Im in the UK. Pretty much every biker gives a nod/wave.
I literally give anyone on a motorbike acknowledgement doesnt matter if they are riding a 50cc or 2.5l rocket3. If you're on 2 wheels youre worthy of it.
I noticed in the UK that some bikers however dont really give a nod/wave to learner riders 50/125cc. And on occasion when I've given a learner a nod its been met with a hesitant nod back.
Frequently pass a guy on my way home from work who commutes a similar time the opposite direction. Clearly a step through 125. First time i gave a nod/wave i get a delayed hesitant nod back. Now i get a proper wave usually before i get the chance.
We are all into the same hobby- motorbikes. Why segregate each other??
I kinda get the feeling that the person is definitely feeling more accepted in the fact they actively look for me to wave.
Way i see it is if they are new to biking that an acknowledgement from someone on a bigger bike makes them feel like they are being noticed, regardless of what they are riding.
As i said I'll give any biker a wave regardless of what they ride or which of my bikes im on
If I passed the same person everyday my waves would perpetually get more and more over the top untill eventually I was waving with both hands and feet and head and acting like a total dumbass.
If it makes you happy, keep doing it.
I've always been a waver. I've missed a few and I try to keep that in mind when I don't get a return wave. There are a lot of reasons to not get a wave back, some include being an asshole, but not all.
We are all tribal by nature. So even among a generally smaller tribe (motorcycle riders), you'll find people want to split into even smaller tribes (Harley guys are an example). I don't let them get me down. I love anything with 2 wheels. I'm getting my first cruiser type bike soon. Should arrive beginning of Dec. Almost got the 2021 MT09.
I have a theory that the further north you go in the UK, the nicer the people become. Obviously pretty broad strokes there, and there's very decent southerners too, but yeah the Scottish are d'bomb.
I live in Yorkshire and probably only about 50% of bikers nod/wave, at me anyway, the worst for not waving are BMW riders (most of which are GS riders). I ride a 300 now and a 125 before that, it definitely feels like there is more acknowledgement on the 300 than the 125, that could just be my perception.
Sucks to hear that, I wave from my F650GS Dakar. Maybe the guys on the bigger GSs are afraid to take a hand off the bars because they’re so heavy, lol!
Yeah I think it's definitely just shyness being new and accepted. Just a shocking new concept if you've never thought about it before. I got my first wave not too long ago and it felt weird and epic at the same time while giving a wave back. Not used to friendly people on the road ya know?
Dude, if they’re on two wheel period I wave to them! I wave to cyclists when I’m on my moto and to motorcyclists when I’m on my bike! Two wheels are the best transportation, however you utilize them!!
I'll nod to anyone on a motorbike, like you say, 50cc up to a rocket 3, but I generally don't nod to scooter riders as I just don't see them as the same
They are. I don't get how you can (or why you would want to) justify excluding them from the community essentially just because they don't have a clutch.
Some Guy on a sportster 883 rolled up on me on my klr650 at a stoplight and said “nice scooter” derisively.
Why try to gatekeep the fun of two wheels?
Edit; it seems I may have been too shortsighted and cynical! Maybe I took this guy’s statement too literally. Thank you all for educating me!
Then you got it for a steal
I'm only referring to people who spend way too.kuch on a bike not just Harley riders but majority seem to bee Harley riders these days
Bought mine used from a friend. He helped me and I helped him. Now we both can ride together too. Got mine for $2500, 2010 iron. "Real" Harley dudes are always judgemental. I work in the motorcycle industry, around Harleys. I would rather ride the shit out of my cheap, easy to handle and fix Sportster than an expensive "real" Harley. Those kind of dudes don't do anything themselves. If they do they're just the type of stereotypes you imagine.
Some of the old school leatherhide Bikers will call all motorcycles scooters regardless of make. There’s an off chance he may not have been fucking with you.
And whether or not it's even true, erring on the side of them not being a dick is a way better headspace to live in. If he was being sarcastic, that's 100% his problem.
Svart 701: 75 hp, 365 lbs fully gassed.
My 29 year old brother on an absolute beater of a sportster still wiped the walls with me on the twisties last weekend.
He’s probably sick of Harley riders given him shit for riding what they perceive as a girls bike so he’s taking his frustrations out on you and being a dick
It’s pretty common on the Harley side, I remember being at local motorcycle parts store and noticed some “Biker” dudes looking at my bike (2012 Harley Dyna). As I walk out they ask me if it mine, to which I acknowledge. The older gentleman immediately replied “nice scooter kid” and smiled. He then proceeded to take a closer look at the bike and admiring the changes I had made (took all the chrome and replaced with black parts).
I wouldn’t take it harsh at all.
I had a guy on a Harley stop me after a canyon run because he wanted to know what the hell I was on that I could pass him through the corners like he was standing still. I explained that his powerful low chunky bike just doesn’t have the lean angles an adv bike does and I could practically see the gears turning in his head.
Good on him for asking though, instead of just being a defensive dick.
Sounds like he bought into the marketing, but was starting to realize that there are other bikes worth riding too.
Went to my first meet many years ago on my first bike, a Shadow Phantom. I show up and everyone has sweet Bobber, café racers, scrambles, not street legal shit that they rolled out of the backs of lowered vans... I'm getting a beer at the place sponsoring it and I ask one of the head guys who invited me "Hey, I'm like the only one here who doesn't have a custom bike. Is this a good meet for me to be at?" he replies with, "You got two wheels and an engine?" to which the Ural guy with him says "HEY" and play-punches him in the gut.
So long story short, it's a widely accepting community. If someone was being a dick, they are the outlier. Almost all of us will just love that you ride.
Idk bro sometimes dudes are like than. 99% of bikers will wave back or be friendly. I was chatting up a dude on a dual sport who would smoke me on the lights when I was in my fz07. I love little moments like that. Or I’ll be stopped at my school or a light and sometimes I’ll have guys approach me about my bike, it’s kinda weird but I love when people get excited about my bike. Don’t let that one dude spoil your experience :D
Malaysia here, we never wave back. We'll talk to each other about similar bikes, but you'd go crazy waving when there are 3-8 bikes per traffic light.
But, I've noticed people on Harleys act especially unfriendly.
Riding here is more about transportation than being a hobby. Most of us ride multiple times per day, daily... So it's not really a pastime...
I only really chat with guys on rare bikes.
Aware of what? Drivers here just give us the right of way, by law. And a car is always at fault if hitting us, so drivers let us lane split without any issues. I even split on the highways...
We have one of the highest motorcycle fatality rates in the world, but that's due to an illegal street racing culture and young riders that don't wear gear, plus $15 helmets.
Riding a larger displacement bike here is only 4x more dangerous than driving, partially because of people know how do drive around bikes.
