Waving Experiment!

ai4px · March 18th, 2013, 05:06 AM

Wife and I did an experiment yesterday. She's got a cruiser, I've got the 650r. We rode the twisties around a local lake where there are a few biker bars and had a beer along the way.

What we noticed is when I was out front, the oncoming bikers wouldn't wave at a sport bike, but would wave at her after passing me. Maybe they were zoned out and not paying attention? Nope, I had the headlight modulator on.

When she was out front, they'd wave at her and have to wave at me b/c their hands were already out.

She was giving me hell about "street cred". lol.

At one point we ended up coming up behind a group of harleys and staggered in with them. So here were these beautiful chromed out bikes with a red plastic bike behind them... I felt like the last bike in the parade with a little horn that goes "nnnneeeetttt neeet".

...all the while knowing my bike would pack their lunches on acceleration and cornering... but don't tell them that. They are hanging on to their vibrating, rut following machines for dear life.

allanoue · March 18th, 2013, 05:15 AM

One more variable to test. Next experiment is to swap rides.

subxero · March 18th, 2013, 05:32 AM

in Greater DC area i get probably around a 90% wave rate. Everyone seems to wave. I initiate a lot, but a lot of riders are quick to the wave. Any riders, lots of sportbikes, cruisers, harley's, I feel i find that the older gents on the larger cruisers/ touring bikes are least likely to wave and account for the majority of my no wave replies.

lgk · March 18th, 2013, 05:44 AM

have gotten waves from 90% of riders.
i actually wave to the same three riders every morning going to work.

BRad704 · March 18th, 2013, 06:50 AM

I've probably gotten about 90%+ waving to me. Some recently were just bad timing/corner/etc. That's sportbikes, cruisers and big highway batwing monsters.

ChaoSS · March 18th, 2013, 07:47 AM

I don't understand why everyone is so concerned about whether other wave at them. It's like kids in school worrying about whether the cool kids like them or not.

Go out, ride your ride, and be friendly. If others aren't, who cares?

Anyway, am I the only one who sees the irony in a post that is talking about how the bikers don't wave at him because he's on a sport bike, and he's talking down on harley owners?

Whiskey · March 18th, 2013, 09:06 AM

same with nods here, BMW & Harley types ignore everyone bar their own, everyone ignores scooters (50cc mopeds), otherwise most riders give the nod.

iceknyght · March 18th, 2013, 09:21 AM

I wave at everyone and get about 90-95% wave back... I even waved to a motorcycle cop the other day (didn't realize it was one till he passed) and he waved back!

I'd say that most of the guys I seem to see going the other way are on cruiser type bikes too, so they have been friendly to me... I would probably say though that if I didn't initiate the wave, that the number would be a lot smaller...

ai4px · March 18th, 2013, 09:22 AM

I waved at a moped yesterday (w/o helmet) and my wife following me said he looked astonished and turned around to wave after I'd passed.... he's not used to folks waving at him... lol.

What I have noticed is in my day to day to and from work, all bikers wave at all bikers. But in areas like Myrtle Beach and around this lake where Harleys seem so prevalent, they treat us like that girl they don't want anyone to know they know... You know the old joke about riding a moped... it's a lot of fun until your friends see you.... so you best not get caught waving at a plastic bike if you are on a Harley. snicker.

This experiment was entirely non-scientific with a margin of error of +/-218% and just for fun.

NevadaWolf · March 18th, 2013, 09:45 AM

I tend to wave to everyone and if I don't get a wave back, just assume they're too preoccupied. Doesn't matter to me.

But speaking of cruisers vs sportbike, I pulled up to a gas station literally overrun with Harley's. I had to squeak in to get to a free pump since all of them were just parked in front of every pump haphazardly and milling around, several autos were waiting too. Found one, got helmet off, filled up, and then pulled around to the store to grab munchies. NOT A SINGLE rider there acknowledged me. I did get a look at their vests... Vagos MC.

