Waving

[DIGGER]

Since I was  kid on my first motorbike motorcyclists always waved at each other on the hyway as we passes on all roads.  I still wave at every motorcycle I pass but have lately noticed not all passing motorcycles wave back.   Is it just the new generation riders not caring who you are or what.    The biggest percent of NON wavers I have noticed that don't wave back are Harley riders who aren't wearing a helmet.    Harley riders that are wearing a helmet usually wave back.    This is not a Harley bashing statementbut is a fact .  You check it out.    Doesn't matter if other motorcycliists wave back or not I will continue to wave at all motorcyclists like I have always done.      

Do you guys usually wave at passing motorcyclists?

[Chrisj CMA]

Yes, I do

[MAD6Gun]

Yes, I do

DITTO.....

[Gryphon Rider]

I usually wave, but sometimes I'm either late noticing the other bike, or needing both hands on the grips in that moment.  The way you describe it is how I've always observed it to be.  In my 28 years of riding, I haven't noticed the prevalence of waving decreasing.

[hubcapsc]

I'm pretty sure the ones who never wave aren't having
as much fun 





-Mike

[Avanti]

Always wave. Find myself feeling strange when in my cage and not able to wave.

[Serk]

I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community? a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan.

Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassle handlebars and the studded luggage and the half-helmets? God, they drive me crazy.

You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them.

They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two-wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they've got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grampa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you.

Ducati guys? I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.

Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep on going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ass. I never wave at Kawasaki guys.

I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way.

Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two-piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at those guys with the helmets with the loud paintjobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet? Like I'm going to wave back to that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.

To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special?"

(The above was copy pasta, believe originally penned by Shalom Auslander)

As for me personally, if it's safe to do so I wave at everyone, even bicycles, trikes, Spyders, scooters, etc...

Heck, I even wave at little kids (They love the floppy dog ears on my helmet)

And if I have one of the triplets on the back I explain that they're ambassadors for motorcycling and need to show everyone how much fun they're having by waving. They'll wave at ANYONE who glances at 'em... (Kinda ironic I get the biggest chick magnet of all time after I'm totally taken... )

[Big Bear]

I have felt the return wave response is dropping.  Something I thought about quite a bit on the last big ride near home (Flood Run) where large groups just didn't wave.  Maybe they follow their leaders actions.  Most that don't seem to be Harleys but it is really on all types just more Harleys on the road.  I wave anyway.  I even wave on corners provided it is safe for me.  My wave is normally the peace symbol at 9 o'clock, I usually just reach out from the grip.

On a positive note, in August my wife and I took the ferry to Madeline Island (off Bayfield, WI) and rode around it to check the campgrounds out for next year.  Lots of people rent scooters there to get around.  They all waved and were happy as could be to wave to a big bike.  There must have been 30 in a few miles.  All with huge smiles.  Gave us big smiles too.

[Gryphon Rider]

When I was an instructor, I told my students that some Harley riders didn't wave because they were afraid their bike would vibrate into the next lane if they took one hand off the grip, that GoldWing riders simply couldn't find the "wave back" button in time, and that BMW riders had their noses so far in the air that they couldn't see you unless your lane was significantly elevated compared to theirs.  I think (I hope?) most could tell I was joking.

[..]

I don't when I'm at peg scrape lean. 

[Jess from VA]

Almost always wave, if I'm not busy.  

Guys on scooters look confused..... do I know you?

I don't do the uber cool finger down.  I do the happy arm straight out fingers spread.  This seems to be catching, because some guys who do the bored finger down see my happy arm/hand, and come up with a happy arm/hand too, and a big smile  (oooh something different).  

I even (left hand) salute all those drivers who almost but don't pull out in front of me.

The really laid back guys just lift their fingers from the left grip and point up or wave them.  This takes good eyesight to notice.

