Waving as you pass another rider?

[Cats]

I drive a 50cc Aprila and a Honda 125, both sport scooters.

I wave to most everyone, sometimes even quads, if I am busy with the brake, then I give a nod, or a small wave from the handle.


I seem to get the most wave backs from sport bike and dual sport riders, with scooters and cruisers, it seems to be only half of the time.

Mopeds I usually get a wave back from.

[Punter]

I wave at everyone, even scooters and three wheelers. I flap my arm so much if it had feathers I'd get airborne.

[craigo298er]

I wave to anyone who doesn't look like biker trash, the ones who give bikers a bad rep. When I wave at Harley riders though, I point up in the air since they, in the past few years especially, point at the ground like there is something to look out for.

[fast4d]

I always wave back or I'll wave at rider going opposite direction just to let them know there are no LE.

[TrueNorthStar]

I wave back to everyone, if possible.... sometimes I need all of my senses. The HD guys will rarely wave at non-HD guys, but I could care less... they are usually butterflys anyways (only come out when the weather is perfect), I work with enough of them allready :P

[Dan M]

I'm moody when it comes to waving. The obligatory way some approach it make it feel like it's the new HEIL.
Bike density has a lot to do with it for me too. Ride for a couple of hours and come across the occasional bike I'll wave or at least return the wave. Surrounded by bikes like last weekend in Indy and I'm not too likely to be waving at everybody like an idiot.

[RaulDelga]

If its safe to do so, i will wave at just about anything. Ive noticed a good amount of hog riders wave back, but i rarely see them initiate the wave. I wish to know more about this division of riders because frankly, if your riding a bike, you earned a wave from me. I remember trying to wave at a crazy american chopper bad-ass old guy with his beard down to his belly. He didnt wave back.

Usually if i have to pass a large group of hogs in the mountains, i usually meet some cool guys who wave me buy or slow down to the side and let me through. Ofcourse i give them a peace sign as i pass.

I do not understand why there is so much hate between the two communities. They think were reckless and crazy. We think they are class-A arseholes. My girlfriends mom is getting a harley. Well sea how things go

[Pampero]

I love riding and have been riding since 1964. You can do the math on that. Back then, bikes were fewer and further between and everybody waved at everybody except for the Harley guys who only waved sometimes. It has never stopped me from waving because I am having a good time. If they aren't, too bad. Anyway, nobody knows who I am. I'm wearing a helmet. These days, more bikes means endlessly more waves so I usually confine it to two lane roads or when the passing traffic is more intimate. I would wave at scooters too but they so rarely wave back. Sometimes a guy will wave at me but the closing speeds are too great and I can't get my return salute back in time. Then I feel as if I should have waved first. I reckon if they're like me it won't matter and the next guy can wave at them first. Harley riders have always been odd. The wannabe, weekend ones are actually the guys who wave back. I have a good batting average with Road Kings and a terrible one with soft tails, choppers and other such miscreants. A "real" Harley rider will never be able to figure out why you are on an Aprilia, but I wouldn't hang with them anyway so waving is futile in their case.

Regarding safety, it goes without saying that I will not wave and eat a burrito at the same time while riding. By the way, I think of waving as about like saluting. It is a sign of respect and acknowledgment for the uniform. In this case, the uniform is by Vanson, Sidi, Alpinstar or whoever. Also, waving at half dressed girls on scooters or in shorts makes great sense if you think about it.

[Silas]

No one waves in the UK, we nod or, more recently it's become a tilt of the head to direction of the other person.

I nod to all motorcyclists (not scooter or moped riders) including Harley's and cops. Cops are pretty good at nodding back.