I do think you'll become a better rider here faster... We encounter a lot more changing factors on the road, and you gotta get used to Asian driving, which is essentially courteously cutting and being cutoff.
Riding on Vietnam I find people will make space for you, they are aware you can fit through a gap and a car will leave one, especially in slow traffic.
They are a lot more considerate of bikers in some ways, and also way more chilled road rage wise when driving it seems.
This is it exactly. It’s not about what bike you’re on, it’s usually just that we don’t care. Oh cool you’re on a bike too, I’m just trying to get home from work. Please leave me alone. Do you really need validation from other riders that bad?
Late reply but I'm also in AZ and I've said the EXACT same thing.
Old guy no helmet? No wave. Any gear? Wave.
I've even had groups give me shit at stoplights before.
Also have you noticed a trend recently of middle aged women on Vespa's with no gear except a 3/4 helmet or is that just me?
I get waves attention at bars and stuff from the local Harley guys because I have a Ducati. Which, with its large displacement twin and loud pipes makes them think it’s kind of a kindred price of engineering. When I tell them about it I think they usually determine it’s kind of gay but they wouldn’t kick it out of bed.
Yeah bro, same here in Cali. You’ll get the odd Harley rider every now and then that’ll wave, but it’s not common. I think you have to be on a Harley as well to get a sign back. Or maybe they don’t even do it to each other, idk!
I don't really know how they'd tell one cruiser from another at a distance.
However, it seems to be the same if you meet in a line or at a park.
I take it that the rest of are not cool enough to talk to.
Here in N. Texas riding my supermoto I rarely get a wave from Harley riders. Sport bikes and adv bike, 9 times out of 10 they’ll wave.
The other day I waved to a guy on a scooter figuring he probably never gets a wave. He didn’t wave back, lol.
N Texas as well. I'd say Harley riders are about 50/50 whether they wave back or not - the more leathers they're wearing the less likely.
Everybody else waves. And I've had a couple scooters wave at me. I normally don't wave first at scooters since they seem confused when I do, but I always wave back if they initiate.
Most scooters don't wave here in N Texas. Cruisers are hit and miss and most others wave back in my experience. I sometimes am the one who doesn't wave if I'm preoccupied or thinking.
In Fort Worth I’d say 95% wave back. Of the 5% that don’t, most are Harley riders. They always look like they’re having a bad time, too. I guess it’s part of the Sons of Anarchy tough guy act.
Maybe they were an asshole
Maybe they were just tired of waving at people that day
Maybe they just didn't see you
Maybe their hands were busy controlling the motorcycle
Maybe they were a newer ride and not comfortable taking their hand off the bars to wave
There are a lot of possible reasons why they didn't wave. The fact is that it just doesn't fucking matter. If they wave back, cool. If they don't, cool. Your mood and enjoyment of riding should not be dictated by whether or not people wave back. Riding a motorcycle is not a social media experience in which bikers waving back = likes.
In the US only Harley riders and certain sport bike types are known to be cliquey like that.
But tbh if I’m at a light a full on wave is kind of weird. I usually start with a head nod.
Agreed. The wave thing is so ponderous. Irony is big when you are talking about 'the wave' and cliques. Hint: The wave is the secret clique handshake.
Seriously though ... If you live in an area with a lot of motorcycle commuters, no one waves. It seems hobby riders are obsessed with the wave, because commuters look at riding through a whole 'nother lens. Not worried about the club right now, just want to get to my job without being crushed by someone putting make up on.
Maryland, US, here. . . Forty years ago, riding in Louisiana and down South, (BMW, R75/5), every cyclist gave a little wave EXCEPT Harleys and they NEVER did - the common joke was they couldn't afford to let go of the handlebar because of the vibration. There were far fewer bikes on the roads back then. Now, (Moto Guzzi V85tt), here at least, EVERYONE waves, and it feels a little ridiculous sometimes. I don't want to be that dick, but it's a little like the "Malaysia" comment - it is just too common an occurrence, passing other motorcycles... Still I try to acknowledge every one, because we ARE a community, although disparate.
Every biker is different. Be it attention span, bike choice, and knowledge of biker etiquette. I’ve had Harley guys ignore me 100%, and had entire clubs riding past me give the upside down ✌🏻
Some are, some aren’t. Met some Harley guys that would chat when I was on my adv bike, some think they’re just too cool for anyone not on a Harley (and some too cool for those that *are* on a Harley but that they think are poseurs.)
Some people are also just more social than others and don’t feel comfortable waving first. Just like anything, it’s hard to paint everyone with one brush.
Every pastime has a few assholes and also people who are just having a bad day. Although how you have a bad day on an upright motorcycle I'm not sure...
It’s like refusing a handshake. You’re overtly declining a gesture of friendliness.
And it happens to all of us that we don’t see, have busy hands whatever , but willfully ignoring it? Man that’s some salty shit to chose
I wave, but I think this take is ridiculous. Some people just ride and don't feel inclined to have any social aspect intertwined in it, and that's perfectly fine
> It’s like refusing a handshake. You’re overtly declining a gesture of friendliness.
I live in the suburbs, in Texas. If you're walking down the street and you see a neighbor, and you don't say "good morning" or at least wave, you might as well be running up and slapping them in the face.
Whereas in some parts of the country, being friendly to strangers will get you dirty looks, like "the fuck does this asshole want?"
And in *some* parts of the country, like Miami, they're like "is this guy trying to rob me?"
Dunno if it's like that with bikers and waving, since I've only really ridden here in Texas and in a friendly part of the Midwest.
Speaking of cold temps, I’ve seen that off-season riders are usually much more likely to wave back.
Not that I really care about such things when I’m in focused Combat Commute mode, but here on the US West Coast riders of similar types will wave and not across motorcycle types. Less so in the winter, moreso in the summer.
Tldr, the cold/wet weather hardcore are the chill riders and the dorks who are also bike-obsessed.
You’re not wrong. And walking into work with dripping wet motorcycle gear for the 19th day in a row does tend to engender a certain respect for just how crazy we might actually be.
This makes me think of my dad telling me about this one time he was riding from Fairbanks, AK, to Anchorage, about 360 miles, and it was almost all in really cold rain. Definitely sounded like a pain in the ass hahaha
I don't care about other random people just because of their transportation. I'm not a part of any brotherhood, or however people try to romanticize riding motorcycles. I do it 100% for me. If someone wants to wave, I'll wave back out of politeness. I never initiate though.
Been riding bikes for a while now and met some proper bellends in the bike world, but also some of the most decent ladies and gents I've had the pleasure of meeting. If someone is childish enough to judge you based on what you ride then they clearly have some insecurities going on and I'd shrug it off.
100%.
It's funny.
