The biker wave

[El Diablo]

Just started riding last week. Before I guess I never really noticed, but now I see motorcycle's everywhere. Kinda of like when you buy a new car and all of a sudden you notice all the other cars of same make.

Discovered that around here other bikers give you an acknowledgment wave. Not really a wave so much as it is sticking a hand out mostly at a downward angle. Just another part of being a cool biker dude :cool:

I was wondering if that type "wave" is the universal equivalent of a secret society secret handshake or have I just happened on a few motorcycle guys that just happen to wave similarly? Down makes sense as it does not look like a hand signal for turning left or right.

Am I on to something here or just the by product of an over imaginative mind? :roll:

[TehBilly]

The Motorcycle Wave is something that's very real, and I've seen waves from bikers that are as varied as the bikes I've seen. Pretty much every biker I've seen save a few snobbish HD-riders will wave in their own way.

The two I tend to employ (depending on who I'm waving at) are the point and the "cruiser wave". When pointing I just use the index and middle finger to point in the general direction of the other rider. The cruiser wave is where I extend my arm down and out at about a 45 degree angle until we've passed each other.

I think the general consensus is that it doesn't matter how you wave, just that you do wave. Owning a bike makes you part of a "club". Crotch rockets, import or local cruisers, choppers - doesn't matter. We're all two-wheeled menaces! ;)

That's my take on it at least.

[jonathan180iq]

I don't much care for the wave but feel obligated to return it.

In you experience, you'll also being to notice that some "sportbike" guys will not wave at you because you are on a "cruiser" and that's not "cool". Also, you may notice cruiser guys not wave to sportbike guys. It's really pretty stupid.

I don't drive around and wave at every car of the same make.

Anyway, the point towards the ground seems to be pretty universal for the "cool" guys.

It would look pretty goofy if every waver stuck their hand way up over their heads and gave a flashy side-to-side wave.

You know, like when you are saying goodbye to your family as the truck that is taking you to work in the big city slowly creeps over the hill and you get the feeling that you might never see them again. That kind of wave...

.... you know what...
Maybe I'll start doing that.

[bigwonton]

... and then there's the return wave I gave while stopped at a stop sign. I had a momentary brain-fart and forgot what happens when you take your hand off the clutch while the bike is in gear.

[Littlethumper]

I used to ride with my bf on his sportsbike before and he always wave on any bikes we meet on the road either touring,cruisers
or sports but some are really snob like what tehbilly said, like they pretend they didnt see you at all! But it didnt affect
my bf from doing it. I guess its like showing who's friendly or not,huh. Its like they can pick whoever they want to waved to :lol:

And i get used to it, i wave with him too ;) with a smile...
But now that he turn his zx14 to a drag bike... cant ride no more... :sad:
Oh well, he got me my own ride now so am happy.I guess i had to do the wave too,... by my own :lol:

Drive safe ya all...

[Easy Rider]

... and then there's the return wave I gave while stopped at a stop sign. I had a momentary brain-fart and forgot what happens when you take your hand off the clutch while the bike is in gear.

I which case, and other similar situations, a nod of the head is an acceptable substitute. :tup:

[bikerbroad60]

The bikers around here use the "pointing down" wave.I think it's kind of cool,actually! I have had three Wranglers in the past 11 years,and there is a camaraderie among Wrangler drivers as well.We all wave to one another.Those who don't wave...well...different strokes,but I like waving.
:rawk:
Annie

[Sarris]

I give all bikers the peace sign whether they wave or not. I did see a helmet sticker that said "Wave Goddammit" LOL

:chop:

[rayzuki]

Around here I have noticed that everyone waves to everyone. No discrimination. I think it cool. Just a good feeling of being out with friends. I waved to a guy the other day, he was just pulling out of a driveway as I drove by. He didn't wave back because his hands were busy but I did get a head nod.

[patrick_777]

Around here it's everybody waves, points or gestures however they are comfortable. The low-wind-resistance (seat level) finger point or peace sign is popular with the sport crowd and the subtle, full-hand wrist shake is what the cruiser folks do. Some people are less comfortable (or too busy) to take their left hand off the grip, so they nod their head or raise the chin exaggeratedly in acknowledgment.

