Posts: 1,324
Threads: 114
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2013
I had been out of sport bike riding for a few years prior to my CB1100 purchase in the spring. As far as who waves to who, I've noticed some of the same things going on, but have also noticed a higher percentage of Harley riders waving to me now....is this because I'm on a UJM now? Or has everyone started to accept each other in this day and age?
I normally do not wave first any more, as I feel odd when I wave and they don't wave back....
Any thoughts?
Posts: 63
Threads: 2
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2013
(09-16-2013, 05:12 AM)HikerToo_imp Wrote: I had been out of sport bike riding for a few years prior to my CB1100 purchase in the spring. As far as who waves to who, I've noticed some of the same things going on, but have also noticed a higher percentage of Harley riders waving to me now....is this because I'm on a UJM now? Or has everyone started to accept each other in this day and age?
I normally do not wave first any more, as I feel odd when I wave and they don't wave back....
Any thoughts?
It's because you are on a UJM imo. Harley riders rarely wave to sportbikes first. Atleast in my experience. However, a lot of those Adv. riders rarely wave to cruisers first. Go figure... When I'm on my Speed Triple I wave regardless...
Posts: 252
Threads: 19
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
The Harley riders are hit and miss but they do wave. I've even been surprised that some of them who are trying to have the "badass" look going on still wave back.
Posts: 2,542
Threads: 125
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
Like Stretch, I almost always give the "subtle wave", but will typically nod if the situation doesn't allow for much else. If they don't wave back, oh well. Maybe they will for the next guy. That said, I haven't noticed getting a higher percentage of waves with the CB1100 than I have with my Hawk GT. Some do and some don't.
Posts: 176
Threads: 8
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
When I'm on my CB1100, I get waves from Harleys all the time; and when I pull over at breakfast joints / coffee shops friendly to bikers, I'll almost always get one or two Harley riders come over and take a look at the bike and they strike up a favorable conversation with me (which I am happy to oblige!). I think the CB1100 is approachable to Harley fans because the CB1100 reflects a time when most bikes were less specialized than they are now and instead were darn good (but not perfect) at a lot of different roles: fun to ride around town, quick when they needed to be, had engines which were powerful enough and just smooth enough that tank bags and bedrolls were all you need to get yourself across an entire continent at a reasonable pace, could have a pillion on the back without the passenger seated a foot above the rider and folded over like a ridiculous jackknife, and the bikes above all looked beautiful while doing it! Many Harley riders feel the same way about their bikes, that on any particular narrow attribute (like straight line acceleration, or all out canyon carving) the Harley is no match for specialized race-bred motorcycles; but, the Harleys are good all round bikes that their owners are proud to ride and customize to suit their preferences.
Posts: 784
Threads: 29
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2013
Gentlemen,
I give a low hand wave to all other riders regardless of what they are on and virtually everybody returns it. In the rare cases they don't, I assume they didn't see me, are in a turn and it wouldn't be safe, or just aren't comfortable with such behavior for whatever reason. All are perfectly acceptable. I don't acknowledge other riders because I expect a response, I do it to salute the bond that all riders share. Riding, boating, flying, skydiving, scuba, and a bunch of other activities each form a brotherhood of passionate individuals and a sense of community that I enjoy. That gesture takes about one second and it communicates, "Good to see you out here, have a great day bro." That's my take on it.
Chip
Posts: 319
Threads: 26
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: May 2013
Quote:I give a low hand wave to all other riders regardless of what they are on and virtually everybody returns it.
Ditto for me. Even scooters, but they never wave back. They are a rude bunch of dudes.
Posts: 8,035
Threads: 21
Likes Received: 186 in 108 posts
Likes Given: 134
Joined: Apr 2025
When I had my scooter, Harley riders waved more than anybody else! On the CB it seems like almost everybody waves. I wave too.
Posts: 1,020
Threads: 51
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Aug 2013
I am moving from 'the wave' to 'the nod'. Gradually, but by this time next year, I expect to be a full-on nodder. Or, as some may call me, a nod- on. Exceptions on 25 MPH cruises along the beach, where a wave may still be proffered. I just prefer to keep my hands on the bars, and I've been dumbstruck by cruiser waves in the middle of a turn or on multi lane fast moving highways. So. I'll nod.
Posts: 3,093
Threads: 64
Likes Received: 6 in 2 posts
Likes Given: 7
Joined: May 2013
I do a fair amount of waving (there are exceptions and they involve being in a crowd of bikes). Scooters get the wave and many seemed thrilled that a bigger bike waved at them and return the wave. I even wave at Spyders!
I miss waves from time to time because I'm checking out something ahead or away from the other rider and can't react in time. Intersections usually get a nod.
Maybe I should put a rubber hand on my left mirror.
