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Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: Toad Rider on June 26, 2007, 12:22:56 PM

Title: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Toad Rider on June 26, 2007, 12:22:56 PM
Anyone else notice this?  I'm beginning to dislike Harley riders.  They are quite stuck up about their bikes. 
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: heatherg11 on June 26, 2007, 12:24:37 PM
agreed.....most of them don't wave to me either. don't know if they just don't wave at sportbikes (I know, GS isn't really a sportbike..but you know what I mean) or anything not a harley???
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: VSG on June 26, 2007, 12:26:21 PM
A bunch of Harley (or at least cruiser type bikes) waved to me in the past few days.  Maybe they just don't like bikes with fairings.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: spc on June 26, 2007, 12:28:27 PM
+1  I'll ride with a group of supersports and they'll lose me in the straights but I'll see harley riders just ignore them then wave to me.   
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: makenzie71 on June 26, 2007, 12:36:40 PM
I pass more non-harley guys who don't wave.  Harley riders ALWAYS wave to me no matter what I ride and I get more sport riders than anything else ignore me.  I used to complain about this until that one day I woke up and realized no one really gives a shaZam!.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: spc on June 26, 2007, 12:41:10 PM
Mak, I think you need happy pills......life just isn't that bad  ( said while staring at the 2, 4 inch pins that have been in my wrist for a month)
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: ArkRider on June 26, 2007, 12:52:28 PM
This topic just came up on the BMW board I'm on.  Most blame the Harley riders for being stuck up and in their own "I'm a rebel" world.  I think that their are all kinds on all different bikes.  I wave because I'm having a great time doing what I love to do and they are all part of the "brotherhood".  If they don't wave back, so what.  Maybe they were watching traffic, maybe concentrating on that noise to see what part is going to fall off, maybe they are ass holes.  There is a good artical on "The Wave" at http://www.shinnysideup.com/msf/The%20Wave.htm (http://www.shinnysideup.com/msf/The%20Wave.htm) and a funny one at http://www.shinnysideup.com/msf/WaveII.htm (http://www.shinnysideup.com/msf/WaveII.htm).
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 12:52:51 PM
Majority of Harley riders wave to me around here, and if we meet up at a traffic light, we chat in 99% of the cases!  :cheers:

Whatever the case, I wave because I enjoy being a part of the motorcycle community, and I figure if they don't wave back, they're busy at the controls...and if they don't wave back on purpose, 1. I rarely pay attention to whether or not someone waves back anyway, and 2. that's their problem.  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Black Sunshine on June 26, 2007, 01:08:45 PM
I have only ever been waved at by a trike rider! Here its all about the nod  :)
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 01:15:15 PM
Quote from: Black Sunshine on June 26, 2007, 01:08:45 PM
I have only ever been waved at by a trike rider! Here its all about the nod  :)

Cuz you're busy with the wave hand, right?  :icon_mrgreen: (And don't make that dirty, peoples!  :laugh:)
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on June 26, 2007, 01:16:25 PM
I wave at everyone, assuming I'm physically able, and if they don't wave back.. so what?

I sometimes go to wave when I'm in the car, then realize I'm not on the bike.. :laugh:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: makenzie71 on June 26, 2007, 01:19:22 PM
I do that all the time...I'll wave spontaneously while driving only to have the rider look back at me like I'm a retard...
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Black Sunshine on June 26, 2007, 01:20:37 PM
Quote from: pandy on June 26, 2007, 01:15:15 PM
Quote from: Black Sunshine on June 26, 2007, 01:08:45 PM
I have only ever been waved at by a trike rider! Here its all about the nod  :)

Cuz you're busy with the wave hand, right?  :icon_mrgreen: (And don't make that dirty, peoples!  :laugh:)

With the missus  ;).

Waves just doesnt happen round here, in all the time on the roads I've had one wave in 11 years! Minus pedestrians at the mega ride. I should do a write up about different types of nod. Straight forward, sideways, a kinda roll, the list probably could go on if i got into precise angles....
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 01:22:48 PM
Quote from: Black Sunshine on June 26, 2007, 01:20:37 PM
I should do a write up about different types of nod. Straight forward, sideways, a kinda roll, the list probably could go on if i got into precise angles....

