Motorcycle "Wave" etiquette

[Rainsong]

Stupid topic I know, but at least it's not another "Helmet or no Helmet", "Windshield vs. No windshield", "Chain vs. shaft" , "filltered or unfiltered" threads that seem to pop-up weekly!
So the motorcycle wave (you know, when you pass another bike coming toward you and you acknowledge you see the other cyclist like you're in some elite club the cagers don't understand), what is correct? Arm straight down fingers extended? 45 degree angle? Straight out? Do you wait until the other one waves first? How about scooters and rockets, do you wave them? Only wave if you are both in the left lanes? this is important stuff! I don' want to break any etiquette by waving when both of us are in the far right lane or to a scooter if it's not appropriate!

[Harvey]

Click on the link below for your answer.

Secret Motorcycle Hand Greetings: Revealed!

[halouis]

YouTube - ‪The Motorcycle Wave - The Solution‬‏

YouTube - ‪The Motorcycle Wave - The Solution‬‏

YouTube - ‪Biker Hand Signals‬‏

YouTube - ‪Biker Hand Signals‬‏

[Susan07]

That ***** wears me out. I have to get used to it again every spring. From November to March...I rarely see another motorcycle on the highway...so not a problem. Then it starts getting warm again and out they come! Waving and two fingering like maniacs. My first thought when someone "waves" me in the spring is, "Where the ***** were you all winter...you p*ssy." then I realize that the majority "go riding" and I ride. So...eventually I get used to it again and wave my a$$ off. Unless someone doesn't wave...then my wave turns one finger. But...I do wave at everyone. Scooters included. (******** have bigger balls than I do for riding a scooter. D*mn things are dangerous!)

[Rainsong]

Originally Posted by Harvey

Click on the link below for your answer.

Secret Motorcycle Hand Greetings: Revealed!

! I'll usually wave back at most anybody who waves first if I see it in time. I do admit, having been dissed by a few helmetless tattooed Harley types, crutch rocketeers and scooteroos I'm somewhat more selective to whom I "initiate" a wave. Nothing more embarrasing than giving the wave and being ignored! Interesting about the leaving your hand on your leg being the ultimate dis. I'll be sure not to do that when I pass a gang "Banditos"!

[elfnyc]

i use the down low open hand one alllways no matter who i pass

[Spool]

I was going to post that Mordeth13 vid....beat me to it.

[EZ Rider 53]

Originally Posted by Rainsong

!Nothing more embarrasing than giving the wave and being ignored!

I learned a long time ago not to be embarrassed by what somebody else does (or doesn't do).

If I give a wave to another rider, and they don't give one back...it's just not my problem. I did the courteous, friendly thing. No need for me to be embarrassed by them.

[CrazyDave]

I just give everyone the bird..equal opportunity and all that ya know.

Wave, however you want to wave, seriously most folks will just be happy you acknowledged their existence

[sanoke]

Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.

Now there in lies the irony. So you are a biker, an anti-social, unconventional bad-boy but yet there are rules of behavior?

I don't remember any questions about waving on the test I took for my license.

If someone waves to me, I wave back.

Happy Trails!
sanoke