Formerly Unwritten Rules to the Motorcycle Wave

I have noticed that it is a common misconception that all bikers wave at each other. This simply isn’t true. I made this list from my observations to simplify the complex nature of the biker wave. This list is based on the types of bikes ridden.

Harley (A) - The original biker. This is the fella who truly enjoys the ride, and has a Harley because he enjoys the raw feeling and obnoxious noise of it. He will wave at anyone on a bike, generally with the most badass wave ever.

Harley (B) - This guy has his Harley because it is a status symbol. He is a jerk, and will not wave at anyone who doesn’t have another pristine Harley. Icy-Hot in their glove will temporarily alleviate this tendency.

Sports Bikes (under 800cc) - He will generally wave. It is sometimes difficult to return the hand signal because of the blindingly colorful gear he wears.

Sports Bikes (over 800cc) - Traditionally only waves at others with sports bikes. Rarely acknowledges Harleys. Usually never get a return wave because they are past when you realize what happened.

70’s and 80’s UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) - Nice guys, kinda dorks. Will wave at everyone.

Touring Bikes - Unkonwn. Cannot see hands behind their windshield and fairing.

Choppers (handbuilt) - They will most likely wave at anyone, but few have the courage to initiate the wave. Can scare away bears, take one camping.

Choppers (over $40,000) - Often spend more on their bike than most have in their house. They do not wave. This may be because of the difficulty of keeping their almost unusable bike upright.

Dual Sport - These are a strange breed. They will wave, but are just as likely to salute or give you a rear view mirror mooning.

Scooter/Moped - Will wave at anything on two wheels (including bicycles), but will not initiate the wave for fear of rejection. Squeals of joy often overpower their engines.

1st Time Waver’s - Will wave at any other motorcycle, in the same manner that a child waves when they see Micky Mouse at Disney World. Any other biker initiating the wave instantly regrets it.

Wave While Operating the Clutch - Everyone does this exactly once.

(If there is anything I forgot, feel free to add)

You forgot the SQUID wave must be the inverted, secret devil horn salute with a low stiff arm along the clutch-side fairing. Like this - only pointed down.

It will only be shown to other idiots in shorts, flip-flops & sunglasses

Saw a SQUID waving once... the SQUID wave GPS mentions, at a guy... ON A BICYCLE.

And you forgot the important rule for Harley riders: It's OK to wave at a Jap bike rider, if the Jap bike rider waves first.

While down in the Keys we followed a guy on a bike who waved at every other motorcycle. Basically everything passing in the opposite direction had two wheels. He waved a lot.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: You forgot the SQUID wave must be the inverted, secret devil horn salute with a low stiff arm along the clutch-side fairing. Like this - only pointed down. It will only be shown to other idiots in shorts, flip-flops & sunglasses

Two fingers for two wheels, and they're pointed that way to say "Keep it rubber side down."

MadScientistMatt wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: You forgot the SQUID wave must be the inverted, secret devil horn salute with a low stiff arm along the clutch-side fairing. Like this - only pointed down. It will only be shown to other idiots in shorts, flip-flops & sunglasses

Two fingers for two wheels, and they're pointed that way to say "Keep it rubber side down."

Nice. I just thought they were making an attempt to live up to the popped collar, boat shoe badass 80s guy listening to Metallica. I'm glad to hear there is a squid code involved.

Remember also, half the newbie sportbike riders have a life expectancy only slightly longer than a 2nd Lieutenant in a Vietnam LZ., so they never learn the rules.

Good observations. I quit waving at the HD guys after they consistantly ignored my wave or the fact that I existed. I could be next to them at a light and they would ignore me.

Once when I lived in Fla. a HD rode up to me at a gas station to invite me to a poker run. That was the biggest suprise of my life for lots of reason, but it goes to show there are many different people on bikes

sundancevette wrote: I have noticed that it is a common misconception that all bikers wave at each other. This simply isn’t true. I made this list from my observations to simplify the complex nature of the biker wave. This list is based on the types of bikes ridden. Harley (A) - The original biker. This is the fella who truly enjoys the ride, and has a Harley because he enjoys the raw feeling and obnoxious noise of it. He will wave at anyone on a bike, generally with the most badass wave ever. Harley (B) - This guy has his Harley because it is a status symbol. He is a jerk, and will not wave at anyone who doesn’t have another pristine Harley. Icy-Hot in their glove will temporarily alleviate this tendency. Sports Bikes (under 800cc) - He will generally wave. It is sometimes difficult to return the hand signal because of the blindingly colorful gear he wears. Sports Bikes (over 800cc) - Traditionally only waves at others with sports bikes. Rarely acknowledges Harleys. Usually never get a return wave because they are past when you realize what happened. 70’s and 80’s UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) - Nice guys, kinda dorks. Will wave at everyone. Touring Bikes - Unkonwn. Cannot see hands behind their windshield and fairing. Choppers (handbuilt) - They will most likely wave at anyone, but few have the courage to initiate the wave. Can scare away bears, take one camping. Choppers (over $40,000) - Often spend more on their bike than most have in their house. They do not wave. This may be because of the difficulty of keeping their almost unusable bike upright. Dual Sport - These are a strange breed. They will wave, but are just as likely to salute or give you a rear view mirror mooning. Scooter/Moped - Will wave at anything on two wheels (including bicycles), but will not initiate the wave for fear of rejection. Squeals of joy often overpower their engines. 1st Time Waver’s - Will wave at any other motorcycle, in the same manner that a child waves when they see Micky Mouse at Disney World. Any other biker initiating the wave instantly regrets it. Wave While Operating the Clutch - Everyone does this exactly once. (If there is anything I forgot, feel free to add)

