The motorcyclist wave explained
Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:29 am
I stumbled upon the original, and dramatic thread on accident. I found it very interesting and this has always been a big topic of discussion between groups of the two-wheeled kind. Being a motorcyclist myself and new to scooters, I thought it would be a great learning and understanding opportunity to reengage the conversation (original credit to Mel). So lets start with this.
Let me preface here: These are my educated evaluations and experiences from my motorcycling career, I ride in groups, solo, street, and track. I have rode many types of motorcycles and rode with many different groups of bikers. None of what I will say here should be taken as pure fact, out of context, or without question. These are my professional opinions and as discussion dictates, are debatable.
Motorcyclists wave at eachother. This statement is not to exclude scooter riders, as a scooter technically constitutes a motorcycle of a specific type and build (step-over / no clutch CVT) . So congratulations, you do ride a "motorcycle" if you thought otherwise.
What is waving and why do we do it?
There are many rider signals, waving is the simplest. A simple wave to another rider acknowledges a bond and common ground of two-wheeling. Sometimes between two bikes of the same type or riders of the same fold, its a friendly gesture to acknowledge another rider in a sea of cages (cars). In certain cases and places, waving is substituted with a different gesture; thumb up, peace sign, shakka, solidarity fist in air (yes).
Waving is only one of many signals that riders give to eachother. Others will be explained later.
Breaking two-wheeled motorists down into groups, in an attempt to include everyone while keeping the list simple.
Who they are, and do they wave? in no particular order. (Yes, Sometimes, No)
Scooter riders
You know who you are. All step-over type motorcycles. All makes and models.
Do they wave? Sometimes. I find they do not wave first, but always wave back. I find scooter riders do not understand other signals besides the wave. YOU TELL ME
Sportbike Riders
In the previous and dramatic thread, this was referred to as "Rice Rocket Riders" which I feel is incorrect. Not racist nor offensive, it simply does not accurately describe nor portray the group. Rice Rocket refers to a motorcycle of Asian (Japanese) manufacturing, when in truth, Japanese sportbikes are only a portion of the market. I myself ride a Triumph Daytona 675 (Brittish), my neibhor rides a MV Agusta Brutale (Italian), and most of my riding buddies ride Ducatti (Italian) and KTM (Australian). Sportbikes tend to follow the same aggressive styling and design, making them fairly easy to confuse. "Sportbike Rider" covers all makes and models of the go fast or look fast type.
Do they wave? Yes, sportbike riders sometimes have the reputation of using the highest ammount of rider hand signals including waving.
Cruiser riders
Choppers, bobbers, and cruisers of all makes and models. Includes standard riding position motorcycles. Most Harleys, older Japanese standard bikes, Cafe bikes (although many can have aggressive riding positions), and custom cycles fit this bill.
Do they wave? Yes, cruiser riders wave. They sometimes have a reputation of only waving to bikes of their kind.
ADV / SuMo / Dirt riders
Adventure riders, supermoto, and dirtbike riders. Big name for a big group. Exactly what they sound like. Large adventure bikes, supermotos and dirtbikes, all of the upright riding position type. These riders are often a close crossover to other types of motorcycling. I find they are generally more experienced in skill due to the unpredictable nature of... riding in nature.
Do they wave? Yes, absolutely to eachother as their riding is a little more "off the beaten path" no pun intended. As stated above, because this type of riding is a close crossover to sport riding, these riders wave a little more often having diverse riding and situational experience.
Above all, most riders are apt to wave at riders with the same type of moto.
So it sounds like everyone waves right? Then why do we have such a disconnect?
I think this is a situational issue. There is a myriad of reasons why another rider did not wave to you, or did not wave back. Its best not to take it personal. Its easy to get caught up in the joy of riding, its easy to miss a simple wave, its also more important to focus on your riding than waving to the other bikes you see in oncoming traffic.
Finally, riders learn signals and when to use them out of situation and experience. Since each group experiences riding a little differently, they don't always share the same experiences, and when they do, the common ground is waving. Signals were invented by different groups and there isn't really a uniformed set for everyone. So depending on where/when and who you learned to ride with or without, will determine the signals you know, use, and react to.
