March 6th, 2014, 01:54 PM | #1 |
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
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Why do I wave?
FYI this is me coming down off two days solid of little food, little water, a lot of sleep, and a whole bottle of NyQuil. You've been warned.
Tl;dr - I wave. So I stumbled across a craigslist rant this week from someone moaning about biker's waving at him. He didn't see a point to it, didn't see a reason, and sure as shooting wasn't going to wave himself. Fine, dandy, whatever, moving on. Of course, this little nugget stuck in my head and got me questioning why do I wave whenever I see anyone out on two wheels. Scooters, cruisers, sports, dual sports, tourers, even the occastional mountain or road bike get a wave from me. I don't care, I wave. It really doesn't matter if they wave back or not either, doesn't add to or subtract from my day. But i do have this habit: See a biker, wave. Why? The obvious answer is "Well, saying hello!" Ok, then why don't I say hello to the numerous other users of the road I pass throughout the course of the day? Pedestrians, cars, trucks, RVs, semis, none get a wave unless they do something generous and I'm thanking them. "Well, then saying hello to those who share the risk riders take." Seems rather a morbid acknowledgement. Hi, we're bikers and our odds of death are higher because of that, let me wave at you to make this moment better. I really hope it's deeper than that. "Well, saying hello to those who share a love for motorcycling!" But how do you know? In reality a bike is just a machine. Visually from opposing directions at 60mph it is difficult to tell the bike that is loved from the one neglected. Tohe other rider, is the bike a means to an end; commuting, saving gas, saving money, etc? Is the bike a luxury; a second vehicle, a weekend getaway, a track bike, etc? Or is the bike a extension of a rider who has more oil and grease in their veins than the blood and sweat shed over hours wrenching to bring a dead bike back to life? "Well, then just being friendly!" And I refer you back up to the first answer. My inner voice starts getting grumpy by this point and turns to the "cold shoulder" treatment that lets deeper thoughts and musings have their turn in the spotlight. "It feels good to be friendly." Ah, so by waving and smiling at random folks who have no clue who I am I can feel good about maybe making them feel a bit happier. That might work if everyone returned the wave, but there are those that don't and even a few grumpy faces as they pass by. "But you saw them and you waved, you feel good." But I don't really, it doesn't matter if I do or don't wave. I wave when it is convenient sure, but in the middle of a corner, they'll be lucky to get a head nod as all my focus is on the line ahead and not the biker going the other direction. I chose safety over "feeling good" about waving to another biker I see. "But you saw them and acknowledged them." True, whether through a wave, nod, just looking in their direction, I did see them. I know they were there and saw where they were in relation to me. Its a small physical movement to seal in the awareness in my head that saw the other biker and recognized they were there. "You saw them." Ah, for me this might be it. It is more than just being friendly to another motorcyclist who is out there enjoying the day on the open road while still being at a greater risk than most. It is more than just an automatic motion that happens without thought or awareness. It is me actively and with mindfulness acknowledging seeing another rider on the road. Training my mind to recognize another rider when my eye sees them and forcing an action to cement that recognition into part of the awareness of the environment I am riding in. I see you, I see you now and I will see you later, regardless if I am on a bike, in a car, or as a pedestrian. I *see* you. Don't just see; observe. -Namaste
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<-- 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. |
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March 6th, 2014, 02:40 PM | #2 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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In these parts, about 90% will wave or nod (if hands are busy). Motorcycle cops will usually wave if they're not riding with another cop.
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March 6th, 2014, 02:46 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jacob
Location: Stockton, CA
Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R SE Posts: 326
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I think it's definitely a "community" thing, being part of a lifestyle/group/community. It happens in boating here in the California Delta as well.
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March 6th, 2014, 03:19 PM | #4 |
Ninjette Jockey
Name: Tim
Location: Stockton, Ca
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, 2 Honda Monkeys, Polini & GRC mini GP Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
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I enjoy getting the wave. I am pleased that it doesn't matter if I am riding the Ninja or the Harley, riders of all types will wave. Sometimes I fail to return a wave if I am deep in a corner or zoned out on some endless straight and don't notice in time.