CC Cowboy · March 18th, 2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ai4px

Wife and I did an experiment yesterday. She's got a cruiser, I've got the 650r. We rode the twisties around a local lake where there are a few biker bars and had a beer along the way.

What we noticed is when I was out front, the oncoming bikers wouldn't wave at a sport bike, but would wave at her after passing me. Maybe they were zoned out and not paying attention? Nope, I had the headlight modulator on.

When she was out front, they'd wave at her and have to wave at me b/c their hands were already out.

She was giving me hell about "street cred". lol.

At one point we ended up coming up behind a group of harleys and staggered in with them. So here were these beautiful chromed out bikes with a red plastic bike behind them... I felt like the last bike in the parade with a little horn that goes "nnnneeeetttt neeet".

...all the while knowing my bike would pack their lunches on acceleration and cornering... but don't tell them that. They are hanging on to their vibrating, rut following machines for dear life.

First of all, other riders were waving at your wife, not the bike.

Second, cruisers (including Harleys) aren't after acceleration or cornering, hence the term, cruiser.

Third, Gold Wing and BMW riders don't wave the most. They know everyone is secretly laughing at them.

Snake · March 18th, 2013, 10:09 AM

The 90% wave rate is about what I get as well.

80MPHdownhill · March 18th, 2013, 10:31 AM

I never wave at anyone, and if they wave at me, I pretend I didn't see it.

allanoue · March 18th, 2013, 10:56 AM

I live 6 miles from a HD factory so 95% wave rate, except bike night. The place is wall to wall bikers and it is not safe to ride one handed.

dave42 · March 18th, 2013, 12:13 PM

A big group of 15-year-olds on bicycles waved at me the other day when I was coming home on my 6r. Does that count?

Alex · March 18th, 2013, 12:21 PM

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=113177

(runs and ducks...)

dave42 · March 18th, 2013, 12:22 PM

Merge! Merge! Merge! Merge!

BlueHairSar · March 18th, 2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subxero

in Greater DC area i get probably around a 90% wave rate. Everyone seems to wave. I initiate a lot, but a lot of riders are quick to the wave. Any riders, lots of sportbikes, cruisers, harley's, I feel i find that the older gents on the larger cruisers/ touring bikes are least likely to wave and account for the majority of my no wave replies.

I've found that cruisers usually don't know what to do with me. They initially don't wave, until they realize that I'm a girl, and the battle between waving at a girl vs waving at a sports bike seems to make smoke come out of their ears.

NevadaWolf · March 18th, 2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueHairSar

I've found that cruisers usually don't know what to do with me. They initially don't wave, until they realize that I'm a girl, and the battle between waving at a girl vs waving at a sports bike seems to make smoke come out of their ears.

CC Cowboy · March 18th, 2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave42

A big group of 15-year-olds on bicycles waved at me the other day when I was coming home on my 6r. Does that count?

Boys or girls?

dave42 · March 18th, 2013, 01:15 PM

Both; the boys started it though.

I guess that means 15-year-old boys wanna be me.

KawiKid860 · March 18th, 2013, 01:59 PM

Most people wave to me when I ride, but lately the spring riders have been out and a lot of them, on cruisers and street bikes, haven't been waving. Must be out of the habit, that's what these sissies get for putting their bikes away all winter! Rode a good 160 or so miles home yesterday with my mom leading on her harley and nobody waved at us lol

quicklooker · March 18th, 2013, 02:04 PM

I've at about 90% returns on waves, too. I can understand waves being missed due to either not seeing me or being in the middle of something.

BlueHairSar · March 18th, 2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave42

Both; the boys started it though.

I guess that means 15-year-old boys wanna be me.

Ah, a dream many have aspired to!

beren · March 18th, 2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KawiKid860

but lately the spring riders have been out and a lot of them, on cruisers and street bikes, haven't been waving.

