I need to learn how to wave!

[DJK]

I was out riding today and went by my first motorcycle and he did "the wave". I tried to do it back, but I know it didn't look too good! Any tips or suggestions? Thanks.

[music man]

Yeah, don't wreck!!! LOL. Seriously, if you haven't been riding very long, the best thing to do is nod your head in response to the wave. Newbie inexperience+hand wave=Hospital stay and/or death.

Get used to riding and the bike your riding on, and then worry about looking cool and being nice and waving at other bikers.

[5th_bike]

:popcorn: well one tip, just stretch your arm to where his front wheel is going and you're set. Then, you could - a) point index finger or - b) stretch entire hand. Not necessary to make any waving motion. Hand down, hand back on the steering, that's it.

:rawk: :cool: :biggrin:

[alanmcorcoran]

If you have passed LEO's on the way and he's heading to whence you came, tap your (clutch) hand to the top of your helmet.

Simplest wave is to simply drop your clutch hand and give a sideways peace sign at about knee level.

[Water Warrior 2]

A word of caution. Never never just throw your arm out to say Hi. The wind will try to remove your arm or tear you off the bike. I did that on the highway and almost had a major mishap.

[cayuse]

All good advice. Above all be safe. If you're busy with the clutch or negotiating traffic or something, just nod. Don't sweat the details, if you move your hand at all off the grip the other rider will notice, and it's all good.

[geezer]

about the cop thing, you wont need to worry about speeding on your gz at least! :biggrin:

[mole2]

Put your clutch hand out and down by your hip and give the peace sign. But really it's not important how you wave...just acknowledge a fellow two wheel rider with a nod or by hand. Ride safe.


:)

[alantf]

about the cop thing, you wont need to worry about speeding on your gz at least! :biggrin:

Mmmmmmmmmmm ..... Coupla years ago, I got a €100 ($150?) fine for going 6 MPH over the limit. Passed a hidden police car with a radar gun. They sure love those money making rackets. Although I hear they're not so nasty in America. :cry:

[mole2]

about the cop thing, you wont need to worry about speeding on your gz at least! :biggrin:

Mmmmmmmmmmm ..... Coupla years ago, I got a €100 ($150?) fine for going 6 MPH over the limit. Passed a hidden police car with a radar gun. They sure love those money making rackets. Although I hear they're not so nasty in America. :cry:

Well, now they're putting cameras out everywhere and snagging you for every little violation. Send you a picture and a fine in the mail. Neat, huh?


:)

[frempath]

Just as an aside. I don't do the traditional biker wave. I learned to ride off road on 3 wheeled atc's and enduro bikes. As such, one of the early rules is "Keep your hands on the bike all the time." Yes, experience did help hammer it in.
Now its not that I don't wave, I just pivot my left hand up, leaving the heal on the grip, and wave to the left and back.

[buud]

Had a traffic policeman in Chicago tell me the rule of them for the Police is: they'll all give you 5 (miles per hour), most will give you 7, some will give you 9, but don't do 10 over. Its worked pretty well over the years. Except in downtown Chicago where the cars and the cabs are like those in Hong Kong, look out! The expressways are closer to 70 on the average than 55 and on the tollways the trucks move with traffic (at 70). Moral of the story; everybody's in a big hurry.

[Chim]

Just got my first wave as well!
I honestly didn't expect him to wave as he passed, I was just having my own private "I'm passing my first motorcycle!" moment when I saw him stick out his arm.
I just raised the fingers on my left hand and smiled back. Didn't think I ought to try leaping onto the seat and waving my arms in the air quite yet... :)

[jonathan180iq]

You'll start to notice some riders are super bikes snobs.
They won't wave back unless you're riding a particular brand of motorcycle.
You'll start to recognize them in advance, by the sound the engine makes.
They all sound the same; like expensive American pieces of crap.

I'm not bitter. ;)

[5th_bike]

You'll start to notice some riders are super bikes snobs.
They won't wave back ...

In MD that kind is very rare. It happens more often that people don''t wave because
- they just need their left hand for the clutch right then and there
- they are afraid to remove their hand from the steering (usually newbies)
- (usually experienced Goldwing riders) they're kind of on autopilot and just caught up in something else, like adjusting the drip rate on the coffee maker, reprogramming the air conditioning, etc.

[Rookie Rider]

lol 5th

[dentheman]

About speeding: I took my GPS on my last ride and found that 65 on the Shadow's speedometer is actually 61.6 mph. I thought the speedo would be more accurate than that since the bike uses a speed sensor instead of a cable running off the front wheel.

