[Rohnsman]

I've had my TW for about a year now and had not ridden motorcycles before that for at least 25 years. Riding around town (Boise, Idaho) I frequently see, (and have adopted) what I can only assume is a motocycle cultural thing - the "Cyclists Wave." Not only do I often see it, but a little web research indicates there is indeed a "protocol" to this. You might enjoy these links as I have --



The Wave



Directions for making the Motorcycle Wave



The Wave Protocol



I have noticed as mentioned in the second article that "The Wave" isn't a raised hand as most folks would wave (I guess that could be misunderstood for a right-turn signal), but as described -



•Take your left hand off the grip (since your right grip is the throttle and slowing down is not an option)

•Extend your index and middle fingers perpendicular to the direction of travel and parallel to the road (in other words - "out")



I was interested to see on a TV spot for those new three-wheeled bikes, (the CanAm Spyder), one scene shows riders waving to each other in this manner.



I'm happy other cyclists, (most all of whom are on bikes way bigger than my little TW) are showing their friendliness with "the wave." I do note though that the Harley riders are much less apt to wave.



What's your experience with this?

 

[chipyting]

For me personally, it gets slightly annoying sometimes. I'll wave is someone else does, but I usually don't initiate it. I've found that some Harley guys are a bit snobby as well, why is that?

 

[Bagger]

Hey True,

It seems to me that differant bike types tend to wave to that type of bike/rider more than different ones. Ie, Crotch Rockets to Crotch Rockets, Cruisers to Cruisers etc.

I usually wave at most bikes I meet, unles my hands are busy otherwise, such as stopping or turning. It's kind of a pain when you are around lots of bikes, exspecially at some kind of gathering where EVERYONE is waving. I'll Pass.

I don't ride my TW in town much these days, ( I'm trying to develop a surefire method of quickly crossing rocks!) although when I do, it doesn't seem that many other riders of any bike save another DS wave back.

I have well over a million miles on bikes over the last 36 years (no, really) and most of them are on Harleys. I find it interesting when folks mention certain behaviors/characteristics associated with a particular type of bike. Most of my HD riding friends are retired teachers, business owners and (increasingly) their Wives. Some try to play some role they think is required to ride a Harley, but most are just decent folks. We don't really affiliate with any organization. There are some organizations that seem to promote being out on the fringe, and certainly some clubs that make it a requirement, but in my experiance most guys on a Harley have worked hard to purchase it, and take great pride in it. You know, it doesn't seem to matter which Harley I'm riding, I can't stop for fuel or lunch with out at least one person talking to me about the bike. Stories of one they owned, or wished they had owned, their Dad's or Granddads . . . Morso than any other bike I own, or have owned, the Harley seems to draw people and waves.

ZombieStomper is my neighbor and you just can't believe the level of quality bikes that guy roles out of his garage, and he helps/works on bikes for anyone in need. Right next door I have my Wife and my Harleys (and TW'S!) and it's interesting to listen to people's statements and comments. Most it would seem based on pure speculation. Great fun!

All in all however, I think the folks I have 'met' on this forum, or at events featuring the TW's and/or duel sport bikes seem to be the most upfront friendly and helpful without being pushy or loud.

So, if we pass on the trail and I don't wave . . . please don't missunderstand, I'm not being rude, I'm just hanging on !!



Bag Wave Wave

 

[Rohnsman]

I don't take any offense if folks don't wave. Many times I've got both hands busy and don't wave myself and I won't risk being unsafe just to be friendly. My point about Harley riders wasn't intended as a slight to folks who ride 'em, I just think as you mentioned, folks who ride similar bikes are more apt to wave than others. For that matter, crotch-rocket riders don't seem to be "wavers" either. Probably gotta hang on with both hands at the speeds they typically travel!

 

[qwerty]

If someone waves at me, I'll give them the "Hello Kitty" wave back just to mess with their heads. Sometimes. If I feel like it. Some days it gets to be a pain in the butt.



I'll wave when it's raining.



I'll wave when the temp is below freezing.



Sunshine riders don't rate a wave, they're just wannabes, anyway, especially if they ride a Harley or a BMW, especially a BMW. Or a Ural. Who'd want to wave at someone dumb enough to buy a bad copy of a 1930s design that sucked to begin with. That's even dumber than the reason most Harley riders buy a Harley. No offense intended to those who actually ride their Harleys somewhere besides the local bar and can ride a 100-mile charity poker run without stopping 6 times for beer. I never wave at anyone on a Ducati, either, because they don't really ride because their bikes are always in the garage waiting for parts.