On my usual canyon runs, all the riders give signals to communicate whats going on. Riders coming down a mountain may give a thumb up to say the coast is clear for you to canyon dance quickly. A rider may also pat their head to alert others of Law Enforcement. I never see any scooters in my canyons, so if a scooterist does not understand the head pat "DUDE THERES A COP BACK THERE!" signal, i'm kind of not surprised. Is it safe to assume because the scooter does not play in the canyons like the big bikes do, they do not know all the signals?
Speaking of patting my head at someone on a scooter, here are the other signals i mentioned.
"Other" signals
I feel this is another reason why waving is misunderstood.
-Head pat (patting the top of your helmet with the palm of your hand)
Warns other riders of LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) presence nearby or around the corner. We use these everywhere and especially in the canyons to warn other riders.
-Side wave (seeing a rider in front of you wave on their side)
This is the passing wave, another canyon riding signal that can be used anywhere. The rider in front of you waving is signaling you to pass him on the side. You should also wave another rider past if you feel too much pressure.
-Low wave (fanning motion downward with your palm, hand low)
The signal for slow down, you will sometimes see LEOs or security give you this warning signal if they think you are riding too fast, or just look/sound too fast (yes it does happen). Riders use this signal too while coaching others or to warn of LEO presence (in addition or in lieu of a head pat signal)
-Fist in air (left fist balled, holding steady above head)
The signal for group slow down. Used for group riding weather you are leading or not. In a group, while following safe staggered riding postion and reaction space, if the leader spots an obstacle or hazard in the path of travel, he or she will put up their left fist, similar to the military signal for halt. This signals riders that the group is slowing down. Group riding signals are repeated by each rider down the line so that all riders are communicated to and communicating back.
Leg out pointing at ground
Road hazard. Gravel, wet patch, rocks, anything that could be hazardous to run over with a motorcycle. Another group signal, pointed out by the leader and repeated by each rider to communicate to everyone. Use whichever leg is closest to the hazard to point to it with your toe/foot.
***On the race track, this is the "I'm exiting the course" signal you use to tell other riders you will be slowing down to exit at pit"***
So, this begs the question. Do YOU wave? and why?
Do you give other riders signals? or wait to see if they signal you?
What is your experience with hand signals, and how do you feel about them?
Let me preface here: These are my educated evaluations and experiences from my motorcycling career, I ride in groups, solo, street, and track. I have rode many types of motorcycles and rode with many different groups of bikers. None of what I will say here should be taken as pure fact, out of context, or without question. These are my professional opinions and as discussion dictates, are debatable.
Motorcyclists wave at eachother. This statement is not to exclude scooter riders, as a scooter technically constitutes a motorcycle of a specific type and build (step-over / no clutch CVT) . So congratulations, you do ride a "motorcycle" if you thought otherwise.
What is waving and why do we do it?
There are many rider signals, waving is the simplest. A simple wave to another rider acknowledges a bond and common ground of two-wheeling. Sometimes between two bikes of the same type or riders of the same fold, its a friendly gesture to acknowledge another rider in a sea of cages (cars). In certain cases and places, waving is substituted with a different gesture; thumb up, peace sign, shakka, solidarity fist in air (yes).
Waving is only one of many signals that riders give to eachother. Others will be explained later.
Breaking two-wheeled motorists down into groups, in an attempt to include everyone while keeping the list simple.
Who they are, and do they wave? in no particular order. (Yes, Sometimes, No)
Scooter riders
You know who you are. All step-over type motorcycles. All makes and models.
Do they wave? Sometimes. I find they do not wave first, but always wave back. I find scooter riders do not understand other signals besides the wave. YOU TELL ME
Sportbike Riders
In the previous and dramatic thread, this was referred to as "Rice Rocket Riders" which I feel is incorrect. Not racist nor offensive, it simply does not accurately describe nor portray the group. Rice Rocket refers to a motorcycle of Asian (Japanese) manufacturing, when in truth, Japanese sportbikes are only a portion of the market. I myself ride a Triumph Daytona 675 (Brittish), my neibhor rides a MV Agusta Brutale (Italian), and most of my riding buddies ride Ducatti (Italian) and KTM (Australian). Sportbikes tend to follow the same aggressive styling and design, making them fairly easy to confuse. "Sportbike Rider" covers all makes and models of the go fast or look fast type.