But now I know I can ride with the indicated speed a few mph above the posted speed and be OK..

[Water Warrior 2]

About speeding: I took my GPS on my last ride and found that 65 on the Shadows speedometer is actually 61.6 mph. I thought the speedo would be more accurate than that since the bike uses a speed sensor instead of a cable running off the front wheel.
That is actually good for a bike. Most are even more optimistic with their reading. Your is slightly below 5% of actual. My Vstrom is 7% at that speed. You will find thought that the odometer reading is very accurate on most bikes.

[dentheman]

About speeding: I took my GPS on my last ride and found that 65 on the Shadows speedometer is actually 61.6 mph. I thought the speedo would be more accurate than that since the bike uses a speed sensor instead of a cable running off the front wheel.
That is actually good for a bike. Most are even more optimistic with their reading. Your is slightly below 5% of actual. My Vstrom is 7% at that speed. You will find thought that the odometer reading is very accurate on most bikes.
I have found the trip odometer to read slightly higher than my GPS as well. I don't remember the difference, at the time it seemed consistant with the speedo error, but I didn't do the math. I was wearing the GPS, so when I made a couple stops to go into convenience stores, my movement was recorded even though the bike was still.

The next time I go for a long ride, I will make it a point to check my GPS reading when the bike's trip odometer hits 100 miles, just out of curiosity.

ADDED A COUPLE DAYS LATER: I went for a ride, my tripmeter shows 66.7 miles, my gps shows 65.7 miles.

[Stryker]

I dont wave when on the interstate, only local roads and highways. Never in a corner or after dark.

I try to wave but it just doesnt happen if Im busy or trying to dodge that road kill.

[greatmaul]

I actually find it easier to wave on the interstate than surface streets - less distractions like red lights, pedestrians and stopped cars. Of course, I'm almost always on the interstate, so that could explain it, too.

Apart from that, been practicing waving for about 7 months now and I still feel like I can't do it right. :P

[Water Warrior 2]

I actually find it easier to wave on the interstate than surface streets - less distractions like red lights, pedestrians and stopped cars. Of course, I'm almost always on the interstate, so that could explain it, too.

Apart from that, been practicing waving for about 7 months now and I still feel like I can't do it right. :P
There is not really a wrong way to wave. There is some caution involved though. Never just throw your whole arm out into the wind in a manner that might unbalance you. It will make for exciting times.

[greatmaul]

Never just throw your whole arm out into the wind in a manner that might unbalance you. It will make for exciting times.

Heheh, yeah I think I remember doing just that very thing the first time.
Good times.
:whistle: :crackup

[Rookie Rider]

Ive been riding for a year now, and i just give the peace sign with my fingers pointing slightly downward with my arm extended, I used to be afraid to let the handlebars go with my one hand. Now, phsssshh, no problem. Or, just give a head nod.

[Scheezo]

Sometimes I just hold my hand a little bit off the clutch side and point. It doesn't matter. You'll see all kinds of waves and sometimes just head nods. I wave at all bikes, even Harley owners who don't wave back. They're not the only ones who wont wave. I used to pass a Suzuki every day on my way to work who would never wave. I waved every time. Just cuz I have a GZ doesn't mean anything. I've been riding for15 years, I just like to spend less on gas for now. I respect all riders as we all should. I don't wave on the interstate however. There is too much going on. Get used to your bike and wave when you feel up for it.

[Skunkhome]

I like to lay the heel of my clutch hand on my thigh and rotate a peace sign out toward the other biker. At a red light when my clutch hand is busy I like to salute off the brim of my helmit. Old military throwback!

[Chim]

Well, yesterday, I gave my first wave! (And got a wave back :) )

I work at a campground near DC, so we've been getting lots of people from Rolling Thunder coming in, passed one of them on my way out and couldn't resist giving it a shot. :)

[bpdchief]

Everybody except scooters wave when I pass. Even some of the deputies who ignore my LEO tag on my car wave at me on the bike.
Had a discussion with a HD rider the other day.. asked when I was going to get a real bike. I said, your bike does 65 - so does mine.. that's the speed limit right? He says yeah. What kind of mpg you get? He says, 35-42 depending... So, I can go anywhere you can at the same speed and I get 70-75 mpg doing it. Why do I need to buy a "REAL" bike

[Water Warrior 2]

Everybody except scooters wave when I pass. Even some of the deputies who ignore my LEO tag on my car wave at me on the bike.
Had a discussion with a HD rider the other day.. asked when I was going to get a real bike. I said, your bike does 65 - so does mine.. that's the speed limit right? He says yeah. What kind of mpg you get? He says, 35-42 depending... So, I can go anywhere you can at the same speed and I get 70-75 mpg doing it. Why do I need to buy a "REAL" bike
One of the only reasons to buy a "Real Bike" is abundant dealers anywhere you go. Well, that and they also sell a life style like no other in the world.