That would be cool!  :thumb:

Do you folks have a middle-finger wave, too?  ;)  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: heatherg11 on June 26, 2007, 01:23:30 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on June 26, 2007, 01:16:25 PM

I sometimes go to wave when I'm in the car, then realize I'm not on the bike.. :laugh:

my roommate did that a couple of weeks ago....we still laugh about it to this day.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: darb85 on June 26, 2007, 01:24:54 PM
I wave, dont much care if they wave back

on that, First time I was out on the bike a guy on a harley waved, I proceeded to lift my arm over my head and wave like a 4 year old waving good bye.  Ill bet they still laugh about that on.  I had to look like a complete dink!!
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Black Sunshine on June 26, 2007, 01:26:02 PM
Only for the chav scum on 50 mopeds, I hate them. Trying to race away from a set of lights, the procedure is left hand in the air middle finger up in first gear, power past them, click into second clutchless adding another finger for the V.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 01:26:29 PM
One time I was out riding, and someone had their whole arm up and waving back and forth at me (kind of like a kid trying to get his mother's attention). I thought that was just THE most adorable thing I'd ever seen!  :kiss3:  I'm a sucker for passion on two wheels!  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 01:26:58 PM
Quote from: Black Sunshine on June 26, 2007, 01:26:02 PM
Only for the chav scum on 50 mopeds, I hate them. Trying to race away from a set of lights, the procedure is left hand in the air middle finger up in first gear, power past them, click into second clutchless adding another finger for the V.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: darb85 on June 26, 2007, 01:35:34 PM
Quote from: pandy on June 26, 2007, 01:26:29 PM
One time I was out riding, and someone had their whole arm up and waving back and forth at me (kind of like a kid trying to get his mother's attention). I thought that was just THE most adorable thing I'd ever seen!  :kiss3:  I'm a sucker for passion on two wheels!  :icon_mrgreen:

Ya that was me on my first ride. Once.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 01:36:39 PM
Quote from: darb85 on June 26, 2007, 01:35:34 PM
Ya that was me on my first ride. Once.

But it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo kewt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :kiss3: :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: darb85 on June 26, 2007, 01:37:17 PM
I was bright red the next 20 miles after that. :oops:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 01:39:10 PM
When I received my first wave when I was a new rider....well, I don't think there was a more-exciting moment that day. I felt like doing flips! I probably was hardly subtle in my wave back!!  :laugh:  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: frankieG on June 26, 2007, 01:52:31 PM
i wave at everyone, if they don't wave back....well maybe they just did not see me.   its about karma guys and girls.  you spread shaZam! expect to get shaZam! back.  spread cheer and the whole world is your friend.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: CasiUSA on June 26, 2007, 01:58:07 PM
I give people the nod from my car once in a while- usually they know what's up and nod back. Kind of like a fight club thing.  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: ohgood on June 26, 2007, 02:19:50 PM
The only folks I've noticed that don't wave are the ones busy with lane changes or whatever.

All HD folks wave when approaching. Not all of them wave when you overtake them though ;)

The chicks riding do. The chicks pillion wave and smile, usually big. (Chicks meant in the most appealing way, not deragatary at all.)

I've noticed alot of crotch rocket types will do the nod or bang on their helmet (5-0 ahead).

The coooooOOOooOOOooolest feeling was the first ride I was on, and a BMW tourer gave a wave.

I personally wave or nod if I can't physically wave at the moment to every bike that I see.

If it's a forever long traffic jam of HD's, I'll just do the left handlebar wave.
:thumb:

Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Mayoke on June 26, 2007, 04:22:08 PM
Heh.
Funny.
When I had my GS and rode in Dahlonega, it was the Harley guys that ALWAYS waved and the sportbikes that NEVER waved.
We always stopped at T.W.O. for a break and to grab a Coke or something. (Two Wheels Only - Awesome place for ONLY bikes)
It never failed, before I could get my jacket off, I usually had 3-4 rough lookin grizzled Harley guys around my little 500 asking me questions about it and admiring it.
(Which was REAL funny because the group I rode with consisted of a Shadow 750, GSXR 750 and Yamaha R1.)

I even went to a bike night at a local Hooters.
I think I was the only non-cruiser there. (There may have been one or two sport bikes but that was it.)
I had a HUGE crowd by ME all asking if it was a good bike, where I bought it, gas mileage, if I had been to "insert place here" yet, etc.

*shrug*
Maybe I'm just lucky.
It sure as hell aint my good looks.  LOL!   :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: makenzie71 on June 26, 2007, 04:49:33 PM
oh i will add that I very seldom wave if Kalee's on the bike.  It's pillion's job to wave at:

Other bikers
Children
Policemen/Firemen/Soldiers
Anyone else who looks genuinely interested
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on June 26, 2007, 07:35:05 PM
Quote from: makenzie71 on June 26, 2007, 04:49:33 PM
oh i will add that I very seldom wave if Kalee's on the bike.  It's pillion's job to wave at:

Other bikers
Children
Policemen/Firemen/Soldiers
Anyone else who looks genuinely interested


I've looked genuinely interested in one or two pillions and gotten waved at in return.

