To wave or not to wave, to help or not to help
Duc Hawk
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 691
From: Malibu's canyons
I saw a new one yesterday. No fingers at all. A Harley rider shot me his left fist under the bar with a "it's cool" look on his face. Like a fist bump I guess.
BTW: I get waves from all types of bikes out here on the west coast. Some meatheads on Harleys and techno freak sport bikers don't, but most do.
BTW: I get waves from all types of bikes out here on the west coast. Some meatheads on Harleys and techno freak sport bikers don't, but most do.
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 34
From: Central Jersey
Some people are wavers and some arent, its a gamble really... The harley dudes that think theyre hells angels reclining back on theyre fat pig of a motorcycle with ape hanger handlebars thinking they look so cool with the brain bucket helmet and a mouth full of road debris can kiss my ***. They might get a gay wave while Im sitting on my gas tank. Otherwise, I wave to everyone...especially pretty young ladies 
Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 94
From: Morrison, CO
Hey all! First time poster and proud owner of a Hawk!
I tend to do a 2 finger downward wave to anyone on a bike that I pass. Headnod if I'm in a corner or something and can't really let the hand off the bar. I have noticed that I don't usually get waves back from cruisers unless I'm up in the mountains. And I don't wave at scooters but then again most of my riding is either mountain twisties or highway to/from work. They don't wave either.
And I'm a diehard. Rain, wind, sleet, occasional tornado, whatever. And stopping to help is just 2nd nature, I stop alot! I guess it's because I own a 4x4 with tools/towrope and live in Colorado. If you have the means to help out, you just do. It's what people do around here. Hell, I once met a previous girlfriend by towing her out of a ditch! I have the utmost respect for the guy on a Beamer that stopped after I dropped my hawk on a hairpin in the mountains. He sat on the side of the road as I bent brake levers back so I could baby it home, then followed me back to my place (5 miles). Really helpful guy. Hell the cager that almost hit me didn't even stop.
So keep waving, and definetly stop to help a bretheren. Ride on =)
I tend to do a 2 finger downward wave to anyone on a bike that I pass. Headnod if I'm in a corner or something and can't really let the hand off the bar. I have noticed that I don't usually get waves back from cruisers unless I'm up in the mountains. And I don't wave at scooters but then again most of my riding is either mountain twisties or highway to/from work. They don't wave either.
And I'm a diehard. Rain, wind, sleet, occasional tornado, whatever. And stopping to help is just 2nd nature, I stop alot! I guess it's because I own a 4x4 with tools/towrope and live in Colorado. If you have the means to help out, you just do. It's what people do around here. Hell, I once met a previous girlfriend by towing her out of a ditch! I have the utmost respect for the guy on a Beamer that stopped after I dropped my hawk on a hairpin in the mountains. He sat on the side of the road as I bent brake levers back so I could baby it home, then followed me back to my place (5 miles). Really helpful guy. Hell the cager that almost hit me didn't even stop.
So keep waving, and definetly stop to help a bretheren. Ride on =)
Thread Starter
AZ RIDER
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 294
From: Arizona
Now im pissed..........
IVE BEEN WAVING.... EVER SINCE I WROTE THIS POST IVE BEEN WAAAVING AWAY AND NOT ONE DAMN HARLEY GUY HAS WAVED back, F%($ERS.. This has been a test of the emergency wave system and harleys guys have failed..im done waving at anyone without a helmet and a flame, skull, or bones bandana... if i do happen to wave in a harley's direction it will be a gesture to get the f*$k out of the way from now on...
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
IVE BEEN WAVING.... EVER SINCE I WROTE THIS POST IVE BEEN WAAAVING AWAY AND NOT ONE DAMN HARLEY GUY HAS WAVED back, F%($ERS.. This has been a test of the emergency wave system and harleys guys have failed..im done waving at anyone without a helmet and a flame, skull, or bones bandana... if i do happen to wave in a harley's direction it will be a gesture to get the f*$k out of the way from now on...
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Last edited by lynchie; Aug 26, 2008 at 07:53 PM.
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 34
From: Central Jersey
The past few days I stopped waving to the harley dudes and they never even look in my direction...little do they know that the heart of my beast is from the same family as thier fat pigs. I dont take it personally...cruisers are for losers...hahaha. Bottom line is most people in general just plain suck.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 229
From: Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
I've been waving at every 2-wheeler on the open road since I first started riding on the street 40 years ago. (Around town, not: too hard, too many other bikes, no shared adventure, just damn danger.)
It's a funny thing that all those years ago, the BMW people would not wave back; then when I got a BM, the Brit bike people would not. Much of the time, Harley people just never have.
There might be some status aspect about it: when I am crawling along on the '61 Honda 50 stepthru, bugger-all wave back; only slightly more when on the fabulous Silver Bullet Royal Enfield.