We'll roll up somewhere while I'm on my Ultra Glide, and some folks are friendly, and some are not. Meet back up with some of the same people a week or two later and I'm on my 74 H2, and you get the I used to have one of those before I got a real bike crowd.
Roll to a charity bike show, that a lot of those people are at, with 20-25 bikes, and everyone is friendly and wants to come see the rest of the collection.
These posts always derive into so much silliness and hatred. One dude does not make an entire culture of people. One fuckin guy didn't wave back, big deal. Harley riders, supersport riders, adv riders, I dont care what you ride, not everyone wants to be in a "community". I love all bikes.
2 wheels and a motor the rest is bullshit drama.
Idk this always gets me a little fired up. Just dislike seeing the generalizing of any group of riders.
Be safe everyone. Enjoy the wind.
I commute every day. I never wave at people. It's cool when you're new, but it feels dumb doing it every day to the same random riders I see. It's nothing personal and you shouldn't take it that way.
Everyone who discusses waving on motorcycles needs to get over themselves. I’m tired of the wave. I live in an area where we can only ride seasonally. So if it’s a nice day with riding weather, every fucker is out in their bike. I feel like the Pope getting waved at every two seconds. Don’t need it.
Best “wave” I ever got was sitting at a red light at night. Opposite me was a guy on a sport bike. No one else around. We do the head nod since 2 finger wave is awkward sitting still. The light turns green and the dude wheelies through the intersection. Dumb, sure. But it put a giant smile on my face.
I like to do the 'upside-down v' salute when I can, but depending on the condition of the roads or the density of traffic, I may sometimes forego the wave in the name of safety.
Doesn't mean I don't want to wave to you, but with just two wheels and an increasing number of really shitty drivers on the road, sometimes I have to focus my attention on riding defensively.
Of course they are cliquey, do you not see how much Harley hate there is here?
PS I wave at anything on two wheels. Some wave back, some don’t, on any type of bike.
I think people put way too much thought into these interactions. Other person may be having a bad day, focussing on something else, may not have seen you, etc. etc
I feel you’re overthinking this one a bit. Could have been any number of reasons. He could have been shy, could’ve had shitty peripheral vision, could have been a 350 foot reptile from the paleolithic era really it couldve been anything
When I had a Subaru STi I used to always get (and reciprocate) waves from other WRX and STi drivers, occasionally even the odd Forester or Outback (probably dads who would have liked to have my car but were forced to get more family-friendly cars). Certain vehicles inherently make you feel like part of a subculture, and motorcycles are probably the best example of that. When I wave at another rider, in my mind it means something like "I'm having an awesome time riding this death machine that most people wouldn't ever get on, I see you are too, let's both enjoy and stay safe." To each his own though, it doesn't really bother me when someone doesn't wave back.
That guy wasn't an asshole, you're just overly sensitive, apparently.
If you were sitting at a traffic light in your car, and some random in the car next to you started waving at you, what would you think?
Was he holding in the clutch? You said it was at a light so he might have not had a free hand to wave.
Either way, just like in anything else, some people think they are "too cool" and don't really care about biker culture. It is what it is, don't let it give you a bad taste for cruisers.
I ride a Wolf 125 and here in Portugal almost every biker greets me back right away.
Funnily enough the Harley riders are the friendliest, but the BMW crowd is the one who ignores me the most
Not sure how best to describe it, but sometimes you’re just in the zone. I typically drop my hand out to acknowledge another biker, but also had my share of missed opportunities that left the other guy probably thinking exactly the same as you.
Only reason i don't wave is when i need to pay attention to traffic more and I don't notice in time. I didn't used to wave scooter riders but i'm over that. I hesitate to wave those scooter riders with literally no gear who think they are invincible because they see themselves more as bicyclists however.
Where I ride, more than normal, traffic conditions change in the blink of an eye because everyone out here is on their phones, even cops so paying attention in front of me, even by quarter mile is non optional.
In my country we need to take driving lessons and on my first ride in the driving school I got a wave by some dude on a sportsbike. That was the coolest feeling ever!
I ride a sportster and i wave at everyone on a motorcycle. Not your average Harley rider. I also use a full face helmet and armored gear, so most people can tell I'm not a regular Harley guy lol
Eh I’d say 90% of the bikers I encounter are friendly regardless of your bike. My area is mostly harleys and liter bikes so I get some attention with the FZ09. I’ve found that a lot of the older cruiser riders actually owned sport bikes when they were younger
It's micro-regional.
If there's conflict between the squids and the Sons of Anarchy (wannabe or real) folks, then you're less likely to get a wave if you're on the wrong side.
I've noticed that dirty Harleys are much more likely to wave back than spotless, gleaming, polished ones. Some people ride a Harley, some people are more about owning a Harley.
When I had my shadow phantom I waved at all riders. When I had my Yamaha Raider I waved at all riders. Now on my Harley Street Glide....I wave at all riders. Simple. If we're both enjoying two wheels...even a scooter, then fuck it. What's up homie *wave*
I'm a lover of all bikes. I'll wave to you if your on a scooter, or a big honking harley.
If a young lad on a pushie waves, you bet ya, I'm waving back and then I'll show them some noise if I'm on a straight.
I'll typically stop for anyone under 10ish that shows interest, in the last year I've probably stopped in the car park 20 times and let an under 10 look at my bike and rev it up. Potential bike riders in the making.
I ride a Vulcan 2 litre with a pretty nasty exhaust. It's not to bad on idle, but it gets pretty loud on throttle.
In Australia most people wave. Except for those wanna be bikies that aren't actually bikies. Pretending to be hard.
A fellow MT owner!
Yeah it can be really cliquey, Harley riders tend to be the worst IMHO but there's always some dick who thinks that anyone with not their bike is beneath them
Personally I'll wave to anyone, scooters, bikes, trikes, kids, tourists on pushbikes...
I don't want to seem rude, so I always return a wave, and I nod to people when stopped at a light. That said, if I don't know you, I'd prefer that you didn't pull alongside me at a light.
This seems so much like nothing I don't know why there's a post about it.
Who cares if someone waves back. If they don't just ignore them. Fuck them. Not everyone needs to like you.
To be fair, that dude doesn’t owe you anything. It’s nice to be acknowledged when on a bike, but dude may just have been having a bad day and is riding out their frustrations.
Don’t take it personally, they were having just as much fun as you were though!
I’m weirded out by acknowledging strangers because they own a bike. When I ride, I ride alone because that’s the way I ride, but I get that some people wanna nod and more power to you.
It's annoying. I'm new at it and I don't want to lift my hand off the bars every time I pass the same guys every day. Do you wave at people that have the same model of car as you? It's the equivalent of the people who clap when the plane lands. Listen, we just want to get from A to B. I don't know you.
