Hand Signals - secret code

[Buckwheat]

I'm just getting back into motorcycle riding after about a 10 yr hiatis. Horses have been my passion but I'm now finding more & more time for this other type of riding. Kinda nice riding something that doesn't have a mind of its own.

Anyway, I almost forgot how nearly every cycle rider waves to fellow riders. My wife and several others have asked me why and I've struggled to answer this query. Why do we wave? Seriously! Is it the brotherhood we share? I find it rather annoying however I'm even more annoyed when the other rider ignores my wave (ie: Harley riders). Usually, I'd rather scope out the other bike than have to pay attention to whether the rider is waving at me.


If we are gonna go through the motions, why not make it useful? How about a code for "All clear ahead" or "Law Dogs around the next corner" or "Loose gravel, be careful".
Shoot, I'd even settle for a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.

As gas gets more & more expensive and motorcycles & scooters become increasing popular, do we really want to wave to everyone? If you've ever been to Sao Paulo, Brazil, I think you know what I'm getting at.

[VFRShorty]

around here patting the top of your helmet means cops ahead

[eddievalleytrailer]

Yeah, patting the top of helmet means "Heads Up". Cops or something ahead.

[Viff]

Point with your foot to indicate road hazards.

http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/groupRideSignals.asp

[Buckwheat]

Kewl. Learned one thing today! Thanks guys.

[eddievalleytrailer]

I point with one finger to signal ill feelings toward another driver (rider) and most Harleys.

[Lgn001]

I ride ahead of eddievalleytrailer and pat the top of my helmet when I see Harley riders so they will know he's coming.

[Molsan]

Tap the top of the head means heads up, good for wild life, cops, or gravel and is easy to see it's not a normal wave.

And comfort stop....is that what those other guys need?
also not sure about the foot point..

Most are fairly common sence...people can figure out you pointing at the gas tank. Or waving you by

[derstuka]

There are other signals!


I use "hit fist on top of helmet" for emergency situations.....for instance, cop ahead, accident ahead, other emergency vehicles, and/or as a way to warn somebody to slow down quickly as there is immediate danger ahead.

I used to use (and sometimes still do) the lean over and push hand to the ground for folks to slow down, but many of them do not know what that means these days.

Riding with other folks, I use feet for pointing out debris on the road. Point at gas tank for gas, thumbs down if you need to stop, pat my stomach for grub, this motion for needing some female companionship, for a naughty girl, stand up and do a crotch grab for a car load of hot ladies, and so on. Yeah, that's right, I AM A GENUIS!

[Joey_Dude]

Originally Posted by Lgn001

I ride ahead of eddievalleytrailer and pat the top of my helmet when I see Harley riders so they will know he's coming.

Poor harleys

[eddievalleytrailer]

Originally Posted by Lgn001

I ride ahead of eddievalleytrailer and pat the top of my helmet when I see Harley riders so they will know he's coming.

Thanks, they need all the notice they can get.

[hondajt]

I have stopped waiving unless they initiate it. I do "nod" to everyone though.

[Molsan]

Originally Posted by hondajt

I have stopped waiving unless they initiate it. I do "nod" to everyone though.

I hate this. If you don't wave others will see you not wave and thus not wave thus you don't wave, thus....
Just wave, it's a friendly gesture that increases someones enjoyment, everyone likes being waved at. It takes nothing for you to do in most cases. The head nod is for when you can't wave.

[Lgn001]

Originally Posted by eddievalleytrailer

Thanks, they need all the notice they can get.

My small part for humanity...

[drewl]

here ya go

[Pliskin]

Interesting post, Drewl.

The "Hazard on the road" hand sign makes me nervous. Not that I've ever counted, but I bet at least 70% to 80% of the riders that "wave" to me point one or two fingers at the ground. Sometime is looks like the peace symbol.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Originally Posted by Lgn001

My small part for humanity...

And Humanity thanks you and eddie!

[drewl]

A foot off the peg on the hazard side when able works too.

[Buckwheat]

Originally Posted by Pliskin

Interesting post, Drewl.

The "Hazard on the road" hand sign makes me nervous. Not that I've ever counted, but I bet at least 70% to 80% of the riders that "wave" to me point one or two fingers at the ground. Sometime is looks like the peace symbol.

Agreed. Most riders do use 1 or 2 fingers. Myself included.

Nobody likes my Rock, Paper, Scissors idea huh? How about a fist bump?

[Socratease]

I use the "slow down" signal if there's a hazard in the road for bikes coming the other way. Pointing down at the pavement is for when you're leading someone else.