I'll point and laugh at the cruiser riders in Florida during lovebug season, or in the Hill Country when the butterflies migrate. Doorag, sunglasses, and sneakers vs. 96,390,945,835 suicidal butterflies. They think I'm waving looking through the bug guts, su they wave back only to catch another bug in the armpit.

 

[joedirt1970]

In San Diego along the coast, most of the riders take the time to wave. The only group of riders that don't wave are Harleys. I have never had a Harley rider wave. I tend to wave to everyone out of respect (unless if a not so safe moment). Of course, I tend to forget about Harley dudes not waving and still then the lovely word of DOOSH comes to mind when I am reminded that they never do.

 

[lizrdbrth]

I try to dislike everyone equally.

 

[PJungnitsch]

On their own I usually get big waves from Harley riders. Usually friendly as hell when they stop too. Riding because they love to ride.



A group of them though, usually no waves, nothing.



See the same thing with Gold Wings.



Not sure if it's the effect of riding in groups or the type of people that ride in groups.

 

[uktw125]

In the UK you are more likely to have a fellow rider nod their head than wave, on continetal Europe some stick their leg out. (Like MotoGP wannabes)

I don't usually initiate the nod, but then I also ride a BMW

 

[Kev250R]

Gee Qwerty why don't you tell us how you really feel! I own a wide variety of vehicles, including three TW's and one Harley. I wave to anyone I don't care what time of year it is, what the weather is or what kind of bike their riding; I don't believe in painting people with a broad brush. I'll also echo what other people have said about owning a Harley; it doesn't matter what else you have when people hear (or see) that you have a Harley that's what they want to talk about. Everyone has a story about owning one or wanting to own one or knowing someone who has or had one. Personally I own a Harley because my wife wanted one so I bought her one. Neither of us ride it very much (I prefer the TW's) but I'm amazed by all the positive comments we get when we do take it out. Yeah, it's an ego boost to have a pretty girl strike-up a conversation with you at a red light or to have someone walk across a parking lot to check-out your bike (and ask if the TW which was parked next to the Harley can be moved so it won't be in the photo LOL)



Personally I think people who complain about Harley riders either A) Can't handle riding one (they are a handful at times)

Can't afford one C) Are jealous of all the attention they see the Harley riders get. Anyone ever see a group of KTM's riding cross-country for the hell of it? Yeah, me neither but if I did I'd wave at them.



Kevin

 

[lizrdbrth]

I don't wanna commit a social faux paux. Just tell me who I'm sposeta hate by the end of this thread, please.



I really wanna get this right.



Anyone got a copy of Emily Post?

 

[sorethumb]

Lizrdbrth wins with two killer posts in the same thread! I have some buddies who ride HD's, and they specifically mention that never wave unless it is another HD.



I think it is just weird in general. I don't wave at other Tundras on the road just because I drive one too.

 

[darnold87]

This is a funny topic... lots of opinions out there...



I wave to any other motorcycle rider and 98% of the time they wave back...

 

[qwerty]

Gee Qwerty why don't you tell us how you really feel! I own a wide variety of vehicles, including three TW's and one Harley. I wave to anyone I don't care what time of year it is, what the weather is or what kind of bike their riding; I don't believe in painting people with a broad brush. I'll also echo what other people have said about owning a Harley; it doesn't matter what else you have when people hear (or see) that you have a Harley that's what they want to talk about. Everyone has a story about owning one or wanting to own one or knowing someone who has or had one. Personally I own a Harley because my wife wanted one so I bought her one. Neither of us ride it very much (I prefer the TW's) but I'm amazed by all the positive comments we get when we do take it out. Yeah, it's an ego boost to have a pretty girl strike-up a conversation with you at a red light or to have someone walk across a parking lot to check-out your bike (and ask if the TW which was parked next to the Harley can be moved so it won't be in the photo LOL)



Personally I think people who complain about Harley riders either A) Can't handle riding one (they are a handful at times)

Can't afford one C) Are jealous of all the attention they see the Harley riders get. Anyone ever see a group of KTM's riding cross-country for the hell of it? Yeah, me neither but if I did I'd wave at them.