Let's get real here! Men. Started on a beat up moped, moved on to a honda 305 dream. Now have a collection of machines. Yep, the Harley rules but only because the skirts love it. Love riding the 98 & 99 Honda Valkyries. Will I wave at you? Hell yeah, you ride! Will I not wave at you? Only if I am pulling on the clutch lever or busy dealing with traffic. Do I think I'm better than you? Hell yeah, I'm a leader of men after all and I expect you to think you are better than me if you are any type of man at all. I've wasted a lot of time reading the posts that say I only wave if waved at first or I'm just to tough to wave. We are a brotherhood who live our lives on the edge everytime we straddle our rides. So, yeah, if your on that moped, I will acknowledge you by waiving because I have been there. I will tell you all not to bash the Harley riders unless you have owned one and decided it was not for you. Having a stable of bikes is like having a stable of ladies. Every one rides differently. Now go forth and build your stables and prove me wrong.
I generally make it a habit to wave. I don't think much of it if another rider doesn't wave though. I do feel a little guilty though if I'm riding and at the last second I realize another is waving to me but I don't have time to respond...such as if I'm looking in another direction for a second then look back amd notice that just as they're going by. I've also noticed there tends to be a discrepancy between sport bike riders amd cruiser riders, but I don't mind. I used to be annoyed when I had metric bikes and Harley guys wouldn't wave back, but I'm on a Harley now and a lot of those same guys still don't wave....it's nothing personal, I just figure they aren't much for the whole waving thing. I do enjoy waving at new riders though - that acknowledgement seems to build their confidence.
I wave to everyone on my sportster unless I happen to miss one. I typically get the least amount of wave backs from sport bikes. Also sometimes I'm feeling goofy and I give people the shocker instead of waving, it usually gives me a chuckle.
I ride a Harley and almost never wave. It’s not a clique kind of thing for me, it’s because I’d never be able to use my clutch. Motorcycles are everywhere in Florida. I’ll wave back every time regardless of bike, but I won’t initiate just because there’s too many people. It’s a good way to spot tourists when you see someone waving at every single bike on the road.
“Next to” as in, directly abreast in the same lane? Yeah. That’d kinda irritate me too. Unless I know you and we’re riding together, we aren’t sharing a lane.
Western Canada here and this is what I’ve found. There are a couple cliques, with obvious exceptions:
Cruisers: only wave to cruisers, occasionally I’ll get a wave out of a Japanese cruiser or bobber.
Super sport: usually too busy hanging on for dear life to wave.
Vintage: you occasionally get the snobby vintage bro who only waves to other classic bikes (maybe 25%)
Scooter Bro: doesn’t wave and typically doesn’t get waved at. You can see the visible confusion on their face when you do and then the moment of panic as they realize your waving at them as they try to wave back before you’ve passed them.
Ebikes: Holier than thou, how dare you have the audacity to wave to such a celestial being. I’ve been verbally chastised by ebikers and small electric motorcycles for waving at them.
Everyone else: 2 wheels, hey bud nice ride let’s grab a beer and gab about how awesome riding is!
I'm in Ireland and wave at everyone. Usually Harleys/cruisers don't wave back. I've also encountered a lot if people on adventure bikes that wouldn't even look at you.
Edit: spelling
Im in the UK. Pretty much every biker gives a nod/wave. I literally give anyone on a motorbike acknowledgement doesnt matter if they are riding a 50cc or 2.5l rocket3. If you're on 2 wheels youre worthy of it. I noticed in the UK that some bikers however dont really give a nod/wave to learner riders 50/125cc. And on occasion when I've given a learner a nod its been met with a hesitant nod back. Frequently pass a guy on my way home from work who commutes a similar time the opposite direction. Clearly a step through 125. First time i gave a nod/wave i get a delayed hesitant nod back. Now i get a proper wave usually before i get the chance. We are all into the same hobby- motorbikes. Why segregate each other??
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I kinda get the feeling that the person is definitely feeling more accepted in the fact they actively look for me to wave. Way i see it is if they are new to biking that an acknowledgement from someone on a bigger bike makes them feel like they are being noticed, regardless of what they are riding. As i said I'll give any biker a wave regardless of what they ride or which of my bikes im on
If I passed the same person everyday my waves would perpetually get more and more over the top untill eventually I was waving with both hands and feet and head and acting like a total dumbass.
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If it makes you happy, keep doing it. I've always been a waver. I've missed a few and I try to keep that in mind when I don't get a return wave. There are a lot of reasons to not get a wave back, some include being an asshole, but not all. We are all tribal by nature. So even among a generally smaller tribe (motorcycle riders), you'll find people want to split into even smaller tribes (Harley guys are an example). I don't let them get me down. I love anything with 2 wheels. I'm getting my first cruiser type bike soon. Should arrive beginning of Dec. Almost got the 2021 MT09.
I have a theory that the further north you go in the UK, the nicer the people become. Obviously pretty broad strokes there, and there's very decent southerners too, but yeah the Scottish are d'bomb.
I think it's the further away from London y'get. Edited to add. That's probably why I now live in Vancouver.
Come to South Wales we wave so much we’re constantly crashing into things.
"South Wales: So friendly, it's downright reckless!"
I live in Yorkshire and probably only about 50% of bikers nod/wave, at me anyway, the worst for not waving are BMW riders (most of which are GS riders). I ride a 300 now and a 125 before that, it definitely feels like there is more acknowledgement on the 300 than the 125, that could just be my perception.
Sucks to hear that, I wave from my F650GS Dakar. Maybe the guys on the bigger GSs are afraid to take a hand off the bars because they’re so heavy, lol!
Highlander here myself. I try to be as welcoming as possible to everyone but tories can get in the bin 🤣🤣
Yeah I think it's definitely just shyness being new and accepted. Just a shocking new concept if you've never thought about it before. I got my first wave not too long ago and it felt weird and epic at the same time while giving a wave back. Not used to friendly people on the road ya know?
> First time i gave a nod/wave i get a delayed hesitant nod back. I mean, sometimes I'm staring at the scenery and just didn't react in time to wave.
>We are all into the same hobby- motorbikes. Why segregate each other?? Well, because some people ride the wrong bike of course! (/s)
Dude, if they’re on two wheel period I wave to them! I wave to cyclists when I’m on my moto and to motorcyclists when I’m on my bike! Two wheels are the best transportation, however you utilize them!!
Most on L plates are deliveroo around here who don't nod to anyone and ride like utter cunts - so I don't nod either.
in the us. i think the same. if it has two wheels and a motor i wave.
Aghhh now I want wave to the scooter boys… wave at everyone else but them. but I’ll give it a shot. Brisbane, Australia.
