Acknowledging Other Riders

[pftjsquire]

I have searched the posting and come across threads that talk about who will wave, who will not, and why they will wave (or not), etc. Also there have been discussions regarding type of wave: the nod, the finger lift off the grip, the salute, and the overzealous "look at me I'm an idiot" wave. However, the standard seems to be the drop hand style greeting.

Ever since I had my first two-wheeler ('67 Kaw 350) all the way up to my Goldwing, the standard acknowledgement was an inverted peace sign for "Keep two wheels on the road" or very simply "two down".

Now that we have joined the ranks of the threebies, I have found that the wave has changed to an inverted "OK" symbol which to me means "Keep three wheels on the road".

Is this a regional thing? I live in Washington State. And yes, I do like quotation marks.

[rpatsh]

Even tho I'm on 3 wheels I usually just do the 2 fingers down. It's what I grew up doing so I continue it. Depending on circumstances I will sometimes just give a head nod also.

[Pampurrs]

I've always waved with the inverted two finger (Index and middle) sign for "two". Now that I am on three wheels, I have switched to the inverted ASL sign for "three" (thumb, index finger, and middle finger). Having a deaf spouse, I tend to use ASL frequently.

Pam

[ARtraveler]

My usual is just a wave with my left hand--all five fingers.

If somewhat occupied, the fingers get raised off the hand grip.

[Chupaca]

I always use the drop down two fingers to the two wheelers and three fingers to the three wheelers and a nod when letting go of the bars is not the best move to make. The big debate is to whom...I wave to everyone and if they return the wave that's great and if they don't it is not a big deal.....

[Bob Denman]

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because they just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player,
seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

Top 10 Reasons Sport bikers Don't Wave:
10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance
themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave Back
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgment.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, or talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!.
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.

Top Ten Reasons Why Dual Sport Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Vibration of knobby tires prevented the rider from taking his hand off the bars.
9. MX style safety gear was too bright to see you wave.
8. His front fender prevents you seeing him wave back.
7. Was too busy configuring his GPS/Enduro Roll/FishFinder.
6. His rain/wind/thorn/bug/bird proof thousand-dollar jacket won't allow it.
5. Was too busy re-arranging his 500 pounds of soft-sided luggage.
4. Doesn't recognize a wave in any language other than German.
3. Too busy splitting lanes/filtering through traffic.
2. One handed wheelies are not easy.
1. On single-track trails you stop, not wave.

Top Ten Reasons Why Spyder Ryders Don't Wave Back
10. They'll NEVER be able to find the horn or turnsignal again, if they move their hand on the grip.
9. They keep a "Death Grip" on the bars in case of the dreaded DPS failure.
8. They were too busy trying to figure out how to change playlists on their I-Pod.
7. They were "Bluetoothing" with their dealer regarding the latest farkle delivery.
6. They couldn't find the "Auto-Wave" Button. (Hey; It's a Limited!)
5. Their passenger was distracting them with some nonsense about "Having to stop for a break"...
4. They were mentally rehearsing the "explanation", that they'll need to give their Spouse for the
last Farkling episode.
3. They were trying to remember the best way to cross Nebraska. (Answer: while asleep, in the back of a van!)
2. They were too terrified to take their eyes off of the display; lest the dreaded "Orange Screen of Death"
make an appearance.
1. You crossed paths while they were setting the cruise control, changing the voice on their GPS, raising
the windshield, and changing the volume on the radio.

Top Ten Reasons Why Conventional Trike Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Their arms were too tired to raise... no power steering!
9. Your "Unusual" configuration has them confused. They thought you were going the other way!
8. They just had hit a pothole, and felt their first bad "Head-Shake". They're not letting go of anything!
7. They are lost in thought: How much is their Trike worth on trade, for a new Spyder?
6. They're still laughing at thgemselves for trying to put their feet down at the last stoplight.
5. The last time they waved at a "foreign" bike; their riding buddies made them buy the beer!
4. Didn't know WHAT you were, as you went by.
3. They only wave at conventionals...
2. They thought that their passenger waved... (She was asleep!)
1. The glare from all of the chrome had them momentarily blinded.

