Author Topic: Don't know if this has been asked before? Wave Etiquette? (Read 4717 times)

Daytona · « **on:** November 05, 2005, 04:16:20 PM »

Hell i don't know if i'm in the rite topic!! Went for a little jaunt today! lots of riders on the way back! What is the proper wave etiquette? Hi / low? If a HD rider starts to wave but pulls back cause your a rice burner rider, do you still wave? How do you folks in the UK do it (wave that is) if your throttle is on the right side and you ride on the wrong side of the road???

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2005, 07:37:18 PM »

Whatever floats your boat. No hard and fast "rules".

If my throttle lock is on, I've been known to wave with my right hand - just to be different, so I'm guessing the side of the road you ride on has nothing to do with it.

Sven · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2005, 07:58:02 PM »

I follow the rule that you wave at everything with 2 or 3 wheels, including scooters. When I was first riding, it made my day to be recognized by other riders, so I try to do the same to the new scooters. The exception for me is at a bike rally or on bike nite....no waving since it gets ridiculous.

I read in one of the bike mags, about Australia in particular (and wehave folks on this board who will give an authentic answer), that they don't wave, you nod your head. Which is what I already do if caught in the middle of shifting of something and dont have a free hand.

Daytona · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2005, 11:03:15 PM »

Quote from: "Sven"

I follow the rule that you wave at everything with 2 or 3 wheels, including scooters. When I was first riding, it made my day to be recognized by other riders, so I try to do the same to the new scooters. The exception for me is at a bike rally or on bike nite....no waving since it gets ridiculous.

I read in one of the bike mags, about Australia in particular (and wehave folks on this board who will give an authentic answer), that they don't wave, you nod your head. Which is what I already do if caught in the middle of shifting of something and dont have a free hand.

Yea the nod is kinda a universal language! I have been nodded at, and had nods verified by many, on many parts of this globe! The nod much safer too! Them aussies are on top of it these days! when it comes to 2 wheels!

PitterB4 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2005, 11:49:50 PM »

Yeah - this gets discussed here every so often. Like most other topics, it turns to an HD bashfest.

I always wave - left hand below the bars. I find that with the single round light, most oncoming riders can't tell that I'm on a "Jap bike" so almost everyone returns the wave to me.

Cruisecontrol · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2005, 12:18:32 AM »

Quote from: "Sven"

I read in one of the bike mags, about Australia in particular (and wehave folks on this board who will give an authentic answer), that they don't wave, you nod your head.

True. I get the odd wave, usually from someone on a touring bike but 99% of the time a nod is given and received. I have noticed that the majority of HD and surprisingly Ducati riders feel they are too special to nod at a rider on a cheaper/superior machine but I guess ignorance is bliss.

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2005, 12:19:24 AM »

Quote from: "PitterB4"

most oncoming riders can't tell that I'm on a "Jap bike"

I thought you had one of those I-4 Ducatis...

chevsuz12 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2005, 01:02:35 AM »

Yeah, I typically wave or give a head nod to everyone but scooters. Just because I don't like scooters. I always wave at hardley riders, about half wave back. When I ride on colder days, and see a hardley rider they usually wave first. Not sure why that is.

Red01 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2005, 01:13:02 AM »

Maybe because they figure you're a "real" rider since you're out riding when it's cold.

I notice the same thing - I get more waves from types of riders that don't return waves when it's nice out. Typically, not just HD riders, but BMW riders - and even noticed the GW riders are getting more stingy with waves lately.

aussiebandit · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2005, 06:42:49 AM »

Round town or on twisty roads I nod, otherwise I wave.

I haven't noticed any particular pattern when it comes to bike makes or models, except that 'tourers' tend to wave and trial/dirt/enduro riders tend to ignore you. Maybe it's different in the cities......

billster · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2005, 05:56:44 AM »

I've started to realize that many of the 'non-wavers' just might be baby-boomer latecomers to motorcycling in their second-childhood years...don't yet realize the 'etiquette' and commaraderie of riding. The cold-weather Hardley riders tend to be the more experienced and appreciative riders than the sunshine supermen thumping from bar to bar...so they're more apt to return a wave.

Just my 'thoughts'.

KoolDawg6 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2005, 07:36:14 AM »

I have only been riding since late July of this year and have always waved or at least nodded if shifting or turning. I used to own several mustangs over the years and found that fellow stangers where I'm from would wave or nod to eachother as well. I have noticed it is much more commonplace for motorcycles. I acknokwledge any 2 wheeler and have only had a few not respond on both sport bikes and cruisers.

Landry · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2005, 12:13:59 PM »

My standard answer usually seems to come across in a snide manner, but here goes:

I don't wave. Not that I think the wavers are retarded, but I think the wave itself is a retarded tradition. I mean . . . I don't wave to every Dodge Ram 1500 I pass, why every motorcycle? I didn't start riding to join a wave club, and I find it annoying that I'm expected to wave to every biker that I pass. Plus, I think it makes bikers look cheesy . . . riding around and waving everywhere they go, as if we're all in some secret club where we know each other.

I nod about 50% of the time. The other 50% I just ride on. I'm sure some folks get their feelings hurt, or think I'm a dick, but I have to take a one-man stand against all of the waving.

I will always stop and talk bikes when I run across another one at the pumps, I just don't like waving.

Sven · « **Reply #13 on:** November 07, 2005, 03:59:02 PM »

Quote from: "Landry"

I think it makes bikers look cheesy . . . riding around and waving everywhere they go, as if we're all in some secret club where we know each other.

But that's the best part....it's a big conspiracy and all the bikers are in on it. Sort of like that old cliche about how all Black people know each other. It might not be true, but it gives the rest of the world something to worry about!

Sven · « **Reply #14 on:** November 07, 2005, 04:04:50 PM »

Quote from: "Landry"

I mean . . . I don't wave to every Dodge Ram 1500 I pass, why every motorcycle?

Could we extend that to everything? Wave at the woman in the grocery store who buys the same brand of cereal...Notice the kid next to you at the movie theater has the same brand of cell phone, so you wave...wave at the guy next to you at the urinal because he has one to...it sure would liven up the day and generate lots of conversation.