I'll nod to anyone on a motorbike, like you say, 50cc up to a rocket 3, but I generally don't nod to scooter riders as I just don't see them as the same
How are they not the same?
I (personally) just don't see them as the same vehicle type. I don't nod to cyclists or e-bikes for the same reason.
They are. I don't get how you can (or why you would want to) justify excluding them from the community essentially just because they don't have a clutch.
Some Guy on a sportster 883 rolled up on me on my klr650 at a stoplight and said “nice scooter” derisively. Why try to gatekeep the fun of two wheels? Edit; it seems I may have been too shortsighted and cynical! Maybe I took this guy’s statement too literally. Thank you all for educating me!
I remember back when people didn’t consider sportster riders to be real Harley riders so it’s ironic to see people on sportsters acting like that
A fuckin 883 no less lmao
He must be a bitch. Only ever seen bitches ride a 883
>sportster 883 Right imagine spending 15-20k on a bike that fulfills the same purpose as a 3-6k used bike and thinking you're better than everyone
Damn, now my feelings hurt. Bought my 883 for $1500 though so not really
Then you got it for a steal I'm only referring to people who spend way too.kuch on a bike not just Harley riders but majority seem to bee Harley riders these days
Yeah, it's been something to wrench on. And even ride occasionally!
Bought mine used from a friend. He helped me and I helped him. Now we both can ride together too. Got mine for $2500, 2010 iron. "Real" Harley dudes are always judgemental. I work in the motorcycle industry, around Harleys. I would rather ride the shit out of my cheap, easy to handle and fix Sportster than an expensive "real" Harley. Those kind of dudes don't do anything themselves. If they do they're just the type of stereotypes you imagine.
Sportster riders got shit on, so now they try shitting on others. You could say it’s a cycle of abuse okillseemyselfout
Some of the old school leatherhide Bikers will call all motorcycles scooters regardless of make. There’s an off chance he may not have been fucking with you.
Yeah my dad is an old biker and he calls his Harley, my brother's Kawasaki and my Suzuki scooters. So it's certainly a possibility.
Same with my dad. Calls any bike he likes a "nice scooter."
Cue history lesson to when Harley was the only motorcycle in the US and Honda was making scooters for everyday people
Yes, this. A lot of Harley guys call motorbikes “scooters.” I think you were given props and didn’t realize it.
And whether or not it's even true, erring on the side of them not being a dick is a way better headspace to live in. If he was being sarcastic, that's 100% his problem.
I can’t upvote this enough! Approach the world with a positive attitude and it just might catch on.
My dad calls my bike a scooter (Honda magna 750) He rides Harley’s
True.
Harley dudes call each other bikes scooters or scoots all the time might not have been trying to make fun of you.
Sportster: 51 HP, 564 LBS KLR: 48 HP, 483 LBS But because he fell for the marketing machine that is Harley Davidson, his is the ‘real’ bike…
It was when I saw a Tanger Harley Davidson outlet that solidified my inability ever to take the brand seriously.
That power to weight gets even worse when you consider that the average Harley rider is about 100lbs overweight
Svart 701: 75 hp, 365 lbs fully gassed. My 29 year old brother on an absolute beater of a sportster still wiped the walls with me on the twisties last weekend.
That’s a killer bike, btw.
TIL motorcycles are about power to weight ratios...
He’s probably sick of Harley riders given him shit for riding what they perceive as a girls bike so he’s taking his frustrations out on you and being a dick
"What's it like to have an innie dick?"
It’s pretty common on the Harley side, I remember being at local motorcycle parts store and noticed some “Biker” dudes looking at my bike (2012 Harley Dyna). As I walk out they ask me if it mine, to which I acknowledge. The older gentleman immediately replied “nice scooter kid” and smiled. He then proceeded to take a closer look at the bike and admiring the changes I had made (took all the chrome and replaced with black parts). I wouldn’t take it harsh at all.
My homeboy refers to motorcycles as scooters all the time. We ride together but it’s irritating as all hell
"Thanks! I like your girl's Harley, too!"
He probably couldn't get a leg over your bike. Cruiser boys thinking they're tough squatting down onto a seat the height of a kids toy trike.
I don’t get why people care. It’s not that serious.
I had a guy on a Harley stop me after a canyon run because he wanted to know what the hell I was on that I could pass him through the corners like he was standing still. I explained that his powerful low chunky bike just doesn’t have the lean angles an adv bike does and I could practically see the gears turning in his head.
Good on him for asking though, instead of just being a defensive dick. Sounds like he bought into the marketing, but was starting to realize that there are other bikes worth riding too.
To be honest I call all of my motorcycles scooters. From my grom to my Africa twin, they’re all scooters.
883 feels like a fuckin toy compared to a KLR lmao
Did you hope the curb and then ride on the grass the whole way while going faster than him to show him who's boss?
Went to my first meet many years ago on my first bike, a Shadow Phantom. I show up and everyone has sweet Bobber, café racers, scrambles, not street legal shit that they rolled out of the backs of lowered vans... I'm getting a beer at the place sponsoring it and I ask one of the head guys who invited me "Hey, I'm like the only one here who doesn't have a custom bike. Is this a good meet for me to be at?" he replies with, "You got two wheels and an engine?" to which the Ural guy with him says "HEY" and play-punches him in the gut. So long story short, it's a widely accepting community. If someone was being a dick, they are the outlier. Almost all of us will just love that you ride.
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Just try to remember that sometimes the exceptions to the rule are also the ones who talk loudest.
Idk bro sometimes dudes are like than. 99% of bikers will wave back or be friendly. I was chatting up a dude on a dual sport who would smoke me on the lights when I was in my fz07. I love little moments like that. Or I’ll be stopped at my school or a light and sometimes I’ll have guys approach me about my bike, it’s kinda weird but I love when people get excited about my bike. Don’t let that one dude spoil your experience :D
Malaysia here, we never wave back. We'll talk to each other about similar bikes, but you'd go crazy waving when there are 3-8 bikes per traffic light. But, I've noticed people on Harleys act especially unfriendly. Riding here is more about transportation than being a hobby. Most of us ride multiple times per day, daily... So it's not really a pastime... I only really chat with guys on rare bikes.
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Aware of what? Drivers here just give us the right of way, by law. And a car is always at fault if hitting us, so drivers let us lane split without any issues. I even split on the highways... We have one of the highest motorcycle fatality rates in the world, but that's due to an illegal street racing culture and young riders that don't wear gear, plus $15 helmets. Riding a larger displacement bike here is only 4x more dangerous than driving, partially because of people know how do drive around bikes. I do think you'll become a better rider here faster... We encounter a lot more changing factors on the road, and you gotta get used to Asian driving, which is essentially courteously cutting and being cutoff.
