The Wave

[storm 64]

Here's a fun topic, the wave. When passing another motorcyclists do you wave to them? Only when they wave at you? I never wave? Only to ______ (insert motorcycle brand here) riders? Maybe just a head nod...

I'm usually a waver. But I must say towards the end of the day after waving to 100 riders I get tired of waving.

I have different styles of waves depending on who I'm waving to.

Sport bike guys, I'll point at them (you're the man)

Goldwing riders, I'll give a very enthusiastic wave.

Harley dudes, I'll give a piece sign with a head nod.

BMW people, I don't even bother waving. They never wave back.

When I have my friend on the back, I tell her to wave for me so I don't have to.

So what is your style. Maybe the wave is not a popular thing in your aria?

[kerrfunk]

I love the Wave. I miss it when it's not common riding season. I often feel a little sad when I'm in the car and I see a bike and I remember they don't see me as a biker.

I am indiscriminate about waving.
Most often I drop the left hand and extend index and middle fingers. Maybe a nod.
Sometimes just a finger raised if the clutch is in.

I love the Wave.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

I almost always give a sort of down low 2-finger piece sign to any rider, even scooters and trikes, (Can-Ams included), unless I'm in a turn/braking/clutching, etc. when I notice the other bike, then a head nod if I can manage it. 'Round here almost all riders wave. And for the ones that don't (always the HD guys - not judging- just an observation), I sing a loud, smiling FFFF_UUU into my full-face helmet after I pass.

[JacobB5]

Waving has been invoked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYXy9QSBoFs&ab_channel=Moordeth13

[Grimly]

I rarely wave, but usually nod.
Bikes are few and far between around here, even in the summer, so it doesn't arise much.
Living near a major conurbation, now that was different. Nobody waved or nodded, unless you happened to be well out and away from that area.

[Baatfam]

The low peace sign for all motorcycles. Almost never for three wheeled vehicles.

[dpep]

Depends on the situation which is mostly determined by how rare it is to encounter another motorcycle. If I am out on a desolate stretch of two lane somewhere and see another two wheeler oncoming, always. If I am at Sturgis or Daytona with many more bikes than cars, never. You would have to ride with one hand. If I am in close traffic or the middle of a curve I don't take my hand off the bar to wave. If it makes sense and can be done safely I wave.

More often than not I will give a thumbs up gesture as my acknowledgement instead of an actual wave.

[rphillips]

Always, index finger or fingers up if hands on bars, palm up as to lighten things up & counter the sad slow down palm down thing many others are doing.

[argonsagas]

Depending on riding condition, such as holding clutch or in a turn,, when I do not, I wave at other riders almost always.
I have been doing it for so long that I will occasionally do it when in the car.... .

[Grimly]

It's always nice when you're coming up behind someone in their car and they move over for you. I always give them a wave of appreciation, as I suspect they're probably riders on other days.

[alke46]

In my area there are so many harleys or cruisers that think they are a harley that I just try to avoid waving at them before they wave at me. On the odd occasion that they wave first then I will wave back.

[cowboyup3371]

Usually two fingers but sometimes the entire hand down low and then the nod if I am holding the clutch in. I usually do wave at any bikes I pass only because, in my mind, i'm being polite to them as well but i guess i can see how some would take it wrong. I also will wave at the road construction folks holding the stop sign as I go past - they have a pretty crappy job in my opinion as I couldn't just stand there all day.

[Jedz123]

Flat palm up hi wave if waved at. I don't wave if not waved to. I never wave to people in cages unless I know them, most are fair weather riders that wave at me but I don't wave back. I will give thumbs up to bike I like to see, UJMs that are in good knacker or bike I like and don't see often... Yesterday I gave a guy a thumbs up to a mid 80's GS550ES I saw and he gave me back 2 thumbs up as he was pulled over and was stoked to see another GS550.

Harley guys wave to me on the T120 and GS550E but not so much on the Monkey or Yamaar.

BMW guys seem to wave here, the only time they don't is when they don't have a green plate.

[Gorminrider]

I actually salute drivers when I can tell they WAIT for me before turning out onto the highway ....and also acknowledge the guy behind me that comprehends the principle of "taking turns" when merging.
But I wave at trains and ships too-a Childish thing I will gleefully do until I die. Engineers and seamen almost always wave back perhaps my future is the apocryphal guy standing on the corner waving at the cars going by...not really such a bad way to fade away..

curious-I find it much easier and quicker to raise a hand than lower it...