How do you say “hi” to other riders?

[Csory_imp]

Just noticed that fellow bikers wish “wide roads” instead of saying see’ya or bye here. Are there any specific greetings/customs used where you live?

Also, this is about the only country besides good’ole US where riders raise their hands on the road to each other, though it is done in a very specific way: by pointing outward with left index finger, palm facing forward, arm horizontal or slightly below that...)

Just one more thing: it is considered polite to “thank you” car drivers who pull to the curbs so that bikers can filter through - by straightening your right foot outward... Kind of waving but with your shoe I guess that is the only limb that can be freed up temporarily

[LongRanger_imp]

The rider greeting in the U.S. doesn't follow a specific protocol, nor is it used universally. Some riders only wave to others on the same brand as them, while others wave at everyone regardless of motorcycle preference. And sometimes neither party waves. I don't always wave in urban settings but I usually do wave, and to nearly everyone, when I'm on the open road or when the weather is really miserable and we're both idiots for being out there in the first place.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

I find that I don't really wave at anyone when I'm riding in town, but out on an open stretch of road, yes almost always. Unless I'm busy cornering/stopping, or don't really feel like it lol. I guess I make a point not to wave at scooters and Can-Ams ever, which is pretty snobby, but whatever. Neither one are actual motorcycles.

[the Ferret]

Last year I became a wave-backer. I used to wave first ... at everyone, but got tired of people not reciprocating, so now if they wave, I wave back. If they don't care to wave, I'm now ok with that too.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Yeah, I suppose I do that too. It's hard though when they wave super late. Then I miss it entirely and feel like a jerk.

[the Ferret]

Yea the super late wavers are tough, but if I do see them, I do throw out my hand real quick.

[Paris_imp]

Just noticed that fellow bikers wish “wide roads” instead of saying see’ya or bye here. Are there any specific greetings/customs used where you live?

Also, this is about the only country besides good’ole US where riders raise their hands on the road to each other, though it is done in a very specific way: by pointing outward with left index finger, palm facing forward, arm horizontal or slightly below that...)

Just one more thing: it is considered polite to “thank you” car drivers who pull to the curbs so that bikers can filter through - by straightening your right foot outward... Kind of waving but with your shoe I guess that is the only limb that can be freed up temporarily

I drop my left hand below the handlebar and extend it outward and downward at an angle, rolling out my first two fingers in a peace sign.

Once when I worked at a rail yard, the engineers there had a very cool way of acknowledging you. As the locomotives passed slowly by, they would point their gloved hand with the index finger extended and rotate the wrist twice in a quick but lazy rhythm. They did it so deftly, I could never get it quite right, even after a few years of trying.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Similar behaviour in Canada. Nothing really special, that is, there isn't much thought. It is more instinctive, as safety permits. One exception might be inked HD riders. The lead HD rider tends not to even look at oncoming foreign makes (e.g. Honda), but I find humorously that the 2nd or 3rd and 4th HD riders do a passing greet. The female passengers appear to always greet (but not the lead passenger rider). Unfortunately, and conversely, scooters and m/c riders don't share anything. So from that perspective, m/c riders might not be any better than many HD riders in that regard.

[Paris_imp]

Just noticed that fellow bikers wish “wide roads” instead of saying see’ya or bye here. Are there any specific greetings/customs used where you live?

Also, this is about the only country besides good’ole US where riders raise their hands on the road to each other, though it is done in a very specific way: by pointing outward with left index finger, palm facing forward, arm horizontal or slightly below that...)

Just one more thing: it is considered polite to “thank you” car drivers who pull to the curbs so that bikers can filter through - by straightening your right foot outward... Kind of waving but with your shoe I guess that is the only limb that can be freed up temporarily

I drop my left hand below the handlebar and extend it outward and downward at an angle, rolling out my first two fingers in a peace sign.

Once when I worked at a rail yard, the engineers there had a very cool way of acknowledging you. As the locomotives passed slowly by, they would point their gloved hand with the index finger extended and rotate the wrist twice in a quick but lazy rhythm. They did it so deftly, I could never get it quite right, even after a few years of trying.

[Rocky_imp]

As Goldy said above, nothing special up here in the Great White North, just the usual wave when it's safe to do so.
In town when I need to use all hands and feet on the controls, I will nod to another rider, but out on the road I wave to just about anything on two or three wheels - except bicycles.
When I came back to bikes 26 years ago a Harley rider would never wave to another brand, but as the years have passed I notice most of them are often the first to wave regardless of brand.
It doesn't offend me in the least if another rider doesn't wave back.

I always wave a thank you and give a quick toot-toot to any cage driver that pulls over or waves me by on our winding two-lane coastal roads, and I always give a wave/salute and a thumb up to any cager who waits to make a left turn until I'm well past.