bunt.)
Henceforth I shall use this official palm out greeting. If someone misinterprets it - let it be on their head. I read the book.

The palm in gesture in England is "Bugger Off". Best translation I have gotten, a polite version of the bird/AdvRider salute.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by Rad
If you have a GS and the other rider was also on an adventure bike, I would say he/she was give'n you the standard Adventure Rider.com salute. Not kid'n, were a little weird over there, just ask Kbasa:bliss

Yup. Just the AdvRider way of saying you're #1!

[ian408]

Originally posted by KBasa
Yup. Just the AdvRider way of saying you're #1!

Hmmmm...that's one down and a F to go!

Ian

[BradfordBenn]

YB in Indiana (Garth) does not always wave when he rides, nor does his girlfriend. I know this cause I finally rode with them. :p

Man can he ride, and find curves better than Lorezapam.

[AZgman]

I wave to every bike that I pass. It is a show of solidarity and support for one another. I have to agree with MarkF that here in CT, a lot of cruiser riders don't wave back, but that won't cause me to stoop to their level. For those who pass by, obviously too cool to wave, I have instituted a new "law" in my mind: they must forfeit their bike to me!

[R80RTJohnny]

The Wave,

As a motorcyclist I wave to all. To me the wave means that I will be there if you need it. The wave makes us different. The wave is our special gesture of non-conformity. The wave brings us closer to each other. How many of us stop for other motorcyclists in time of need as opposed to when we are driving our cars and see other cars broken down.

The wave if you wish, is more than a gesture but a philosophy. As a motorcyclist I've stopped and and either helped or asked if someone needed help when on the side of the road. I've done this both while riding the bike or driving the car.

If it has two wheels and a motor I will wave. No descrimanation.

Jean