Probably too scared to let go over a handle bar.

nickjpass · March 18th, 2013, 02:17 PM

In the four or five months I rode last year, I saw two riders. Yes, two. I waved to one, which turned out to be a scooter rider. I'm not sure if he saw... it was kinda late. Then i waved using my right leg, to a cruiser at a light. I was turning left, and I think he got pissed, because he made a funny face. It's actually very rare to see motorcyclists around here, and I don't think anyone is more OBSESSED than me. Most sport riders here are dumb squids.

dave42 · March 18th, 2013, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueHairSar

Ah, a dream many have aspired to!

Yes! Instead of just 1 or 2 kids like I usually get this time I got to plant that idea in a group of like 10.

MistahT · March 18th, 2013, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subxero

in Greater DC area i get probably around a 90% wave rate. Everyone seems to wave. I initiate a lot, but a lot of riders are quick to the wave. Any riders, lots of sportbikes, cruisers, harley's, I feel i find that the older gents on the larger cruisers/ touring bikes are least likely to wave and account for the majority of my no wave replies.

Yeah, agree. Most riders in Maryland wave. I've also struck up conversations with dirt, cruiser, and sport bike guys.

If anyone doesn't wave, it's a Harley guy though.

alex.s · March 18th, 2013, 03:56 PM

they don't wave because all sportbike riders are dangerous fools who don't know what riding is really about.

nickjpass · March 18th, 2013, 03:59 PM

When I was riding my 140 on the street to the next trail one cruiser waved and smiled. I was dumbfounded and didn't wave lol guess he thought since I'm not covered in plastic I'm coo

userjh160 · March 19th, 2013, 06:45 AM

I try to wave at everyone I see, then sure enough my husband will see someone I didn't see on the road and of course I missed waving to them. So bottom line, they could have been ***holes and just not wave or they could have just been "focused" and not see you. I try to give the benefit of doubt here mainly b/c it has happened to me.

CC Cowboy · March 19th, 2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by userjh160

I try to wave at everyone I see, then sure enough my husband will see someone I didn't see on the road and of course I missed waving to them. So bottom line, they could have been ***holes and just not wave or they could have just been "focused" and not see you. I try to give the benefit of doubt here mainly b/c it has happened to me.

If you just waves to other motorcycles it will be easier.

dave42 · March 19th, 2013, 01:31 PM

These 2 really excited looking middle-age women were jabbing and pointing at my fiance and I yesterday when we were on our way to dinner (she was on the 250, I was on the 600). I waved and one waved back, the other one gave us the 2 fingers.

Guess they were looking to get green sportbikes?

Lychee · March 19th, 2013, 02:18 PM

In my area, I've noticed that most riders in the twisties will wave regardless of what they are riding. In the city usually sport bike riders do if they are not busy, but most harley riders do not at all, and scooter riders do not at all either.

March 18th, 2013, 05:06 AM	#1
ai4px ninjette.org sage Name: Wes Location: Sumter SC Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 650r 2009 Vulcan 800 2005 Posts: 557	Waving Experiment! Wife and I did an experiment yesterday. She's got a cruiser, I've got the 650r. We rode the twisties around a local lake where there are a few biker bars and had a beer along the way. What we noticed is when I was out front, the oncoming bikers wouldn't wave at a sport bike, but would wave at her after passing me. Maybe they were zoned out and not paying attention? Nope, I had the headlight modulator on. When she was out front, they'd wave at her and have to wave at me b/c their hands were already out. She was giving me hell about "street cred". lol. At one point we ended up coming up behind a group of harleys and staggered in with them. So here were these beautiful chromed out bikes with a red plastic bike behind them... I felt like the last bike in the parade with a little horn that goes "nnnneeeetttt neeet". ...all the while knowing my bike would pack their lunches on acceleration and cornering... but don't tell them that. They are hanging on to their vibrating, rut following machines for dear life. __________________________________________________ It's all about the curves. If you ride, you understand. If you have a stick skinny g/f and ride, you're 1/2 way there.