It would look pretty goofy if every waver stuck their hand way up over their heads and gave a flashy side-to-side wave.

Speaking of this, I got this particular type of wave from a guy on a scooter today. I did my normal, but it took me off guard a little bit, especially considering I had read this thread less than an hour before I went out.

On a side note, we have a lot of lakes around here, and the boating crowd does the flamboyant, whole-arm wave to other boaters. It's the same type of thing there, just a bit different.

[5th_bike]

Around here (central Maryland) almost everybody waves, and the meaning of the wave is, as far as I know: "Keep your rubber side down !" That's why mostly riders do 'the wave' with the left arm and hand pointing down. I tend to point at where the other rider's wheels are going. If the left hand is busy with the clutch you can use the right hand, pointing at the other bike, or just up.

Before coming to a stop sign or stop light I always try to get it into neutral, successful mostly, and manage to do 'the wave' as well. This once got me an admiring (or it was my imagination) nod from an experienced looking Goldwing rider who was coming from the left and just making a right turn at the intersection where I was just doing the last inches to a stop. As well as a "good boy' type of nod with smile from a motorized policeman, who was just changing gears on his Harley and couldn't wave at the time.

The only non-wavers so far were rare, but mostly Harley riders, some seem to first look if you have a Harley and if you don't, you apparently don't ride a motorcycle. Or something.

It's probably different in the weekends, last weekend a lot of motorcycles were out. During the week, when you mostly meet commuters like yourself, they almost always wave.

[Meanguy]

I saw this on another bike website I go to a lot, and it explained why some riders do not wave back at you.

http://www.zzrbikes.com/modules.php?nam ... light=wave (http://www.zzrbikes.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=29467&highlight=wave)

[bigwonton]

I saw this on another bike website I go to a lot, and it explained why some riders do not wave back at you.

http://www.zzrbikes.com/modules.php?nam ... light=wave (http://www.zzrbikes.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=29467&highlight=wave)

Lol - nice list! There's always some truth behind every joke...

[Orpheus]

The downward-aimed wave is so that the wind doesn't catch your arm and pull it back (as would happen if you waved with your arm up). At lights and such, I usually give the "we just made eye contact in the men's restroom" nod which is understandable if you're at a light with your hand on the clutch. Here in AZ, EVERYONE on two wheels gives the wave, whether it's a bike or scooter or whatever, which is strange because the cagers around here are ore inconsiderate than anywhere else I've been in the entire country. Probably some kind of solidarity thing with two wheelers.

[patrick_777]

It's a family thing. You know you're in the club and if the guy you wave to watches you go down, or need help at all, it's a good bet he'll be right there at your back helping out no matter what....and you'd do the same thing for him/her. That's the bond that is created in the few seconds of interaction at 55mph.

[Tonckawa]

For me, waving means we are in the same environment, the same exposures, the same (more) dangers than the driver behind a wheel so when I wave, it means "Be Safe, there are idiots out there driving cars who don't see you". and I normally point 1 or 2 fingers down at 45 degrees and stay that way until I pass them.

I have a friend who has a 150cc scooter. He never waves because many many bikers will not wave at him so he stopped doing it. I wave regardless because they are exposed to the same dangers as a Gold Wing 1300.

[trykemike]

Up my way only the cruiser guys do the low wave left hand 45 degrees . Harley riders always wave when I pass as do I. Very rare for the sport bike crowd to wave.

I have always practiced this ritual since 1966 when I started riding.

[LilNinja77]

Around here the metric cruisers and sportbikes pretty much all wave, the HD's only wave to eachother.....except for the HD-trikes, they are usually really old guys and wave and smile at me...oh well, they are probably just laughing at my outfit :) . I'll wave at anyone who isn't being a jackass on 2 wheels. If I see someone riding in a way that endangers myself (either directly or indirectly through traffic) then they get NO WAVE :tdown: About the only sportbikes that won't wave are the 'Busa guys, they are almost as tribal as the HD's. Actually, same thing with the big touring Beemers', I rarely get a wave out of them.

