To wave or not to wave?

[R.W.]

To wave or not to wave? How do you do it? Who do you do it to? (Sport bikes, Harley's, Scooters) Do you wave everytime?

What are you thoughts and experiences regarding waving at other motorcycle riders?

[SLOav8r]

Hey if they're on two wheels, they've earned a wave.

My list of people that get the wave (from most to least importance):

1. Sportbikes
2. Dualsports
3. All things BMW
4. Pedestrians/joggers with big hooters
5. Goldwings and the like (aka. Hovercrafts)
6. Import Cruisers
7. Cops
8. Scooters (Vespa, Zumo's, Ruckus/Big Ruckus, etc.)
9. Serious road-cyclists
10. Hayabusas
11. Hardleys

Things that DO NOT get the wave:

• Silverwing/Aprillia sized scooters, especially when the riders are in full leather and riding with a group of Hardleys.
• Squiddies (flip-flop & tee shirt riders)
• Stunters with civilian drivers around them
• Mountain bikes (pedal powered)
• fat chicks

The ONLY exception to my waving policy would be in busy places like Malibu/Hwy 1 on major riding days. The cruisers don't get the wave from me, nor do I from them. It's the type of situation where we all have an "image" to keep up. Any other day, in any other place, those riders are just as nice/normal as you or I though, so they get the wave then...

And of course if you're too occupied to wave safely. Railing it, trying to remember how to turn off you turn signal, adjusting the junk...

[NeverlosT]

I agree, if they are on two wheels, ill give a wave. I was riding today in RI, it was 29 degrees out. I put the first 50 miles on my BRAND new 07 VFR, i saw two other people on bikes, and they got waves, 'cause damn, if your out there in sub thirty degrees, you earned it.

I dont like it when the harleys are too cool to wave. or whats worse, the imitatation harleys, arrrgggg. But hey, i can understand it, a VFR is a beautiful thing, and jealousy does things to people....

[RVFR]

If I can't wave, I'll Nod.. sometimes I'll wait to see if they do or not, then sometimes I'll wave first, then theres times I play a game with the cruiser crowd like when theres 3 or more to see how many I can get to wave back as normally if the first one does others follow suit, have it in my head they hate that. LOL

[seadooloo]

I wave when I can. Don't particularly care if they wave back or not. I won't lose any sleep trying to figure it out. I even caught myself waving at a kid on a scooter once. LOL.

[Legs]

I wave when I can. We're all brothers on 2 wheels..... except for the serious pricks!!!

Scooters are like fat girls, losts of fun to ride, but you may not want your friends to see you riding one! If you have the balls to ride a scooter, you're ok w/me!

[dsirl]

I pretty much wave at everyone. Even scooters. Even people on bikes (even mtn bikes!). Sometimes I get a little carried away and come into a corner too hot because I was waving.

[VaRollOn]

I wave at all bikes with a motor, even mopeds occasionally they need love too! I also wave at the cars/vans/trucks that obviously see me and choose to not try and kill me, more of a little thank you:washing:

My original signature was about waving to everyone even choppers. It is a psychological experiment on wheels.

I agree I won't wave to squids in flipflops and t-shirts..and harley guys won't wave if you are technicolor sporto boy in all matching purple. Its interesting though, if you pass a rider you can tell if they are for real, and most real riders on the other end will wave.

[oss]

I usually would wave at everyone on two wheels, but lately have been a little irritated with the Harley&Chopper crowd. So I don't go out of my way to wave at them. It's just rude not to return a wave.

[DANIMAL]

I wave to everyone if I can. hell we are all out there dodgin cages and LEO
screw the stuck up hardley guys wave at em anyway most people are nice
tho.
spread the joy

[Kiowa]

I read an interview several years ago in which the interviewer asked the president of the Oakland Chapter of the Hells Angels if he waved at other motorcyclists.

He responded, "Do I look like a friendly guy to you?"

[ZonaMan]

I have often wondered this same thing about waving. I tend to wave to everyone and usually get the wave back. Usually I am the initiater when there are oncoming Harley guys and they wave back. I have also noticed that the guys on expensive choppers tend to not return them the most. They must think they're way too cool or can't let go of the bars without that big v-twin shakin' 'em off. If I could afford to have a bobber or chopper, I would wave to everyone still. I just laugh and voice a good "fuck you then" in my head.

I think it's also fun to wave to the scooter crew because I used to ride a moped before I could drive a car. They sometimes don't wave back because I think they are not used to the custom and a little off guard. I bet it makes them feel good to get waved at by us motorcyclists. Pass around the warm fuzzies everyone!

[schnabba]

like others - I'll wave at anything with 2 wheels and a motor. Actually got a little scooter to wave back the other day (hey - he had a helmet and a jacket for protection - more than some of the little fair weather sport bike kiddies around here).

On my cruiser, I get more waves back from many bikes than I do on the VFR. Could just be me, but on a cruiser, if you wave to a sport bike, they'll mostly wave back (except those that appear to be terrified of letting go of the bars - you know, those with the locked elbows and the "death grip" on the handlebars). The reverse isn't as common... hey - I ride both, and each has it's purpose

I'll wave to cops - but only if they are on a bike or on their feet. Any kids that show interest or wave at me get a wave. They (small kids) seem to have a greater sense of wonder and awe about motorcycles than most adults. Being friendly and waving simply promotes a positive image of bikers (never know when that will come in handy).

[chesthing]

I guess I don't understand the animosity some of you have toward those who don't return your waves. Just because they are on a bike doesnt mean they have anything more in common with you than anyone else - the fact you would take offense to that is pretty pathetic. I don't return a lot of waves btw - I'm out there to have fun riding, I really don't need/desire the emotional support of other riders, or whatever the reason for all these waves is - back in the 80's when I started riding noone waved unless you knew the person - now that makes sense.

[reg71]

Originally Posted by chesthing

I guess I don't understand the animosity some of you have toward those who don't return your waves. Just because they are on a bike doesnt mean they have anything more in common with you than anyone else - the fact you would take offense to that is pretty pathetic.

the more posts I see from you, the more I feel like you just like to antagonize. it deosn't really bother me as I feel it takes all kinds, but it seems like it would get tiresome.

[jackinthebox4]

wavin's one of the best parts of ridin'.

Heck, I wind up waving to children in cars.

Truth be told, I even wave at choppers, but they rarely wave back.
they're getting bounced around so much, it's a wonder they can ride.

[chesthing]

Originally Posted by reg71

the more posts I see from you, the more I feel like you just like to antagonize. it deosn't really bother me as I feel it takes all kinds, but it seems like it would get tiresome.

I just read all my posts (maybe a dozen or so) and except for the discussion about american cars/trucks which is a topic I feel passionate about I can't find anything that would antagonize a reasonable person. As far as waving, let's be adults here - if you wave at another rider and he doesnt wave back it's extremely childish to curse that rider under your breath or get mad in any way.

[emon07]

I will wave but someitmes I wave my finger

[VaRollOn]

I'm with Emon, an unreturned wave gets the middle salute. Of course it doesn't matter if people wave back its their issue, its more a symptom of today's disrespect of one another and the calousness that we show other people that we're not required to be civil to.

You wouldn't believe the way my wife had been treated while pregnant twice. Folks slamming doors on her, almost knocking her over with no apology, cutting in lines, stealing cabs in NY. Its like folks crashing into one another vying for parking while out buying Christmas presents. I would say this abated for about 6 months after 9/11.

Part of riding is being part of this "motorcycling community". The common bond of loving to ride these machines, makes us more alike than you may think.