Motorcycle etiquette

[SanPete_imp]

Well I don't think this subject is touchy like oil or politics, but it certainly is an individual thing. I started riding in the mid 60 s. Weren't a whole lot of bikes around then and it was common to give acknowledgment to fellow riders passed on the road. I still do, to every one ( even scooters and trikes) but not all riders feel that way. In this country a lot of times genre of motorcyclists don't acknowledge other genre riders ie: sport bike riders don't acknowledge tourers and Harley riders, for the most part only want to acknowledge other Harley riders, but this is not cast in stone and ofttimes riders acknowledge each other regardless of brand or genre.

Most acknowledgements here seem to be a downward facing " peace sign"

I believe this is the main reason why we wave. Back in the days motorcycles were few and apart. Greeting another rider was a way of saying it is cool we both have this one thing in common, as if we were part of a club. Today we have a lot more Motorcycles in the streets and many models to choose from. Different models are now associated with different type of riders, as in "we ride but we are not the same." We all own cars but we don't wave at each other because cars are plenty therefore not unique.
I am presently in a third world country where motorcycles are the means of transportation for a lot people and families. I wouldn't be surprised if they outnumber cars 2-1. Here riders only wave at those they personally know, as it should be. Otherwise it would be too tiring to keep up.
I am all for this practice to end in the states. Not because I am antisocial, or because I consider it unsafe, but because I find it unnecessary. As more Motorcycles fill the streets, this will pass.
Cheers!

[Red Mist_imp]

Sorry about this; don't know where you live but in my area fully 90 percent of other riders wave, and usually it is one of strong camaraderie. Must be according the geography and culture.

[SanPete_imp]

Sorry about this; don't know where you live but in my area fully 90 percent of other riders wave, and usually it is one of strong camaraderie. Must be according the geography and culture.

It could be according to geography and culture, but that is something hardly to be sorry about. That just makes us culturally diverse.
When I lived in Virginia 90 % of riders waved, hop on the Parkway and it becomes 100%. Down in Florida I say 10%, ride in Miami and it becomes 0%. Again, this is my own personal experience and can be different for others.
Cormanus as we know lives in Australia and seems to be experiencing the same as I have experienced in America in regards to this subject of some wave and some don't. So how different are our cultures?

P.S. I live in Dominican Republic.

Sent from my SM-T217S using Tapatalk

[Capo]

Dropped peace sign is the most common form of motorcyclist acknowledgement currency in NJ. I alternate between that and a nod of the head or lift of the left wrist. If it's twisty time I try and ignore the protocol, and I would like to blanket apologize to all the cruisers I have insulted by trying to maintain a line or see beyond the apex while they are waving at me. I'm really not a douche.

The nod, as broadly practiced in the UK, and generally only in a one to one approaching bike scenario, is the way to go for me.

[Gingersdaddy_imp]

I try to wave at everyone, even cars on the back roads. Sometimes I'll drop my left hand and sometimes I raise it. Seem to feel more balanced by the hand drop. Sometimes on the four lane highway I've missed a few riders waving when I didn't see them until the last minute, especially when I'm trying to pay attention. If I don't get a wave it doesn't bother me.

[Greg Davis_imp]

I try to wave at everyone, even cars on the back roads. Sometimes I'll drop my left hand and sometimes I raise it. Seem to feel more balanced by the hand drop. Sometimes on the four lane highway I've missed a few riders waving when I didn't see them until the last minute, especially when I'm trying to pay attention. If I don't get a wave it doesn't bother me.

Wave or Nod, only on back roads. basically to all on two wheels.

[redbirds_imp]

Where I live we wave at one another even when in our cars and trucks and always wave while riding. Maybe it's just my experience, but when I ride in Florida (no helmet law there), It's usually just the helmet-less riders who never acknowledge a wave.

[CA200_imp]

So-- Red Mist what part of the USA do you live?
I try to wave when I can, all most always when out of the city.
Sometimes in the city it can be tough with traffic and here in town
we have tons of students on mopeds down town who don't have clue
about two wheel travel. It's a collage town.
When we are two up the duty goes to the better half.
I have noticed less people wave when I am on my duel sport bike.
Some HD riders only try to wave at HD riders but that can be hard
with all the bikes that look like that.
I really do think it is neat when I come upon a group and the the last rider or passenger in line gives out a big wave

[The Spaceman_imp]

I spend a lot of time on the water, and boaters have the same dilemma: to wave or not to wave. 20-30 years ago it was the norm. Nowadays it seems people only wave at similar boats. Sailboats wave at sailboats, fishing boats at fishing boats, etc. One guy I saw on the Intracoastal had rigged a motor to a mannequin hand so it hopped up and down.

[the Ferret]

Its funny but in rural northern Kentucky where I ride a lot the car drivers wave to both motorcyclists and other car drivers.