[greatmaul]

Had a discussion with a HD rider the other day.. asked when I was going to get a real bike. I said, your bike does 65 - so does mine.. that's the speed limit right? He says yeah. What kind of mpg you get? He says, 35-42 depending... So, I can go anywhere you can at the same speed and I get 70-75 mpg doing it. Why do I need to buy a "REAL" bike

I don't get it, either, but I do tend to expect it now. Just had a visit with an uncle the other day who rides a big 1100 Honda, but dreams of a Harley, and the first thing out of his mouth was when was I going to "move up."

I think it comes from how they define the word biker. They want to look like a biker from a gang, like in the movies, and until they do, they just don't feel like a biker. Maybe we need a new word, because it seems like, "biker" will forever be associated with leather vests, spiked knuckles and Harleys.

[Water Warrior 2]

"Rider" is the word. Biker is more of a life style to me.

[Rookie Rider]

I wear a leather vest on my gz, and off my gz. Cause im cool like that.

[jonathan180iq]

I wear a leather vest on my gz, and off my gz. Cause im cool like that.

Very cool.

http://images.halloweencostumeideas.com/biker-vest.jpg

[Water Warrior 2]

I wear a leather vest on my gz, and off my gz. Cause im cool like that.

Very cool.

http://images.halloweencostumeideas.com/biker-vest.jpg
Oh yeah, he looks like a real biker.............................not.

[Skunkhome]

http://images.halloweencostumeideas.com/biker-vest.jpg


Maybe some biker's old lady. :twisted: sorry

[Rookie Rider]

:/

[Rookie Rider]

Oh boy a leather studded necklace.

[PimpS]

HE must be one of the dancers in The Blue Oyster Bar from Police Acadamy movie... ;)
Proctor's brother.... :)

[bonehead]

I'd like to see that walk into a biker bar!

[Water Warrior 2]

I'd like to see that walk into a biker bar!
Ah yes, the old death wish syndrome.

[greatmaul]

lol, sorry. I really don't have anything at all against leather vests, except maybe the one in that pic. I think they look great and all, it's just that they kind of seem mandatory on a Harley.

Back to the original post, though... does anyone else "back wave," as in wave to a rider going the same direction as you just as they pass you? I've been back waved as people passed me on bikes, and I think it's kind of cool.

I "back waved" or whatever it's called at a headlight last night, just as it got really close and then passed me, and it turned out to be either a police bike or a highway patrol. He didn't back wave back. I was really surprised, though when I saw it was a leo.

[mrlmd1]

Probably can't ride with one hand off the bars. Or, a safety issue/protocol. Or he didn't see you, or didn't give a crap. Pick one.

[alantf]

Probably can't ride with one hand off the bars. Or, a safety issue/protocol. Or he didn't see you, or didn't give a crap. Pick one.

It's always seemed to me (in all the countries I've driven in), that they take the most arrogant policemen, and put them on traffic patrol. Then they take the most arrogant of the traffic patrol, and put them on motorcycles. :mad:

[greatmaul]

Probably can't ride with one hand off the bars. Or, a safety issue/protocol. Or he didn't see you, or didn't give a crap. Pick one.

It's always seemed to me (in all the countries I've driven in), that they take the most arrogant policemen, and put them on traffic patrol. Then they take the most arrogant of the traffic patrol, and put them on motorcycles. :mad:

aww... for some reason I thought they'd be the coolest cops. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Having a few riding buddies who are also LEO's is a treat for me. Having originally met them both on or off duty. Must be my location and climate that brings out the best of the best. Never been treated badly when meeting up for the 1st time while they are on the job and they are just regular guys off duty.
Most of the on duty stops were about my modulating headlights and I carry proof that they are legal. One was just curious about the bike itself. A couple were concerned about me having just too much fun in the twisties so I should just cool it a bit.

When you meet a LEO on duty greet him/her with a smile and say hello. Off duty buy them a coffee. They have the world's most under appreciated job and should be thanked for their service.
If you ever get written up for doing stupid sh*t on the street just remember, the LEO would rather not be notifying the next of kin.

[northsidegz]

Have received a few nods recently on the highway. (i.e. they are going 60 MPH one way and I'm going 60 MPH the other way and they do a nod hello when we cross). what's more interesting is there's actually a cement median between the lanes of highway, though we can see over the median of course.