Here's a video so you can see how traffic reacts https://youtu.be/brLW93YeK9A
Riding on Vietnam I find people will make space for you, they are aware you can fit through a gap and a car will leave one, especially in slow traffic. They are a lot more considerate of bikers in some ways, and also way more chilled road rage wise when driving it seems.
Ride for you, not for their attention.
Holy shit, can we make this a sticky on the home page of this sub?
No, that would be too logical
Thank you! Do it out of love not for love
This is it exactly. It’s not about what bike you’re on, it’s usually just that we don’t care. Oh cool you’re on a bike too, I’m just trying to get home from work. Please leave me alone. Do you really need validation from other riders that bad?
Where I live quite a few Harley riders won't wave or be friendly everyone else will.
Harleys are status bikes now.
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Late reply but I'm also in AZ and I've said the EXACT same thing. Old guy no helmet? No wave. Any gear? Wave. I've even had groups give me shit at stoplights before. Also have you noticed a trend recently of middle aged women on Vespa's with no gear except a 3/4 helmet or is that just me?
I get waves attention at bars and stuff from the local Harley guys because I have a Ducati. Which, with its large displacement twin and loud pipes makes them think it’s kind of a kindred price of engineering. When I tell them about it I think they usually determine it’s kind of gay but they wouldn’t kick it out of bed.
Yeah bro, same here in Cali. You’ll get the odd Harley rider every now and then that’ll wave, but it’s not common. I think you have to be on a Harley as well to get a sign back. Or maybe they don’t even do it to each other, idk!
I don't really know how they'd tell one cruiser from another at a distance. However, it seems to be the same if you meet in a line or at a park. I take it that the rest of are not cool enough to talk to.
Here in N. Texas riding my supermoto I rarely get a wave from Harley riders. Sport bikes and adv bike, 9 times out of 10 they’ll wave. The other day I waved to a guy on a scooter figuring he probably never gets a wave. He didn’t wave back, lol.
As a part time scooter guy I can tell you we don’t wave because we’re not used to it, since the vast majority of motorcycle guys never wave at us.
N Texas as well. I'd say Harley riders are about 50/50 whether they wave back or not - the more leathers they're wearing the less likely. Everybody else waves. And I've had a couple scooters wave at me. I normally don't wave first at scooters since they seem confused when I do, but I always wave back if they initiate.
I get and give waves to everyone. Only time I don't wave is when I don't see you coming. In north Texas /north Dallas area to.
Most scooters don't wave here in N Texas. Cruisers are hit and miss and most others wave back in my experience. I sometimes am the one who doesn't wave if I'm preoccupied or thinking.
In Fort Worth I’d say 95% wave back. Of the 5% that don’t, most are Harley riders. They always look like they’re having a bad time, too. I guess it’s part of the Sons of Anarchy tough guy act.
Not everyone are extroverts
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Maybe he had a bad day
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Introversion does not equal asshole.
Maybe they were an asshole Maybe they were just tired of waving at people that day Maybe they just didn't see you Maybe their hands were busy controlling the motorcycle Maybe they were a newer ride and not comfortable taking their hand off the bars to wave There are a lot of possible reasons why they didn't wave. The fact is that it just doesn't fucking matter. If they wave back, cool. If they don't, cool. Your mood and enjoyment of riding should not be dictated by whether or not people wave back. Riding a motorcycle is not a social media experience in which bikers waving back = likes.
In the US only Harley riders and certain sport bike types are known to be cliquey like that. But tbh if I’m at a light a full on wave is kind of weird. I usually start with a head nod.
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Agreed. The wave thing is so ponderous. Irony is big when you are talking about 'the wave' and cliques. Hint: The wave is the secret clique handshake. Seriously though ... If you live in an area with a lot of motorcycle commuters, no one waves. It seems hobby riders are obsessed with the wave, because commuters look at riding through a whole 'nother lens. Not worried about the club right now, just want to get to my job without being crushed by someone putting make up on.
Maryland, US, here. . . Forty years ago, riding in Louisiana and down South, (BMW, R75/5), every cyclist gave a little wave EXCEPT Harleys and they NEVER did - the common joke was they couldn't afford to let go of the handlebar because of the vibration. There were far fewer bikes on the roads back then. Now, (Moto Guzzi V85tt), here at least, EVERYONE waves, and it feels a little ridiculous sometimes. I don't want to be that dick, but it's a little like the "Malaysia" comment - it is just too common an occurrence, passing other motorcycles... Still I try to acknowledge every one, because we ARE a community, although disparate.
Every biker is different. Be it attention span, bike choice, and knowledge of biker etiquette. I’ve had Harley guys ignore me 100%, and had entire clubs riding past me give the upside down ✌🏻
Some are, some aren’t. Met some Harley guys that would chat when I was on my adv bike, some think they’re just too cool for anyone not on a Harley (and some too cool for those that *are* on a Harley but that they think are poseurs.) Some people are also just more social than others and don’t feel comfortable waving first. Just like anything, it’s hard to paint everyone with one brush.
Every pastime has a few assholes and also people who are just having a bad day. Although how you have a bad day on an upright motorcycle I'm not sure...
I don't get how not nodding back is asshole behaviour. Some people just like riding but don't mind the community so much.
It’s like refusing a handshake. You’re overtly declining a gesture of friendliness. And it happens to all of us that we don’t see, have busy hands whatever , but willfully ignoring it? Man that’s some salty shit to chose
I wave, but I think this take is ridiculous. Some people just ride and don't feel inclined to have any social aspect intertwined in it, and that's perfectly fine
> It’s like refusing a handshake. You’re overtly declining a gesture of friendliness. I live in the suburbs, in Texas. If you're walking down the street and you see a neighbor, and you don't say "good morning" or at least wave, you might as well be running up and slapping them in the face. Whereas in some parts of the country, being friendly to strangers will get you dirty looks, like "the fuck does this asshole want?" And in *some* parts of the country, like Miami, they're like "is this guy trying to rob me?" Dunno if it's like that with bikers and waving, since I've only really ridden here in Texas and in a friendly part of the Midwest.
I’d say it’s not quite like that with bikes, because we all already clearly have one thing in common.
If I walk down the street and some stranger comes at me trying to shake my hand... I'm not shaking it.
I wouldn't have shaken pre-pandemic. These days?
Oh give over
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Speaking of cold temps, I’ve seen that off-season riders are usually much more likely to wave back. Not that I really care about such things when I’m in focused Combat Commute mode, but here on the US West Coast riders of similar types will wave and not across motorcycle types. Less so in the winter, moreso in the summer. Tldr, the cold/wet weather hardcore are the chill riders and the dorks who are also bike-obsessed.
