The biker wave

[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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by john1096

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]

Originally Posted by rayzuki

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

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