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Motorcycle wave etiquette, from a different angle..

21K views 44 replies 24 participants last post by  hogcowboy 
#1 ·
So... here's something I have never heard discussed about the motorcycle wave. I went for a ride with the wife yesterday. She loves the whole riding experience, and loves to do the wave as well She does the standard casual from-hip-two-fingers-out...and that's what got me thinking about this... here's the question...

When riding two up, is it ok for the passenger to wave? If the passenger does wave, should the driver abstain or is it ok for both to wave? Or should the right to wave be strictly for the driver and the passenger should be told to sit on their hands during a ride..:p

discuss... :D
 
#5 ·
It should be, but seldom is around here. Most people I see using left hand signals kind of point down like, "I'm going THERE." I guess many newer riders aren't even used to seeing hand signals anyway though.

As for waving, I don't care if another rider waves or not, and in fact would seldom notice if he did or not. I'm more concerned with watching for cars and other potential threats, or just enjoying my ride. Watching to see if another motorcyclist acknowledges me just isn't on my list of things to care about.
 
#6 ·
Frankly I think the rider should give priority to concentrate on riding and not waving. No offense to anyone but if I'm in the middle of shifting and another rider comes out of nowhere and waves and me, don't take it personally if I don't wave back. My left hand is busy with the clutch.

I'm not going to hurry to dump the clutch so that I can wave.

Priority one for me is maintaining control of my bike.

Priority two is making sure that traffic doesn't kill me.

Priority three is ... everything else, including waving.

Hence, if my passenger (although I have never had a passenger ... yet) can wave, I'd gladly delegate the waving to the passenger so I can concentrate on riding.

Just my 2c.
 
#35 ·
I agree, heck half the time I don't even know if it's just a fast lane change, guess this will not surprise anyone but must admit in the very short time riding
seems a lot of riders with a bigger motor look their nose down at many riders, I do to on people riding scooters :D... actually best just to nod probably?
 
#10 ·
Wave any way you want, as long as safety is not compromised.

While riding is a loose fraternity, there is no secret handshake. Unless you are in a club, but that is different.

Just don't get all emotional if I do not wave back. I may be busy or may not have noticed you.

And dT, I doubt HD riders invented the wave. I suspect that cavemen waved to each other as they passed each other on their brontosauruses. :wink:

Ralph
 
#13 ·
I've about quit waving. So many aholes around here think they are to badass to wave I simply said screw it. Wave to the same three bikes on the same road at the same time on the way to work every morning for weeks, no reply. Kinda hurts to have a brother dis ya like that. Fk it. If they wave, I'll reciprocate. Outside of that, meh.
 
#21 ·
I've about quit waving. So many aholes around here think they are to badass to wave I simply said screw it. Wave to the same three bikes on the same road at the same time on the way to work every morning for weeks, no reply. Kinda hurts to have a brother dis ya like that. Fk it. If they wave, I'll reciprocate. Outside of that, meh.
Someone doesn't wave and you can read their mind to know what they're thinking? You can devine if they've even seen you, and know what actions they are taking at the time, and then you somehow know that they think they are too badass to wave, all while passing on the street? How is it that you can do this?

And you think that everyone that rides a bike is your "brother?" Seriously dude.
 
#14 ·
I judge the book by its cover. Meaning, if I can see it's an older guy on a HD he more than likely won't want anything to do with me on my Ninja.
I do the same as far as above, safety and survival first.
As a motorcycle rider they should understand if I can return or initiate the motion.
I tend to nod a lot though, that way if I don't get it back I don't look/feel lame. I do like it though when someone sends one my way or returns one, helps keep that understanding we are all out just enjoying the life.
Eyes on the road:D
 
#29 ·
Just wave man.......that same guy on a HD might be riding a Ninja tomorrow....or a BMW on Friday.

Ive got em all......I ride em all......and I wave at em all.

Hell I wave at guys on mopeds......even if Im wearing my club colors....its all the same to me.
 
#15 ·
I am a big fan of the wave like the brother hood of bikers idea. I dont think its a big deal passenger or driver. Its a respect thing I have respect for anyone who rides driver or passenger after all we all put our safety on the line when we get on the bike.