But I will admit, after a long all day ride, sometimes I'm too tired to wave. (so I nod)

[msb]

I'm generally not a big wave initiator and I also don't care if another rider approaches me and keeps both hands on the grips. Waving to every single cycle on shorter day rides can become annoying, especially when fully immersed in a particularly good stretch of road (most of my local riding involves lots of technical riding...hills, curves and such) or just basking in the scenery and glory of being out on the road. Since my wife is usually along with me on a lot of my rides of several hours or more, she does the majority of reciprocal waving, but when I'm solo and on a stretch of road where there's not a lot of traffic or in the "off season" when not a lot of bikes are still on the road, I do tend to wave a lot more often. Especially when far from home I appreciate other riders acknowledging me and tend to not only respond but initiate the wave a lot more.

[Willow]

I greet every rider I notice.  Sometimes I don't see one until it's too late.  Unlike Jess. I do use the two uber cool fingers down.

What the OP notices is consistent with the mindset of some (I emphasize some) Harley riders.  A subset of the Harley riders lives by the adage, "If it's not a Harley it's not a motorcycle."  I usually assume these are more the casual riders.

Yes, it does happen with other riders occasionally.  Maybe it's because, like me, they sometimes don't see until it's too late.  Maybe they're new riders who don't yet know about the tradition.  Perhaps they just don't buy into the brotherhood of motorcycle riders.

When I render the two wheeled salute to me it's a way of saying, "You and I have something in common.  We know about something the others don't.  I'll stop if you need help.  Enjoy the wind."     

[Mr Whiskey]

[CoachDoc]

Since I was  kid on my first motorbike motorcyclists always waved at each other on the hyway as we passes on all roads.  I still wave at every motorcycle I pass but have lately noticed not all passing motorcycles wave back.   Is it just the new generation riders not caring who you are or what.    The biggest percent of NON wavers I have noticed that don't wave back are Harley riders who aren't wearing a helmet.    Harley riders that are wearing a helmet usually wave back.    This is not a Harley bashing statementbut is a fact .  You check it out.    Doesn't matter if other motorcycliists wave back or not I will continue to wave at all motorcyclists like I have always done.      

Do you guys usually wave at passing motorcyclists?

I've been riding for 52 years, and yes.....sadly.....I concur that the response rate for wave backs has gone from virtually 100% when I first started riding to about 70% now, and it's become a very tribal thing. Lowest response rate probably comes from young leathered crotch rocket guys. Also pretty bad from the MC gang wannabe subset of Harley types. I find this to be too bad and a bit disheartening because I used to feel like everybody on two wheels was my brother, a very special fraternity. Now not so much.

[NewValker]

Last month I rode to my chiropractor appt. the secretary saw it outside the window and said she thinks it’s really cool how we all give each other the “peace” sign when we pass each other.
I explained it wasn’t the peace sign, and explained what it means. She replied back that my explanation was all well and good, but she will continue to believe that we’re giving each other the peace sign...
Her world is all puppies & unicorns...
Craig

[DIGGER]

I don't know......but I've been told....... that Harley riders do their hand wave down low so they can catch any parts flying off at the same time.

[DIGGER]

WAVING TO OTHERS
Tom Ruttan
CYCLE CANADA –April 2002

The bikes passenger seat swept up just enough that I could see over my father’s shoulders.  That seat was my throne.  My dad and I traveled many backroads, searching for the ones we had never found before.  Traveling these roads just to see where they went.  Never in a rush.  Just be home for supper.

I remember wandering down a backroad with my father, sitting on my throne watching the trees whiz by, feeling the rumble of our bike beneath us like a contented giant cat.  A motorcycle came over a hill toward us and as it went by, my father threw up his gloved clutch hand and gave a little wave.  The other biker waved back with the same friendly swing of his left wrist.

I tapped my father on his shoulder, which was our signal that I wanted to say something.  He cocked his helmeted ear back slightly while keeping his eyes ahead.

I yelled, “Do we know him?”

“What?” he shouted.

“You waved at him, who was it?”

“I don’t know.  Just another guy on a bike…So I waved.”

“How come?”

“You just do.  It’s important.”

Later, when we had stopped for chocolate ice cream, I asked why it was important to wave to other bikers.  My father tried to explain how the wave demonstrated comradeship and a mutual understanding of what it was to enjoy riding a motorcycle.  He looked for the words to describe how almost all bikers struggled with the same things like cold, rain, heat, car drivers who did not see them, but how riding remained an almost pure pleasure.

