Comments on View from the Cloud: Secret Motorcycle Hand Greetings: Revealed!

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Hello, I'm one of those boring Wing riders tha...

2012-01-27T18:57:36.325-06:00

Hello, I'm one of those boring Wing riders that pulls a trailer. I will wave at you no matter what you ride. I even wave at dirtbikes, really freaks em out.
I lived in Spokane when the BMWOA had their Nat'L rally there. I was riding home on the freeway at the beginning of the week. I met fifty bikes coming the other way(I counted), I waved at all of them. Not one of them waved back. I don't know what it is about the BMW riders, very few wave. I asked a long time beemer about that and he said he noticed the same thing, but didn't have an answer. I wondered if there was something in the BMWOA membership that told them not to. I have had a few wave and it shocked me.
So if you ever get to the Boise area and see a yellow Wing rider with a red helmet, it'll be me waving at you.

what a great piece! here in the philippines, the...

2012-01-02T01:21:49.239-06:00

what a great piece!

here in the philippines, the riding community is made up of two distinct groups: the big bikes and the little bikes.

those of us on "big" bikes tend to acknowlegde each other with a variety of waves (numbers 1 to 5). i normally get a receiving ratio of about 6 out of 10.

however, we don't really acknowledge the little bikes only because there are so many of them - as in so many, if you were to wave to them all, you'd be riding practically one-handed.

that being said, i'm usually an initiator and like to give the low open hand wave, except of course when i'm shifting or otherwise trying to hang onto the bike for dear life. :)

manila biker

I ride a Triumph Rocket III trike, I wave to anyon...

2011-09-10T17:21:53.946-05:00

I ride a Triumph Rocket III trike, I wave to anyone with handlebars and an engine and I get a good response rate (around 80%). The only people who never wave back in my experience are cops. My preferred wave is three fingers pointed at the road (as I'm on a three-cylinder three-wheeler). If I'm shifting gear or passing another biker I nod. Have loved being part of the biking community since 1972. Ride safe.

I drive a Yamaha Majesty. If you don't know wh...

2011-08-31T11:16:49.169-05:00

I drive a Yamaha Majesty. If you don't know what that is... It's a "scooter" that looks like a sport bike from the front, and a cruiser from the side and rear. It is large, and I mean, large enough to take up as much real estate as a typical HD.
I debadged my bike and re-branded it with custom logos from a UK one-off print shop. So unless you drive a Majesty, you probably have no idea what I am rolling. That having been said. Here is my experience in Kansas. Most HD drivers give either an index or two fingers pointed to the ground as we pass. The funny thing... the grittier the HD driver, the more likely they are to wave. BMW and drivers of other overpriced bikes, NO WAVE. Scooter Drivers... surprisingly, NO WAVE. They look, but they refuse to wave?? Goldwingers and their ilk... 100% wave. Bullet Bikers...some wave some don't.

Oh man, I am definitely going to use the "liv...

2011-08-23T13:12:47.047-05:00

Oh man, I am definitely going to use the "live long and prosper" wave from now on ... ... ...
Dale

oh Lord LMAO, everyone has such a great sense of h...

2011-08-23T13:09:10.900-05:00

oh Lord LMAO, everyone has such a great sense of humor ...
When I was a kid, at 15, riding my '76 Hodaka Road Toad enduro I got waves from all types of bikers ... I was a little confused, at first, until a group of about 20 - fully clad with denim cuts, chains, patches, and colors - all waved (open palm or peace sign) and I hesitantly waved back ... well, all their arms immediately went upward into a #5 but with the peace sign (it was the 70's). Later, I hesitantly approached a big burly bearded biker "gang" member at a gas station (I didn't even need gas) and got the nerve to ask him. "Excuse me sir, ... blah blah blah ... " He laughed loud and long but told me "we've got to look out for each other, we're all brothers on the road" He fired up his straight pipe Panhead and hit the road. I hoped on my 100cc and actually followed him for a couple minutes then he waved from ahead (#5 peace) and turned off ... I've ridden many brands and many miles and always TRY to acknowledge everyone on two (or three) wheels ever since ... including scooters - who seem to be as confused as I was on my little green machine.
thanks for the great laughs!!!

I just ran across this post and, after my laughter...

