Waving shouldn't be a big deal.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by IF13

I wave to everyone.

Cruisers, choppers, Can-Ams, sport bikes, and drivers of very nice cars.

I'm pretty friendly towards everyone except ricers. Those with FWD cars and huge spoilers or imports in general that have more stickers than aftermarket upgrades UNDER the hood.

EDIT: Yes, even scooters. My belief is that they're still on two wheels, still capable of doing highway speeds, and are still enjoying the freedom that comes with being out of a cage.

^^This to all!!

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

^^This to all!!

For scooters, I use the dork style of waving because I believe that the scooterers don't know about the subtle two fingers style.

For being more practical and noticeable, I would use it for anyone else, but I am afraid of embarrassing them.

I dream of having a cruiser initiating a wave toward me.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by Motofool

I dream of having a cruiser initiating a wave toward me.

Cruisers must be more friendly in the NJ/PA area. I have a lot of them wave first and almost all of them wave back. Still get the cold shoulder sometimes though.

[skbrent]

Originally Posted by Motofool

For scooters, I use the dork style of waving because I believe that the scooterers don't know about the subtle two fingers style.

For being more practical and noticeable, I would use it for anyone else, but I am afraid of embarrassing them.

I dream of having a cruiser initiating a wave toward me.

I find it interesting all the comments on here about cruisers not waving, etc. Down here in Texas (Austin area) I've not noticed that. Everyone waves at everyone...regardless of the style of bike you're on. Of course there are people who don't wave but I assume they don't wave at anyone or their had was otherwise occupied and couldn't safely wave. The riding group we're a part of has all kinds of bikes. There is a sport bike group but I don't have any desire to run with the big boys...I like to see the scenary I'm passing!

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by skbrent

I find it interesting all the comments on here about cruisers not waving, etc. Down here in Texas (Austin area) I've not noticed that..........

Down here in South Florida, it is completely opposite.
Even the dual sport and adventure riders and Beemers act indifferent.
Riders determined to project a tough image are out of question.
I have become more callous toward all those.

When my hands are busy, I use a noticeable head nod, for waving sport riders and for thanking the rare courteous driver.

[nightrider]

Originally Posted by MR2Aaron

Are you joking?

The dude on the Harley gave him the finger because he didn't wave back, and then made a u-turn, chased him down, and hassled him. Harley dude is the one with the problem.

That said, I enjoy the waving thing. If I have a hand free, I wave back. In fact, I even wave at bicyclists.

and you believe everything you're told on the internet??

[massacremasses]

You are a weird dude.

I dont wave either, but I do return waves. OR at least give a HUGE head nod if I cant take my hands of the bar.

[skbrent]

I remember the day I bought my bike...ok, not a stretch, it was less than a month ago...but I was driving it home (boyfriend following in the car) and I passed another bike going the other way. He waved and I was so thrilled...partly the excitement of driving my first motorcycle for the first time but also I was like "hee hee i'm one of 'them' now" . I know, I'm a dork but it was such a huge thrill for me that the first person I passed on my first ride waved.

[LittleRedNinjette]

I think everyone, OK well most everyone anyway, has that moment. I did!

[gibtzumich318]

Originally Posted by skbrent

I remember the day I bought my bike...ok, not a stretch, it was less than a month ago...but I was driving it home (boyfriend following in the car) and I passed another bike going the other way. He waved and I was so thrilled...partly the excitement of driving my first motorcycle for the first time but also I was like "hee hee i'm one of 'them' now" . I know, I'm a dork but it was such a huge thrill for me that the first person I passed on my first ride waved.

I have been riding for a couple of months now and I still get this feeling! I try to wave at everyone I see :-)

[massacremasses]

dude on a streched gixxer revved up when he saw me. I nodded to acknowledge him. And he looked like a tool... shorts, short sleeved shirt, etc.

[Madman44]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

dude on a streched gixxer revved up when he saw me. I nodded to acknowledge him. And he looked like a tool... shorts, short sleeved shirt, etc.

I bet he didn't nod back, did he? Those squid riders are always trying to look tough, so I don't even bother with a wave unless they initiate it first.

[Trubin]

Waving is kool, but sometimes you got to keep both hands on the bars. I mostly nod.
But if they don't nod back, ill chase them down for it. XD

[Boom King]

What about tapping the top of your helmet as a friendly heads up to other riders? Anyone do this?

[ForceofWill]

Originally Posted by Boom King

What about tapping the top of your helmet as a friendly heads up to other riders? Anyone do this?

For cops?

[Boom King]

Or for whatever. I did it once to warn a rider of large road kill coming up after his blind corner.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Boom King

What about tapping the top of your helmet as a friendly heads up to other riders? Anyone do this?

That means "cop ahead" around here. Either waiting at a speed trap, a DUI checkpoint, or an accident ahead - something that has some officer involved.