I was young then and I am not sure that I really understood what he was trying to get across, but it was a beginning.  Afterward I always waved along with my father when we passed other bikers.  I remember one cold October morning when the clouds were heavy and dark, giving us another clue that winter was moving in from just over the horizon.  My father and I were warm inside our car as we headed to a friends home.  Rounding a corner, we saw a motorcycle parked on the shoulder of the road.  Past the bike, we saw the rider walking through the ditch, scouring the long grasses crowned with a touch of frost.  We pulled over and backed up to where the bike stood. 

I asked Dad, “Who’s that?”

“Don’t know,” he replied.  “But he seems to have lost something.  Maybe we can give him a hand.”

We left the car and wandered through the tall grass of the ditch to the biker.  He said that he had been pulling on his gloves as he rode and he had lost one.  The three of us spent some time combing the ditch, but all we found were two empty cans and a plastic water bottle.

My father turned and headed back to our car and I followed him.  He opened the trunk and threw the cans and the water bottle into a small cardboard box that we kept for garbage.  He rummaged through various tools, oil containers and windshield washer fluid until he found an old crumpled pair of brown leather gloves.  Dad straightened them to me to hold.  He continued looking until he located an old catalogue.  I understood why my dad had grabbed the gloves.  I had no idea what he was going to do with the catalogue.  We headed back to the biker who was still walking the ditch. 
My dad said, “Here’s some gloves for you.  And I brought you a catalogue as well.”

“Thanks” he replied.  I really appreciate it.”  He reached into his hip pocket and withdrew a worn black wallet.

“Let me give you some money for the gloves.”  He said as he slid some bills out. 

“No thanks, “ my dad replied as I handed the rider the gloves.  “They’re old and not worth anything anyway.”

The biker smiled.  “Thanks a lot.”  He pulled on the old gloves and then he unzipped his jacket.  I watched as my father handed him the catalogue and the biker slipped it inside his coat.  He jostled his jacket around to get the catalogue sitting high and centered under his coat and zipped it up.  I remember nodding my head at the time, finally making sense of why my dad had given him the catalogue.  It would keep him a bit warmer.  After wishing the biker well, my father and I left him warming up his bike. 

Two weeks later, the biker came to our home and returned my father’s gloves.  He had found our address on the catalogue.  Neither my father nor the biker seemed to think that my father stopping at the side of the road for a stranger and giving him a pair of gloves, and that stranger making sure that the gloves were returned, were events at all out of the ordinary for people who rode motorcycles.  For me, it was another subtle lesson.

It was spring the next year when I was sitting high on my throne, watching the farm fields slip by when I saw two bikes coming towards us.  As they rumble past, both my father and I waved, but the other bikers kept their sunglasses locked straight ahead and did not acknowledge us.  I remember thinking that they must have seen us because our waves were too obvious to miss.  Why hadn’t they waved back?  I thought all bikers waved to one another.

I patted my father on his shoulder and yelled, “How come they didn’t wave to us?”

“Don’t know.  Sometimes they don’t.”

I remember feeling very puzzled.  Why wouldn’t someone wave back?

Later that summer, I turned 12 and learned how to ride a bike with a clutch.

I spent many afternoons on a country laneway beside our home, kicking and kicking to start my father’s ’55 BSA.  When it would finally sputter to a start, my concentration would grow to a sharp focus as I tried to let out the clutch slowly while marrying it with just enough throttle to bring me to a smooth takeoff.  More often, I lurched and stumbled forward while trying to keep the front wheel straight and remember to pick my feet up.   A few feet farther down the lane, I would sigh and begin kicking again.   

A couple of years later, my older brother began road racing, and I became a racetrack rat.  We spent many weekends wandering to several tracks in Ontario-Harwood, Mosport, and eventually Shannonville.  These were the early years of two-stroke domination, of Kawasaki green and 750 two-stroke triples, of Yvon Duhamel’s cat-and-mouse games and the artistry of Steve Baker. 

Eventually, I started to pursue interests other than the racetrack.  I got my motorcycle licence and began wandering the backroads on my own.  I found myself stopping along sideroads if I saw a rider sitting alone, just checking to see if I could be of help.  And I continued to wave to each biker I saw.