Rules for waving are retarded. Jeepers have retarded waves / waving rules.

<-- Wave's at any jeep that looks like it's driven off road. Nearly all wranglers, a lot of XJ's, not a ton of grands.

I drive a '67 Gladiator.

I won't wave if you drive a model of Jeep that Barbie has owned.

Shawn

There are a freaking million jeeps in Denver it gets freaking annoying. I only do it if there is 3 feet of snow on the ground.

As far as waves go...

On the bike, I wave at everyone on a "real" bike. No scooters, big or small. No Goldwing or Harley trikes. No Can Ams. Gotta not have a step through frame. When we go out in groups, usually the last guy in line is the "flipper" If the bikers we meet going the other way DONT wave after the first few guys wave, the last guy flips him off. Not subtley either.

Then we have this other thing we started on the farm about 10 years ago called the "Hebron Salute"

Basically, the joke for a long time was that we weren't farming, we were just jerking off. So whenever someone we knew would go by the shop, we would stand out in front and overact jerking off. 2 hands and a solid 3 feet of travel. Not much of a stretch for me, but it got the point across pretty well. This has evolved over the course of 10 years, and now we do it as we pass each other on the road and so on. If you meet a truck or tractor coming the other way thats someone you know, proper protocol calls for hanging your hand down along your side or along the side of the door, make a fist, and vigorously move your hand up and down fairly quickly to a 90 degree angle with the door, basically sticking straight out.

Thats the Hebron Salute.

I get a lot of waves, from a bunch of random "types" of bikers. I grump a little over riders who don't give wavebacks, unless conditions prevent it.

I do make sure to V my index and middle as far out as possible, because I ride a kickass 90* v-twin and people need to be reminded.

In the Subaru, I automatically wave at hoodscoops and wave at anything else that passes my quick "enthusiast assessment." In the Land Cruiser, I'd wave at other Land Cruisers, but dammit, I haven't seen a single one yet while driving it!

vazbmw wrote: ...Once when I lived in Fla. a HD rode up to me at a gas station to invite me to a poker run. That was the biggest suprise of my life for lots of reason, but it goes to show there are many different people on bikes

Having dinner at a local drive in in CO with the local sport bike board and a guy drove up handing flyers for a poker run. Nice local guy's house burned down and a lot of medical bills for their daughter. I showed up on the Bimmer and was promptly hit on by two ladies. One was on her on Dyna and the other a Victory. I delined the offer but did ride the event with them. Good day.

Yeah women are funny like that, doesn't matter how you look, personality or how much money you have, it's the bike.

I have caught myself accidentally waving at Miatas a few times since I got the S2K. Havent actually seen another one coming the opposite direction yet, not sure if waving is protocol. The opportunities are so rare, it might not be a thing.

Josh wrote: I have caught myself accidentally waving at Miatas a few times since I got the S2K. Havent actually seen another one coming the opposite direction yet, not sure if waving is protocol. The opportunities are so rare, it might not be a thing.

The proper S2000 etiquette is to blip your high beams on during the day. It will light your high beams, and then ignite the HID lows a split second later. Most will return the flash

The nouveau ricers with them will ignore your unmodified car or rev on you as you pass.

way back in the late '60's when I got my Alpine and later my beat up POS E-type the thing was a high beam blip at any and all oncoming "sports cars" ie other British sports cars...

Well the S2000 is the best British roadster ever made, so that still counts right?

When I blast by some pseudo-sports car on the interstate, I deliberately let off the accelerator next to them so the BOV goes "PSSSSHT."

MadScientistMatt wrote: Two fingers for two wheels, and they're pointed that way to say "Keep it rubber side down."

Ah, I just thought they were pointing at each others wheels...

I just wave at any cool cars or bikes while I am driving.

I rode a Ninja 250 then a MZ 660 Supermoto and waved at anything on two wheels when safe.

It's been almost three years since I sold the MZ and sometimes I still want to wave from my car to motorcyclists.

I do try to give thumbs-up out the window to any vehicle I heartily approve of but I think it mostly goes un-noticed.

I drive a cop car. No one EVER waved at me.

My first weekend riding on the public roads and I got waves from every type of rider. The only one who didn't was riding a police bike :P