We Jeep Wrangler drivers also swap waves, but it is less consistent than the rider wave.
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For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?. |
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March 6th, 2014, 03:19 PM | #5 |
Your face
Name: Wes
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.
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"even a proper fitting helmet can 'get loose'" -csmith |
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March 6th, 2014, 03:23 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Han Solo
Location: Albuquerque
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): Had a 2008 Ninja 250, til some low-life stole it. Now riding a 2013 red cbr250. Posts: 274
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I once didn't return a wave because I was busy looking at something else. I registered the wave, but just didn't have the presence of mind to return it.
The guy made a U-Turn, passed me by, and yelled "a$$hole" as he passed. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
March 6th, 2014, 03:38 PM | #7 |
Blind 250 Loving Whore
Name: Tom
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R, 02 FZ1, '20 Fat Bob 114 Posts: A lot.
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March 6th, 2014, 03:39 PM | #8 |
Jedi on Two Wheels
Name: Cameron
Location: Kent Island
Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (Slightly Modded) Posts: 489
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Ill wave if I notice. Sometimes Ill wave after they passed just in the odd chance they see it in their mirror. I've actually had quite a few cruisers wave to me.
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May the force be with you and keep your rubber side down. |
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March 6th, 2014, 03:45 PM | #9 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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I wave all the time!!! Sometimes I stop an say hello.
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March 6th, 2014, 04:04 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Steve
Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.
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The island community 'setting' I'll admit, is different from other places... but then no matter where ya go, there's always gonna be a**h****. that said, I've owned sport bikes and cruisers. when I didn't own a ride my favorite rental was a heritage. matters not what i'm riding, or what they're on everybody gets da wave. some respond in kind...some don't a reply is always nice anything else has never really bothered me I did what I wanted to, and that's all I gots to say about that
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Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous? |
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March 6th, 2014, 05:13 PM | #11 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16
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Quote:
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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March 6th, 2014, 06:36 PM | #12 |
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
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Thanks Hernan, at least i am over the boiling alive stage. Now at the massive amounts of chicken soup stage. I suspect I'll be able to sprout feathers and fly across country at this pace.
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<-- 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. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
March 6th, 2014, 07:11 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ryan
Location: OC, CA
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold), 2007 SV650S Posts: 161
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it's cause we're in an exclusive club that cagers don't participate in. :P
jk. I wave and its nice to wave back. hardcore harley people dont seem to like to wave though. but if i'm concentrating making a maneuver like a lane change then i dont bother.. |
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March 6th, 2014, 09:02 PM | #14 |
Ninjette Jockey
Name: Tim
Location: Stockton, Ca
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, 2 Honda Monkeys, Polini & GRC mini GP Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
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I find that the only Harley riders that don't wave are Hells Angels and the like.
Most Harley riders don't have their helmet up their arse, and are decent everyday folks.
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For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?. |
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March 6th, 2014, 09:32 PM | #15 | |
Fresh Deli Meat
Name: Kevin
Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R Ninja -Neener- Posts: 678
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Quote:
^^^^^^^ This right here. Philosophically, humans are pack animals. We find security and comfort in numbers. A rider in a world of cagers feels alone. We know that we are invisible. To see another gazelle sneak through this land of lions gives you a feeling of comraderie. And to know that someone does see you, does know your there, won't turn in front of you, and understands your contant struggle in this world provides a kind of comfort you don't find on those roads anywhere else.
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We shall call thee "Seahorse." -Antiant on Couvade Syndrome |
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March 6th, 2014, 10:28 PM | #16 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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50's thru 70's sports car drivers wave to each other, especially if the tops are down. It used to be limited to guys driving the same make of car, but nowadays, it doesn't matter the make. model, or country of origin. Fiat and Triumph drivers wave at one another. Mutual respect and admiration for keeping the dinosaurs on the road.
