A new take on "the wave"

[somegirl]

Down here in Australia we have the "nod" much safer and we all do it , except for HD riders.

That's because you ride on the other side of the road.  UK riders nod as well, German riders wave.

[somegirl]

We all know that "the fuzz" are forbidden from waving in public situations.

I've twice gotten waves back from moto cops.

(The others just give me that "you newb" look.)

[Grampa]

I got a "pull it over" wave from one once

[mostrobelle]

I got a "pull it over" wave from one once

That's the only kind of wave I've ever gotten from an officer.   

[krolik]

I hate the across-freeway wave.

Me too. 

If its a divided road and/or a jersey barrier, no wave.

[psycledelic]

Sometimes I wave at DUI'ers on their LiquorSickles.  Makes them feel special. 

[slowpoke13]

Out here, there are soo many bikers, you would constantly ride one handed. So, I generally just wave to those in town wearing the req'd vest or on base to anything but a scooter. Occasionally, on a good ride, I'll see another rider doing the same. They'll get a wave.

They ride wrong side here as well. So, waves tend to be with throttle hand, at the stop, or a random "high" one.

[Langanobob]

So you don't honk in the form of greeting in US? A short/sharp honk of horn is easier and common 'round here.

No, we don't usually honk here.  Don't know why, maybe it's because it's a cultural thing and horns are usually reserved for getting someone's attention in a not-so-friendly way and a beep  intended to be friendly can be interpreted as rude? 

[sroberts152]

It's sad that we live in a time and place where we don't know our neighbors and and have to force interaction with them.  I'm lucky to live in a small pocket neighborhood where we all interact.  Its just a few blocks around but I can wave and they all know me by now.  We have community watch stuff and neighborhood emails.  I have lived in places where next door neighbors would ignore me or complain about me to others that I knew around because of my loud bikes. 

As for the wave itself...  I stopped waiving to squids.  I figure if they aren't going to be safe with their gear, they probably shouldn't take a hand of the bars for anything.  I used to care that people didn't wave back and I would avoid waving to Harley guys or Beemer guys.  Now I just wave to everyone on 2 wheels and in gear - including  , including freeways.  I like flashing the "L".  I think I'm going to have to start doing that to Ducs. 

And I always wave to kids.  Kids stare, crane their necks to get one glance, peek out the window with this look of awe.  I love the giddy look they get when I recognize them.  I also hope it will give them a good impression and make them think about motorcycles - even if they don't start riding, maybe they will pay attention or if they do start riding they will remember the guy in good gear being respectable, riding safe and wearing good gear.

[Slide Panda]

Seriously, when is the book coming out?  All your writings here are great... keep it going

[al@sktc]

don't hold the ''L'' up to your forehead!

[herm]

i always used to wave...
until i moved to new hampshire. hardly any of the bikers i encounter here wave.

after my first riding season of being ignored, i know only wave if they wave first.

[Desmostro]

I got a "pull it over" wave from one once

That's the only kind of wave I've ever gotten from an officer.   

Since the challenge was proposed I have endeavored relentlessly.
Now the new special po po  unit has moved into my neighborhood, oddly next door to ANCHOR STEAM BREWERY, with police tanks, bikes, 4x4's and some crazy equipment you never want to see.

I finally got a wave. I swear it was almost like it was a mistake. I made eye contact with an understated smile, waited a sec for the move off the line then the wave; then Po po on his Beemer. It started with a subtle nod, then the hand lifted!
YES! triumph I thought. 
Then he made a face as if to say, "oh shit I'm in uniform."   

[GregP]

I'm the guy across the street with the remodel under way and way to much yuppie cool to wave back.  Nice to finally meet you.

PS My wife thinks you're hot and wants a three way (That is if you're the hot chick that lives across the street!!  )

But seriously, I tire of the wave for waving sake.  It is useful in the canyons to give a hey the road is cool or tap the helmet cause the police are around the next coner.

The boating world has the same wave thingy. As a kid my family was a boating lot and we'd wave back and forth all day.  Good times!!!

[somegirl]

I wave to the neighbors too.

And when I'm out walking the dogs, I usually wave to all the cars and bikes going by, at least on the weekdays.  The cars are mostly my neighbors.