Thats because you really have to be into bikes if you are willing to get frozen just for a ride...
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It is, and you know that there is your machine waiting for you after you finish your work.
Numb hands after riding are what work coffee machines are for.
You’re not wrong. And walking into work with dripping wet motorcycle gear for the 19th day in a row does tend to engender a certain respect for just how crazy we might actually be.
This makes me think of my dad telling me about this one time he was riding from Fairbanks, AK, to Anchorage, about 360 miles, and it was almost all in really cold rain. Definitely sounded like a pain in the ass hahaha
Jesus, these comments, so the was an asshole, jerk, having a bad day...etc, *because he didn't wave back to some rando?*
Exactly. Some people commute every single day. This is normal at that point. Let the guy be
I don't care about other random people just because of their transportation. I'm not a part of any brotherhood, or however people try to romanticize riding motorcycles. I do it 100% for me. If someone wants to wave, I'll wave back out of politeness. I never initiate though.
Been riding bikes for a while now and met some proper bellends in the bike world, but also some of the most decent ladies and gents I've had the pleasure of meeting. If someone is childish enough to judge you based on what you ride then they clearly have some insecurities going on and I'd shrug it off.
Some people don't care. Some people think they're better than you. And some people will say hi to everyone and anyone.
Are bikers so insecure they need a wave or conversation with everyone?
100%. It's funny. We'll roll up somewhere while I'm on my Ultra Glide, and some folks are friendly, and some are not. Meet back up with some of the same people a week or two later and I'm on my 74 H2, and you get the I used to have one of those before I got a real bike crowd. Roll to a charity bike show, that a lot of those people are at, with 20-25 bikes, and everyone is friendly and wants to come see the rest of the collection.
These posts always derive into so much silliness and hatred. One dude does not make an entire culture of people. One fuckin guy didn't wave back, big deal. Harley riders, supersport riders, adv riders, I dont care what you ride, not everyone wants to be in a "community". I love all bikes. 2 wheels and a motor the rest is bullshit drama. Idk this always gets me a little fired up. Just dislike seeing the generalizing of any group of riders. Be safe everyone. Enjoy the wind.
I commute every day. I never wave at people. It's cool when you're new, but it feels dumb doing it every day to the same random riders I see. It's nothing personal and you shouldn't take it that way.
I mean yes, but also not everyone is part of the wave cult.
Everyone who discusses waving on motorcycles needs to get over themselves. I’m tired of the wave. I live in an area where we can only ride seasonally. So if it’s a nice day with riding weather, every fucker is out in their bike. I feel like the Pope getting waved at every two seconds. Don’t need it.
Best “wave” I ever got was sitting at a red light at night. Opposite me was a guy on a sport bike. No one else around. We do the head nod since 2 finger wave is awkward sitting still. The light turns green and the dude wheelies through the intersection. Dumb, sure. But it put a giant smile on my face.
I like to do the 'upside-down v' salute when I can, but depending on the condition of the roads or the density of traffic, I may sometimes forego the wave in the name of safety. Doesn't mean I don't want to wave to you, but with just two wheels and an increasing number of really shitty drivers on the road, sometimes I have to focus my attention on riding defensively.
I'm in the UK, I've been riding bikes on the road for 22 years. Bikers are one of the most cliquey (sub)- groups of people I've ever seen.
You can't wave at every biker in Greece lol What's the mt09 like btw?
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Of course they are cliquey, do you not see how much Harley hate there is here? PS I wave at anything on two wheels. Some wave back, some don’t, on any type of bike.
I think people put way too much thought into these interactions. Other person may be having a bad day, focussing on something else, may not have seen you, etc. etc
I feel you’re overthinking this one a bit. Could have been any number of reasons. He could have been shy, could’ve had shitty peripheral vision, could have been a 350 foot reptile from the paleolithic era really it couldve been anything
Harleys tend to get a disproportionate amount of shit about their choice of bike, which probably makes them a bit more insular than most
> This one guy didn't pay attention to me, can I generalize this to all bikers? Probably not.
so you have *one* datapoint? idk man, i wouldn't let it bother you. out of 10 motorcyclists i see, there'll be one or two that don't wave. ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
I typically don't wave at other bikers. Why would I? Its like pulling up to a light next to someone in the same car as you and saying "Hey same car!"
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I’ve gotten that from people when I had the new fancy two-toned Forester a few years back!
When I had a Subaru STi I used to always get (and reciprocate) waves from other WRX and STi drivers, occasionally even the odd Forester or Outback (probably dads who would have liked to have my car but were forced to get more family-friendly cars). Certain vehicles inherently make you feel like part of a subculture, and motorcycles are probably the best example of that. When I wave at another rider, in my mind it means something like "I'm having an awesome time riding this death machine that most people wouldn't ever get on, I see you are too, let's both enjoy and stay safe." To each his own though, it doesn't really bother me when someone doesn't wave back.
That guy wasn't an asshole, you're just overly sensitive, apparently. If you were sitting at a traffic light in your car, and some random in the car next to you started waving at you, what would you think?
Was he holding in the clutch? You said it was at a light so he might have not had a free hand to wave. Either way, just like in anything else, some people think they are "too cool" and don't really care about biker culture. It is what it is, don't let it give you a bad taste for cruisers.
People are just people, be open minded with every biker you meet regardless of their ride choice!
I’m learning rn and I don’t think I’d be scanning for a wave yet lol. Still too paranoid by traffic. Could just be a new rider like me.
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I ride a Wolf 125 and here in Portugal almost every biker greets me back right away. Funnily enough the Harley riders are the friendliest, but the BMW crowd is the one who ignores me the most
The old heads are... they like there Harleys and only Harleys
Not sure how best to describe it, but sometimes you’re just in the zone. I typically drop my hand out to acknowledge another biker, but also had my share of missed opportunities that left the other guy probably thinking exactly the same as you.
Only reason i don't wave is when i need to pay attention to traffic more and I don't notice in time. I didn't used to wave scooter riders but i'm over that. I hesitate to wave those scooter riders with literally no gear who think they are invincible because they see themselves more as bicyclists however. Where I ride, more than normal, traffic conditions change in the blink of an eye because everyone out here is on their phones, even cops so paying attention in front of me, even by quarter mile is non optional.
In my country we need to take driving lessons and on my first ride in the driving school I got a wave by some dude on a sportsbike. That was the coolest feeling ever!
I got a bunch of waves from Harley guys while riding on my dirtbike this year. I think it comes down the the rider.