[jonathan180iq]

I've been getting a lot more of the slow, dark visor head nods in my general direction.
I think that might be replacing the wave, since if you are mid-shift or mid-turn you can't exactly throw two fingers towards the ground just to be cool. But you can give the mysterious helmet-stare and head nod.

[fatoldfool]

WW, you sure are right about the most underappreciated job being LEO...There is a reason cops and correctional officers have the most divorces, stomach problems, etc. and its not the donuts. It is the extra stress that is there every working day on top of lifes normal stresses. Ooops, didn't mean to jack a post...About the wave, about everyone in my area seems to wave except a couple of old whitebearded sourpuss Harley Riders. When I was on my HD, it sorta surprised a few of the crotchrocket kids, but then they started waving first! I am 68 yesterday, and I will still in some way acknowledge anyone on two wheels. Whether they return is up to them! And about the Harleys, well, I have been up and down, owned 5 in the last two years and they have an appeal I will never get over, but if I had to do a long trip and had a choice, it would be a 4 cyl japanese bike of some kind! Regards all!

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds like you have yet to find a H-D that fits you just right. One day you will find the perfect touring machine and never look back.

[bonehead]

Most of the harley guys I know say that if they were to take a cross country trip, they would want a goldwing. FWIW.

[Water Warrior 2]

Most of the harley guys I know say that if they were to take a cross country trip, they would want a goldwing. FWIW.
Do any of them actually ride a real Harley that is set up as a touring machine? They(H-D) make some beautiful bikes with many creature comforts and are good for a long distance ride.The Wings and H-Ds are some of the more common touring rigs passing through here each year. I also see a lot of BMWs and the bigger Japanese sport touring bikes that chew up miles at a fantastic rate.

[dentheman]

WW, you sure are right about the most underappreciated job being LEO...There is a reason cops and correctional officers have the most divorces, stomach problems, etc. and its not the donuts. It is the extra stress that is there every working day on top of lifes normal stresses. Ooops, didn't mean to jack a post...About the wave, about everyone in my area seems to wave except a couple of old whitebearded sourpuss Harley Riders. When I was on my HD, it sorta surprised a few of the crotchrocket kids, but then they started waving first! I am 68 yesterday, and I will still in some way acknowledge anyone on two wheels. Whether they return is up to them! And about the Harleys, well, I have been up and down, owned 5 in the last two years and they have an appeal I will never get over, but if I had to do a long trip and had a choice, it would be a 4 cyl japanese bike of some kind! Regards all!
I was a correctional officer for 7 miserable, sucky years. There is not a worse job on this earth. And it was not always the inmates that made it bad. I don't mean to jack the post either, so I will say that I do the wave and usually get a wave back. Even the guys that look like bandidos will wave even though I am not dressed in the local cruiser style. By that I mean I wear a silver modular helmet with built-in sun shield, mesh jacket and armored gloves, no matter the temperature. You would have to ride many miles here to come across another cruiser rider with a helmet, mesh, etc.

[Water Warrior 2]

Yup, sadly enough it is not always the inmates. I spend quite a few years working with people that probably should have been receiving meds to keep their mouths and actions in check. Sometimes or in many cases it is the stress created by some jobs. I saw a good example of real stress created by new management with a continuous stream of rumors and sly suggestions as to the future of many of the worker bees. It was really painful watching valued folks turning to alcohol, drugs and eventually marriage breakdown.

[fatoldfool]

Yes, sounds like both you have sure been there! Not many animals more dangerous in life than a human with ambition and no skills except sneakiness (is that a word?)....
BTW; I was snubbed by 3 HD riders yesterday, all out-of-staters, probably coming in for the golf classic.

[alantf]

Strangely enough, I found just the opposite. In 1995 I spent just over a year at Wakefield jail in England. That's a class A (highest category jail, for murderers etc) as part of the team installing closed circuit television, and fence alarms. Without exceptions, any red bands (trusty prisoners, near the end of their sentences) who were passing with their escorts,would stop and give us a hand if they saw us struggling with heavy equipment, etc. I know that they must have committed serious crimes to be there, but to us they were really regular guys.

[jonathan180iq]

In 1995 I spent just over a year at Wakefield jail in England. That's a class A (highest category jail, for murderers etc)...