Not sure the rider was real thrilled, though...

Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: makenzie71 on June 26, 2007, 07:41:38 PM
I don't mind other people being genuinely interested in my pillion...if I was the only one who wanted her I wouldn't feel so lucky.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on June 27, 2007, 01:11:08 AM
I have sort of mixed results with the HD riders.

On the one hand, most of them by far return the wave... I'd say 80-85 percent.

On the other hand, well over 98 percent of those who DON'T return the wave (not counting scooters and cops) are on a Harley... usually a very expensive-looking, big, shiny Harley, and usually the guy is wearing leathers that look like they're brand new. The guys who look like they've spent years in the saddle always seem to return the wave, the ones who don't tend to look like they tried to buy the image at a dealer.

There's a bar maybe 10 miles away where they hang out. They ride their bikes in, get a beer, walk around the parking lot looking at all the bikes and talking about them, then they ride home. For most of them, I think that's all the riding they do. It's all about the bike, and not at all about riding. The closer you get to that one bar, the fewer riders return the wave... you could almost use it to navigate.

Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on June 27, 2007, 01:21:26 AM
Quote from: makenzie71 on June 26, 2007, 12:36:40 PM
I pass more non-harley guys who don't wave.  Harley riders ALWAYS wave to me no matter what I ride and I get more sport riders than anything else ignore me.  I used to complain about this until that one day I woke up and realized no one really gives a shaZam!.
agreed mak, i have not met an hd rider who did not wave. never really met any riders who didnt, cept for a lot of gixxer riders, but then again, on one of those if you let your attention wander for a bit, it can be disasterous. but hey i wave at all of them , even those ugly ass pink chinese scooters :laugh:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: natedawg120 on June 27, 2007, 05:52:31 AM
everyone waves around here, doesn't matter what you ride.  Even get the enthusiastic "Hey your on a bike too and I am new at this"  wave, you know the one that looks like the princess wave, except bigger - i return the normal wave hoping they figure it out :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: dchrist on June 27, 2007, 02:04:05 PM
I have a confession to make.

I wave at scooters. the other day I waved at a bicyclist just because she looked like she was hating cars at that moment.

I figure its us on t.w.o against the cages. we all need  the moral support.  ;)

I'm from Boston, Mass. I get about 75% wavers. Harley or not. There's a lot of traffic around here so sometimes its difficult. The first wave I ever got was from a guy on a HD. I was in some twisties and three guys on harley's waved going the other way while really leaning into the turn. not sure how they did that. hope they didn't wreck. I'm still not great at waving back if I'm focused on not F'ing up while I ride. I hope they understood, I felt bad because they really put out some effort there.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: makenzie71 on June 27, 2007, 03:01:01 PM
^a nod is acceptable if your hands are busy.  Most biker's get the idea.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: xxqualitysealxx on June 27, 2007, 03:59:20 PM
So are you a first waver, return waver, or non waver?

I am a first waver, I will wave at every bike that passes, scooter, harley, sport, bicycle, or even a truck with a bike in the back. My girlfriend says that I am obsessive compulsive about it. I even get bummed if I ever forget or am too far in a lean. How sad it that?
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: RVertigo on June 27, 2007, 05:23:26 PM
More cruiser-dudes wave at me on the cruiser than on the GS...  But, some give me funny looks 'cause of my gear...  Sporties still wave at the Meany, but it seems like I get more sporty waves on the GS...   :dunno_white:


Sometimes I wave at scooters, but the almost never wave back...  So...  I've nearly given up on them...  The red-headed-step-children of the two-wheeled-world. :icon_rolleyes:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on June 27, 2007, 05:39:24 PM
I'm a first-waver. I almost always wave first... except for scooters and motorcycle cops, neither of which has ever returned my wave.

Got another question... how big does a divided highway have to be before you DON'T wave?  I mean, 6 lanes each way, and somebody is 9 away from you coming the other way....  ??


Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: spc on June 27, 2007, 05:41:09 PM
I wave first............. but not a scooters or on a divided highway :dunno_white:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: makenzie71 on June 27, 2007, 05:43:38 PM
Do you guys wave to trikes?
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: spc on June 27, 2007, 05:47:48 PM
NO  At the point at which you ride a trike you might as well just get  a convertible car :oops: :oops: :oops:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: ben2go on June 27, 2007, 06:35:30 PM
I found that the yuppy HD owners will wave,the real bikers give ya the finger,and the wanna be real bikers just ignore you.That's just in my local area,tho.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: makenzie71 on June 27, 2007, 06:36:53 PM
I return their waves.  but I return everyone's waves.  well i'll wave at them if their obviously crippled or something...sometimes you ride the only thing you can...

i hate the finger thing.  We're roll models you fucktards....
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: spc on June 27, 2007, 06:42:18 PM
Yeah, if they wave first I wave.  And if it's an obviously disabled of very old person on a trike I wave.    I one fingered wave at anyone on a sport bike with no gear on though :mad: :mad: :flipoff: :flipoff: :flipoff:
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: zephler on June 28, 2007, 03:17:14 AM
the "nod" seems to be the go here with the sportsbikes.... ya gotta watch carefully sometimes it is more like a twitch, blink and ya miss it  :laugh:  I wave, doesn't bother me if they wave back or not, as someone else said it is all about karma  :thumb: I'm just happy to be out there doing something I love....

first wave I got on the bike was the day I picked it up, riding up a 3 lane highway and this woman cager tries to take over my lane and the front of the bike with her.... I brake quite hard and continue along behind her, she waves and looks through her rear view mirror to apologise, so I waved back at her  :dunno_white: ... what can I say...  I just picked up me bike and was happy  :kiss3: 

.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Unnamed on June 28, 2007, 03:11:45 PM
I dislike how most Harley riders don't wave to me. On the other hand, it was a new rider on a shiny new Harley who stopped and helped me out when I crashed.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: ben2go on June 29, 2007, 01:01:58 PM
Scooter people here are usually DUI cases with 3+ convictions.I just raise the front of my helmet and  :laugh: my a$$ off.If it's a kid I just shake my head.However,if it's an older person just enjoying the good fuel mileage and a cruise around town,I give them the thumbs up.If they are next to me I chat sometimes.


OK on with the good stuff.I rode my bike to check it over after doing some adjusting.I pulled into a corner store next to an old rough harley.I walked in carrying my brain bucket.He asked me what I was riding.I said a piglet.After I checked out,and went out,he came out while I was gearing up to leave.He threw his leg over his bike sat down.He looked at me rather str8 faced,then said piglet?That ain't no harley,but it is a wee little thing.I just smiled and rolled out.His bike was freaking massive.The seat had to be 16 inches wide at the narrowest point,a foot and a half longer than my bike,and weight 800 pounds plus.All I knew for sure was it had a knuckle head engine,and need a wash.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: bettingpython on June 29, 2007, 01:16:21 PM
I wave to everyone. If I don't it's because I am doing something else, occasionally its just not a good time to take a hand off the bars, or just didn't see you.

Posers on Harley's is the problem. Actual riders who have been riding for years may disdain someone else's choice in bikes, but respect that you are out there in the wind.

The nastiest crustiest most disreputable looking biker will be the first to offer a hand to a fallen rider without caring what he is on. Real riders belong to a broiherhood and the wave is our way of saying hello.

It's not harley riders or ricky racers or cruiser riders that don't wave it's the posers who haven't learned that we are a big family who fail to wave.

It's about respect.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: ging on June 29, 2007, 08:31:53 PM
My first post
Yeah Woo!

In the UK i see more nods then waves?

here's a good vid on the subject.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqykEhOIaRk&mode=user&search=

Maybe GStwin members should adopt the "hello kitty" wave near the end of the vid!
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: bettingpython on June 29, 2007, 08:34:07 PM
Welcome dude.

Love the badger avatar.

I am rather fond of badgerbadger.com
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: Egaeus on June 29, 2007, 09:57:30 PM
Badgers?  The good part is the guy from Rejected.  "My spoon is too big.  My spoon is too big.  My spoon is too big!"  "I am a banana!"

If you have no idea, then you've missed out.  Go to http://www.bitterfilms.com/rejected.html.  It's easy enough to find in the internet.
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: makenzie71 on June 29, 2007, 10:13:16 PM
I walk around doing the "my spoon is too big" reenactment all the time...kalee gets mad at me anytime I actually come across a big spoon...
Title: Re: Harley riders don't wave.
Post by: ging on July 01, 2007, 07:25:18 AM
Cheers Egaeus. hadn't seen that before  :thumb:
Silly Hats Only is my fav so far tho.