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March 6th, 2014, 10:38 PM | #17 |
Your face
Name: Wes
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.
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I give the HANG LOOSE now . Not sure why, I hate that sign in every other application
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"even a proper fitting helmet can 'get loose'" -csmith |
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March 6th, 2014, 11:58 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Steve
Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.
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you talk'in 'shaka' rasta yeah? (\nm/)
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Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous? |
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March 7th, 2014, 12:06 AM | #19 |
Your face
Name: Wes
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.
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Lol yes. And I should clarify, it is acceptable when Hawaiians do it
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"even a proper fitting helmet can 'get loose'" -csmith |
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March 7th, 2014, 12:12 AM | #20 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Steve
Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.
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bruddah dat jus means you hawaiian at heart
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Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous? |
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March 7th, 2014, 12:18 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Roger
Location: NorCali - East Bay
Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 White Ninja 300 Posts: 379
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I try to wave all the time when it is safe for me to do so and I wave to just about everyone on two wheels (motos/scooters/bikes) and select cars that go out of their way to make my riding a bit more comfy. Recently been appreciating the warning gestures from cars about potential LEO up ahead and now try to extend the same courtesy to other drivers. Oi...I guess I'm one happy ass rider.
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March 7th, 2014, 05:25 AM | #22 |
Certified Troublemaker
Name: Teri
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250r "Pikachu", 2017 Ninja 650 "Epona" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Aug '13, Aug '14, Feb '17
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I wave for a combination of the reasons you listed...
And you never know if the biker coming down the road is having a ruff day, a little may help brighten it.
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Raven's Rejuvenation A bruise is a lesson... and each lesson makes us better... |
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March 7th, 2014, 05:40 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Eric
Location: Los Angeles
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): '86 Honda VFR700 Posts: 173
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To me it's absolutely a morbid thing, I wave at people who are at least as likely as me to be flattened by traffic. Bikers, cyclists, road workers, cops, unicyclists, crossing guards, whatever. "Props on your big brass balls!", says my wave.
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March 7th, 2014, 07:49 AM | #24 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ant
Location: Wooster
Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 999 2012 Ninja 250r Ducati748 Yellow finally running 2003 SV650 S (SOLD) Posts: A lot.
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I wave for the simple reason (morbid?) that no matter your reason for riding, you are riding. All rides for any reason further our sport. Some (squids) detract as much as they add but anyone riding is a participant in the incredible activity which makes me happy everyday. The fact that they are out there that day and I see them makes me want to give them some sort of recognition. So I wave. I may not like them if I were to talk to them but I do like them the moment I see them!
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March 7th, 2014, 08:45 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jim
Location: NJ
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300, KTM EXC610SMR Posts: 913
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That help? Many people suck, are riding for the image or just are the kind of people who you wouldn't want to know anyway. I still wave most of the time out of habit when it was an unwritten rule if you broke down, another rider would stop to help. We all seemed to be on the same page. These days, there is a large segment of them I'd rather have ride right by me if I was stuck. Do you wave to everyone in a car? At the mall? Motorcyclists aren't a special type anymore, at least not the majority like it seemed it was back when. The last time I stopped to help a guy who's shifter fell apart on his Ducati, well, I was sorry I did. I gave the guy a bolt off my bike, repaired it for him and he never even said thanks or shook my hand. He just kept pissin & moaning about how the dealer was going to hear shat from him. It won't be the last time I stop, but I'll be taking a good inventory of the rider next time before I bother to sit on the ground, unwrap my tools and take parts off my bike to get them rolling again. If I get a hint of bad attitude, I'll say good luck and roll away. I'm in Daytona to race, the number of idiots on bikes is STAGGERING. I'm embarrassed to be counted among them. No, nobody is waving, they all appear to be in pain by their facial expressions and enjoy blasting open exhaust at women, children and dogs as they sit at a light. Wave to your friends! |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
March 7th, 2014, 03:20 PM | #26 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16
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Quote:
