I wave to anybody,...scooters, bicycles, little kids on tricycles,...whatever,....sometimes just a nod.  If they don't acknowledge, I do my best aussie janx impersonation: 'oh no I'm too kewl to wave at anybody' in 3rd person,....

  ... No I don't wave ... I nod .... Often receive a nod in return ... Only,time I'll normally lift my hands from the bars is to either stretch a shoulder cramp out ... Or left hand only to tap top of helmet for the police around signal ...

... So I didn't make a on topic comment first post about waving .... Nothing unusual there 

I give the low wave as I pass another rider regardless of a scooter, cruiser, tri, or other cycle.
some will give a wave or deuces as they pass. Got a local HD MC in my area and some give a nod or waive in reply to me and some jus cruise without looking, as with other riders I"ve passed but I"ll still continue to throw out my wave, its who I am.

I see it as a unspoken brotherhood that all riders belong to and most I've encountered have always replied with a wave, nod, or deuce sign.

Well, I usually wave only at motorcycles and most of the time I get a wave back. I only don't do it first/return if I'm busy with the clutch at the moment, or ride with my wife in the back (she hates when I take my hands off the bars, or even just one).

Sometimes it happens that I wave at a scooter (particularly the larger ones, it's hard to tell from the distance what it is), but never got one in return, and I never got a scooter to wave back at me.

And whenever I have a chance I give a 'peace' sign to cars that see me early enough and pull to the side to make it easier to split lanes. And whenever I'm in my car, and pull to the side - I usually get either a peace sign, or a foot-down from the biker.

When I drive my car and somebody makes it easier for me to pass - I do a single or double blink with my flashers to say 'thank you'.

It's good to be kind 

Here in MA most people give the waive or nod(most people that are over 25). However there are also large MC here and they are not the waiv type and when you do they give you the finger or look at you like you slept with there wife. I usually don't initiate unless its some one I have ran into before. There are younger guys here that dont waive but that is because they are riding like ass hates go 60 threw neighborhoods. Sorry to rant as I get older and the fact that I have kids and a wonderful wife, that kind of stuff eerks me more and more

UK rider here. And scooter at the moment lol. I have been noding to all riders here. Responses are mixed, you have bigger bikes riders nodding back, sometimes initiate too, but scooters riders generally don't initiate first. I think is due to feeling not accepted in "the club". Other issue is - to be honest - having scooter is much more practical here in busy London. Thing about HD riders here - very "elitearian" - usually (mostly) heads up and kind off looking at you from above lol. Due to low practicality of HD here they are being purchased usually by "thick wallet" guys who ride them during summer and when weather is good (Sunday riders) - do I have to explain more? Lol But I have been surprised few times. Then again if you would want to nod to every biker you are passing your neck would need thai massage at the end of each day lol - bikes are so common here - and I suspect it affects perception of feel of "comunity".
I ride 125cc scooter at the moment but I feel biker and protective gear is a must and I crinch when I see "bad asses" riding in shorts and short sleeve (is illegal to not wear legal Helmet).

Quote from: Beehave on June 15, 2014, 12:40:03 PM
UK rider here. And scooter at the moment lol. I have been noding to all riders here. Responses are mixed, you have bigger bikes riders nodding back, sometimes initiate too, but scooters riders generally don't initiate first. I think is due to feeling not accepted in "the club". Other issue is - to be honest - having scooter is much more practical here in busy London. Thing about HD riders here - very "elitearian" - usually (mostly) heads up and kind off looking at you from above lol. Due to low practicality of HD here they are being purchased usually by "thick wallet" guys who ride them during summer and when weather is good (Sunday riders) - do I have to explain more? Lol But I have been surprised few times. Then again if you would want to nod to every biker you are passing your neck would need thai massage at the end of each day lol - bikes are so common here - and I suspect it affects perception of feel of "comunity".
I ride 125cc scooter at the moment but I feel biker and protective gear is a must and I crinch when I see "bad asses" riding in shorts and short sleeve (is illegal to not wear legal Helmet).