March 18th, 2013, 05:44 AM	#4
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	have gotten waves from 90% of riders. i actually wave to the same three riders every morning going to work. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

March 18th, 2013, 06:50 AM	#5
BRad704 Big Dreams, Small Wallet Name: Brad Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R (Sold), 93 VFR750F (In Pieces) Posts: 508	I've probably gotten about 90%+ waving to me. Some recently were just bad timing/corner/etc. That's sportbikes, cruisers and big highway batwing monsters. __________________________________________________ ~BRad

March 18th, 2013, 07:47 AM	#6
ChaoSS ninjette.org sage Name: Tim Location: Goshen CA Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 red 250 ninja Posts: 740	I don't understand why everyone is so concerned about whether other wave at them. It's like kids in school worrying about whether the cool kids like them or not. Go out, ride your ride, and be friendly. If others aren't, who cares? Anyway, am I the only one who sees the irony in a post that is talking about how the bikers don't wave at him because he's on a sport bike, and he's talking down on harley owners?
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 18th, 2013, 09:21 AM	#8
iceknyght Recalculating. . . Name: Jason Location: Colorado Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250 (sold) '12 Ninja 650 Posts: 353	I wave at everyone and get about 90-95% wave back... I even waved to a motorcycle cop the other day (didn't realize it was one till he passed) and he waved back! I'd say that most of the guys I seem to see going the other way are on cruiser type bikes too, so they have been friendly to me... I would probably say though that if I didn't initiate the wave, that the number would be a lot smaller... __________________________________________________ jasontracewell.com

March 18th, 2013, 05:15 AM	#2
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	One more variable to test. Next experiment is to swap rides.

March 18th, 2013, 05:32 AM	#3
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	in Greater DC area i get probably around a 90% wave rate. Everyone seems to wave. I initiate a lot, but a lot of riders are quick to the wave. Any riders, lots of sportbikes, cruisers, harley's, I feel i find that the older gents on the larger cruisers/ touring bikes are least likely to wave and account for the majority of my no wave replies.

March 18th, 2013, 09:06 AM	#7
Whiskey ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Morgan Location: A city twinned with Kawasaki Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, 2010 STR 675 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	same with nods here, BMW & Harley types ignore everyone bar their own, everyone ignores scooters (50cc mopeds), otherwise most riders give the nod.

March 18th, 2013, 09:22 AM	#9
ai4px ninjette.org sage Name: Wes Location: Sumter SC Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 650r 2009 Vulcan 800 2005 Posts: 557	I waved at a moped yesterday (w/o helmet) and my wife following me said he looked astonished and turned around to wave after I'd passed.... he's not used to folks waving at him... lol. What I have noticed is in my day to day to and from work, all bikers wave at all bikers. But in areas like Myrtle Beach and around this lake where Harleys seem so prevalent, they treat us like that girl they don't want anyone to know they know... You know the old joke about riding a moped... it's a lot of fun until your friends see you.... so you best not get caught waving at a plastic bike if you are on a Harley. snicker. This experiment was entirely non-scientific with a margin of error of +/-218% and just for fun. __________________________________________________ It's all about the curves. If you ride, you understand. If you have a stick skinny g/f and ride, you're 1/2 way there.

March 18th, 2013, 09:45 AM	#10
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	I tend to wave to everyone and if I don't get a wave back, just assume they're too preoccupied. Doesn't matter to me. But speaking of cruisers vs sportbike, I pulled up to a gas station literally overrun with Harley's. I had to squeak in to get to a free pump since all of them were just parked in front of every pump haphazardly and milling around, several autos were waiting too. Found one, got helmet off, filled up, and then pulled around to the store to grab munchies. NOT A SINGLE rider there acknowledged me. I did get a look at their vests... Vagos MC. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

March 18th, 2013, 10:09 AM	#12
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	The 90% wave rate is about what I get as well.

March 18th, 2013, 10:31 AM	#13
80MPHdownhill ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: Cal Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): Yes, please. Posts: 121	I never wave at anyone, and if they wave at me, I pretend I didn't see it.