On a side note, I stopped waving at the local HD riders a little while ago. There are 3 biker bars (i.e. Harley bars) within 10 minutes of my house, just so happens that one of those bars is on the same street a friend of mine lives on. As I was leaving his place and waiting to merge back on to the highway, I looked over and saw a big group of HD's hanging out at the bar. One of them honked, and silly ole' me (thinking they wouldn't be jackasses) honked and waved back......I got rocks thrown at me :??: If any of you ride through Suffolk VA, don't stop at the Happy Horse along 58....they suck :mad:
Ride safe

[Tonckawa]

If any of you ride through Suffolk VA, don't stop at the Happy Horse along 58....they suck :mad:
Ride safe

I know that place. Used to go out that way to play paintball.

[Littlethumper]

I did see a helmet sticker that said "Wave Goddammit" LOL

:chop:

LOL, i like those stickers.. :lol:

[TehBilly]

If any of you ride through Suffolk VA, don't stop at the Happy Horse along 58....they suck :mad:
Ride safe

Here in centra VA people are a lot more accepting and polite than those towards the coast. I may try to find this bar just to start some trouble! Elitist pricks like that really strike a nerve. ;)

[LilNinja77]

Yeah right now I'm on the western side of the state in Blacksburg, but will be returning east shortly. Can't wait to be back around all those jerks :tdown: Oh well, good and bad everywhere.....Suffolk just seems to have more bad than is necessary. I think my least favorite thing is the racial tension there......within my generation there's a pretty strong black vs. white mentaility that's just stupid. IMO the problem stems from the schools in the area. For a while they were grossly overcrowded, for example the high school I went to was built to accomodate 1300-1500 students comfortably.........one year I was there we had close to 2500 kids.

Needless to say that many people crammed in to such a tight place creates A LOT of tension, regardless of race. As a result kids just get in to the group mentality. Whites hang with whites, blacks with blacks, etc etc, and it just creates a bad situation no matter how you look at it. Add to that the horrible job market in the area and there is a very real competitive environment between the different groups........it's just not a very fun place to live. The ample drug market doesn't help either. After getting out in the "real world" those feelings stay and get put back in to the community, worsening the quality of life for everyone involved. I guess some places just don't evolve above such prejudices.

Ok, I've ranted/rambled, I'm done :tongue:
Ride safe

[jonathan180iq]

I think what your talking about carries over into more aspects of life than you might realize.

We deal with the same thing where I'm from except it's not Black vs. White, it's White vs. Hispanic. The majority of our industry and the local job market circle around carpet & flooring. And, like everything else, for a while the major manufacturers were hiring lots of illegal workers to cut costs. It's not the workers fault, really. I think the angst is misquided, if necessary. Since the Bush anti illegal worker (whatever it's called) initiative came into effect, they can't really hire illegal workers as easily as before. Needless to say a lot of angst, mostly unfounded like everything else involved in a racists mind, was left over and has remained here. It's very "us against them" where I am from and it really bothers me. The same happens in the school system. The influx of Latino families has of course produced an increase in multi-cultural classrooms. I can't tell you how many people complain about paying school tax just to "pay for 'em Mexicans."

For those who don't know my wife is Hispanic so I have a pretty good feel for both sides of the system. I also taught for a year and a half.

I'm sure everyone who vists this board can relate somehow or another to this type of behavior.

[LilNinja77]

Yes it's sad that something so stupid can be so pervasive. I'm sure just about everyone here could tell a similar tale....I suppose it's just another flaw of our complex nature. I suppose what bugs me the most about the situation in Suffolk is that it's mainly the kids (and young adults) that seem to perpetuate it....I rarely see someone over the age of 30 that acts that way. Then again, perhaps they've just learned to hide it better. I dunno, maybe it's like that in most other places too, it's just always seemed much worse in Suffolk compared to other places I've been (even compared to other cities close to Suffolk).

That's one of my favorite things about riding, the brotherhood (or sisterhood) between myself and my fellow riders....hence why it pisses me off so much when you get one of the "uppity" bikers who just doesn't get it. I don't care if you're on a little 150cc enduro or on a custom 50k chopper (and anything in between), the damn machine you shove between your legs doesn't make you better or worse than anyone else.......but just like the racism, I suppose some people will just never grow up.