Now as far as the wave it self I have seen many different waves. I think any acknowledgment is nice there are times when if I am unsure of the road they may have to settel for a head bob. :)
 
#17 ·
I'm happy for that, I just have gave the wave too many times already and seems like I get snubbed for what I ride. By no means would I not give anyone a chance, I just feel it's easier for me not to feel like an idiot and not to bother them, lol. I'm always ready(if I can be) when some one wants to toss one my way.
My area is a university area, so I'm sure people assume I'm just a dumb college kid on a "crotch rocket." In reality I'm 24, it's a standard essentially and I'm super nice in person as well as level headed. :biggrin:
 
#19 · (Edited)
It's more on "paper"(in text) than actually occurs I'm sure.
EDIT: This is too much thought.
http://www.viewfromthecloud.com/2006/08/secret-motorcycle-hand-greetings.html

This is from another Forum
"I'll just add that the primary reason many people attribute the genesis of the "wave" to the American Harley crowd is that its origin was post-WWII in the late '40s and early '50s when the vast majority of motorcycles on North American roads were Harleys and Indians... British bikes were just beginning to make inroads in that market. The H-D crowd has always maintained the tradition, notwithstanding that it was not brand specific - that sort of snobbish mentality came many years later (thanks to marketing and Madison Avenue...)" - ironmike
 
#26 ·
Sunday was my first ride on American roads and I was impressed how many waves I got. Its just nice to be acknowledged no matter what you drive. Anyone that gets on 2-wheels is brave and deserves respect.

To address the OP I did have a lot of passengers wave back at me and the driver just kept trucking on. I guess you have the added responsibility of another person behind you.

Out of curiosity, is waving pretty common in other parts of the world too.
 
#28 ·
I live in a small suburb of Tacoma. We have a few people here that frequent the 3 "biker bars"... OK more than a few more like I didnt know this many people lived in this town! They are generally a rough looking bunch that are all teddy bear inside (just dont tell them that). I ride a CBR250R, wear a full faced helmet and my gear is textile. Almost all of them will wave or wave back. Around here it is not the type of bike or gear you are wearing but the fact you are on a bike.

Another thing I have noticed about the 2 wheeled community in my area is they do not tolerate stupidity no matter what type of bike you are on.

All and all, wave if you want, wave back if you want, but be safe while doing it.

Massey
 
#32 ·
"Well I guess it's all relative...got my first road bike in '83...does that make me a newer rider?!?" Yes it does. <chuckle> But like you said, everything is relative. <smile>

Look, I wave too. When it's convenient, when I see the other rider, when safety isn't going to be compromised by waving. I mean, I'm a warm and friendly sort of fellow, right?

But I don't get spun up if someone doesn't wave, and I honestly don't give a crapp if they don't. Honestly, I really don't notice other riders all that much, and whether they wave at me or not has absolutely no effect on my ride. It's just not something I give a $hit about. You've been riding almost as long as me...you don't really care if someone waves or not, do you?

But I was speaking in generalities and wondering if waving is more important to newer riders. Judging by what I've seen on here I think maybe it is.
 
#33 · (Edited)
"if I can see it's an older guy on a HD he more than likely won't want anything to do with me on my Ninja. "

not true. think positive. although the HD guys and the big cruiser guys seem like they come from the "world of hard knocks" - they will be glad to wave to any bike. Maybe a few hardcore outlaws won't wave to you - but chances are they would do the same to me. So don't assume that being on a ninja disqualifies you. Many of those riders believe in the brotherhood of bikers, and they would be the first to stop if you got into an accident.

"I can't believe so much thought goes into waving."
The acknowledgment is important to riders. BTW, there's a cool way to do the wave - watch and you'll pick it up. But ya don't need to take the whole thing too seriously. It's the spirit that's important.

"... and I get particularly vigorous return waves from the guys on the little scooters who are dressed like restaurant employees"
HAHAHAHAHA !!!
I'd be laughin' my a** off.
But I'd probably still give them a wave. :)

dT
 
#36 ·
Yea, I toss it out there more times that not just because.
I didn't mean for my "judge riders" statement to come across so d!ck-ish. I guess to be fair I do the same thing to guys on sportbikes with backwards hats, sunglasses and shorts on. Not cause they are under geared, rather I just don't think they think about being on a bike like I do.
Again, that's just generalities. This all types way longer than I'm sure most of us think about.
I appreciate the machine for what it is and can do, my goal is to enjoy that while advancing myself in skills and personal enjoyment.
I would gladly ride next to any cruiser or any other bike. I love bobbers and hope to maybe one day build one or maybe get a Shadow.

Stay safe.
 
#37 ·
There was a discussion on a mustang forums about greeting other mustang owners.. For me, I don't greet, wave or anything like that, I just drive.. Not worried about someone hating me because I don't wave, greet or acknowledge them somehow.. I expect this to be the same when I start riding.
 
#38 ·
When I had my pony I would wave if windows were open to other classic Mustangs. I did not back then and still dont care about the 71+ Mustangs. While driving my Camaro, still no waves except to a classic 67-73s only. Yes I am picky about that.

Now on the bike, that is different. Bikes are a class all by themselves and not everyone can saddle up and ride like you can with a car. Unless you ride you dont understand all the complexities that go with a bike. I look at it like this... We are all one big disfunctional family!

Massey
 
#40 ·
RL, you and my wife have alot in common! Both from VA and both just want people to leave them alone!! I dont remember reading in my MSF book that waving is a requirement so I think you are going to be just fine!!

Massey
 
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