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06-15-2010, 10:33 AM Interstater Joined on 12-10-2006 La Crosse, Wisconsin Posts 217 To Wave or Not to Wave An HD riding friend sent this to me.  Most of you may have seen this one before, but I thought it was worth sharing again.    To Wave or Not to Wave I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan. Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassle handlebars and the studded luggage and the half-helmets. God, they drive me crazy. You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them. They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two-wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they've got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grampa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you. Ducati guys, I don't wave at them either Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys. Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep on going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ass. I never wave at Kawasaki guys. I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way. Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two-piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at those guys with the helmets with the loud paintjobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet like I'm going to wave back to that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots. To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special? '81 GL500 Interstate '82 GL500 Interstate '82 GL1100 Interstate '99 Valkyrie Interstate '99 750 Shadow ACE '99 1100 Shadow Spirit I first hit the highways in '78 on a CB200T.    Report

06-15-2010, 1:12 PM Wootersen Joined on 04-04-2010 P-Town, Oregon Posts 73 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave Nice !  I'm a firm believer in the wave.  Somebody needs a training class for the scooter guys though, those guys are so enthusiastic with their wave you would think they were a bunch of six year olds.    1981 Honda GL500 - 32.000 miles. Purchased off of Craigslist for $100 and used primarily for committing felonies.    Report

06-15-2010, 5:15 PM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave 1%er here. About 1 percent of the time I don't wave. You can count it out if you want. For the most part brothers are brothers unless their sisters. One of the reasons why and we should or could almost test this is to go out to a nice 55 mph non stress road and set the bike up looking like it's broken. Try not to over do it like harleys otherwise they will think you're trying to put the for sale sign on it. But back to the test. Sit there looking screwed and see who pulls over. 1 percent of the time here in Harley country a Harley will pull over but only if they grew up with jap bikes. Most of the times that I have been stopped on the side of the road I have been checked on by Bmw, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Triumph, Kawasaki and one harley. Your brothers should know the feeling of what it is like sitting on the side of the road not knowing what to do.  And how they would feel if someone helped them. So don't be a dick. If you can give your brother a hand then do so. Recently when my bike blew a fuse due to a short and left me on the side of the road I was sure I could fix it or have a ride in minutes. Two BMW riders stopped to help me and even offered to drive me home to get my truck. Now that's above and beyond. 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

06-15-2010, 7:57 PM dhoenisch Joined on 03-29-2009 Chicagoland, IL Posts 159 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave  Wootersen wrote: Nice !  I'm a firm believer in the wave.  Somebody needs a training class for the scooter guys though, those guys are so enthusiastic with their wave you would think they were a bunch of six year olds.    :)  I used to be a scooter guy, but I don't think I ever actually waved at anyone, but then, I don't ever remember getting the wave from anyone, even other scooter guys.  In fact, I only return waves, I don't usually initiate them.  Must be the Chicagoan in me or something.  While riding the Honda, it is very rare to get the wave from anyone on a Harley, but when I was riding my little Yamaha dual-sport, the very first wave I got when I took the bike out for it's maiden voyage was from a Harley guy. I don't think those crotch rocket guys ever wave, but then, they seem to be more interested in trying to see how many traffic laws they can break than waving anyhow.  Dan 1982 Honda GL500i SilverWing Interstate - Stripped Naked A.K.A. The Thread Killer    Report

06-15-2010, 9:34 PM jayhanig Joined on 08-23-2008 Topsail Beach, NC USA Posts 927 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave I will generally wave unless I'm actively using the clutch... and I don't care who I wave at.  If I don't wave, I'll at least nod my head. I've noted that smaller towns seem to be better as far as getting waves.  When I lived in Charlotte, I might get a wave maybe a third of the time.  When I rode down to Rock Hill, just across the border, I'd get a wave 90% of the time.  Now that I'm living at Topsail Beach, the only ones who don't seem to wave are the scooter guys.  I figure they're too embarrassed.  I know I would be. Something else I've noted down here is that most guys seem to have a passenger.  It wasn't that way in Charlotte or even Rock Hill, but it's the rule here rather than the exception.  I've never carried a passenger. I've also noted that folks seem to trust in providence when it comes to preparing for the slide.  Lots of skin to rub off on the pavement.... Jay 82 GL500 Silverwing (naked) Age 55 Dress for the slide.... not for the ride.    Report