2011-08-04T12:16:37.182-05:00

I just ran across this post and, after my laughter subsided, I told hubby and it started again (between the post and the comments, it took a while). I just had to share it on my blog (primoworks-on2wheels.blogspot.com). I hope you don't mind. It was just too good to pass up!

And I'm a "wave at any 2 wheels" rider. Just 'cause I can... ;)

Oh, and one of our bikes is a Vulcan. Guess what wave I'm gonna use when I ride that one? :D

I've been riding a Yamaha Majesty 400cc scoote...

2011-08-02T12:35:01.502-05:00

I've been riding a Yamaha Majesty 400cc scooter for 3 months now, and I've experienced all but the "Dis". From the first time another biker gestured at me I've been hooked, but never realized I was more or less doing "the geek". But your Odds of Engagement are definitely true--while I'm happy to be in the 2-wheeler club and wave at anyone, there are definitely some rude bikers out there who don't acknowledge me. Now I know why! Thanks.

Jeff You nailed it. I used to wave to everyone, wh...

2011-07-17T08:33:56.780-05:00

Jeff
You nailed it. I used to wave to everyone, when there were less bikes around, and I was riding a Vulcan 750, probably seeking approval. Now I only wave in rural areas, too many bikes out there. Plus now I have a 100th anniversary Silver/Black Gold Key Package Harley Electraglide Ultra Classic. The most beautiful bike ever made. So I don't need anyone's approval anymore. Ha ha.

Geek wave for the win! If imma say watup yo!! imma...

2011-06-28T02:50:05.443-05:00

Geek wave for the win! If imma say watup yo!! imma go all out. well just depends on how lazy or not lazy i am that day. i do em all. Even sometimes forget my right hand is throttle when somebody on the right of me bout to get on the street. Right hand is like WAZZUP and my bike goes rrrrrrrrr and i'm like oh shiz and such. Always a DOH moment, but good times indeed.

shit I'm #5

2011-06-04T10:48:39.430-05:00

shit I'm #5

Thanks for putting this up. Last night I got a #3 ...

2011-06-01T20:38:20.090-05:00

Thanks for putting this up. Last night I got a #3 from an H-D rider and I knew it meant something but had no idea how to respond. Now at least I know it wasn't an automotive version of "The Shocker".

Maybe I would be more in tune if I actually rode a motorcycle instead of driving a Chevy Pickup. Hopefully he wasn't offended. Next time I'll know better.

Would you suggest I return the same #3? Would a thumb-and-pinky California "Hang Loose" from a guy with four ten-plys on the ground be appropriate? What is recommended?

jeff; i thoroughly enjoyed your post, and enjoyed ...

2011-06-01T18:01:16.857-05:00

jeff;
i thoroughly enjoyed your post, and enjoyed the comments just as much. i read each one.

not quite sure when i learned about "the wave," but have been waving at EVERY biker for years. i have missed a few chances to return a wave, and have missed a few chances to offer.

bit of a trekker here, and i ride a v4 87 magna - so the low vulcan salute will be the norm from now on.

i guess i've always interpreted the wave (ANY variation) as "i see ya buddy, we're both on 2 wheels, take it easy, be careful." never have made a decision to wave or not based on make or model. hell - i even wave at the scooters. make 'em feel like part of the group.

Thanks Alan for the comment (and everyone who has ...

2011-05-30T08:24:25.007-05:00

Thanks Alan for the comment (and everyone who has been commenting here as well). I used to try to leave a brief reply to every comment but unfortunately I don't have the free time I used to have anymore.

I agree with you about the extended wave. A ride to any motorcycle rally (such as Sturgis) will get you plenty of those as you pass the hundreds of bikes going the other direction as they head to/from the event.

Also, thanks for the reminder to everyone that this was written as a tongue-in-cheek humor piece. I am no authority on biker waves in any stretch of the imagination. Just a guy who like to ride and have a little fun. :-)

Enjoyed the article Jeff, thanks for posting it wa...

2011-05-30T00:49:32.139-05:00

Enjoyed the article Jeff, thanks for posting it way back when.

I guess I normally use the Big One or some variation depending on where my mind's at; open palm more than two down. But I always return a wave regardless what kind of bike is waving at me; big/small, foreign or domestic. I probably initiate as much as I respond. If I'm shifting I do the head/chin raise.