P.S. sorry to anyone who may have been upset by me bringing up a topic like racism, it should be clear in my posts that I was NOT promoting any form of prejudice.......I was merely commenting on the fact that it sucks.
Ride safe

[alanmcorcoran]

A week and a half ago, on my first ride out on Santiago Canyon (more Harleys per sq mi than anywhere except maybe Sturgis in August) one of the riders who passed me gave me a helmet tap. My first thought as, "yeah, I'm wearing one, can't you see it?"

When I got home, internet research turned up two explanations for this signal: 1) road hazard, 2) Speed trap. Even though I didn't know what the signal was at the time, I didn't encounter any hazards or LEO's.

Does the helmet tap mean anything else?

[patrick_777]

He was riding a Harley. He was probably wondering why you had a bowling ball on your head and not the apparently safer alternative - the handkerchief.

As far as I know, it means a LEO.

[RichInFla]

He was riding a Harley. He was probably wondering why you had a bowling ball on your head and not the apparently safer alternative - the handkerchief.
As far as I know, it means a LEO.

and THIS is why I'm a newbie.... LEO ?? had to read through the other post to get "ATGATT" !!

[Moedad]

He was riding a Harley. He was probably wondering why you had a bowling ball on your head and not the apparently safer alternative - the handkerchief.
As far as I know, it means a LEO.

and THIS is why I'm a newbie.... LEO ?? had to read through the other post to get "ATGATT" !!

Law Enforcement Officer.

[RichInFla]

[Law Enforcement Officer.

Yeah, I thought of that while I was out checking the tires again. My dad still calls them the "Fuzz", haa haa.

I did have a scooter wave at me recently, but I mentioned it to my HD neighbor, and he says "I'll wave to anything, EXCEPT a dang scooter" !!

[philbert]

My experience around here has been that most bikers give the two finger down, peace sign (two wheeler - as I see it) wave. We're all brethren and as stated before we all take the same risks to enjoy our rides. I'll wave to two wheelers when I can safely do it or acknowledge them with a nod and if somebody doesn't wave back so be it.

[patrick_777]

My two-finger wave quickly becomes a one-finger salute if they don't wave back.

Six weeks later, I take the cast off and do it again.

Just kidding. Always wave, even to bicycles. I also wave at Harley guys but that's only to let them know that I'll be happy to call a tow truck for them at my next stop.

[primal]

I find that around here about 90% of bikers wave. Of the remaining 10%, about 2% are sport bike riders, while 8% are riding Harleys. I've noticed that about 7.5% of the Harley riders that don't wave are wearing skid lids and a t-shirt (with or without sleeves). Coincidence?

[jonathan180iq]

Well, it's a well known fact that 50% of the 75% of Harley riders have a 10% level of self confidence and that relates to them being only 35% nice.

[5th_bike]

I find that around here about 90% of bikers wave. Of the remaining 10%, about 2% are sport bike riders, while 8% are riding Harleys. I've noticed that about 7.5% of the Harley riders that don't wave are wearing skid lids and a t-shirt (with or without sleeves). Coincidence?

Do consider that a large percentage of Harley owners almost never rides - only in the finest weather, like, twice per year, they dress up in the sleeveless Harley shirts and assless Harley chaps, take the Harley out of town on a trailer, to ride on 50 mph back roads in groups of 6 to 12, at 30 - 35 mph... I have seen it myself, them clogging the flow of traffic.
They must be afraid they'll fall if they let one hand off the handles. Or they just don't know "the wave".

Today was a great riding day in Maryland, many two-wheelers were out, and everyone waved back as far as I remember. May be one Harley as described above or a sporty or Goldwing type didn't, I was too busy to really look. And for the two instances of 50cc scooters, the guys happily waved back as well.

Oh, almost forgot, on one 40 mph road today I was behind some cars, about 4 or 5 of them, doing about 30-35 mph. And guess what, leading the pack and slowing everyone down, was a guy on a Harley in a T-shirt. No kidding. Good thing, after a mile or so at the traffic light, he turned left and I went straight on.

[alanmcorcoran]

...most are quite friendly.

Howevah... there was recently a "rumble" between a local chapter of the Hell's Angels and, get this, a Christian bike gang. "Do unto others before they do unto you", I guess.

