| Author | Message | ||
     Vegasbueller |
After putting almost 200 miles on the XB last weekend, and meeting tons of bikers along the way, I noticed something that I wanted to see if anyone else has. (now please, I am not trolling to get flamed here) I noticed that for the most part, the Harley and other "cruiser" pilots will speak and wave and even chat. Most sportbikers, be it little squids or older guys turn up their noses when you speak or just drive along like they never saw you. Is it that hard to let go of your R1 when we wave? What is up with that? To me, a rider is a rider. If you were broke on the side of the road, more than likely I would stop even if you were riding a ricer. I mean just today I passed a guy on his lil red Yammie, and gave him a wave as I passed by. He just looked like I had shook some portion of the male anatomy at him. Anyway, just something that got up my craw while riding along. Thoughts?? Is there some great divide here that no one told me about? | ||
| Jon |
I usually get just the opposite here in the Bay Area. (Message edited by jon on October 07, 2004) | ||
| Vegasbueller |
really? wow.. maybe just Vegas folks then  | ||
| Sandblast |
Same here, the sport bike guys almost always wave but the cruisers only wave like half the time. The trick is to just wave at everyone and if they dont wave back then its their problem. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Nope, I get the same. This thread has been done before but everyone has their own experiences. I think "Some" of the Harley crowd is acknowledging us as part of the fold. Yet we don't fit with the ricers because of our Harley roots... When I go to HOG events, I get a lot of questions and excitement, yet it's from the very few. The rest are looking at me like, "What are you doing here?" I say uck em'. | ||
| Ingemar |
I cant really say that a specific brand or type is friendly or not. All I've seen is the bunch of really hardcore 'dont f**k with me or I'll kill ya' kinda bikers dont wave. But then again, I don't wave to them and ignore them if its obvious they're a bunch or terrorists on wheels. It's kinda rare if a normal rider doesn't wave over here. He either didn't see ya or he's having a bad day and doesn't feel like greeting someone. | ||
| Rex |
both wave....sportbikes and cruisers....rex | ||
| Tripp |
seems around here most all standard bike owners wave, half the superbike riders, quarter of the cruiser riders. do a search here on the badweb, search for the wave, there is a funny link somewhere that states the rules for the wave. | ||
| Black_sunshine |
I agree with Tripp...I have the same percentage. I don't get the wave from the dude on the replica racer wearing shorts, berkinstocks and t-shirt. I think he is scared to let go. Just a few days ago I pulled up at a light beside the same guy I just described with his girlfriend on back wearing: Flip-flops, booty shorts and tank top. They waved and I just shook my head in disbelief. (I was wearing full leathers, gloves and boots.) | ||
| Smadd |
Here in SE Ohio, I haven't noticed any "stereotype" group waving or not waving more than any other. Steve | ||
| Glitch |
Hell, I wave at everyone, even the scooter crowd. Most everyone waves back, or nods. I saluted a guy on a scooter this week, I've never seen a more enthusiastic wave back in all my days. I thought he was gonna shake himself off his scooter. | ||
| Tom_b |
I went to a meet on 10-3 and after meeting over 300 people on the way up and over a 1,000 halfway home, I just got tired of waving. But I usually wave at everyone and get a wave back. | ||
| Outrider |
You ought to ride in Wisconsin. Everybody waves regardless of bike brand or type. Is almost a pain in the arse considering there are so many bikes and so few good roads to ride. Especially, that "point at the ground" Harley wave. Who thought that one up and is there a hidden meaning to it that got lost over the years? | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
I've wondered about that too. I just assumed that too many people had broken thier hands over the years. Most everyone waves in KC regardless of bike. I usually assume that those that don't wave, just didn't see me or saw me too late. I know I miss some people because I'm deep in thought or watching the cars around me. | ||
| Budo |
I wave at everyone, most wave back, except for some of the HD guys. I have noticed the point at the ground salute and wondered what it meant. Does anyone know? | ||
| Outrider |
One of the reasons I asked about the "point at the ground" wave is way back when I first saw it in the Pre-RUB days, it was similar to a "slow down wave" we used in So Cal to warn of a radar trap, accident, bad road conditions or some other impending danger. First few times I experienced it, I slowed down and ruined a good ride for naught. After that I just ignored it and continued on my way. Needless to say with my sick sense of humor, I likened it to a reverse Nazi salute. With the joke being if they did the actual salute they would be blown off the bike. LOL | ||
| Rick_a |
I wave at anyone that waves at me...saves a bit of frustration. I've noticed a lot of sportbikers around here pull in their clutch and repeatedly redline their engines as a "hello" nowadays...no thanks. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
I think it means "Rubber side Down" as in keep your rubber on the road and the shiney bits up. What happens if you have no shiney bits? | ||
| Bomber |
I think its an efficiency thing -- least energy expended to wave -- I've found myself adopting it -- I'll have to come up with a more entertaining story regarding the meaning | ||