The Top reason why riders of conventional bikes don't Wave back:
They're too embarrassed of being seen on their bike.

[Pampurrs]

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because they just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player,
seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

Top 10 Reasons Sport bikers Don't Wave:
10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance
themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave Back
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgment.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, or talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!.
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.

Top Ten Reasons Why Dual Sport Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Vibration of knobby tires prevented the rider from taking his hand off the bars.
9. MX style safety gear was too bright to see you wave.
8. His front fender prevents you seeing him wave back.
7. Was too busy configuring his GPS/Enduro Roll/FishFinder.
6. His rain/wind/thorn/bug/bird proof thousand-dollar jacket won't allow it.
5. Was too busy re-arranging his 500 pounds of soft-sided luggage.
4. Doesn't recognize a wave in any language other than German.
3. Too busy splitting lanes/filtering through traffic.
2. One handed wheelies are not easy.
1. On single-track trails you stop, not wave.

Top Ten Reasons Why Spyder Ryders Don't Wave Back
10. They'll NEVER be able to find the horn or turnsignal again, if they move their hand on the grip.
9. They keep a "Death Grip" on the bars in case of the dreaded DPS failure.
8. They were too busy trying to figure out how to change playlists on their I-Pod.
7. They were "Bluetoothing" with their dealer regarding the latest farkle delivery.
6. They couldn't find the "Auto-Wave" Button. (Hey; It's a Limited!)
5. Their passenger was distracting them with some nonsense about "Having to stop for a break"...
4. They were mentally rehearsing the "explanation", that they'll need to give their Spouse for the
last Farkling episode.
3. They were trying to remember the best way to cross Nebraska. (Answer: while asleep, in the back of a van!)
2. They were too terrified to take their eyes off of the display; lest the dreaded "Orange Screen of Death"
make an appearance.
1. You crossed paths while they were setting the cruise control, changing the voice on their GPS, raising
the windshield, and changing the volume on the radio.
Top Ten Reasons Why Conventional Trike Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Their arms were too tired to raise... no power steering!
9. Your "Unusual" configuration has them confused. They thought you were going the other way!
8. They just had hit a pothole, and felt their first bad "Head-Shake". They're not letting go of anything!
7. They are lost in thought: How much is their Trike worth on trade, for a new Spyder?
6. They're still laughing at thgemselves for trying to put their feet down at the last stoplight.
5. The last time they waved at a "foreign" bike; their riding buddies made them buy the beer!
4. Didn't know WHAT you were, as you went by.
3. They only wave at conventionals...
2. They thought that their passenger waved... (She was asleep!)
1. The glare from all of the chrome had them momentarily blinded.

I knew that was coming, the ancient, stale joke that Denman posts anytime there is a conversation about waving

[Bob Denman]

Then come up with something new!

[Pirate looks at --]

You gotta love it. I wave to everybody. I find that more and more people are waving back these days. I think that we ryde so much in this area that people are getting used to us, and they know we are waving at them. Kinda cool!

[Ex-Rocket]

I have always done the inverted two finger wave in my 40 years of riding. When others don't wave back, I just say a cuss word, and then I feel better about the whole situation.

[Peteoz]

I knew that was coming, the ancient, stale joke that Denman posts anytime there is a conversation about waving

It's an oldie alright.....but I still chuckle every time I read it, Pam

Pete

[Deanna777]

I sometimes use the index and middle finger down pointing to the road, or wave from the handle bar( left side) with 4 fingers.

Sometimes the other bikes on the road ( in the opposite direction) don't even wave.
Deanna

[Bob Denman]

It's an oldie alright.....but I still chuckle every time I read it, Pam

Pete

Not everyone has seen it...
When the topic comes up: I dust it off, and bring it back out into the light!
(It's actually a compilation of several of the "Why don't they wave?" stories...)

