What is wrong with this folks?

[franco6]

  ???Again yesterday coming back from a ride with my wife on belt.8 we shared the road with several harley bangers we waved and smiled but every time they turned away! This has appened several times already. Are they peeved because i glide pass them  with speed and ease in a murmour. Or they think I m un-Amrican for driving a far superior moto made here in the country but with parts and design of dubious origin? Or maybe there is a code among them not to be nice to us Valkos ? I think its sad but maybe I would not want to meet them anyway.Has any one had similar experiences? Or is it just me with my beautiful wife on our magnificient pearl white and green tourer?    The brotherhood of the two wheels!    Fred   

[Michael K (Az.)]

Naw, I think it's just you.
Sorry, I couldn't resist!

[Jess from VA]

Franco, this is old news (though consistent). Some Hog riders (and BMW/Ducati yuppies too) will not wave to anyone not riding their brand.  Most will, especially those who are long-time riders, but some won't.  A wise man said "you can't fix stupid."  I continue to wave to all, even sportbike guys, who like to wave, but who have been passed by so many riders they never wave unless you do first. 

The height of the irony for me is ....I rode an '86 FXRD Hog dresser for many years.  It had a BMW designed rounded fairing, that looked nothing like the trademark batwing.  From a distance, the front of the bike  looked like a goldwing.  So I ride around SoCA waving to all, and I get Hog guys give me the finger, thinking I'm on a Wing.  As we pass close, I got double/tripple takes, as they see the signature V-twin from the side.   I just laughed....which is always the best medicine.

Don't let it bother to you.  Numbnuts are never worth your time or consideration. 

Anyway, there is a rumor going around that the Hog guys who don't wave are afraid to take their hands off the controls. 

[Serk]

Definitely not just you... I wave to all with a smile, but get a lot of cold shoulders in return... (I think my size minimizes the number of single digit return waves)

In fact, here's the old top 10 reasons Harley owners don't wave back:


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.

And to be fair, here's the REST of that series:

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back

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 Sportbikers 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. It's 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 Back

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.

And Finally...

Top Ten reasons Metric Cruiser Riders don't wave back

10. New leather jacket was purchased at the same size as suit jacket.
9. Didn't know that the bike wouldn't fly off the road if left hand was removed.
8. Was looking at the handle bars wondering what accessory could mount where.
7. Was wildly grasping at some valve under seat. (3.7 gals BAH!)
6. Rider was actually pulling up black socks and pulling down on jeans trying to close a few air gaps.
5. Rider was too caught up in reciting his mantra 'Left hand clutch' 'Right hand Gas AND Front brake' 'Left foot Gears' 'Right foot Rear brake' 'And for Gods sake Both feet down at light'.
4. Waved after you went by. You just thought they didn't wave.
3. Was searching GPS to find local Bike wash.
2. Rider wasn't really waving, was doing wind airfoil test with hand and arm.
1. Rider was involved in trying to get new throttle stop to STOP.

[Brad]

Don't take it personal.  They really are a friendly bunch and would like to wave to everyone.  The problem, as I see it, is that with the poor handling and massive amounts of vibration they cannot take their hand of the bars to wave.

 

[Steve K (IA)]

Franco, just remember you are better than those who won't wave back.  You made the effort and they chose to be an azzhole. 
  Oh, I wave at everyone who is on 2 wheels.  Scooters, mopeds, bullet bikes and even Harley riders.

  I have had HD riders actually turn their heads and sick their nose up in the air.
  Those guys are real gems.

[DFragn]

I too wave at all 2-wheelers.

It's the, or most of, HD riders that pull there arm back in well before we meet!

I believe my fairing deceives them just until they get a better view of it and then they spot the radiator & timing belt cover.
I really could care less when that happens, but I am getting tired of wasting my effort. Joanne, on the other hand, finds it very, very humorous.

On another note. Since Joanne is generally riding drag she says she can see quite a few cages follow me with their heads as we pass, some even scratching them! I never see this, but I imagine they're trying to figure out what the hell that was they just passed.

[Tundra]

DFragn, Either that or they are just plain admiring your color and paint scheme, certainly different than most 

[Chrisj CMA]

I just went out for a nice ride......HOT, but nice.  At the first red light...I was the first vehicle to have to stop, an Harley turned left and went past me the opposite way He did a small tough guy wave.  A couple seconds later, while still at the light hot babe riding her little sportster (HD) waved AND SMILED at me.  I waved back to both of them but I must say a little more energy on the second one 

[the inspector]

ride faster....a few weeks ago I went for a three hunderd mile ride, shake down run before the Blue/Gray and I seen a crap load of HD's. I waved and the riders waved back, the key is to blow by them so fast they can't tell what your riding. The massive size of the Valk fools them.

the inspector

[3fan4life]

Here's one explanation why Harley riders don't wave:




I don't understand the "NO WAVE" thing.

I wave at all riders that I pass no matter what brand of bike that they're on.

Sometimes, if the other rider doesn't wave back I'll nonchalantly turn my five finger wave into a one finger wave.

But, most of the time I just smile.