06-16-2010, 8:20 AM surforski Joined on 10-25-2009 Maple Grove, MN Posts 120 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave That is all so funny. I wave to everyone. I'm so happy to be out riding and see others riding. I wave to bikers when I'm in my cage too!! They don't usually see it but I'm always hopeful. Can't say who doesn't wave back but there are always a few. Never just one kind of bike I've found although at times it felt it was the harley guys. Guess I've been riding more in the crummy weather these days and I don't typically see HD guys out on those days. Some of course, but not many. Surforski 1981 Honda CX500-C    Report

06-16-2010, 7:06 PM ratbobber82 Joined on 05-21-2010 Burnsville,mn Posts 5 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave i wave...sometimes with all the fingers....lol....most the harley guys don't wave. My buddy that rides a ultra classic don't wave unless it's another harley. most of the rocket guys wave around here. 1982 gl500 rat bobber 1988 kawasaki vn1500se <--slowly bleeding my dry    Report

06-17-2010, 12:33 PM Chi-town GL Joined on 06-09-2010 Chicago IL Posts 62 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave I'll wave to just about anyone because if I'm riding, it means the bike is running and I'm happy .  I had a guy on a bicycle wave at me the other day though and could not help laughing...and not waving.  Get a moped and we'll talk dude, at least that has an engine! 82 GL500I Silverwing 79 Yamaha XS400 Special "Everything worth knowing leaves bruises"    Report

06-17-2010, 12:50 PM CXSarnia Joined on 01-11-2008 Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Posts 2,623 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave I was on our Sunday Breakfast Ride in a little burg called "Oil Springs" - breakfast was good - we had about 15 bikes of all sizes, colours, and denominations, and every one of us waved at the little tyke on his "Big Wheel" and he waved back at every one of us - no matter what bike we were on! :-) 2009 DN-01 Spakin' New! 1982 CX500 Turbo & Parts bike 1981 SL185 Yamaha Exciter 198? V45 Magna 1979 CX500 Deluxe 1982 CB750K Daily rider September 1999 1982 CX500 Custom - project Originally bought April 1982 safetied and on the road 09/2008    Report

06-17-2010, 5:23 PM Chi-town GL Joined on 06-09-2010 Chicago IL Posts 62 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave Now big wheels always count! 82 GL500I Silverwing 79 Yamaha XS400 Special "Everything worth knowing leaves bruises"    Report

06-18-2010, 3:37 PM Dobie in Maplewood Joined on 08-29-2009 Posts 14 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave I'm with you! I wave unless I am on the clutch, then I nod. I'm sure I get a return wave more than half the time, from crotch rockets, cruisers and tourers. When one goes down, we all are down. I'll lend a hand, if I can. I'm of the mind that we are all part of the brother(and sister)hood! I'm a firm believer that you don't see motorcycles parked out front of psychiatrists offices!! That's why I refer to it as 'therepy!' I bought it to ride, not to show off my polishing skills. 1982 GL500 Silverwing    Report

06-18-2010, 3:48 PM Sky72chop Joined on 08-19-2009 Chicago IL Posts 55 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave My dad I think put it best and it's something I've followed since hearing it. He's a 30+ year rider and started out small as most of us have. He now has what he jokingly calls the geezer glide (electric glide in case you didn't get it) anyways he says if it has 2 wheels and a motor he's happy to wave regardless if there's a return or not. Even he doesn't care for the Harley guys who wave only to harleys. As 2 wheel enthusiasts were all on the same team. Well most of us are at least. I say wave if you wave nod or whatever back cool if not I'm still going to enjoy my ride that's for sure. Safe riding to everyone in 2010 1979 Honda cb750k chopper (79 darkside) 1972 Honda chopper over 8' long (my blown motor love) 1982 Honda gl500 (newest member of the family)    Report

06-19-2010, 6:11 AM mr. softie Joined on 03-14-2009 Beautiful Bucks County PA... I ride a 83 GL650I Posts 663 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave The wave for me is a salute to the other rider as we share the same joys and challenges while on two wheels. For those about the ride, We Salute You! May the wind always be at your back and the sun overhead as you make your way down the ever winding, smoothly paved, traffic free road! Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.    Report

06-19-2010, 7:40 AM dean Joined on 06-13-2007 Pittsboro, NC Posts 511 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave if you're on two wheels, powered by a motor, you get a wave from me.  shoot, sometimes all it takes is two wheels.  i make no assumptions on brands because i've met jerks on all brands and styles of bikes.  i've also met some really great people on all brands and styles of bikes. btw, glad to know that i'm usually interested in seeing how many laws i can break.  didn't know that.  next time i take the fz6 out i'll have to keep count.  hmmm, wonder if i'll be able to remember to wave while i'm counting how many laws i'm breaking. an fz6 for any that might now know what they look like 06 FZ6 80 CX500 Custom (project) 83 Gl650I (given back to original owner)    Report