[Pampurrs]

It's an oldie alright.....but I still chuckle every time I read it, Pam

Pete

Yeah it is funny for sure...

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

[Pampurrs]

Sometimes the other bikes on the road ( in the opposite direction) don't even wave.
Deanna

That's true, but I wave to every oncoming motorcycle and don't get upset if they don't wave at me. I even wave to the motors (with more of a left handed salute than a wave), and they most always wave back. LEOs appreciate being acknowledged by citizens.

Pam

[jaherbst]

I seldom waive but when I do I use my middle finger. It's my biggest finger so I consider it my biggest and best waive.

Seriously, this waive thing is way over done and a lot of people have low esteem and a week libido thereby

making them clinically sensitive. Ride your own ride, concentrate on your safety and might I add forget

about the waive. It just is not that important to give or return. Worrying about someone who waives or

don't waive is a total waste of time.

The waive (one finger) started during the Crusades. Look it up.

With one exception--never pass up the opportunity to waive to a Vespa rider even if she is wearing a Bikini

and a pair of Vans shoes and no Helmut.

​Jack

[Pirate looks at --]

I seldom waive but when I do I use my middle finger. It's my biggest finger so I consider it my biggest and best waive.

Seriously, this waive thing is way over done and a lot of people have low esteem and a week libido thereby

making them clinically sensitive. Ride your own ride, concentrate on your safety and might I add forget

about the waive. It just is not that important to give or return. Worrying about someone who waives or

don't waive is a total waste of time.

The waive (one finger) started during the Crusades. Look it up.

With one exception--never pass up the opportunity to waive to a Vespa rider even if she is wearing a Bikini

and a pair of Vans shoes and no Helmut.

​Jack

Spoken like a true curmudgeon! Always ready with the pail of water to throw on someone else's parade! certainly true to form

[Pampurrs]

I think what Jack is saying in his own less than literate style, is that he "waives the wave".

Pam

[Pirate looks at --]

As somone else said to each his own!

[trucker1]

Well I waive at everyone. If they waive back that's cool. If not that's fine to. I guess it's from living in the south all my life, But the one thing I have found is that I get more responses from more Harley, sport bike and other riders since we got the spyder than we got the whole time we had the Goldwing. Maybe the times are changing for the good. even some 4 wheel drivers waive at times.

[SPYD1]

I was all happy last weekend with the wife going out on a ride. My wife likes "waving" and sure enough another biker decided to give us the finger and yell profanity related to us riding on 3 wheels. It is depressing that there is so much of this going on with people "hating". It's in the news everyday. My wife was shocked. I noticed her not waving on this trip. Sad. I know, blow it off he is an idiot. It just sometimes...is a mood changer.

[Bob Denman]

Just ride your own ride, and don't give a crap about whether or not somebody else approves...

You'll be MUCH happier!

[No 2817]

That's true, but I wave to every oncoming motorcycle and don't get upset if they don't wave at me. I even wave to the motors (with more of a left handed salute than a wave), and they most always wave back. LEOs appreciate being acknowledged by citizens.

Pam

I always wave if it has two or three wheels, no matter. Keep shiny side up the oily side down. Two fingers down.


Chris

[blacklightning]

I always wave when in a situation that I can take a hand off the bars. I have noticed that I get fewer waves on the spyder than I did on my other bikes (Had 12 different bikes in 10 years). When riding, I wave at everything from harleys, to sport bikes, to mopeds. I do notice that I get more waves on my M109 (muscle cruiser) that any other bike that I have owned. I think it is because harley riders think it is another harley, sport bike owners (most know what it is) figure I am an older guy that decided to get off sport bikes, but is still young at heart (I fit this category), and trike and goldwing riders wave just because most of them are just nice people.
The worst part is when I am in my cage with the wife, and I drop my arm and give the wave out the window. The wife ask if I am crazy? I tell her that they know and understand. I feel like a big dog, chained to the porch.

[CapeSpyder]

I try to wave 2 finger down to all I see. but some dont, o well