I don't think the Harley people are so far up themselves, it's just a general ignorance thing with many of them.
I would say that about 3/4 of riders here do wave back. And it's such a great custom.
Of course, sometimes I wave at mates when I pass them on the racetrack, as a non-audible blowing of the raspberry. This can be perilous - I justabout had my left arm torn off when I waved at one of the guys as I blasted past him at 175mph on the TZ750. Won't do that one again.
It does wind the race guys up if you wave as you pass them on a corner, though. Not nearly as much as I got wound up by one of the real champions when he passed me on a fast sweeper when I was just starting out. He took his hand off the bar, reached over, and squeezed my thigh before vanishing into the distance.
[Edit] As for helping: yes, I always stop to offer when it looks as if a rider needs it, in town or out of town. No question.
It's a funny thing that all those years ago, the BMW people would not wave back; then when I got a BM, the Brit bike people would not. Much of the time, Harley people just never have.
There might be some status aspect about it: when I am crawling along on the '61 Honda 50 stepthru, bugger-all wave back; only slightly more when on the fabulous Silver Bullet Royal Enfield.
I don't think the Harley people are so far up themselves, it's just a general ignorance thing with many of them.
I would say that about 3/4 of riders here do wave back. And it's such a great custom.
Of course, sometimes I wave at mates when I pass them on the racetrack, as a non-audible blowing of the raspberry. This can be perilous - I justabout had my left arm torn off when I waved at one of the guys as I blasted past him at 175mph on the TZ750. Won't do that one again.
It does wind the race guys up if you wave as you pass them on a corner, though. Not nearly as much as I got wound up by one of the real champions when he passed me on a fast sweeper when I was just starting out. He took his hand off the bar, reached over, and squeezed my thigh before vanishing into the distance.
[Edit] As for helping: yes, I always stop to offer when it looks as if a rider needs it, in town or out of town. No question.
Last edited by PJay; Aug 26, 2008 at 05:46 PM.
Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 65
From: The valley of the sun stroke
I don't give H-D riders too hard of a time... One time the first dood on the scene of my first really bad accident was a dude on a harley. He picked me up brushed me off and helped jerry rig my bike to get me home. But I don't wave at them unless they wave first. I wave at sporbikes and imports regularly. But If you are a squid doin stupid sh*t you'll probly get flipped the f off! And If I catch you ridin in flip flops, wife beater,shorts and no helmet you definatley get the BIRD.
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 22
I use to wave at all riders (except of course the scooter boys) cuz I thought were all like in the cool brotherhood together ya know. Now I don’t wave at no body because no body ever waves at me anymore. I don’t want to stereo type or nothing, but the fat belly Harley posers in their studded leathers and pirate costumes never ever waved back. Those Gold Wing riders were probably too busy messing with their sound systems and seat warmers I guess. And I never did wave to those arrogent BMW owners in their fancy schmancy Aerostich suits. Most of the other squids and sports rider in this area know me. Some of them start to wave until they see its me then just flip me off. Pisses me off. So I don’t wave to no body anymore.
guru of things sparky
SuperSport
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 599
From: Grand Prairie , Texas
I ride around waving constantly.
The only time I put my left hand down is when I have to use the clutch.
Plus I never look at other motorcycles, that way my feelings are never hurt, and i can
go about my waving happily.
The only time I put my left hand down is when I have to use the clutch.
Plus I never look at other motorcycles, that way my feelings are never hurt, and i can
go about my waving happily.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
You could put one of these on your bike and have it wave to everyone for you:
http://www.tonsoftools.com/product_i...oducts_id=5177
http://www.tonsoftools.com/product_i...oducts_id=5177
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 224
From: Hills of Kentucky
Since I've been riding on the street, I try to wave at everyone and feel bad that I'm not quick enough to return 'em if I'm two hands on for safety. Around where I live there are a lot of "old bikers" and the majority of them will wave. I mean these guys live on their bikes and you can tell when you look at 'em. It's always the "weekend warriors/posers" who don't wave and most of the time you can make 'em as soon as ya see 'em. The youngster in the video was very entertaining, but I don't think I'd be taking both hands off for as long as he was to get his "signature" wave complete. If someone waved at me that way, I would probably be wondering what was up and what their problem was. 
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 61
From: nebraska
sieg hiel
Am i nuts, the harley wave is like an down facing **** sieg hiel, which i think means victory. That wave is dorky and sometimes i do a queen Elisebeth wimpy hand wave back. Wave to all sport bike riders and they all wave back. Times have changed when i was a young man in the 70's, nice guys rode Honda CB's and the harley guys were rogues. Nowdays anybody on a so called crotch rocket are the hooligans. Which makes me an old friggin hooligan i guess! LOL
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 210
Some of you need to change your views of skooters some. LOTS of long time riders (of real motorcycles) now own and ride a skooter (as well as real motorcycles). They just plain make sense in city traffic, can be lots of fun, and take the same skills to be safe. They also can get close to 100mpg...................
