Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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:

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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!

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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

:poke2:

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

I wuz framed! :crackup

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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?

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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. :(

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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...
:)

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

Never be sorry about being safe. Other riders understand.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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.

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

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

Re: I need to learn how to wave!
 

Piaggio 3 wheelers are no longer on the Canadian website.