But I remained confused as to why some riders never waved back.  It left me with almost a feeling of rejection, as if I were reaching to shake someone’s hand but they kept their arm hanging by their side. 

I began to canvass my friends about waving.  I talked with people I met at bike events, asking what they thought.  Most of the riders told me they waved to other motorcyclists and often initiated the friendly air handshake as they passed one another.

I did meet some riders, though who told me that they did not wave to other riders because they felt that they were different from other bikers.  They felt that they were “A Breed Apart.”  One guy told me in colourfull language that he did not “Wave to No Wusses.”  He went on to say that his kind of bikers were tough, independent, and they did not require or want the help of anyone, whether they rode a bike or not. 

I suspected that there were some people who bought a bike because they wanted to purchase an image of being tougher, more independent, a not-putting-up-with-anyone’s-crap kind of person, but I did not think that this was typical of most riders. 

People buy bikes for different reasons.  Some will be quick to tell you what make it is, how much they paid for it, or how fast it will go.  Brand loyalty is going to be strong for some people whether they have a Harley, Ford, Sony, Nike or whatever.  Some people want to buy an image and try to purchase another person’s perception of them.  But it can’t be done.  They hope that it can, but it can’t. 

Still, there is a group of people who ride bikes who truly are a “Breed Apart.”  The appreciate both the engineering and the artistry in the machines they ride.  Their bikes become part of who they are and how they define themselves to themselves alone. 

They don’t care what other people think.  They don’t care if anyone knows how much they paid for their bike or how fast it will go.  The bike means something to them that nothing else does.  They ride for themselves and not for anyone else.  They don’t care whether anyone knows they have a bike.  They may not be able to find words to describe what it means to ride, but they still know.

They might not be able to explain what it means to feel the smooth acceleration and the strength beneath them.  But they understand. 

These are the riders who park their bikes, begin to walk away and then stop.  They turn and look back.  They see something when they look at their bikes that you might not.  Something more complex, something that is almost secret, sensed rather than known.  They see their passion.  They see a part of themselves. 

These are the riders who understand why they wave to other motorcyclists.  They savour the wave.  It symbolizes the connection between riders and if they saw you and your bike on the side of the road, they would stop to help and might not ask your name.  they understand what you are up against every time you take your bike on the road…the drivers that do not see you, the ones that cut you off or tailgate you, the potholes that hide in wait.  The rain.  The cold.

I have been shivering and sweating on a bike for more than 40 years.  Most of the riders that pass give me a supportive wave.  I love it when I see a younger rider on a “Crotch Rocket” scream past me and wave.  New riders carrying on traditions. 

And I will continue in my attempts to get every biker just a little closer to one another with a simple wave of my gloved clutch hand.  And if they do not wave back when I extend my hand into the breeze as I pass them, I will smile a little more.  They may be a little mistaken about just who IS a “Breed Apart.”

[old2soon]

           Yep-fer a Number of years. Even waved at times when I was motocrossing. Course Some of them were one finger waves/salutes!  Do NOT Know bout anywhere else but in North Illinois and Southern Wisconsin it was more of a clenched fist held up than a wave. Circa late 60s early 70s. IF the other rider don't wave I figure MAYBE his ride ain't NO where as GOOD as mine is and I go on. The other rider not returning a wave is NO snugglin reason for anyone else's blood pressure to go up. Hellz bellz-last I checked it IS ALL about The RIDE!  RIDE SAFE.

[NewValker]

Yes, Dennis, the clenched fist was the wave here too in the early 70’s.
Craig

[sixlow]

I don't think they can see you well enough to know your waving or even on a bike with their eyeballs shaking inside their heads with no helmet, no shield, and a vibrator for a motor. 

[Oss]

Yes

But when I have a passenger I will ask her to wave for me sometimes
as I dont always notice the other bike across the highway

[cookiedough]

How many do as most do and put the wave down low?  I think it is easier to just put your hand UP, not down,  and give them the waive with your left hand above the left handlebar.  Am I an oddball?  

I too notice if my kid, age 17, and me go riding together with him usually behind me ( or even leading) passing oncoming cyclists who waive coming at us, he very rarely waives back at them but I usually do.
I think it is a younger generation as well not doing it as often as us older folks.    

