For all my non-biker friends, let me decode a ritual you may have seen.
Bikes, when they pass each other, wave.
Sometimes it is a big ole wave, fingers spread, palms forward, like a toddler waving to a parent in a crown.
Some guys just lift their fingers off the left handlebar grip.
More recently it seems to be a closed hand, with two fingers extended together, usually pointed down. (The Jersey single-finger salute is not encouraged, and you could end up with black and blue marks on your body for using it.)
Originally - or at least as early as I can remember - the wave was more of a "Black Power" clenched fist, with the elbow at a right angle. This is the wave I use - mostly because my current steed has a very upright style, and it is easier to raise my hand up than to drop it below the bars.
Every biker seems to have their own opinion on who should be waved to Some bikers only return a wave, never initiate one. Some only wave to bikers riding the same brand or style bike that they are riding - Harley being the most common example of this snobbery, although sport bikers sometimes only wave to other crotch rockets.
I wave to everyone on two wheels. And I do mean everyone. I have waved to scooters, mopeds, and every bike I have passed. Heck, I have even waved at a full grown man on a mini-bike that had a seat that couldn't have been more than 8 inches off the ground - and he was ecstatic, if his return wave was any indication.
My reasoning is that we - the two-wheeled riders - are a community. Whether I am riding solo, or riding with my association (http://www.cmausa.org/), or as part of an event, I have a bond with every other biker out there. I stop for every one I see on the side of the road. I am much more likely to say "Hello!" at a stop, even if we are just putting gas in the tanks.
In short, bikers are my brothers and sisters.
There are some that look rougher than others, sure. But they are still God's creatures, and they deserve my respect, and prayers, and, if they need it, whatever assistance I can render.
No matter what they ride, or what their patch says.
Here, for your enjoyment, is a collection of WHY different bikers don't wave.
Top 10 reasons sportbikers 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 Harley Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuses 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 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 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 acknowledgement.
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 UJM Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Something's buzzing around the tank.
9. Do you hear than noise the valves are making?
8. Trying to push start.
7. Just felt something shimmy.
6. Trying to isolate source of resonant shudder.
5. Hypnotized by digital gear indicator
4. Needs that hand to affect on-the-fly repairs
3. Previous owner replaced #3 with a 2.5
2.5. Mentally reviewing which parts use SAE and which use metric.
2. Wait, there's a number 2? This bike never had a #2, did it? ****!
1. Can't see your tank badge to determine what brand of bike you're on.
Why scooter riders don't wave back:
10. If you knew what a 10" wheel was like at 50mph, you wouldn't let go of the bars either.
9. And risk droping the PBR 12-pack?
8. Didn't see you - catching a few winks on the way home from an all night clambake.
7. It's a mod vs. rocker thing.
6. They just let the cloud of blue smoke trailing behind the scooter act as their "wave".
5. Hey, if you want 140 mpg, you gotta keep your elbows and knees in and your hands down on the bars.
4. The forty year old original hand grip on their vintage Vespa would fly apart if they let go of it.
3. Yes, I saw you. No Gucci - no gesture.
2. They're being filmed during a commercial shoot for a trendy lifestyle product nobody really needs.
1. Why do motorcyclists keep pointing toward the ground with two fingers when they ride by? What is that? What does it mean?
Bikes, when they pass each other, wave.
Sometimes it is a big ole wave, fingers spread, palms forward, like a toddler waving to a parent in a crown.
Some guys just lift their fingers off the left handlebar grip.
More recently it seems to be a closed hand, with two fingers extended together, usually pointed down. (The Jersey single-finger salute is not encouraged, and you could end up with black and blue marks on your body for using it.)
Originally - or at least as early as I can remember - the wave was more of a "Black Power" clenched fist, with the elbow at a right angle. This is the wave I use - mostly because my current steed has a very upright style, and it is easier to raise my hand up than to drop it below the bars.
Every biker seems to have their own opinion on who should be waved to Some bikers only return a wave, never initiate one. Some only wave to bikers riding the same brand or style bike that they are riding - Harley being the most common example of this snobbery, although sport bikers sometimes only wave to other crotch rockets.
I wave to everyone on two wheels. And I do mean everyone. I have waved to scooters, mopeds, and every bike I have passed. Heck, I have even waved at a full grown man on a mini-bike that had a seat that couldn't have been more than 8 inches off the ground - and he was ecstatic, if his return wave was any indication.
My reasoning is that we - the two-wheeled riders - are a community. Whether I am riding solo, or riding with my association (http://www.cmausa.org/), or as part of an event, I have a bond with every other biker out there. I stop for every one I see on the side of the road. I am much more likely to say "Hello!" at a stop, even if we are just putting gas in the tanks.
In short, bikers are my brothers and sisters.
There are some that look rougher than others, sure. But they are still God's creatures, and they deserve my respect, and prayers, and, if they need it, whatever assistance I can render.
No matter what they ride, or what their patch says.
Here, for your enjoyment, is a collection of WHY different bikers don't wave.
Top 10 reasons sportbikers 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 Harley Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuses 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 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 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 acknowledgement.
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 UJM Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Something's buzzing around the tank.
9. Do you hear than noise the valves are making?
8. Trying to push start.
7. Just felt something shimmy.
6. Trying to isolate source of resonant shudder.
5. Hypnotized by digital gear indicator
4. Needs that hand to affect on-the-fly repairs
3. Previous owner replaced #3 with a 2.5
2.5. Mentally reviewing which parts use SAE and which use metric.
2. Wait, there's a number 2? This bike never had a #2, did it? ****!
1. Can't see your tank badge to determine what brand of bike you're on.
Why scooter riders don't wave back:
10. If you knew what a 10" wheel was like at 50mph, you wouldn't let go of the bars either.
9. And risk droping the PBR 12-pack?
8. Didn't see you - catching a few winks on the way home from an all night clambake.
7. It's a mod vs. rocker thing.
6. They just let the cloud of blue smoke trailing behind the scooter act as their "wave".
5. Hey, if you want 140 mpg, you gotta keep your elbows and knees in and your hands down on the bars.
4. The forty year old original hand grip on their vintage Vespa would fly apart if they let go of it.
3. Yes, I saw you. No Gucci - no gesture.
2. They're being filmed during a commercial shoot for a trendy lifestyle product nobody really needs.
1. Why do motorcyclists keep pointing toward the ground with two fingers when they ride by? What is that? What does it mean?