From what I read, it seems like the Christians (Set Free Soldiers) were not necessarily innocent bystanders. The SWAT team arrested about ten of them (vs three) Hell's Angels. Some versions indicated the Soldiers baited the Angels into attacking them and then retaliated. (I wasn't there.) I think a couple of Angels got stabbed.

I guess it's not funny, but one rival Christian biker ministry leader was quoted as being upset with the Soldiers because, "They are giving the rest of us Christian biker gangs a bad name!"

Okay, it IS funny.

-Alan.

[Sarris]

Alan, that IS funny! I find that in my area 95% of the riders give the wave regardless of whether I'm on the Harley or the GZ. Also, most are fairly conversational and chat when you pull up next to them at lights. Of course, I probably look more like them than most folks. (I guess??)

:)

[john1096]

My long week or so of riding experience has yielded similar results as everyone else. We have some mixed Harley/metric clubs around so all but the most hardcore (insert brand/style here) riders will wave. The only thing negative I've heard from other riders is, "No one waves to sport bikes." They seem to be considered a separate breed by most. I've had some sport bike riders wave back, but they were the commuting-with-the-back-pack, non-squid types. It does seem like a higher percentage of commuters wave to everyone regardless of what they ride. There seem to be more "elitists" of all types out there on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. I may never be brave enough to ride by a biker bar, at least on the weekend.

Thanks for the explanations on the touring biker wave (with the hand/arm down at an angle). I thought it was cool the first time I got one. I normally just give a two fingers up salute, but I wonder if it is even noticed all the time, with the black gloves.

I like the idea of the frantic full arm over the head wave, but I think I'll start doing the parade wave.

Thanks for the heads up on the LEO/hazard warning, too. Never heard that one.

I love this forum.

[patrick_777]

I may never be brave enough to ride by a biker bar, at least on the weekend.

When you do...wear this.

[rayzuki]

where did you find that pic of me?????????? :lol: :lol: :neener:

[patrick_777]

where did you find that pic of me?????????? :lol: :lol: :neener:

Sarris gave it to me. He said you wouldn't mind.

[john1096]

Replace the hat with a reflective helmet of the same color, and I'll be ready to go. Think this would help with the problem of not being seen by the cagers?

To stay on topic, what kind of wave do you think that would get?

[patrick_777]

Probably something with a little more wrist movement.

[5th_bike]

.....The only thing negative I've heard from other riders is, "No one waves to sport bikes." They seem to be considered a separate breed by most. I've had some sport bike riders wave back, but they were the commuting-with-the-back-pack, non-squid types.

I noticed that sport bikers mostly don't initiate a wave.
They are probably used to not being waved at by the 'cruiser' herds.
But if you wave at them first, they'll wave back.
More than 97.78% of them. Even the one who came flying over the hill and had about one half of a second to react.

.....It does seem like a higher percentage of commuters wave to everyone regardless of what they ride. There seem to be more "elitists" of all types out there on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Same here. Those 'elitists', I have also read them being called "Weekend warriors".

[patrick_777]

I noticed that sport bikers mostly don't initiate a wave.
They are probably used to not being waved at by the 'cruiser' herds.
But if you wave at them first, they'll wave back.
More than 97.78% of them. Even the one who came flying over the hill and had about one half of a second to react.

In the few hours of ride time on the Ninja, I have initiated a wave to every bike I've seen (a lot). I've only been snubbed once by a Harley rider in a head-hankie. It didn't bother me much.

[music man]

I think you may be on to something with the sportbike riders. It seems as if they are not expecting me to wave and when I do they usually quickly stick their hand out. And also I don't think that I can recall being "snubbed" for a wave, I have had a few weird or snickering looks at red lights or parking lots, but not on the highway, Maybe they wave before they have time to realize I am on a little thumper.

[pcmech]

I've been waved at by Harley's, Goldies, metrics, sportbikers, and, get this, even guys on bicycles riding up and down the Natchez Trace. I've only not been waved at one time. By a guy on a metric cruiser not much biggger than my GZ. Maybe a 500 or 650. You can pretty much tell what kind of guy he was. Probably full of himself. Think's he's something.

He's the only one who hasn't waved.