[LNasty]

here in Houston area have had every kind of rider wave to me including a motorcycle cop. felt kind of special on that one

[ally99]

Originally Posted by skbrent

I remember the day I bought my bike...ok, not a stretch, it was less than a month ago...but I was driving it home (boyfriend following in the car) and I passed another bike going the other way. He waved and I was so thrilled...partly the excitement of driving my first motorcycle for the first time but also I was like "hee hee i'm one of 'them' now" . I know, I'm a dork but it was such a huge thrill for me that the first person I passed on my first ride waved.

Originally Posted by gibtzumich318

I have been riding for a couple of months now and I still get this feeling! I try to wave at everyone I see :-)

Yeah, OP! Think of the noobs! You could make someone's day just by briefly taking your hand off the bar and stretching it a bit. For you, it's a stretch break. For them? A wave.

Originally Posted by Boom King

What about tapping the top of your helmet as a friendly heads up to other riders? Anyone do this?

That means a cop is ahead. I hate false alarms

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by ally99

That means a cop is ahead. I hate false alarms

Yup it generally means cops ahead but the end goal was trying to warn the other rider of the road hazard coming up ahead after a blind corner. I'm sure he got the message after riding past it on the road. The alternative of pointing to the ground sometimes gets confused for a low wave.

[greenmachine]

Originally Posted by Aggrotech

ive always seen the wave as a showing of respect to the other riders, knowing all too well how dangerous it is and still have the balls to get on the bike and ride.

how many car drivers do you see do this? none.

Jeep wranglers do it.

[rasta]

Originally Posted by Boom King

What about tapping the top of your helmet as a friendly heads up to other riders? Anyone do this?

Funny you say that, because when I first started riding around, a guy did that to me. For some reason I just thought he was complementing me on my sweet helmet. But now I know what he meant! This was a month ago, so I can't remember whether or not I saw a cop further down

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Madman44

I bet he didn't nod back, did he? Those squid riders are always trying to look tough, so I don't even bother with a wave unless they initiate it first.

He turned to look at me and revved. Im assuming that was his hello... So I nodded at him. lol

[ninjarouge]

Originally Posted by 7oxSin

in my book if you see some one wave and your looking at them and dont wave or nod its kinda like "**** off" if someone came up to the OP in a store and said "hey, hows your day?" and the OP just walked past giving them a disgusted look like (how dare you talk or be nice to me!?), that would just scream "dont ****ing talk to me, im too good for that ****"


if you dont want to wave, or be part of a community, go trade your bike for a scooter. you wont have to worry about people waving or chasing you then.

sorry if i sound harsh but if i was at a light or something and gave a rider a nod or a wave and they just looked at me like "**** off" it would piss me off to. i would probably tell em to eat a bag of baby dicks or something but not chase em tho.

This. If you're looking at someone and they say hi or wave and you choose to ignore it, that is disrespect. I'm not saying the guy was in the right to chase the Ninja down for not waving, but why not wave if he just being nice? I usually wave to other bikers I see on the road, especially if they wave to me first. I see it as a shared interest. It's nice to see other people enjoying bikes like I do.

[Rugby Winger]

Originally Posted by ninjarouge

This. If you're looking at someone and they say hi or wave and you choose to ignore it, that is disrespect. I'm not saying the guy was in the right to chase the Ninja down for not waving, but why not wave if he just being nice? I usually wave to other bikers I see on the road, especially if they wave to me first. I see it as a shared interest. It's nice to see other people enjoying bikes like I do.

Fair enough but I don't see it as a shared interest. He is riding a motorcycle and I am riding a motorcycle. We were both on it for different reasons probably. I didn't disrespect him. I disregarded him. I'm riding my ride to work (the only times I ride it quite frankly) and he was riding it for his reason. It could have been for work or pleasure. I don't take pleasure in others riding nor do I expect others to take pleasure in my riding but that isn't a concern just not an expectation.

He waved and I looked away while continuing on. I never actually turned my head so to speak to look at him. He just had his wave going from a distance and held it I assumed (assuming because my eyes were off of him as soon as he was beginning his wave). There are far more riders today than in the past of all sorts of people who all have far different ways of how they go about their riding.

That's why I believe the motorcycle "community" doesn't consist of every person who owns a motorcycle (like me for example). It's an invitation not a forced membership. Riders today ride for pleasure, ride to be cool and ride to save a dollar (this is where I fall in). With that said, I see all sides and while I will not change my ways. I'm more wary of what the consequences of my decision to never wave could be.

[rasta]

Originally Posted by Rugby Winger

Fair enough but I don't see it as a shared interest. He is riding a motorcycle and I am riding a motorcycle. We were both on it for different reasons probably. I didn't disrespect him. I disregarded him. I'm riding my ride to work (the only times I ride it quite frankly) and he was riding it for his reason. It could have been for work or pleasure. I don't take pleasure in others riding nor do I expect others to take pleasure in my riding but that isn't a concern just not an expectation.