Do they wave? Yes, sportbike riders sometimes have the reputation of using the highest ammount of rider hand signals including waving.
Cruiser riders
Choppers, bobbers, and cruisers of all makes and models. Includes standard riding position motorcycles. Most Harleys, older Japanese standard bikes, Cafe bikes (although many can have aggressive riding positions), and custom cycles fit this bill.
Do they wave? Yes, cruiser riders wave. They sometimes have a reputation of only waving to bikes of their kind.
ADV / SuMo / Dirt riders
Adventure riders, supermoto, and dirtbike riders. Big name for a big group. Exactly what they sound like. Large adventure bikes, supermotos and dirtbikes, all of the upright riding position type. These riders are often a close crossover to other types of motorcycling. I find they are generally more experienced in skill due to the unpredictable nature of... riding in nature.
Do they wave? Yes, absolutely to eachother as their riding is a little more "off the beaten path" no pun intended. As stated above, because this type of riding is a close crossover to sport riding, these riders wave a little more often having diverse riding and situational experience.
Above all, most riders are apt to wave at riders with the same type of moto.
So it sounds like everyone waves right? Then why do we have such a disconnect?
I think this is a situational issue. There is a myriad of reasons why another rider did not wave to you, or did not wave back. Its best not to take it personal. Its easy to get caught up in the joy of riding, its easy to miss a simple wave, its also more important to focus on your riding than waving to the other bikes you see in oncoming traffic.
Finally, riders learn signals and when to use them out of situation and experience. Since each group experiences riding a little differently, they don't always share the same experiences, and when they do, the common ground is waving. Signals were invented by different groups and there isn't really a uniformed set for everyone. So depending on where/when and who you learned to ride with or without, will determine the signals you know, use, and react to.
On my usual canyon runs, all the riders give signals to communicate whats going on. Riders coming down a mountain may give a thumb up to say the coast is clear for you to canyon dance quickly. A rider may also pat their head to alert others of Law Enforcement. I never see any scooters in my canyons, so if a scooterist does not understand the head pat "DUDE THERES A COP BACK THERE!" signal, i'm kind of not surprised. Is it safe to assume because the scooter does not play in the canyons like the big bikes do, they do not know all the signals?
Speaking of patting my head at someone on a scooter, here are the other signals i mentioned.
"Other" signals
I feel this is another reason why waving is misunderstood.
-Head pat (patting the top of your helmet with the palm of your hand)
Warns other riders of LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) presence nearby or around the corner. We use these everywhere and especially in the canyons to warn other riders.
-Side wave (seeing a rider in front of you wave on their side)
This is the passing wave, another canyon riding signal that can be used anywhere. The rider in front of you waving is signaling you to pass him on the side. You should also wave another rider past if you feel too much pressure.
-Low wave (fanning motion downward with your palm, hand low)
The signal for slow down, you will sometimes see LEOs or security give you this warning signal if they think you are riding too fast, or just look/sound too fast (yes it does happen). Riders use this signal too while coaching others or to warn of LEO presence (in addition or in lieu of a head pat signal)
-Fist in air (left fist balled, holding steady above head)
The signal for group slow down. Used for group riding weather you are leading or not. In a group, while following safe staggered riding postion and reaction space, if the leader spots an obstacle or hazard in the path of travel, he or she will put up their left fist, similar to the military signal for halt. This signals riders that the group is slowing down. Group riding signals are repeated by each rider down the line so that all riders are communicated to and communicating back.
Leg out pointing at ground
Road hazard. Gravel, wet patch, rocks, anything that could be hazardous to run over with a motorcycle. Another group signal, pointed out by the leader and repeated by each rider to communicate to everyone. Use whichever leg is closest to the hazard to point to it with your toe/foot.
***On the race track, this is the "I'm exiting the course" signal you use to tell other riders you will be slowing down to exit at pit"***
So, this begs the question. Do YOU wave? and why?
Do you give other riders signals? or wait to see if they signal you?
What is your experience with hand signals, and how do you feel about them?