It's not their fault, they're just intimidated.

After all when passing a VALK they are in the prescense of a much superior motorcycle.   

[fudgie]

Definitely not just you... I wave to all with a smile, but get a lot of cold shoulders in return... (I think my size minimizes the number of single digit return waves)

In fact, here's the old top 10 reasons Harley owners don't wave back:


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.

I think I'm offended by #6! I've rode my bike to get alot of ink done before and some times it is sore to wave! 

[fudgie]

I wave at all bikes except the crotch rockets and mopeds. Mopeds get a laugh but will wave at rockets if they wave first. My HD buds waves at no one, even if he knows you.
The question is how do you wave? Do you do the 'hi, how are you?' wave or the low hand out your side wave? I do the low wave or alot of times will nod if my hands are busy.

[Big Rig]

There are guys like that out there...i hardly ever see them though...they are not daily riders...and well...not worth their salt....do not sweat it...

 

[R J]

Now since I have severe Arthur-I-Tis in my left shoulder, I wave back if they wave 1st.

I used to wave 1st when I was on a CHP motor.   I even waved at them in the Patrol Car......

[ArmyValker]

I don't wave hardly anymore because there are so many darn bikes on the road, I'd be waving every 3 seconds. Besides, sometimes I kinda space out on the bike and go to my "zen" place. Don't pay attention to other moto's... I'll never purposely not wave though.

[fudgie]

You just try too hard.  Most riders on japanese motorcycles wave and wave and wave just like a tail on a puppy.  They seem to want to say "See!  I have American flags on my jacket.  See!  I ride a big bike, too, just like you.  See!  I'm just like you."  Of course, they're not.  Why do you want to get the Harley approval so bad?  Will it make you sleep better?  Will you think that you are now in their brotherhood?

Maybe cause he sees more HD's then others on the road. Thats the way it is around me!
Brotherhood? No different then the brotherhood we have here. We have alot of great folks that I have had the pleasure of meeting and riding with. And will continue to do so.
I guess I'm part of the HD brotherhood if I hang around them, visit HD shops, go to HD sponsered events/ rallies. I've never seen a Honda event in my area. 98% of the guys I ride with alot are on HD's. Sorry for them! These guys will stick up for one another, and have. I own 1 Cheaha shirt, 1 VRCC shirt, and 1 Valk shirt. I have more then a dozen HD clothing. Not to mentions a HD Sportster horn that sometimes works and HD windshield pouches all on my Valk. Working on getting more stuff added. I guess I am part of the Brotherhood. 

[fudgie]

I don't wave hardly anymore because there are so many darn bikes on the road, I'd be waving every 3 seconds. Besides, sometimes I kinda space out on the bike and go to my "zen" place. Don't pay attention to other moto's... I'll never purposely not wave though.

Your telling me! When I got back in the Sturgis scene in 06 I was waving at all bikes while there. After a few hundred I gave up! Now we wave till we are near Rapid City and then thats it till we see another lone bike. So there are a few hundred thousand that don't see my hand.

[Doc Moose]

I wave if I feel like it, usually will return a wave if not busy.  Kinda think those that are too cool (you know the look) to acknowledge, well, more poser, er, power to them.    I think most of the old timers will acknowledge a comraderie wave.  Does it really matter?

RJ, while you were a CHP, most were probably HAPPY to see you jest wave, LOL. 

[DFragn]

DFragn, Either that or they are just plain admiring your color and paint scheme, certainly different than most 

Thanks Tundra, but I don't think so. The HD riders were pulling in their arms before I repainted the batwing-like fairing. Hence my theory of fairing shape.

Old paint scheme

[alph]

I wear a helmet, I’ve noticed that if the person approaching you doesn’t have a helmet, they’re less likely to wave, so I try not to wave And more often the not, I’m right.  Check it out, next time your riding.  By the way, I love waving to people, I’m no better then they are, and they’re no better then me.  It’s a way of saying “I see you, even if the cars don’t”

[hotglue #43]

You folks that change a wave to a 1 finger salute.....cause ya didn't get a wave back......
Now.. that's making a good impression..... the folks getting the 'You are #1 finger' are probably on their respective boards saying what a bunch of jerks are on Valkyries......
It's just not that big of a deal... ride your ride, enjoy the road, be friendly and helpful to fellow riders, and let it go.

Ya generally get what ya give.....

[fudgie]

I wear a helmet, I’ve noticed that if the person approaching you doesn’t have a helmet, they’re less likely to wave, so I try not to wave And more often the not, I’m right.  Check it out, next time your riding.  By the way, I love waving to people, I’m no better then they are, and they’re no better then me.  It’s a way of saying “I see you, even if the cars don’t”

I feel its the other way around for me. 

[Kaz]

I wave to every two wheeler I see.  Sometimes in traffic I won't see a brother or sister on the road because I'm fixed on what's coming up ahead or behind me and it would be to danergous for me to wave but the intention to acknowledge their presence is there.  I can't help but think that other bikers might feel the same way.  So It's not you, it's a combination of things and in the final analysis, it's all cheap stuff.  So don't sweat the cheap stuff.