Now that riding season is finally in full bloom, even with all the rain, I’ve been seeing a lot more riders out. Most other bikers wave when I do. However, I travel a lot by bike and notice in some areas they do not wave at all, usually this is in the northeast.
So fellow bikers, do you wave, who do you wave at, and when do you not wave? Also where are you from and is it common for people to wave? (I’m really intersted to hear if people in other countries wave, especially where they drive on the left.)
I wave at everyone I see. Sometimes I don’t see someone until it’s a bit too late but even then I still try and wave. I even wave going around corners if I can. The only time I don’t wave is when traffic is really bad or I am expecting someone around me to do something stupid.
I’m from the Mid-Atlantic and as I said for the most part people wave.
East Texas rider…damn straight we wave. If you’ve ever been here, you’d know that for the most part “drive friendly” is the norm. At least in the rural areas, which is home to me. If you break down somewhere, there’ll be folks pulled over in line to help usually.
So, next time you’re 'round these parts wave HOWDY.
So bernse do they wave in bed with my mom or is it just you?
t-keela, sad to say that around here if you break down you’re SOL. Well if I come by and see you I will stop. Hell, I came across a motorcycle accident once and no one else stoped. :mad: I stayed until they came and got the guy.
Actually, I didn’t realise you wanted the region until a re-read. I live in Alberta and formerly the Vancouver area. Pretty much all wavers in both places although the odd Harley snob may not think its cool.
San Francisco / Bay Area. I’m mostly too busy lane splitting to wave at anyone, although I usually wave if I’m on Hwy 1 and pass another bike coming towards me. And I will almost certainly wave if I see another bike like mine. (mid-80’s R80).
But I never really see any other riders waving at each other except for Hwy 1 or maybe two-lane divided roads in Wine country. You get a strange mix out here of Harley types, Ricer types, Yuppie types, touring retired couple with their Gold Wing types, and…whatever type I am.
Northern Minnesota here. I just got a bike after many years of not riding. I’m starting to remember to wave again, but it seems like fewer riders wave back these days.
Everybody but sport bikers waves here in Houston. It’s a special kind of wave—just raise your arm out parallel to the ground. The only time I don’t is when I’m fixin’ to shift.
I’ve only been riding about a year. I have a 2002 Honda Rebel 250 cc. I think it’s very cool to be waved at, even though I have a dinky little ricer…
I just got my 1st bike (Yamaha XT225 dual-sport) this past weekend (and what a great weekend it turned out to be) and lo and behold I’m a waver. I have to work on the below the grip peace sign now.
Everybody in my riding area (southern Catskills - Sullivan/Ulster Counties, NY) so far has waved. Well, except someone on a big scooter, but then I was pulled over on the side of the road so maybe that doesn’t count.
I wave to sport bikers all the time when the situation allows. I ride in South and Central Florida. Lot’s of sport bikes in C. Fla, being a college town. The Harley dudes always look too pissed off to be waved at, so I let them pass on by.
Personally, I think all bikers should wave to all others, but the Harley dudes don’t see eye to eye here in Orlando, as I quickly found out.
Not currently a rider (bad wreck), I rode alot in south TX, CO, and some here in OK.
As a kid, I would ride with dad on his cycle in LA and I remember people waving. Actually, having a little kid in his own helmet and a HUGE smile on his face caused many car people also to smile and wave and say ‘Hi!’ *:::sigh::: good times ::: *
I found that crotch rocket riderz rarely waved. Big guys on big bikes (like me) waved all the time. I had a '79 Yamaha 750 GL. Not huge, but relatively tall.
Colorado was fun. Taking the road between Golden and Boulder, I would often come up on other riders (or they would come up on me) and we would all adjust our speed to ride together. Fun, and a great way to meet people.
Oh yeah. At every person on a motorized two wheeled conveyance of any kind, in fact.
If they have the cajones to be out there amongst the crazy cagers, I don’t care if they’re riding a Fat Boy, Hayabusa or Vespa! (although I have to admit, the Vespa riders do seem a bit confused by this ritual…)
About the only time I don’t wave is if I’m in traffic on my side of the freeway and someone on the other side waves - most of the time, I’ve got a hand full of clutch, but I at least try to nod my head or something.
And around these parts anyway, it seems like everybody pretty much does it the same way I do - crusiers, crotch rockets, standards, dual sports, scooters - everybody raises a friendly hand to you.
I even wave at the motorcycle cops. And most of them wave back!
I’ve been riding most of my life, and it’s been my experience that Harley drivers only wave to other Harley drivers. I’ve waved to them, but I can only remember two or three ever waving back.
The only time I wave while lane-splitting is when a car driver moves over to give me a little more room. Very considerate of them. If I can, I’ll even wave to people who move over on my right side; but since this means I have to release the throttle, I can’t do it all the time.
L.A. freeways are so crowded that bikes are often hidden behind vehicles and you don’t see them coming toward you, so about the only time I wave or am waved to is when we’re coming toward each other in the car pool lanes. I’ll wave if I see them in time, and about half wave back. (Better response from people riding sport bikes and standards, lesser response from tourers and cruisers, never a response from Harleys.) I’ll always wave back if I am waved to, but if I don’t see him in time I’ll give an exaggerated nod. I’ll also wave to motorcyclists I overtake.
I’ve never had a cop wave back.
Waving seems more common on smaller roads (except city streets, where riders usually have a handful of clutch) than on freeways.
Small children will often stare at my bike, so I’ll give them a wave and they’ll wave back. It seems to make them happy.
Although, even though I haven’t lived in Houston in years, I don’t know about ridin 'round there much. Maybe subs and sides definitely not freeways, beltways, or loops, toll road might be cool.
My in-laws are from Clear Lake, Kemah and coast area. Bro/law a Harley rider. They’ve got a few decent roads. But up here in east Tex, I can ride backroads all day w/ no traffic, beautiful scenery, shade, lots of lakes/creeks and can stop anywhere if need be. I sometimes take a telescopic rod/reel and catch a mess of fish for supper.