Back when I was riding scooters I would occasionally get a wave from a biker, of course I did wave back. But I couldn't help but wonder if sometimes they thought I was on a bike.
So my question is do you guys wave to just other motorcyclist, or scooters as well?
I return a wave to anyone who waves to me. My thinking is this. There seem to be two types of riders: those who like the wave and those who don't (a search of the subject will reveal a ridiculous level of controversy). Generally, I return all waves received. If they don't wave, I usually don't either. That way no one's day is "ruined" because I did or did not wave.
My exception is scooters. I nearly always wave to folks on scooters because they seem not to expect it. They are out there facing all the dangers a motorcyclist deals with, usually enjoying the crap out of riding, too.
I hold a low opinion of the idea that the wave is only for "real riders", however someone wishes to define that, or specific kinds of bikes. I am also baffled that some people are actually offended because someone gave them a friendly greeting on the road, but they are out there.
My exception is scooters. I nearly always wave to folks on scooters because they seem not to expect it. They are out there facing all the dangers a motorcyclist deals with, usually enjoying the crap out of riding, too.
Greetings are pretty much standard in rural areas of IN but the MC wave isn't a priority to me due to the responsibility of watching out for my arse at all times. Our roads are a mess statewide and distracted driving is at a great all time high.
Overtook a Big RV the other day, they had this cool platform with two - what looked like - Ruckus-s ?? Rucki? .. balanced on it.. After I pulled back into their lane.. I threw out a quick wave.. ... .. ..And they flashed their lights!!
There was a time when I would ride my motorcycle on Monday and decide to ride my scooter (long since sold...It was fun but I was tired of maintaining two machines...Like I said... I don't complicate anything.) on Tuesday. Why should one get a wave and the other, not? It's the same rider in the saddle.
One of the laughable things I'd see while riding the scooter was when someone started to waive and then sheepishly withdrew his hand when he realised he was waving to a (gasp) scooter. I guess he thought he might catch the dreaded scooter-cooties. :laugh:
Honestly though, the vast majority of riders we're cool and the scooter-fearing ones were far and few between.
I wave to all riders regardless of how big or small their bike is and whether it has 2 or 3 wheels most of the time they all wave back, very few that don't and it's usually because of traffic and trying to pay attention to whats around them.
It's great to see everyones view on the topic, even though they all seem to come to the same conclusion. ? I guess I just wanted to make sure I wasn't breaking some motorcycle rule when I wave at the scooter riders. Lol.
I wave to any body on 2 or 3 wheels. There is 2 scooter riders in town. They have asked me if I could ride with the several times. Of course I said yes and they were tickled with me riding along. They are young teenage girls and I have a laugh with them as we ride along.
I wave to any body on 2 or 3 wheels. There is 2 scooter riders in town. They have asked me if I could ride with the several times. Of course I said yes and they were tickled with me riding along. They are young teenage girls and I have a laugh with them as we ride along.
I agree, it is still cool to wave a fellow riders even if they are on a scooter. I can imagine it could make someones day if a guy on a big V Twin, fire breathin' thundering motorcycle give him a friendly wave while he glides by quietly on a scooter going to work. All of us can have a great ride and smile.
If you wave when you can, they'll know when you can't.
If you stop when you can, they'll know when you can't.
Follow these rules and others will do the same for you. They may not wave back - because they can't. Or they may not stop - because they can't. Those who can, will.
You want to see a reaction, pull up along a couple of "bikers" with THIS!!!!
Had a pair run a red light to get away from me! I laughed through two cycles of the light! >
I waves to EVERYBODY. Doesn't matter. SHOULDN'T matter!
I Wave at them all......heck, the ones on the scooters appreciate it as much as anyone else.
I even wave to the kids on skateboards and bicycles. They love it.
If you're on anything with a motor and less than 4 wheels, I'm going to wave at you. I'll take advantage of any opportunity to encourage a sense of community and acceptance among people. Especially when out on the road. I spent ten years riding a Rebel 250. Some people were jerks and wouldn't wave at me because of the bike I rode, but a lot of people did. It always made me feel good to get a wave from a really hardcore biker. I want to make people feel good about themselves, not be an elitist jerk. I'm glad to see I'm not alone in this view.
On my way home from work every day there is a little girl and her brother that are out riding their bicycles. The little boy will stop and wave his little hand as fast as he possibly can. I make sure no matter what I slow way down, give him a big smile and wave as fast as I can back at him. It's a rural back road so there's rarely any traffic to hold up, but I've still slowed down even with a vehicle behind me. His smile is worth it every time.
Although a wholly understandable reaction to close calls, it's generally a bad idea to antagonize a caged idiot. Generally a better idea to bask in the fact that you survived to ride another day, instead.
If it makes you feel any better, you can console yourself in the fact that said idiot, will remain an idiot forever. ..
I don't do it to antagonize I just politely smile and wave it back hoping they realize they shouldn't think a two wheeler can't stop on a dime. It is usually accompanied by a horn so they know that did a dastardly dead. Hoping they think twice and not crash the next guy...
You guys realize that "the wave" actually started between Harley riders. You wave to the other guy and put out the same number of fingers as parts that fell off....