Are scooters able to do things a motorcycle can't in the UK?  Other than the more comfortable position/styling for urban riding I can't see much of a difference between a scooter and a small bike.
I don't think I've ever seen a scooter here in the US with more than a helmet on, and 90% don't even do that.  Although I've also seen very few riders with full gear on any motorcycle, and I don't think I've ever seen a HD rider in full gear (jeans ~= buck naked in a real crash).  Just the other day I saw a HD guy wearing jean shorts and NOTHING else, not even shoes.
When there's a lot of other riders my arm gets a bit tired from waving, but I enjoy doing it nonetheless.

DoctorKiu - rules for scooters and motorcycles in UK are the same irregardless it's 50 cc or above - helmet is compulsory, other gear is common sense dictated lol. There is not much difference if you crash on scooter or motorcycle on 60mph. That's my Hondas maxim but I do that "maximum" quite often. And to be honest having full gear saved my "bacon" few times.
I purchased scooter because I am limited to 125cc and being 6'2 and roughly 200 pounds small 125cc motorcycle would look undersize lol. Big guy on scooter look more cute than silly lol.

To add - weather in UK is rather unpredictable so better to be geared at start. Those with short sleeve here are mist likely on their trip to local shop to get some milk, bread, pack of fags(cigarettes) or to impress ladies. Or they didn't think of buying protective gear because they ride only on occasions of nice weather

Quote from: Beehave on June 16, 2014, 09:28:52 AM
DoctorKiu - rules for scooters and motorcycles in UK are the same irregardless it's 50 cc or above - helmet is compulsory, other gear is common sense dictated lol. There is not much difference if you crash on scooter or motorcycle on 60mph. That's my Hondas maxim but I do that "maximum" quite often. And to be honest having full gear saved my "bacon" few times.
I purchased scooter because I am limited to 125cc and being 6'2 and roughly 200 pounds small 125cc motorcycle would look undersize lol. Big guy on scooter look more cute than silly lol.

To add - weather in UK is rather unpredictable so better to be geared at start. Those with short sleeve here are mist likely on their trip to local shop to get some milk, bread, pack of fags(cigarettes) or to impress ladies. Or they didn't think of buying protective gear because they ride only on occasions of nice weather

Why is there a 125cc limit?  Sounds a bit low when most people think 250s are underpowered, even though they aren't.  I suppose a scooter would make you look less funny than a tiny bike.

People wearing helmets and no other gear make me wonder what will be going through their head when their helmet keeps them conscious whilst concrete/asphalt are sanding away their skin and flesh.  You can get a good set of mesh pants and a matching jacket for less than the cost of most entry-level helmets, and they are comfortable to well over 90F even when sitting still.

Hahahahahaha I certainly agree with you on that. I might not always have full gear but always at least long jeans and jacket. Gloves are must - I might deal with broken bones but not with removed skin lol. Mandatory helmet is result of pressure from national health service because they wanted save on head injuries treatment which use to cost them big chunk of their budget. And thanks to helmets they are saving money now.

Coming back on your question about displacement - to ride motorcycle/scooter up to 125 cc you need only CBT which is one day training. Above that you need full motorcycle licence. People switching on to two wheels really help reduce urban congestions. More idiots on the road thou. But I personally prefer idiot on motorcycle than in the car. And I am slowly becoming convinced that road rules of those of Mumbai/Delhi apply in here:-D

If I could only have one piece of gear aside from the helmet it would be gloves.  That way if I crashed I could still wipe myself.   

I wonder if our practically national health service will lead to renewed helmet laws.  It makes no sense that we have seat-belt laws while you could ride a motorcycle in a thong if you wanted (wonder if that would be a good high-vis strategy?).

That's interesting; over here we're limited to 50cc to get away without having an endorsement (and plates and insurance).  If they upped it to 125 I bet we'd have a lot more converts, and they wouldn't be a hazard to themselves and everyone else on the road.  It's not that they are particularly dangerous, it's the raging drivers who are stuck behind them when a headwind leaves them doing 20 under.