He waved and I looked away while continuing on. I never actually turned my head so to speak to look at him. He just had his wave going from a distance and held it I assumed (assuming because my eyes were off of him as soon as he was beginning his wave). There are far more riders today than in the past of all sorts of people who all have far different ways of how they go about their riding.

That's why I believe the motorcycle "community" doesn't consist of every person who owns a motorcycle (like me for example). It's an invitation not a forced membership. Riders today ride for pleasure, ride to be cool and ride to save a dollar (this is where I fall in). With that said, I see all sides and while I will not change my ways. I'm more wary of what the consequences of my decisions are.

Many people would find these phrases as an interest to them because they like to hear the stories of others. The stories that resonate with us, even when told by complete strangers. People we know nothing about, except that they also like riding a bike with a motor on it.

But for other people, like yourself, that's where the relationship stops. Some people aren't concerned/interested in hearing about the stories of others. There's nothing wrong with that, not everybody's social receptors were built the same way.

Obviously I'm referring to more than just people waving, but I thought this was a good way to summate my thoughts on the matter.

[hawker1693]

Originally Posted by skbrent

I remember the day I bought my bike...ok, not a stretch, it was less than a month ago...but I was driving it home (boyfriend following in the car) and I passed another bike going the other way. He waved and I was so thrilled...partly the excitement of driving my first motorcycle for the first time but also I was like "hee hee i'm one of 'them' now" . I know, I'm a dork but it was such a huge thrill for me that the first person I passed on my first ride waved.

Haha I did the exact same thing when I past another rider for the first time.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by Rugby Winger

That's why I believe the motorcycle "community" doesn't consist of every person who owns a motorcycle (like me for example).

I honestly think you're the rare exception on this...
IMO, its rude not to wave back. You do what you think is rite.
If your just looking to get technical help here I still do get the reason you posted this thread. It's like your looking to offend people or something.
Personally I think it's been a interesting discussion. I learned some things from it.

[skbrent]

Originally Posted by Rugby Winger

Fair enough but I don't see it as a shared interest. He is riding a motorcycle and I am riding a motorcycle. We were both on it for different reasons probably. I didn't disrespect him. I disregarded him. I'm riding my ride to work (the only times I ride it quite frankly) and he was riding it for his reason. It could have been for work or pleasure. I don't take pleasure in others riding nor do I expect others to take pleasure in my riding but that isn't a concern just not an expectation.

He waved and I looked away while continuing on. I never actually turned my head so to speak to look at him. He just had his wave going from a distance and held it I assumed (assuming because my eyes were off of him as soon as he was beginning his wave). There are far more riders today than in the past of all sorts of people who all have far different ways of how they go about their riding.

That's why I believe the motorcycle "community" doesn't consist of every person who owns a motorcycle (like me for example). It's an invitation not a forced membership. Riders today ride for pleasure, ride to be cool and ride to save a dollar (this is where I fall in). With that said, I see all sides and while I will not change my ways. I'm more wary of what the consequences of my decision to never wave could be.

Ride your own ride...personally, I think the guy was kinda psycho to turn around and confront you for not waving. Especially when not waving could have been for any number of reasons, including some that made it impossible to wave safely.

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

I honestly think you're the rare exception on this...
IMO, its rude not to wave back. You do what you think is rite.
If your just looking to get technical help here I still do get the reason you posted this thread. It's like your looking to offend people or something.
Personally I think it's been a interesting discussion. I learned some things from it.

I think this is the first time I heard someone above Maryland say this... Folks in pa when I lived there always asked why I waved at everyone

[Rogue]

I wave at everyone not riding in a cage when out on the bike - doesn't matter if I'm riding my own or fender fluffing my husband's. I'm also guilty of switching to the one finger salute if someone doesn't wave back or acknowledge me. I would never resort to chasing someone down, though. I suppose to me it's just common courtesy like the store clerk asking "How are you today?' while ringing up my bread. Do they really want to know about me day? No. They're just being polite, so I always respond with a polite "Great, and yourself?"

[AlanDog]

Originally Posted by skbrent

I find it interesting all the comments on here about cruisers not waving, etc. Down here in Texas (Austin area) I've not noticed that. Everyone waves at everyone...regardless of the style of bike you're on.

I will usually wave first to cruisers here in NorCal and I'd say more than 50% wave back. Here is where I'm a bit weird. It makes me happier when they *don't* wave back. What is that about? I just think it's funny. Not a big deal either way. I wanted to wave, they didn't.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by AlanDog

I will usually wave first to cruisers here in NorCal and I'd say more than 50% wave back. Here is where I'm a bit weird. It makes me happier when they *don't* wave back. What is that about? I just think it's funny. Not a big deal either way. I wanted to wave, they didn't.

I feel the same way. I am happy when folks wave back but I am happier for waving to a curmudgeon.

[rasta]

I wave to all cruisers here, and they wave back. Not sure who started this gang war between sport bikes and cruisers, but I totally intend on buying a cruiser after my next bike