06-19-2010, 4:19 PM mr. softie Joined on 03-14-2009 Beautiful Bucks County PA... I ride a 83 GL650I Posts 663 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave Speaking of breaking laws, I have been in the habit of committing the following infractions...speeding (100mph in a 55), passing on the shoulder (when traffic was backed up), and not wearing corrective lenses (like my drivers license says I should). I just got pulled over by a cop for the above infractions the other day. Small town cop in the town next to mine. He gave me a lecture on how I was being a bad example and let me go. Saved me a ton of dough and got me to thinking. I waved to him today as I rode through his town at the speed limit, in the traffic lane, and wearing my glasses. May the wind always be at your back and the sun overhead as you make your way down the ever winding, smoothly paved, traffic free road! Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.    Report

06-20-2010, 3:16 PM caain Joined on 06-19-2010 Omaha, NE Posts 5 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave Nice.. definitely got a kick out of this. I always try to wave, though the majority of crotch-rocket packs around here never seem to wave back. 1980 CX500C 2005 HD XL883L 2007 HD FXDB    Report

06-25-2010, 11:32 AM jasonh Joined on 06-14-2010 Longmont, CO Posts 78 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave I wave and wave back or nod my head if I'm turning or using the clutch.  I'll rarely not wave or nod back, usually because I just didn't see you in time (other side of divided highway). I'd say I get a wave from maybe 80% of riders.  No connection to type or brand, they all wave.  Smallish city of about 90,000. It's great.  I used to drive an SRT-4, got waved all the time.  Now and again I get the "Jeep wave" while driving, and now I got the 2-wheel wave. 81 GL500    Report

06-25-2010, 9:25 PM DavidfromWisconsin Joined on 03-19-2008 Appleton, WI Posts 2,458 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave I have found that if you wave with your left hand down below the handlebar that about 70% of the riders will wave back ... including the Harley riders. If I do a wave up with my hand up, I get about 40-50% waving back. I have no clue why ... David From Wisconsin ... R80Dave '82 GL500I alias Candy '82 GL500I alias Candy II '00 BMW K1200LT & trailer '81 KZ440 (Wife's learning bike)    Report

06-26-2010, 7:03 AM jayhanig Joined on 08-23-2008 Topsail Beach, NC USA Posts 927 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave  DavidfromWisconsin wrote: I have found that if you wave with your left hand down below the handlebar that about 70% of the riders will wave back ... including the Harley riders. If I do a wave up with my hand up, I get about 40-50% waving back. I have no clue why ... Because waving with your hand up makes you look like a rube. Jay 82 GL500 Silverwing (naked) Age 55 Dress for the slide.... not for the ride.    Report

06-26-2010, 8:43 PM Silverado 6x6 Joined on 08-13-2009 Wasilla, Alaska Posts 440 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave I live in Alaska and when the weather is good the few highways we have fill up rapidly with bikers, now I know how officers feel passing new recruits all saluting and you keep on returning a salute. On my CX500 I get all the sport bike waves and quite a few of the cruisers, when I'm riding the Yamaha Star 1300 I rarely get a sportbike wave and always get the cruisers but not so much the full dressers like the Goldwings, yet they often wave again when I'm back on the CX. I just do a "V" with two fingers while still gripping the bar, never at a stoplight and never on a divided highway. I don't expect a complimentary wave back if the other riders needs to use his clutch hand. 1980 CX 500 Deluxe with Vetter Vindicator Electric Fan conversion LED lamp conversion Bridgestone Spitfires New Ricks Motorsports stator H4 HID headlamp 2009 Yamaha V-Star 1300 Tourer New stuff being added every day.    Report

06-26-2010, 10:51 PM Trickster Joined on 03-06-2010 Alberta Posts 164 Re: To Wave or Not to Wave Not into the wave here, not while on 2 wheels or 4 or 18. Too busy paying attention to the crazy drivers, stray dogs and scantily clad women, while I try to text, light a smoke, and drink my coffee. Seriously though, not a habit I am into, just doing my own thing, and could care less who else is riding a bike, not really a unique thing anymore. But I will stop to offer assistance, or inquire if help is needed, regardless of the number of wheels on your ride. 1979 CX500 Custom 1978 GL1000    Report

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