They aren't ALL drunk drivers that have their licenses taken away. Or kids that don't know the rules of the road.
Sport riders being snobbish about skooters is NO different than Hardly Riders being snobbish to sport riders.
Feeling "superior" or that some other human being is less "worthy" is not an attractive or healthy mentality.
On the waving, i wave back but only initiate to other helmeted riders. They always wave back, too many others don't, and that creates a negative energy with me that I don't like to feel. Not worthy of a finger, but the feeling is 1/2 way there. Why subject myself to that?
They aren't ALL drunk drivers that have their licenses taken away. Or kids that don't know the rules of the road.
Sport riders being snobbish about skooters is NO different than Hardly Riders being snobbish to sport riders.
Feeling "superior" or that some other human being is less "worthy" is not an attractive or healthy mentality.
On the waving, i wave back but only initiate to other helmeted riders. They always wave back, too many others don't, and that creates a negative energy with me that I don't like to feel. Not worthy of a finger, but the feeling is 1/2 way there. Why subject myself to that?
Last edited by MLB; May 16, 2009 at 08:19 AM.
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
I wave to all... Hardleys, metric cruizers, Beemers, Goldwings and scooters... The ride is unimportant
The one's I exclude is the scooter riders (usualy young male) that have the helmet on their ears (or hanging from the bars...), a smoke dangling and a cellphone glued to their head... Those I either try to avoid or keep both hands on the bars to aviod their next bonehead move... And like MLB I also exlude the bikers without a lid on...
The one's I exclude is the scooter riders (usualy young male) that have the helmet on their ears (or hanging from the bars...), a smoke dangling and a cellphone glued to their head... Those I either try to avoid or keep both hands on the bars to aviod their next bonehead move... And like MLB I also exlude the bikers without a lid on...
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 219
this whole thing is stupid. We are all motorcyclists. I wave to everybody except scooters. the reason i do not wave to them is because most are 50cc's and do not require an endorsement. this leads to the rider being more inexperienced than most and they should keep their hands on the bars at all times. I ride a scoot as well but i would rather have a fellow scooterer get miffed that i did not wave than have him return a wave and get a mouth full of tarmac. I have had this debate with people before. Some harley guys feel just the way the guy the OP works with, and that is fine, F'em. Some sportbike guys are the same way. Some people are just ignorant. It is the broad sweeping generalizations that kill me. The majority of crusier guys i see wave back. I actually hang out at a local "harley hangout" and every now and again you get a stare or two like "what are you doing here" but after 10min i am asking questions about there bikes and they are asking questions about mine. You want in on the big secret? Alot of the guys on harleys have owned, or may still currently own, a sport bike. a lot of guys just get older and want those bikes. You can't form a hate for a whole group of people base on the actions of a few. I would say that this applies to harley riders the same as race (black, white, asian, etc). just wave, if they don't then screw them, but if a guy went down in front of me (parking lot or not) i would help. to do nothing makes you seem like a dick and further advances the stereotype they have against us.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 219
as for the helmet thing, it is illegal in my state to ride without one but i can see where you would not want to wave. Up here the pet peev is gearless squids. T-shirt, Flip-Flops, no gloves or jacket, shorty helmet. These people usually do not get a wave and if they show up to a ride I am leading they go home.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
So where do you draw the line?
I'll wave to anyone if they wave at me, sometimes it's pedestrians or kids. But the whole point of initiating a wave is that you can relate to the other person's interests and risk. That doesn't include uncle pete going to the comic book store on his 50cc tripod.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 395
From: Columbus, OH
I always wave. Most harley guys dont wave back. They get the expletives through my helmet. When able its always the two wheels down wave. When not its the helmet nod. I waved at a scooter by accident a while back(damn thing looked like a ninja!) and the absolute joyous look on his face that a guy on a big bike waved was so funny that i always wave at the scooters now. Makes me feel good that im part of something and even though they arent quite "part" of what we have,its still two wheels and a motor plus it makes em ever so happy. I agree, SAVE THE WAVE!
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 181
From: San Antonio, Tx.