March 18th, 2013, 10:56 AM	#14
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	I live 6 miles from a HD factory so 95% wave rate, except bike night. The place is wall to wall bikers and it is not safe to ride one handed.

March 18th, 2013, 12:13 PM	#15
dave42 ninjette.org guru Name: dave Location: Pasadena Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250, ZX6r, RSV4, Caponord Rally Posts: 267	A big group of 15-year-olds on bicycles waved at me the other day when I was coming home on my 6r. Does that count?

March 18th, 2013, 12:21 PM	#16
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=113177 (runs and ducks...) __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

March 18th, 2013, 12:22 PM	#17
dave42 ninjette.org guru Name: dave Location: Pasadena Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250, ZX6r, RSV4, Caponord Rally Posts: 267	Merge! Merge! Merge! Merge!

March 18th, 2013, 01:15 PM	#21
dave42 ninjette.org guru Name: dave Location: Pasadena Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250, ZX6r, RSV4, Caponord Rally Posts: 267	Both; the boys started it though. I guess that means 15-year-old boys wanna be me.

March 18th, 2013, 01:59 PM	#22
KawiKid860 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Murphey Location: Eastern Washington Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.	Most people wave to me when I ride, but lately the spring riders have been out and a lot of them, on cruisers and street bikes, haven't been waving. Must be out of the habit, that's what these sissies get for putting their bikes away all winter! Rode a good 160 or so miles home yesterday with my mom leading on her harley and nobody waved at us lol

March 18th, 2013, 02:04 PM	#23
quicklooker ninjette.org member Name: J Location: Dallas Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R '07 Posts: 81	I've at about 90% returns on waves, too. I can understand waves being missed due to either not seeing me or being in the middle of something.

March 18th, 2013, 02:17 PM	#26
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	In the four or five months I rode last year, I saw two riders. Yes, two. I waved to one, which turned out to be a scooter rider. I'm not sure if he saw... it was kinda late. Then i waved using my right leg, to a cruiser at a light. I was turning left, and I think he got pissed, because he made a funny face. It's actually very rare to see motorcyclists around here, and I don't think anyone is more OBSESSED than me. Most sport riders here are dumb squids. __________________________________________________

March 18th, 2013, 03:56 PM	#29
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	they don't wave because all sportbike riders are dangerous fools who don't know what riding is really about. __________________________________________________

March 18th, 2013, 03:59 PM	#30
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	When I was riding my 140 on the street to the next trail one cruiser waved and smiled. I was dumbfounded and didn't wave lol guess he thought since I'm not covered in plastic I'm coo __________________________________________________

March 19th, 2013, 06:45 AM	#31
userjh160 ninjette.org guru Name: Malinda Location: Jonesboro, LA Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 484	I try to wave at everyone I see, then sure enough my husband will see someone I didn't see on the road and of course I missed waving to them. So bottom line, they could have been ***holes and just not wave or they could have just been "focused" and not see you. I try to give the benefit of doubt here mainly b/c it has happened to me.

March 19th, 2013, 01:31 PM	#33
dave42 ninjette.org guru Name: dave Location: Pasadena Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250, ZX6r, RSV4, Caponord Rally Posts: 267	These 2 really excited looking middle-age women were jabbing and pointing at my fiance and I yesterday when we were on our way to dinner (she was on the 250, I was on the 600). I waved and one waved back, the other one gave us the 2 fingers. Guess they were looking to get green sportbikes?

March 19th, 2013, 02:18 PM	#34
Lychee sail away Name: Jon Location: San Jose Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): gixxer (sold), ninjette (upgrade!) Posts: 964 Blog Entries: 8	In my area, I've noticed that most riders in the twisties will wave regardless of what they are riding. In the city usually sport bike riders do if they are not busy, but most harley riders do not at all, and scooter riders do not at all either. __________________________________________________ Unregistered found this post helpful. Track Day Preparation Checklist 1. Financial 2. Mental 3. Physical 4. Gear / Bike

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