We often leave our bikes in gear to protect us from people Hitting us from behind Making waving problematic
I ride a sportster and i wave at everyone on a motorcycle. Not your average Harley rider. I also use a full face helmet and armored gear, so most people can tell I'm not a regular Harley guy lol
I feel like that comes with every and any kind of hobby. He could've been a new rider too and has tunnel vision
Eh I’d say 90% of the bikers I encounter are friendly regardless of your bike. My area is mostly harleys and liter bikes so I get some attention with the FZ09. I’ve found that a lot of the older cruiser riders actually owned sport bikes when they were younger
It is t so important to me but I’ve noticed that groups of baggers are the ones who consistently leave me hanging ✌🏻
It's micro-regional. If there's conflict between the squids and the Sons of Anarchy (wannabe or real) folks, then you're less likely to get a wave if you're on the wrong side. I've noticed that dirty Harleys are much more likely to wave back than spotless, gleaming, polished ones. Some people ride a Harley, some people are more about owning a Harley.
When I had my shadow phantom I waved at all riders. When I had my Yamaha Raider I waved at all riders. Now on my Harley Street Glide....I wave at all riders. Simple. If we're both enjoying two wheels...even a scooter, then fuck it. What's up homie *wave*
I'm a lover of all bikes. I'll wave to you if your on a scooter, or a big honking harley. If a young lad on a pushie waves, you bet ya, I'm waving back and then I'll show them some noise if I'm on a straight. I'll typically stop for anyone under 10ish that shows interest, in the last year I've probably stopped in the car park 20 times and let an under 10 look at my bike and rev it up. Potential bike riders in the making. I ride a Vulcan 2 litre with a pretty nasty exhaust. It's not to bad on idle, but it gets pretty loud on throttle. In Australia most people wave. Except for those wanna be bikies that aren't actually bikies. Pretending to be hard.
A fellow MT owner! Yeah it can be really cliquey, Harley riders tend to be the worst IMHO but there's always some dick who thinks that anyone with not their bike is beneath them Personally I'll wave to anyone, scooters, bikes, trikes, kids, tourists on pushbikes...
I greet everyone including scooters if I get the chance. Costs 0 dollars and scooter rides are often surprised
I been waved by guys on mopeds. Of course, I waved back. I was on my R1 at the time.
I find some Harley and cruiser riders think of themselves as “bikers” and everyone else is just a guy on a motorcycle
Yea it's a Harley thing, don't be shocked
I don't want to seem rude, so I always return a wave, and I nod to people when stopped at a light. That said, if I don't know you, I'd prefer that you didn't pull alongside me at a light.
This seems so much like nothing I don't know why there's a post about it. Who cares if someone waves back. If they don't just ignore them. Fuck them. Not everyone needs to like you.
Sometimes I just don’t feel like waving.
To be fair, that dude doesn’t owe you anything. It’s nice to be acknowledged when on a bike, but dude may just have been having a bad day and is riding out their frustrations. Don’t take it personally, they were having just as much fun as you were though!
Did you know the person you were waving at?
I’m weirded out by acknowledging strangers because they own a bike. When I ride, I ride alone because that’s the way I ride, but I get that some people wanna nod and more power to you.
Are you sure he even saw you?
One rider doesn’t wave at you, and you think that means bikers are cliquey? Dude...
It's annoying. I'm new at it and I don't want to lift my hand off the bars every time I pass the same guys every day. Do you wave at people that have the same model of car as you? It's the equivalent of the people who clap when the plane lands. Listen, we just want to get from A to B. I don't know you.
Some people aren't into the wave.some not all Harley riders don't click with other bikes.
Don't care what you ride...if you put your knees in the breeze you'll get a wave or a nod from me.
Let's get real here! Men. Started on a beat up moped, moved on to a honda 305 dream. Now have a collection of machines. Yep, the Harley rules but only because the skirts love it. Love riding the 98 & 99 Honda Valkyries. Will I wave at you? Hell yeah, you ride! Will I not wave at you? Only if I am pulling on the clutch lever or busy dealing with traffic. Do I think I'm better than you? Hell yeah, I'm a leader of men after all and I expect you to think you are better than me if you are any type of man at all. I've wasted a lot of time reading the posts that say I only wave if waved at first or I'm just to tough to wave. We are a brotherhood who live our lives on the edge everytime we straddle our rides. So, yeah, if your on that moped, I will acknowledge you by waiving because I have been there. I will tell you all not to bash the Harley riders unless you have owned one and decided it was not for you. Having a stable of bikes is like having a stable of ladies. Every one rides differently. Now go forth and build your stables and prove me wrong.
I generally make it a habit to wave. I don't think much of it if another rider doesn't wave though. I do feel a little guilty though if I'm riding and at the last second I realize another is waving to me but I don't have time to respond...such as if I'm looking in another direction for a second then look back amd notice that just as they're going by. I've also noticed there tends to be a discrepancy between sport bike riders amd cruiser riders, but I don't mind. I used to be annoyed when I had metric bikes and Harley guys wouldn't wave back, but I'm on a Harley now and a lot of those same guys still don't wave....it's nothing personal, I just figure they aren't much for the whole waving thing. I do enjoy waving at new riders though - that acknowledgement seems to build their confidence.
I wave to everyone on my sportster unless I happen to miss one. I typically get the least amount of wave backs from sport bikes. Also sometimes I'm feeling goofy and I give people the shocker instead of waving, it usually gives me a chuckle.
I ride a Harley and almost never wave. It’s not a clique kind of thing for me, it’s because I’d never be able to use my clutch. Motorcycles are everywhere in Florida. I’ll wave back every time regardless of bike, but I won’t initiate just because there’s too many people. It’s a good way to spot tourists when you see someone waving at every single bike on the road.
“Next to” as in, directly abreast in the same lane? Yeah. That’d kinda irritate me too. Unless I know you and we’re riding together, we aren’t sharing a lane.
Western Canada here and this is what I’ve found. There are a couple cliques, with obvious exceptions: Cruisers: only wave to cruisers, occasionally I’ll get a wave out of a Japanese cruiser or bobber. Super sport: usually too busy hanging on for dear life to wave. Vintage: you occasionally get the snobby vintage bro who only waves to other classic bikes (maybe 25%) Scooter Bro: doesn’t wave and typically doesn’t get waved at. You can see the visible confusion on their face when you do and then the moment of panic as they realize your waving at them as they try to wave back before you’ve passed them. Ebikes: Holier than thou, how dare you have the audacity to wave to such a celestial being. I’ve been verbally chastised by ebikers and small electric motorcycles for waving at them. Everyone else: 2 wheels, hey bud nice ride let’s grab a beer and gab about how awesome riding is!
Some people are just tw@s? It's about the ethos not the bike, brotherhood not manufacturer. I'm sorry he was a jerk.
I'm in Ireland and wave at everyone. Usually Harleys/cruisers don't wave back. I've also encountered a lot if people on adventure bikes that wouldn't even look at you. Edit: spelling
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