YEA, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL TRY & GET UNDER YOUR SKIN IF YOU LET IT. I'LL WAVE OR HELP ANY TWO WHEELER IF POSSIBLE, BUT HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT 99% OF HARDLY RIDERS WON'T RETURN. GET OVER IT, THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE. ALSO FOUND OUT THEY DON'T LIKE TO BE PASSED. PASSED SOME 20 BIKES IN A GROUP ONE DAY WHEN THEY WERE PUTTING ALONG @ 55 IN A 70MPH ZONE.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
Yeah, some of the the Honda Scooters almost look like an Interceptor from the front. I wave at everybody and even the cops wave back. I think it's about how you present yourself in traffic. When you're busy a shake of the head is usually rec'd by the other rider. If not, or he didn't catch it - no big. Most of the heavy cruisers and senior Harleys always wave back. This year's Sportster owner will not. Blow! It's a community and and it's good that we stick together because it makes the cagers that much more aware of us. It's all two wheels to me. Mine are just faster than some. Well, it IS a Superhawk - how 'bout most!
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12
From: Nottingham, NH
Dont you just hate it when you wave at a fellow motorcyclist and you dont get a wave back.. Or , feel bad when your hand just didnt make it off the bar?
I always try to do "The Wave" to my fellow motorcyclist...
Well.........i havent been on the street for more than a couple months or so and the other day i was telling this guy at work of how proud i was to be part of such a commeradic "CLAN" if you will.. He rides a harley. ..He proceeded to tell me " WELL DONT BE GIVIN THAT WAVE TO ANY HARLEY DUDES!!" And i said " I sure wont be taking my hand of my grip for your ***!"
Ultimatley i am hating "Harley Riders now", im going to say most of them think they are tough **** bad asses that have thier leather chaps and jackets professionally "weathered" so they look like they ride alot..
One more thing... I was at my local moto shop yesterday getting a new chain put on when some dude with Oakleys, gold chain and daimond studs in his ears pulls up on his big harley, a dresser, or whatever you call the one with speakers, saddle bags, out riggers and chase helicopter..well HE DROPPED IT, right in front of me !!and i did NOT help him!!..He was struggling and sweating trying to get the bike back up, after watching this for what seems to be an eternity while i sipped my Quiznos Mug Rootbear, i motioned too help ,he had muscled his bike up about half way, meanwhile the bike shop guy comes sprinting out of the shop past me to help........i do feel terrible now...this guy is probably a nice dude, not like the ignorant ******* i work with.. but look at what this *** at my work has created. A HARLEY HATER!!!! Should i wave, should i not wave, are we in a class of our own here gentlemen?!?! Should i hate maybe say.... 60 percent of Harley guys and call it good?
I always try to do "The Wave" to my fellow motorcyclist...
Well.........i havent been on the street for more than a couple months or so and the other day i was telling this guy at work of how proud i was to be part of such a commeradic "CLAN" if you will.. He rides a harley. ..He proceeded to tell me " WELL DONT BE GIVIN THAT WAVE TO ANY HARLEY DUDES!!" And i said " I sure wont be taking my hand of my grip for your ***!"
Ultimatley i am hating "Harley Riders now", im going to say most of them think they are tough **** bad asses that have thier leather chaps and jackets professionally "weathered" so they look like they ride alot..
One more thing... I was at my local moto shop yesterday getting a new chain put on when some dude with Oakleys, gold chain and daimond studs in his ears pulls up on his big harley, a dresser, or whatever you call the one with speakers, saddle bags, out riggers and chase helicopter..well HE DROPPED IT, right in front of me !!and i did NOT help him!!..He was struggling and sweating trying to get the bike back up, after watching this for what seems to be an eternity while i sipped my Quiznos Mug Rootbear, i motioned too help ,he had muscled his bike up about half way, meanwhile the bike shop guy comes sprinting out of the shop past me to help........i do feel terrible now...this guy is probably a nice dude, not like the ignorant ******* i work with.. but look at what this *** at my work has created. A HARLEY HATER!!!! Should i wave, should i not wave, are we in a class of our own here gentlemen?!?! Should i hate maybe say.... 60 percent of Harley guys and call it good?
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12
From: Nottingham, NH
One more thing... I was at my local moto shop yesterday getting a new chain put on when some dude with Oakleys, gold chain and daimond studs in his ears pulls up on his big harley, a dresser, or whatever you call the one with speakers, saddle bags, out riggers and chase helicopter..well HE DROPPED IT, right in front of me !!and i did NOT help him!!..He was struggling and sweating trying to get the bike back up, after watching this for what seems to be an eternity while i sipped my Quiznos Mug Rootbear, i motioned too help ,he had muscled his bike up about half way, meanwhile the bike shop guy comes sprinting out of the shop past me to help........i do feel terrible now...this guy is probably a nice dude, not like the ignorant ******* i work with.. but look at what this *** at my work has created. A HARLEY HATER!!!! Should i wave, should i not wave, are we in a class of our own here gentlemen?!?! Should i hate maybe say.... 60 percent of Harley guys and call it good?