[DGS65]

I live in NY so everyone wears a helmet so it's hard to comment on this observation!
This said I find most bikers that can spare the free hand at the time wave I don't mind if they don't not really a big deal.
On the Corvette forum I find it amazing how put off people get if the don't get a wave from a fellow Corvette again not really a big deal people have other things on their minds while driving!

Just looked up this video it is a good example of how some do and some don't but again this is a curvy road that many people are afraid of and may not wave out of fear!  If you look closely only a few or maybe a couple of guys waved!  I had to play it frame by frame to see for sure.

https://youtu.be/gWJ092F6jpA

[Mr Whiskey]

WAVING TO OTHERS
Tom Ruttan
CYCLE CANADA –April 2002

Thanks for that! Saved it

[DIGGER]

WAVING TO OTHERS
Tom Ruttan
CYCLE CANADA –April 2002

Thanks for that! Saved it

Yeah, I thought it was good too back in 2002.  I saved it also for these occassions.

[DIGGER]

I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community? a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan.

Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassle handlebars and the studded luggage and the half-helmets? God, they drive me crazy.

You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them.

They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two-wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they've got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grampa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you.

Ducati guys? I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.

Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep on going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ass. I never wave at Kawasaki guys.

I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way.

Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two-piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at those guys with the helmets with the loud paintjobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet? Like I'm going to wave back to that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.

To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special?"

(The above was copy pasta, believe originally penned by Shalom Auslander)

As for me personally, if it's safe to do so I wave at everyone, even bicycles, trikes, Spyders, scooters, etc...

Heck, I even wave at little kids (They love the floppy dog ears on my helmet)

And if I have one of the triplets on the back I explain that they're ambassadors for motorcycling and need to show everyone how much fun they're having by waving. They'll wave at ANYONE who glances at 'em... (Kinda ironic I get the biggest chick magnet of all time after I'm totally taken... )

Ha.... oldie but goldie.....figured someone would post it.    First time I read this story I cracked up.....thanks for posting

[Westernbiker]

How many do as most do and put the wave down low?  I think it is easier to just put your hand UP, not down,  and give them the waive with your left hand above the left handlebar.  Am I an oddball?  

I too notice if my kid, age 17, and me go riding together with him usually behind me ( or even leading) passing oncoming cyclists who waive coming at us, he very rarely waives back at them but I usually do.
I think it is a younger generation as well not doing it as often as us older folks.    

I was told by an old biker (Motorcycle Enthusiast) that the two finger wave down low was meant to say 'Keeping the two wheels down' cause we know what happens when the two wheels go up! 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VivmZJey5OY

[Quasi (fmr. GHSTDG)]

How many do as most do and put the wave down low?  I think it is easier to just put your hand UP, not down,  and give them the waive with your left hand above the left handlebar.  Am I an oddball?  
 

I usually wave low and always when I'm at speed.  Waving low is easier at highway speeds because it keeps the arm in the 'pocket' near the bike.

[DIGGER]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VivmZJey5OY

That is tooooo cooool

[Gryphon Rider]

About how I wave:  I use a loose two-finger (and maybe half a thumb?) low wave when the other rider is close enough to see it clearly, or nod my head if I'm clutching at that moment.  On a divided highway with a wide median, I'll do a high-handed wave with my hand a little behind my shoulder so it is easily seen against the passing countryside, rather than in front of my body which is coloured similarly to my glove, thus making it harder to see my wave.

[0leman]

I haven't noticed any special types of bikes/bikers that don't wave.  If I see more than 5 out and about it is a rare day.  Mostly all wave back. 

On two lane roads it easy to see them coming, unless hiding behind a vehicle.   4 lane roads it harder, especially on divide hwy's.  so do miss some.

I tend to do a two finger wave at handle bar level.   I do notice that those wearing black gloves are hard to see, that maybe old eye problem on my part.   

I even do the solute to the bicycle riders.   Some even wave back or nod their heads.   

[Tx Bohemian]

I wave at all bikes/bikers cause I’m from small town Texas, it’s just the way we do it down here!

