[briderdt]

So this week I took (and passed) the MSF Basic Rider training. I haven’t gone to get the endorsement yet, because my wife is taking the class right now, and we’re going to go get it done together (assuming she passes). My class finished on Wednesday, and I rode my bike to work on Thursday and Friday (cold, but doable for 8 miles each way).

Yesterday on the way home, I met another biker about a mile from my workplace. He was on a touring standard, I on my sport. We exchanged the “wave”. Now this is a small gesture, but I felt… Accepted? Sure, that guy had no way of knowing that this was only my third time EVER commuting on my bike, or that I’d only had it for a month, or that I’d just passed that class only two days prior… But it was a cool feeling anyway.

Just thought I’d share. Carry on.

[megaspaz]

Acknowledgement is one of those cool things about the motorcycling community. I try to nod or wave to any motorcyclist and scooter rider. I even nod or wave to bicyclists.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[boulevardboy]

Way cool dude – it does make you feel good. That was the one thing that really put a sring in my step when I was riding my scooter. If I ever got a wave from a real motorcycle rider I was stoked!

[Jim]

Yup, it is cool that most of us give the wave to each other. Welcome to the club!

[Sangria7]

Down here in texas we do the peace sign thrown to the side

[SantaCruzRider]

In Hawaii, where I rode for years, it was the “shaka” (pinky and thumb out) with hand extended out or down. Here in California, it seems to be mostly peace signs.

As long as it’s more than one finger, I’m happy.

[boulevardboy]

I was taught at the ned of the MSF course that it was suppopsed to be the peace sign out to the side and down a bit. He made a point of telling it to everyone, which I thought was kinda cool. He also demonstrated it as done by a new rider – very fast and by a gold wing rider – right hand as they have cruise control!

[Munch]

Don’t be offended if they don’t…. alot of time around here you won’t get it. Mainly because they are focused ahead of them rather then a couple lanes over from another direction. I know I do it to more then what I get back. I have also caught myself missing one or two. I always keep it out long enough that they may see it in their mirror just in case :^) .
Its habit for me as I am an ex Jeep person…. still would be if modifications weren’t my version of crack. Which is why I do not turn wrenches on my bike. My preferred ignorance about the mechanics of my bike is keeping my wallet safe. Don’t think I haven’t already looked at the exhaust upgrade and the belt drive conversions…. but I prefer to resign myself to not knowing how to do it to keep me from spending more on it in upgrades then I do payments. Anywho….Jeepers …..the real ones….. wave to each other also. NO not the ones that got the Jeep as a way to quell the “I wanted the Hummer but couldn’t afford it for the status symbol” crowd….usually recognized by the extensive chrome, shiny paint job and the winch up front that still has a readable safety tag.
Ogre knows what I am talking about.

Remember “Shiny side -up rubber side down …….with that in mind it should keep you safe and sound”. (sorry rhyme brought to you by my daughter)

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Clay Dowling]

It’s a huge informal community, and quite welcoming. I attended a social event for a client a while back, and came in on my bike. That riding jacket was pretty much an introduction to most of the people in the group, which held a high percentage of riders.

Also, it’s a good reminder that on a bike, you’re small, and it pays to be polite to everybody.

[Loki]

I love the wave, makes you feel so good inside. I always love riding on the service road or interstate and see another biker on the other side of the interstate and instead of the hand out to the side you put your hand up as high as you can like your asking a question. Ive had a few biker groups or “gangs” do this to me. Its hard to keep your hand out while going down 2 hills and turns but i did and it felt amazing that they (crusiers) all waved to me (sport bike).

I hate it when you wave to a different bike type (Like me a sport and they a HD) and they do wave back because they have it in their heads that im just a stupid kid on a toy, or that their better then me.
Some of you may say they werent looking but im not talking about them im talking about the ones who look you in the face.

Also it sucks having vehicles behind you and you wave to someone but they dont see so you look stupid there waving to no one. It really started to make me mad around the end of my riding season when other riders wouldnt wave to me. But there was this one guy who would drive pass me on my way to school every morning and he would wave.

Bikes ROCK!

[Munch]

haha….yea every group has their A-hole clicks. I had a B’mer blow past me the other day cause apparently his time was worth the 150 dollar speeding ticket he got 2 miles down the road. I slowed….looked….waved…grinned and kept going. I pass his house everyday. This guy is definitely one of those RB’s that set the stereo types about spoiled rich kids. ROFL …had to suck for him to watch me get to the destination quicker then him in the end ….and much cheaper!.
Wave at em all…. if they don’t wave back… shrug it off….not all of em can be good people. As for the car behind ya…. they are thinking your stretching more then waving… unless you make it completely obvious.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Clay Dowling]

There are times when I can’t return the wave because my hand is needed elsewhere. It’s good to be social, but sometimes I really need to use the clutch. Don’t take it the wrong way if somebody doesn’t wave back. They may not have seen it, they may have needed their attention or their hand elsewhere. Or maybe they think you’re a jagoff and not worth the trouble. No way to know, no point in getting fussed about something that probably doesn’t have anything to do with you.

[kirk]

Ah yes, the wave. I still remember the first one that was given to me. Made me feel real stoked! I usually get mine returned and I happen to live in an unfriendly city. I think we have the most obnoxious rude people.

[boulevardboy]

My best wave was when I was still on my 50cc Vespa and I got a wave from a HD rider – that I can tell you I returned with a great big grin!!

[MaxDadAK]

Man o man, I’m still waiting for my bike (Virago 250) to get shipped up in January and even then I have to wait till at least May since I’m in Alaska, to do abatement, liscensing, inusrance, yada yada yada. I’m so looking forward to finally becoming one with the two wheeler that I actually waved to a trike on the road from my car this christmas eve and got a wave back! WOOHOO!
Up here though during the summer when I’ve seen bikers wave they just hold a hand down and out away from there body at an angle. Guess different styles for different states.

Here’s to those who can, those who did, and those who’ll never live it down.

[Author]

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