From what I know you have to pay yourself bills for health care in US. Haven't you? So why would government care. Victims of accidents are customers to private sector of your health care. Great business. Am I wrong?
Here in UK health care is basically free - founded from budget trough NHS. So of course they wants safety lol.

To ride 50cc you still have to have licence plates, Road Tax and Motor insurance in here.

Drivers - hmmmm - painful subject. I feel like lunatic/crusader sometimes shouting at them that turn lights were invented for a reason and they should use them. Majority don't even look in the mirrors. I am starting to think that if I knock some mirrors every now and then it not going to be noticed lok

Quote from: Beehave on June 16, 2014, 11:10:21 AM
From what I know you have to pay yourself bills for health care in US. Haven't you? So why would government care. Victims of accidents are customers to private sector of your health care. Great business. Am I wrong?
Here in UK health care is basically free - founded from budget trough NHS. So of course they wants safety lol.

To ride 50cc you still have to have licence plates, Road Tax and Motor insurance in here.

There is an overhead pressure of an NHS system here in the US now... Obamacare... I really don't want myself or others in the thread to go political, so I'll just leave it at that.  Only noting that this is what DoktoroKiu is referring to. 

I do see your point, and it would be interesting to see if/how our safety laws change as our health system changes.

- Bboy

Butterfly effect lol

Question is - are you motorcycle riders consider scooter riders as part of your community?
I am owner of Honda ps125 scooter but I will be switching soon on gs500 (owner of both but gs500 is in project faze). Yet - I still want to keep my faithful scooter as is brilliant if you want to use our local London roads (and will try to turn it in another project - "no to the plastic" lol)

Quote from: BockinBboy on June 16, 2014, 11:34:36 AM

Quote from: Beehave on June 16, 2014, 11:10:21 AM
From what I know you have to pay yourself bills for health care in US. Haven't you? So why would government care. Victims of accidents are customers to private sector of your health care. Great business. Am I wrong?
Here in UK health care is basically free - founded from budget trough NHS. So of course they wants safety lol.

To ride 50cc you still have to have licence plates, Road Tax and Motor insurance in here.

There is an overhead pressure of an NHS system here in the US now... Obamacare... I really don't want myself or others in the thread to go political, so I'll just leave it at that.  Only noting that this is what DoktoroKiu is referring to. 

I do see your point, and it would be interesting to see if/how our safety laws change as our health system changes.

- Bboy

I suppose Beehave is right in that we don't, and probably won't have a true national health system, but while it would be different in name its net effect will be the same.  Mandatory helmet laws might not be acceptable now, but put huge increase on insurance for helmetless riders and it will become a "law" nonetheless.

Quote from: Beehave on June 16, 2014, 12:00:59 PM
Question is - are you motorcycle riders consider scooter riders as part of your community?
I am owner of Honda ps125 scooter but I will be switching soon on gs500 (owner of both but gs500 is in project faze). Yet - I still want to keep my faithful scooter as is brilliant if you want to use our local London roads (and will try to turn it in another project - "no to the plastic" lol)

I think I would consider a rider who owns both vehicles as a member of the community.  I would say that the biggest road block for me is the fact that there is a good chance that a scooter rider is doing so out of necessity, not for the joy (at least here in the states outside of the big cities).  That by no means covers everyone, as there are certainly veritable scooter enthusiasts, I'd just put them in the minority.

Note that I don't wish to "talk down" on those who use scooters for transport.  A good analogy would be that I wouldn't call a cop a fellow firearms enthusiast just because they carry a gun at work.  If there were some kind of "low piece" (pun intended) I wouldn't flash it to every cop I saw.

I ride because I love it:-) and I ride irregardless of the weather: sun, rain, snow (I admit that last is plainly stupid and I am trying to avoid it lol) and even trough fact I had few crashes with last one - three small fractures, 3 months in plaster and I am back on the bike again hehehe