I make a point to wave at the new riders (yes we see you and we can tell) as a sort of 'welcome to the club.' It's always amusing, because they don't know why this total stranger is waving at them; they either dont respond out of shock, or self-consciously wave back.

Out here in New Mexico, we're a friendly lot, so you'll get a wave 95% of the time, from weekend warriors to hard-core. Even car drivers wave at each other on the highway.

The ones that dont participate in this little cultural phenomenon are usually, like one commenter pointed out, the rich guys on their new Harley's that just don't get it. The college dudes on their crotch-rockets are hit-and-miss, too, about 50%, and if there's a girl on the back, forget it. I think age and bike-type is the biggest qualifier for these guys.

While reading the comments I noticed there were a handful of haters: cynical bikers who criticize us for thinking this was a fun blog (or not getting that it was meant to be fun), or for our enjoying some comraderie...thought it was kinda funny, though, they took the time to read all the comments!!

One form of wave needs to be included: The Extended Wave, or, Serial Waving. This occurs when you approach a group of riders. You can can either wave 10-15 times, or simply keep your arm out while you pass the entire group; depends on their spacing. And what would be the designation of the wave you get from a roadside rider? You know, when you pass a gas station, bar, or rest area and get waved at from the side of the road by a fellow rider or riders.

I have a 2008 kawasaki 1500 vulcan would love to u...

2011-05-28T23:24:17.239-05:00

I have a 2008 kawasaki 1500 vulcan would love to use the vulcanbalkan greeting. I love my bike and greet everyone.

I use the Vulcan peace sign signifying the V4 engi...

2011-05-28T22:00:53.725-05:00

I use the Vulcan peace sign signifying the V4 engine on my bike, normal peace sign when riding my wife's V-twin, so how should I wave from my single cylinder bike (hehe)?

I have always used the "peace sign" held...

2011-05-28T12:37:13.871-05:00

I have always used the "peace sign" held low. I never knew it meant anything other than acknowledging a fellow biker. Thanks for the insight! LMFAO at "the geek"!!!

The wave I have always used has been the "pea...

2011-05-28T12:35:21.882-05:00

The wave I have always used has been the "peace sign" held low. I had no idea it meant anything other than acknowledging a fellow biker. LOL! The "Geek" made me LMFAO! Thanks for the insight!

i'm from the "old school" where ever...

2011-05-28T11:32:25.917-05:00

i'm from the "old school" where everyone on two wheels (there weren't nearly as many of us in the old days as there are now) pretty much greeted another rider with a clenched fist in the air, how high depended on how excited to see another rider one was (OR how tired one was!). i've seen two of those this year, both from "older" riders; both startled me, but i replied in kind. felt kinda like the olden days.
as for now- i guess my greeting is a cross between the big one and the newbie. to me, the hand down is a bit of a dis, unless it's a warning of "Cop Ahead! Slow Down!!!", so i give a hand out, above the handlebar, two finger out (peace sign, i guess, though i never thought of it as that) wave. i'm pretty much always the initiator, too. guess it's because i watch everything on the road and am aware of most people and things before the rest of the world is.
i'm not a newbie, either, have been riding for over 44 years, so i feel i'm pretty much entitled to do as i will.
ride safe all y'all!!!
ladyleadfoot!!!! ;-D

I've been riding since 1968 and have seen &quo...

2011-05-28T10:14:30.840-05:00

I've been riding since 1968 and have seen "the wave" lose all significance and meaning. Clue for the clueless: Being on two wheels doesn't automatically make us brothers, any more than being on four wheels makes all cagers your brothers. How about putting some of that enthusiasm into actually learning how to ride?

There is a Venture Rider wave as well. This would...

2011-05-28T08:47:59.864-05:00

There is a Venture Rider wave as well. This would be bike specific though. First it is two fingers and then four. It is based on the engine as they are V4's.

Funny and informative. I always the the "pea...

2011-05-28T08:35:44.944-05:00

Funny and informative. I always the the "peace sign" meant "I'm riding a v-twin." I have to link to this to share!

My 17 year old neice requested a ride on my Harley...

2011-05-28T08:33:30.553-05:00

My 17 year old neice requested a ride on my Harley. When we passed a group of sportbike riders, I gave the wave. Most of them responded. My neice thought we were exchanging gang signs. LOL