Kevin

Lighten up, Francis. Nobody cares whether you wear panties or butt floss. This topic has been beat to death on every motorcycle board on the internet at one time or another. I'm so sorry your wife made you buy a Harley. For some reason I find that funny as hell. As for what you personally think about people who complain about Harley riders, well, maybe the reason is staring you in the face every time you look in a mirror and your arrogant better-than-thou attitude, just like so many, but not all, other Hardley riders. Sounds to me like the only reason you ride is to get people to look at you, kind of like the typical 3-year old. Also, you're momma's so ugly you have to tie a steak around her neck to get the dog to play with her.



I guess now that I've lowered myself almost to your level, it's your turn.

I don't wanna commit a social faux paux. Just tell me who I'm sposeta hate by the end of this thread, please.



I really wanna get this right.



Anyone got a copy of Emily Post?

*snerk* You posted in this thread, so you're already socially faux pauxed. At least two of us have a sense of humor.

 

[old mad max]

Can ya just feeeeeeeeeeel the luv... (o; For the record I always try and wave if I'm not busy dodging cars or deer.. I do notice that when I ride my full sized trump I get more response from harley guys than with the T-dub... OMM.

 

[jontow]

I'll chime in, since nobody in their right mind is also from where I am..

(and hey, what the heck.. waiting for a few hitch pins to cool down after sawing off the ends turning them into mule pins)



I wave a lot of the time, if I'm feeling it.. I don't usually wave at Harley riders in groups: again, they don't want to be the uncool one waving to the goofy dude on the clapped out trail bike going 40 in a 55

I get returned waves from most crotch rocket riders (used to own a naked bike, and loved it.. just couldn't take it anywhere 'cause it was too damned low).

I also get them from *anyone* on a dual sport bike (all 8 of them in the county, I'm convinced), and anyone on a generic 70s/80s street bike.. Quite a few of the road cruising goldwings and the like wave back, but not all of them.. Suspecting they can't see my wave from behind their Buick sized luxury dash

(I'm not hatin, but where's my TW stereo?!) Around here, most of the people riding bikes just like riding, and don't care who you are, or what you ride.. They're just happy you're not running them over.



My family owns Harleys. I have nothing against them, but I certainly can't afford even an old basket case. I don't drive a new car, either...





See also: Jeep Wave

 

[Officebob]

I had a bike more brutal than a "Ural". An army CJ750 hack and boy was it a headturner.



As soon as I brought it to hictown Canada all the Harley guys mistook it for one of their own (from afar).



At least a dozen laps of the town and not one wave from me to them. I was sure to acknowledge all of the



others (even Beemers) . Finally one of them in awe, asked me "what it was" and I politely told him it was



not a F%#@%$# Harley..oops. How's that for pent angst from a 25 year memory of these Harley bad asses



not giving me the wave(I was riding RD350/400's)?

 

[Gerry]

For some odd reason, I feel compelled to keep my hands on the bars at all times. Should I be acknowledged, I nod my head. But generally I try to hate everybody

. Gerry

 

[chipyting]

Last week I pulled up to a stoplight and there were 2 guys on HD's sitting there side by side. The one guy was pretty cool and was asking about my bike, the other one wouldn't give the time of day. Further ahead, I was in a turning lane and they were a few pots behind and I heard the HD snob dude say "I'm glad he's turning, I don't want to ride next to that little piece if S*#T" Hopefully he was talking about the bike... he had to be, I was bigger than him. Two saturdays ago, there was a ride for cancer at a local Motorcycle store, you know, the kind where they do poker runs, and admire their bikes more than ride them, I showed up for that and boy, did I get the looks. Not one other dual sport or even crotch rocket guy showed up. It was a sea of leather, grey hair and tats. I've come to the conclusion that a huge percentage of HD guys, are in it for the looks, to be seen, to be thought of as cool. Whereas, we TW riders are in it for the fun and pure joy of riding. Now I guarantee all HD guys aren't like that, but stereotypes are there for a reason, because they're mostly true.

 

[qwerty]

For some odd reason, I feel compelled to keep my hands on the bars at all times. Should I be acknowledged, I nod my head. But generally I try to hate everybody

. Gerry

+1