| Daves |
Can't wait to hear that Bomber! I wave at everyone I can, most wave back,some of the real badass HD or Sportbike guy that thinks he's from the Biker Boys movie don't wave back, they are far too cool for that. I must not be part of their "crew"! The ones that don't wave back, well, I just laugh to myself thinking "I'm glad I don't take myself that seriously" | ||
| Bomber |
well, the first time someone pointed at the ground, I thought he was telling me I'd sprung a leak! I pulled over the check, he saw me pull over, turned around and asked if I needed help -- sorta kinda like an Abbott/Costello "Who's on First Routine!" s'trooth! | ||
| Biknut |
here in dallas i get more waves from cruzer duzers but not many from sportbike ricers. bullers and harley riders almost always wave. | ||
| Spinzealot |
It doesn't mean..."Eyes on the road, what are you lookin at?"  | ||
| Mikej |
google search for "biker waves" google asks: "Did you mean: biker wives " No, I meant "biker waves", thank you. http://www.vtwinmama.com/biker_symbology.htm http://mcl.zapto.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11 http://bigbearbikers.com/bbrr/wave.html  http://www.comnet.ca/~cochon/The%20etti_files/image004.jpg | ||
| Ted |
Harley dude's are the only one's who dont acknowledge other riders, in BC. Some kind of elitist clique. Far as I can tell they dont acknowledge themselves either. | ||
| Glitch |
What happens if you have no shiney bits? That means you're on my bike, and I would thank you kindly to put it back where you found it. | ||
| Glitch |
Hazard to the Right > www.thundermountainhog.com/biker_hand_signals.htm This one looks like the "cops ahead" sign we use. Shat in the path is pointed out with our feet. | ||
| Outrider |
Glitch...good post. I agree with all but the foot pointing thing for debris. I agree with all hand signals for a few reasons. Keeping feet on the pegs for balance and control is a good thing. The left hand is the most flexible appendage riders have. However, their appears to be a conflict between debris to the left and the Harley Wave. LOL Additionally, where does the person behind look? Your head, your feet or the road ahead? The correct answer is "The Road Ahead." In doing so you will see hand signals a lot easier than foot signals. Plus, in the Buell rides I took where the foot signals were used the riders always bobbled left or right depending which foot they used. Possibly a reaction from bouncing on their huevos for a few seconds. LOL Not to mention they had an annoying habit of looking back to see if you saw their signal and both slowed down and lost their line in the process. Glad I wasn't the rider either in front of or behind them. I just prayed they set up in time for the next turn or avoided the next lump of road kill. IMHO foot signals are dumb moves that jeopardize the safety of rider as well as the group and just one of many reasons why I do not ride in groups anymore. Anyone care to get me going on what constitutes road debris that should be reported to those behind you or perhaps when and where it is appropriate to ride either in single or staggered formation. Ewww, how about another nerve...riding side-by-side. | ||
| Dino |
My experience here in Central California is that just about the same proportion of nearly all types wave, except, blue collar type, Hell's Angel wannabes on cruisers...for the most part, they are just too cool to wave. And, the real hardcore, seedy lookin', long tangled beard, Harley riders. They almost always drop a hand in acknowledgement...regardless of what you are riding. Cool. | ||
| Ted |
"Tighten the Formation" needs to be a clipart choice! | ||
| Bluebuellxb9r |
To add my experience and a southren P.O.V. - ALmost NO cruiser riders wave, point, or even adknowledge my existance. This includes the Shadow riders as well as some HD riders.Some of them do the point. I was riding and some Outlaws passed me and all of them either waved or gave me a thumbs up, I thought that was real cool. - Most sportbike guys wave - All Goldwing guys wave - All BMW/ Moto-Guzzi riders wave | ||
| Glitch |
Wait 'til I get home, I'll change their HOG jackets to Buell jackets. | ||
| Macbuell |
I gotta agree with Tripper. The cruiser folks are usually the least likely to wave. I have two theories on this. One, they are too scared to take a hand off the handlebars to they think they are too cool. You can usually tell which is which. I, like most here, wave to everyone, usually with a two finger "peace sign" or with a friendly finger point. | ||
| Tom_b |
Oh yeah forgot to post earlier. to solve the wave thing a friend I ride with has a little hand on a spring mount on his handlebar so that waves in the wind. Kind of dumb looking, but it is funny and gets a lot of double takes. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
When I asked this question, I never thought it would get so technical. Thanks Glitch for adding more pages to the biker code handbook of handsignals.  This has to be about the most entertaining thread I have read in a while, besides the Friday funnies that was started a few weeks ago.} | ||
| Glitch |
I never thought it would get so technical. Welcome to the BadWeB! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Here in France most everyone waves, with a hand if they're going in the opposite direction or with the right foot if they overtake you; As for the Harley point at the ground wave, I think it's just an excuse to get some blood flowing back to the fingers!  |