And I don’t do the - don’t know if I want to, down low, two finger wave!  I do the committed, up high, smiling Bob (Enzyte), full hand wave.

And if the other bikers wave back, fine. If not, I don’t get my panties bunched up over it.

I will say most do wave back, regardless of brand affiliation (read HD).
 
However I noticed, as Digger noted, those that don’t are mainly on HDs, probably because of the jealousy they have when they notice the superior bike I’m on! (I’m sure in their mind their doing that V8 “Dang, I could’ve had a Valkyrie” thing)

[Bigwolf]

I wave at all the motorcyclists, even scooters, if I see them in time,......if I don’t have both hands committed to clutch and brake (in this case I nod).  How I wave varies.  On interstates with a divider, I reach up high, with a fist at higher speeds.  On curvy 2 lane road, straight out and hand usually wide open, but sometimes 2 fingers.  Fairly straight country roads, and maybe anytime if I am just tired, low to the side with 2 fingers.

I wave because, most everyone riding knows the pain and the joy of riding and, by waving, I feel I am acknowledging that.  I wave at all motorcyclists because I am that kind of guy.  If they also wave, great, we have acknowledged each other.  If they don’t wave back, I don’t think about it much.  Maybe the were looking at gages or traffic or otherwise distracted.  If they clearly saw me but did not wave, well that just shows the kind of person they are...........nothing for me to be concerned about.

Digger,
Thanks for “Waving to Others” by Tom Ruttan.  I sure enjoyed reading that!

Bigwolf

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I do the committed, up high, smiling Bob (Enzyte), full hand wave

I had forgotten about those commecials. Gave me a chuckle remembering that.

[markymark640]

Started riding 47 years ago.  Seems like EVERYONE waved, and I mean waived as in a warm welcome for a friend.

These days, not so much. I tend to agree that it is more of a 70/30 proposition at the present time, with a good number of 'cool' folks who don't really wave, but just kinda drop their hand down by their side as if to point at the ground passing by.

Not picking on any group but what I've noticed is that the ones that wave the least seem to be crotch rockets and HOG riders.

Not really sure what has happened with that, but I've also noticed that in general, motorcycles folks in general don't seem as friendly as in days gone by.  Don't get me wrong, I still meet alot of nice folks on my trips up into the mountains in GA, SC, NC, TN and VA, but there are many times when we stop at a rest stop, gas station, restaurant, lookout point, etc that other riders there don't even seem to acknowledge our presence.

That leaves it up to us to initiate contact, introduce ourselves, extend a hand shake and strike up a conversation.  I'm not complaining, just making an observation.

Maybe it's the times we are living in, but I think this fall I've actually spent more time meeting and talking with folks in the cages than those sitting on 2 wheels.

[DIGGER]

Sitting here thinking.... back yrs ago till about 10 yrs ago there were not near as many motorcycles on the road and waving was just an occasional gesture.    Maybe the problem is that now there are so many motorcycles on the road riders just get tired of waving.    I know that when in a motorcycle rally or on a famous motorcycle road, or on a motorcycle scenic ride there are so many motorcycles on the road that there are just too many people to wave at and expect a return wave.    Maybe that's why not as many riders wave as there used to be.

[Quasi (fmr. GHSTDG)]

Sitting here thinking.... back yrs ago till about 10 yrs ago there were not near as many motorcycles on the road and waving was just an occasional gesture.    Maybe the problem is that now there are so many motorcycles on the road riders just get tired of waving.    I know that when in a motorcycle rally or on a famous motorcycle road, or on a motorcycle scenic ride there are so many motorcycles on the road that there are just too many people to wave at and expect a return wave.    Maybe that's why not as many riders wave as there used to be.

This.

[Hooter]

If you get right down to it, why does it matter if someone waves at you or not?  And, bike make has absolutely nothing to do with it.  I get tired of hearing it's HARLEY riders that don't wave. I ride Harleys and my Valkyrie. I don't get all butt hurt if someone doesn't wave at me on either bike. I don't pay attention to what bike someone is riding because I don't care. That's as bad as hearing Harley guys bitch about metric riders not waving. I've never seen this conversation take place on a Harley board. .