This is all I read.
It makes you so much more mysterious and "badass" ;)

:poke2:

[Water Warrior 2]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[dentheman]

Strangely enough, I found just the opposite. In 1995 I spent just over a year at Wakefield jail in England. That's a class A (highest category jail, for murderers etc) as part of the team installing closed circuit television, and fence alarms. Without exceptions, any red bands (trusty prisoners, near the end of their sentences) who were passing with their escorts,would stop and give us a hand if they saw us struggling with heavy equipment, etc. I know that they must have committed serious crimes to be there, but to us they were really regular guys.
Yeah, the trustees were great, always wanting to help if they were allowed, I never had much problem with them. It was the other inmates that caused some problems, as well as certain officers and brass. The trustees stayed in line, because if they didn't they would no longer be trustees, but would go back to general population. They earned their way to being trustees and didn't want to lose it.

By the way, I worked at a psychiatric facility; can you say Hannibal Lecter? Some of the things I saw will stay with me the rest of my life.

[alantf]

In 1995 I spent just over a year at Wakefield jail in England. That's a class A (highest category jail, for murderers etc)...

This is all I read.
It makes you so much more mysterious and "badass" ;)

:poke2:

I wuz framed! :crackup

[dentheman]

I have seen some of those 3 wheeled vehicles (2 wheels on front 1 on back, I don't know what they are called), and they never wave. Are they in some class of their own?

[Water Warrior 2]

I have seen some of those 3 wheeled vehicles (2 wheels on front 1 on back, I don't know what they are called), and they never wave. Are they in some class of their own?
From what I have read some of the 3 wheelers can be a real handful to steer. They are bigger and heavier so you need more muscle and a different riding style. The ones from Europe that can actually lean the 2 front wheels are more like a bike when riding but don't ever damage the front end. Very complex and no doubt costly.
As for ignoring you, some do some don't.

[dwh367]

The left boot lifted off the peg is also acceptable if one's hands are busy at the time.

[greatmaul]

I guess I shouldn't whine but it seems like now that the weather is nice, the people riding don't wave anymore. During the winter, 4/5 people on bikes waved back. On today's ride to work I was 0/7. :(

[5th_bike]

I have seen some of those 3 wheeled vehicles (2 wheels on front 1 on back, I don't know what they are called), and they never wave. Are they in some class of their own?
They're called Can-Am Spyder. Specially made for people who are too scared to go on two wheels. They don't wave because they're too scared to let go of the handlebars, and because they are in a class of their own.

[Water Warrior 2]

Spent some time lurking on a Spyder Forum in the past. A lot of riders are disabled or otherwise bent out of shape that won't allow riding a regular 2 wheeler. The upper model even has a power assist on the steering for less robust souls. If memory serves me correctly there is an auto or semi-auto tranny available.
Overall they are probably cheaper than a bike and a trike kit, maybe.

[PimpS]

I notice too, hot season is here and less empathy among fellow riders results in less waving to each other. It's a strange feeling when you don't get the wave back, but great when you get it. I'm sorry for all the waves i haven't replied, mainly cause of fear, when in the middle of a curve...
:)

[Water Warrior 2]

I notice too, hot season is here and less empathy among fellow riders results in less waving to each other. It's a strange feeling when you don't get the wave back, but great when you get it. I'm sorry for all the waves i haven't replied, mainly cause of fear, when in the middle of a curve...
:)
Never be sorry about being safe. Other riders understand.

[dentheman]

I have seen some of those 3 wheeled vehicles (2 wheels on front 1 on back, I don't know what they are called), and they never wave. Are they in some class of their own?
They're called Can-Am Spyder. Specially made for people who are too scared to go on two wheels. They don't wave because they're too scared to let go of the handlebars, and because they are in a class of their own.
I know about the Can Am Spyders, but I thought there was a generic name for that design since at least one other manufacturer that I am aware of makes them.

[alantf]

Saw one a coupla weeks back, parked on the harbour car park in Puerto de la Cruz. Not sure I'd like one, but a great looking machine. Can't remember the make, but I'm sure it was one of the famous car manufacturers.

[Water Warrior 2]

Piaggio makes the 2 wheeled front end scooter that leans and handles like a bike. A bit complex but it works well. My personal preference would be a Piaggio over a Can-Am. It will steer like a bike rather than a trike with it's unyielding bulk and weight. The Paggio can be parked almost anywhere. The Can-Am requires as much room as a small car.

[dentheman]

The other manufacturer I was thinking of is TriRod, but I see there are quite a number of manufacturers.

[alantf]

Thinking about it, now, it was possibly the piaggio logo that I saw on the bike.

[Water Warrior 2]

Piaggio 3 wheelers are no longer on the Canadian website.