[Newbiker08]

Here in SC I have waved to or nodded to every bike I've passed, and most have waved back, or waved first. The few exceptions being HD riders and some sport bikers. You get bad apples in every batch.

[rayzuki]

I got a new wave yesterday well more of a node I guess. 2 different sportbikers did the same thing. We are stopped at a light facing each other. When the light turns green a big wheelee and a turned head as to say "look how much a bad ass I am" All I could do was shake my head in discust. What a bunch of idiots. There is a place to show off buy city streets is not one on them.

[alanmcorcoran]

...numerous times throughout the day guys would go past our parking lot and pull wheelies - sometimes for 50-75 feet. The instructors and everyone shook their heads in disgust, but, I secretly want to learn how to do one. Once a douche, always a douche!

[music man]

I doubt very very very seriously you will ever even get the front tire of the ground on your GZ much less a full blown wheelie, but please video tape it when you do, because it would be funny to watch.


Later

[Jenny]

The Motorcycle Wave is something that's very real, and I've seen waves from bikers that are as varied as the bikes I've seen. Pretty much every biker I've seen save a few snobbish HD-riders will wave in their own way.

The two I tend to employ (depending on who I'm waving at) are the point and the "cruiser wave". When pointing I just use the index and middle finger to point in the general direction of the other rider. The cruiser wave is where I extend my arm down and out at about a 45 degree angle until we've passed each other.

I think the general consensus is that it doesn't matter how you wave, just that you do wave. Owning a bike makes you part of a "club". Crotch rockets, import or local cruisers, choppers - doesn't matter. We're all two-wheeled menaces! ;)

That's my take on it at least.

I always get waves, even from snobby HD riders :-) The only people I have not received waves from have been a couple of college kids working wheelies on their sports bikes going down the road, and I won't wave to them anyway. You just don't do a wheelie while tail gating a very large car up hill. Hell, I don't even know HOW they manage that shit let alone why they're stupid enough to do it.

I was a passenger for eight years before getting my license. I always liked the wave because it gave me one (albeit small) responsibility besides being a good passenger. I could watch for bikers as they came by!

I've always noticed bikers. Always envied them. *grins*

[patrick_777]

I thought that is one of the rules of being a passenger - Always wave to other riders, especially if the "driver" can't...

[Blues]

I dig the biker wave. It doesn't seem to matter what kind of bike or who might be riding it, I generally get and return the "wave". It does seem a little to me that it's kind of like a secret society thing. Not much of a secret, but being a biker sort of gives you license to use the wave. It puts a smile on my face just about every time I encounter it. Just another thing I don't like about when I have to be in my car...I can't exchange the wave with the bretheren. In the car, I'm more likely to be flipped off ! :tongue:

[Magnar Infectus]

Here's my 108 miles + MSF class worth of wave experience:
During the MSF class we heard someone rev their sport bike up really high. It was loud enough to be heard over all 12 running bikes and got all of us to stop and look. We saw him cruiseing by the school at reasonable speeds. when he saw us look he gave us a big hand over the head wave. (he was pretty far away and was the only way we'd have seen him wave). We all waved back. I've seen 20 or so other bikers/scooters. One wave and a couple head nods.

[Jer]

I'm about 50/50 on getting the wav.

I'm still nodding as I am not real comfortable going 1 handed yet.

[aesoprock00]

i've been doing my best to give the wave when possible. like some others, i've noticed folks who either don't give a wave or won't return a wave are on Harleys with no helmets, usually in a t-shirt/tank top or a leather vest. i've even had a couple of scooters initiate the wave!

[Jenny]

i've been doing my best to give the wave when possible. like some others, i've noticed folks who either don't give a wave or won't return a wave are on Harleys with no helmets, usually in a t-shirt/tank top or a leather vest. i've even had a couple of scooters initiate the wave!

It must be location dependent. I find that the Harley folks almost always wave at me. The folks most likely to not wave out here are the young college guys on crotch rockets. I don't always wave myself. Sometimes I am preparing to do something, just coming out of a turn and don't want to take my hand off the handlebars, etc. So if someone doesn't wave at me, I don't really mind; I assume that they could also be doing something that requires them to not do it.