I believe the problem is the false sense of deserving that some people have nowadays. You never know the type of person to whom you are helping with the best intentions. Helping or waving is seldom wrong; wrong is the lack of proper response to these actions, .............but that cannot be my fault. What do the dull and insensitive bring to the world? I still choose helping as frequently as possible, because I have been helped in extraordinary ways, during the more difficult moments that I have had while riding. Somebody stole all the fuel of another bike I had years ago while I was far away from home. While I was pushing my bike under the Sun, through a not-so-good neighborhood, trying to find a gas station, this guy shouted from his door and bothered to ask me if I needed help. He walked across the street with a jug of gasoline, poured it into my tank and never asked why I had been so dumb to run out of gas. When I thanked him and talked about returning the fuel the next day, he asked me to help someone else in need instead. Another guy came form nowhere with the biggest screwdriver I have ever seen and helped me dragging my bike out of the way and unlocking the shaft-chain that had broken and made fall. I could have never done it by myself while I was in pain and bleeding. I know that many will not welcome or return it and don't know why I do it, but I still wave to bikers and stop to offer help to other motorcyclists .......... and even to some drivers.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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March 8th, 2014, 12:10 AM | #27 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Patrick
Location: Coronado, CA
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2015 zx6r Posts: 176
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I wave as more of a personal exercise in alertness than anything. I try and be as observant as possible when I'm in traffic, and looking for other motorcyclists gives me a reason to always be looking around for potential dangers. If I happen to miss another person on a bike and notice them after they're already behind me, that could've been a car coming at me that I wouldn't have seen, or a small animal, something like that.
Of course, you have the community aspect of it, too. Had a wonderful conversation at the bank the other day (1 in the afternoon, I was the only one in there) with the teller. She had an r6 but had started out on a 250, etc. It's nice to be able to just start talking with someone you may not have anything else in common with. @Motofool, I had an experience similar to that a couple months ago. I was with my mom, we were going to the store or something, and there was a guy on the side of the road with a yellow suzuki, supposedly out of gas. Turns out, he was on his way back from buying it, and didn't know about the reserve function that most bikes have. Easiest fix you could hope to have, thankfully. We exchanged conversation and all that fun stuff. It feels good to be able to do that sort of thing. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
March 8th, 2014, 01:04 AM | #28 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Paul
Location: New Zealand
Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 SE Posts: 19
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Down here we tend to nod rather than wave. We drive on the left hand side of the road so the whole waving thing is a bit awkward, and we Kiwis also tend to be a bit reserved so are a bit shy about the whole waving at strangers thing.
And most of the time it's blowing a gale so it's a bit unwise any way. |
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March 8th, 2014, 01:54 AM | #29 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Steve
Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous? |
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March 8th, 2014, 04:36 AM | #31 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Patrick
Location: Coronado, CA
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2015 zx6r Posts: 176
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March 8th, 2014, 10:40 AM | #32 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: TC
Location: Hawaii
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.
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You wave because you have issues with your relationship with your father and you enjoy the attention of strange men.
That's probably also why you do drugs. (Nyquill)
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Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy. |
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March 10th, 2014, 04:36 PM | #33 | |
Your face
Name: Wes
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Not really
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"even a proper fitting helmet can 'get loose'" -csmith |
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March 11th, 2014, 07:52 AM | #34 | |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Quote:
One does not help others for the gratification of receiving something in return, but instead to know that a selfless act was gifted. But yea... a simple thank you goes a looooooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggggg way. Keep stopping and helping, otherwise the old ways are completely lost.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
March 11th, 2014, 07:52 AM | #35 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Oh! Good luck racing too!
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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March 11th, 2014, 08:21 AM | #36 |
ᗧ•••ᗣ•ᗣᗣ•••ᗣ
Name: Nick
Location: NY
Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R and 2014 Triumph 675R Posts: A lot.
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Its the sense of acknowledgement, the approval that someone knows you exist and are part of the biker coommunity. Like a thumbs up . Wave to be friendly. Not everyone will wave or can, wouldn't be upset if didn't get a wave back or an intial wave.
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