Motorcycle camaraderie

[Barry]

I've just read an interesting article about camaraderie amongst motorcyclists. http://www.realclassic.co.uk/opinionfiles/harley-riders-not-waving-or-nodding.html

In the UK when 2 motor cyclists pass each other in opposite directions the majority will generally give a nod or wave of acknowledgement.  It may seem a strange custom in the modern world to acknowledge complete strangers in this way but I'm glad it persists and I will never fail to initiate or respond to a nod. It sets us apart from other road users as except for one specific instance in my experience it doesn't and couldn't happen amongst car drivers as there are simply too many of them. Motorcyclist are such a rarity that we still feel we all belong to one big minority club.

The exception amongst car drivers never fails to make me smile. I am of part Irish decent and in the quiet rural area of Southern Ireland where my relatives live, car drivers acknowledge each with a salute of a raised arm with one finger extended. "The finger" may have different connotations elsewhere but the Irish do it with a certain slow timing and style that makes it unmistakably a friendly greeting. You would have to experience it to understand.

How common are acknowledgements in other parts of the world ?
My guess would be it happens where traffic volumes are relatively low and not otherwise.

[clonmore1]

Barry,

My wife's family hail from co Tipp and I always find it amusing that the 'signal' between oncoming car drivers continues to be part & parcel of everyday life.

In recent times, it has begun to tail off, but the locals continue to salute each other in various forms dependant on who and other person is.

[Bob_Roller]

This is fairly common ritual in the rural areas of the southern and western areas of the US as well .

[Tony Smith]

Drivers of VW Kombis wave to each other.

[Motu]

There seems to be some elitism in waving for motorcycles - they don't wave to scooters or Harleys. I rode adv bikes for years, and seldom got a nod or wave from sportsbikes.  On the R65 with S fairing and low bars i get lots of waves, put my wide high flattrack bars on and I don't get anymore waves. I pretty much ignore other riders these days - you aren't my mates, and if I'm only your mate when I ride a sports bike, i don't play.

I lived 10 years on an island off shore from Auckland. Some people commuted to the city, some only came over for holidays. Those of us who lived and worked there all day everyday always waved. you had to wave to every car.

[Barry]

Good to hear the VW aircooled guys participate perhaps it happens with other old cars.

Sports bikes are a bit of a mixture aren't they some do and some don't. I have the same experience as the guy in the linked article in that Harley's never respond and sports bike are a very variable.  

[thrang]

I think the wave is more common amongst car drivers in rural area's as most people who live in my valley wave to each other. Certainly around the Lakes I'd say 90% riders return the gesture even the Harley types (could be the holiday mentality). Speaking for myself I tend to wave or nod at other riders, even the little snots on the 'Ped's who rarely respond.

[montmil]

If you're driving a pickemup truck on a Texas state highway -Interstate raceways don't count- the wave is about as casual as it can get... You've got one hand laid across the wheel at the 12 o'clock position. You'll acknowledge passing another truck by casually lifting only the index finger. Best to be wearing your cowboy or feed store gimme cap. Yes, I have a faithful Ford truck and the hats to go with it.

Certain Drive Texas Friendly customs do transfer to the motorcycling crowd. The bike wave is executed with the left arm down at about a 45-degree angle and the first two fingers are extended. Here's the deal on the two fingers thing: You're both saying, Keep two wheels down and the shiny side up. Newbies wave with all fingers extended. I see that with a lot with the mid-life HD lads.

In my riding, I would estimate approx 85-90% of the cruiser folks hit me with the wave. Maybe half that percentage with sport bikes. Often the sporty boys are too new / too cool to have matured from the squid stage into true motorcyclists. If two-up, it's often the female pillion that waves. Also, should any rider be making a turn or maneuvering in traffic, there's no hurt feelings if the wave is not offered. Sometimes, you've gotta keep both hands on the bars and your head on a swivel.

Now all y'all drive safe and friendly. That's the Cowboy Way.

[davidpdx]

Seems to me it is more of a location thing. In the city almost no one waves, in the country almost everyone waves.

[Ed Miller]

Drivers of VW Kombis wave to each other.

Do they have plenty of time in which to do so?

[Ed Miller]

Most motorcyclists wave around here.  It gets a bit annoying at times, as I try to be polite.  I never noticed people in cars waving at others, nor do I wave from my car.  Oddly many bicyclists that I meet when I'm riding mine don't wave or anything.  I meet so few that it seems like a big deal to me, and we're going so slowly that there's plenty of time for it.  Almost as much as the VW guys have.

[Crossrodes]

Interesting...many riders wave here on Vancouver Island but many Harley riders will not.  The interesting part is that when I ride in the Southern US during the winter most riders including the Harley riders will wave.  But then I ride with some fellows on Goldwings who will not wave.  I ride a Wing and a BMW.

[k_enn]

Around here, about three quarters of the motorcyclists waive/signal each other on two lane roads, less on divided highways where traffic can be more of an issue.  A majority of the waives/signals from motorcyclists are Monte's two finger waive.  When people in cars waive around here, it is usually the "one-finger salute."  

k_enn

[Lucky_Lou]

This is fairly common ritual in the rural areas of the southern and western areas of the US as well .

With a smoking gun ?....
I do not bother "nodding" at Harleys as their newbie riders are likely to fall off responding.
I do acknowledge anyone who "nods" at me unless its in a dumb ass situation.
Drivers of Camper vans (US read RV,s) always seem to wave at each other.

Monte wrote....... Certain Drive Texas Friendly customs do transfer to the motorcycling crowd. The bike wave is executed with the left arm down at about a 45-degree angle and the first two fingers are extended. Here's the deal on the two fingers thing: You're both saying, Keep two wheels down and the shiny side up.

That's not uncommon here for those paying attention usually the hand will be resting on your knee
Lou

[marcmax]

I live right on the Florida/Georgia border about 1.5 hours north of Daytona Beach. Where I live a wave between motorcyclists is very common. It doesn't matter if it's a Harley, cruiser or sport bike most people seem to acknowledge a wave. The closer I get to Daytona, with its reputation as a bike mecca (Bike Week, Biketoberfest, etc.) the less likely I am to get a wave or have a wave returned. People become "too cool" to respond.

I have noticed that most of the Harley and cruiser riders don't wave to sport bike riders and vice-versa. Riding an old airhead most people will wave at you.

I don't care. If they wave I wave back. If I wave and they don't I still feel better about myself.