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Why some bikers don't wave back

mnb

Obliterates Stereotypes
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
'14.Ducati.Multistrada '11.Husky.TE310 '09.BMW.F800GS '07.HD.Road.King '03.Husky.TE610 '97.BMW.K1100
Name
Curt
In the US, at least, it's traditional for two motorcyclists passing in opposite directions to give each other a little wave. Sometimes just a lift of a finger, but it is the thing to do. Sometimes they don't wave back. Here are some reasons why:

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave:
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.


Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave:
10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.


Top 10 Reasons Sport Bike Riders Don't Wave:
10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. Its too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.


Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave:
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgement.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, or talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.




Edit: oops a repost, but in the proper forum and formatted better, so ... :x
 
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I lived in Belgium for 9 yrs and when I first started riding I wouldn't wave to anyone unless it was a sportbike. Soon I started to realize that pretty much everyone waved to me no matter what bike they were on. Soon I started to wave to HD, cruiser, GW guys and it became normal.

Then I moved back to the Bay Area and, of course, I started waving to everyone. None of the HD guys wave back, some touring guys do. So I just stopped waving to anyone that's not on a sportbike. F them!

Ever wave to one of the giant scooters that now look like touring bikes by accident?
 
JeebusX said:
Ever wave to one of the giant scooters that now look like touring bikes by accident?

Oh, I hate when that happens. Fortunately, over the years I've honed my "bike-dar" to the point where I can perform a split-second evaluation of an oncoming two-wheeler's engine displacement, transmission type, make, model, current MSRP (including aftermarket parts), and, most crucially, the number of times riders of similar bikes have failed to wave back to me in the past.

So a PC800 will get a wave, but a Burgman won't. :)

There was this one time in 1992 when I was on PCH near Bixby Bridge and some guy on a bicycle waved at me. I'm still trying to figure that one out.
 
Hell sometimes I wave at people on the sidewalk like I am in my own parade... (raise left arm, make cupping shape with hand, swivel wrist- repeat) I have a tinted visor so you can't see my face, or how much I am laughing. :p

One thing to think about though is; You probably have black gloves... and a black jacket. So raising your hand and waving at someone is sort of like writing a note with a highlighter. You most likely aren't getting seen by the other guy who is mostly likely trying to figure out what gear they are in and how to turn off there turn indicator.

Great post, lots of fun.
 
vaara said:
some guy on a bicycle waved at me.
I actually wave to bicyclists all the time in the twisties. I figure they are up there for a very similar reason, fun on two wheels on a beautiful road.

JeebusX said:
Hahaha, I remember the PC800. A bike trapped in Tupperware!!
I almost bought one of those about 6 months ago.
 
Sidewalk said:
I actually wave to bicyclists all the time in the twisties. I figure they are up there for a very similar reason, fun on two wheels on a beautiful road.


+1

I don't typically wave to large groups of bicyclists but single riders grinding it out miles from civilization get my respect. I wish I was in that good of shape.
 
superccs said:
Hell sometimes I wave at people on the sidewalk like I am in my own parade... (raise left arm, make cupping shape with hand, swivel wrist- repeat)

That would be the "Screwing In a Lightbulb" wave, the foremost practitioner of which is HM Betty Windsor. :)
 
plumber said:
+1

I don't typically wave to large groups of bicyclists but single riders grinding it out miles from civilization get my respect. I wish I was in that good of shape.

Desired reply not included due to the eminent flame-fest that will follow. Maybe we can start a new thread on this one :laughing
 
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