The wave

[officerbill]

Waving is something I do to every bike I see as I travel. Some riders wave back, that is nice. Some don’t, oh well.
Today while going home I met a few bikers. I frequently ride with my left on my knee in a relaxed fashion. I see two wheels and headlight coming, I wave.
The first bike was a rocket; the rider gave the “I’m too cool for you” sideways peace sign.
The second rider was on a red and chromie thing most likely a HD. He extended his fingers on his left hand without letting go of the grip.
The next bikes I met were a pack of different bikes and riders. Some had the little “I’m cool” wave but most took their left hand and waved back and forth like trads with jelly in their pockets (borrowed without permission from someone on this forum). Some waggled their feet and I think someone stood up on his pegs and waved with both hands. I laughed all the way home. Thought y’all would like this story too.
Bill

[GSX550]

I started riding in Toowoomba, a fairly large country town (about 100,000 people) but with a small town feel i guess. When riding every bike you pass would nod as a show of respect, hello, whatever. It was nice. It was like we were all looking out for each other no matter what we rode. Except scooter riders, they never nodded back. Too cool I guess.

Now that I am in Brisbane, a big(ish) city, not one person has nodded back. I'm kind of disappointed about that. It was one of the good things you could say about bike riders, that we were all one team.

Has anyone else found it like this?

[mriddle]

My experience is probably 5 of 6 return the wave. I wouldn't read too much into 'how' they wave. I suspect we all have our own little mannerisms. If I am meeting a bike close on a narrow road, I wave right above the left grip. Across several lanes or far away I usually extend my left arm straight out to better be seen.

[seuadr]

i guess i fall into the "i'm too cool" group.. that is how i wave. it's how most guys around here wave, so i just started doing it to. guess we are all too cool

[Baatfam]

i guess i fall into the "i'm too cool" group.. that is how i wave. it's how most guys around here wave, so i just started doing it to. guess we are all too cool

Me also...and very common in my parts...

I kinda always thought the peace sign was just, ah, the peace sign....
(Didn't know I was too cool)

[bonanzadave]

I kinda always thought the peace sign was just, ah, the peace sign....
(Didn't know I was too cool)

I took the peace sign as "two"...as in two wheels.

[Steve]

Around here, most will wave with the left hand extended to the side or down.

Supposedly started by opposing gang members showing an empty hand in a non-threatening position.

.

[MAdams450]

Around here we have a lot of Harley riders, so that's pretty much all I see, with the small mix of standards and sport bikes. From what I've noticed, about 3 out of 5 will wave back. They're the one's who ride because they like too, not for looks.

The sport bike guys seem like it's about the same ratio, and almost all standards wave.

About waving different ways, it all depends on the road and conditions. If its a fairly smooth relaxed road, I'll wave with my arm out straight slightly below my bars. (I have bar end mirrors)

On twisties it'll usually just be raising my fingers up or a quick wave just above the grip.

I've done the "peace/cool" sign and just an open palm. Its kinda random for me I guess.

[apogeecustom]

I couldn't imagine actually giving a full wave. I thought that was reserved for boaters

At first I thought it was kind of annoying that every biker gave me a wave and I felt obliged to wave back, but now I do it and it doesn't bother me at all. I do the too cool for school peace sign too. One day I'll start doing a hard point from 11 o'clock and follow on until 9 o'clock. That ought to get a chuckle or two.

[tkent02]

Can we please combine this wave thread with the other torture thread?
We don't need two separate ones.

[makenzie71]

To me waving is waving. I wave to all bikers, cops, firemen, soldiers, veterans, children, and anyone who waves at me...I usually even wave at bicyclists because I feel they're braver than I to be riding where I ride.

Something for the OP to keep in mind about that "I'm too cool for you sideways peace sign"...it's not about being too cool for you. It's possible no one taught the guy what it means, but it should be received the same. The peace sign from biker to biker has nothing to do with its origins. Two fingers for two wheels...and it means to keep them down and stay safe.

[makenzie71]

Supposedly started by opposing gang members showing an empty hand in a non-threatening position.

Parley goes far further back.

[officerbill]

I had not meant to make accusations with the “too cool” phrase. I should have said something to order of nonchalant or casual. The part of the story that hasn’t seemed to catch much attention is the biker group and their energetic waving style.
When I meet other bikers I like to say Hi, so I wave. That’s all this is about, welcoming other folks as we pass. I must admit if the road conditions warrant I don’t wave but I still nod or something.
I’ve wondered how to say hi to a biker after dark. What’s the approved way to "wave" in the dark?

[apogeecustom]

I had not meant to make accusations with the “too cool” phrase. I should have said something to order of nonchalant or casual. The part of the story that hasn’t seemed to catch much attention is the biker group and their energetic waving style.
When I meet other bikers I like to say Hi, so I wave. That’s all this is about, welcoming other folks as we pass. I must admit if the road conditions warrant I don’t wave but I still nod or something.
I’ve wondered how to say hi to a biker after dark. What’s the approved way to wave in the dark?

$hIt, the only thing I'm waving at after dark is my headlight path.

[earlfor]

Two fingers for two wheels...and it means to keep them down and stay safe.

I always thought they were just giving me one finger twice.

Earl