BIKERS? Do you nod at other bikers, or don't you bother?

Question

If you do, what about the 'scooter boys', do you acknowlege them the same as a biker?

'joystoy33'? - I think scooters are a pain in the butt too! I just wanted to know what the 'etiquette' was when other bikers are heading towards you, I see most bikers nod around here.

OK. Not all scooter riders are a pain, but I can onlt form an opinion on what I've seen for myself. Around here, they are dangerous, risk taking fools, that are putting EVERYONE (including pedestrians) at risk of injury.
I know there are exeptions, so I'll look for them in future!
PS What's wrong in calling MOTORCYCLISTS 'BIKERS'???
Sorry if I 'offended you....jeez.

Answer 1

I wave at everyone! To such an extent, when I'm packin' the wife I get in trouble for sticking my arm out when we're deep in a curve at say sixty plus.
When I started riding I was 19 years old in Southern California, just for reference that was 34 years ago. The wave then and there was your left arm lifted with a palm out fist. I rode a Royal Enfield and waved to eveyone street, duo dirt, the only ones that didn't wave were touring and those damn Harley snobs. Back then if you rode a Harley you were or perceived yourself to be a hardass 1%er. And for the larger part it held true. Now for the most part you're just one of many. At about 30 years old I got my first Harley. Which of course set me above those other bike riders and pretty much only acknowledged other Harley riders, I grew out of that. I wave to everyone. From a Vespar to the 50 to excess of 100 thousand dollar custom. I'm assuming your pride in your ride. Whether yours is rode hard and put away wet or barn stored until that monthly trip to Starbucks with your crew. I assume that ride holds a special place in your life and that's what I'm acknowledging with a wave.
You wave back, good, don't wave back, ain't no thing. It's not required. I came to realize in my advancing years, what does a wave cost me. Not a damn thing!
I long winded way to say do what feels right to you. After all a "real biker" doesn't answer to anyone elses rules!!
Oh and a wave to everyone on this site cause your telling me the same thing. The bikes a big to biggest part of your life. Love this site you wouldn't believe how it's improved my typing skills!!!

Answer 2

Nodding, Waving, Hand jive or signals, its all the same. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging one another. There is really no need to left your head above the Scooter riders because if you can remember being young, you probably rode a mini bike, or something of that nature. The Scooter riders are very strong protential motorcycle buyers/riders of the future.

It is not so much that the Scooters are a pain in the ***. It's the very young riders that don't obey the laws such as riding on the sidewalk, going down one way streets, obsessive blowing of the horn, speeders. With gas prices as they are, the Scooters convey the need for safe, gas saving alternative transportation. So don't put the Scooters down so fast.

I can tell you this, there is no where with speed limits posted as 125 MPH. NO WHERE!! A car, Airplane or boat, if its time to pass on, that is one appointment none of us will be late for or miss. Now, those Racer bikes are definitely death traps. You hit a dip in the road on one of those and you won't even have time to say "OH GOD". You are basically flung across the road like a rag doll. They look good, and sleek, but any parent in their right mind should get a high death insurance policy on the one riding one.

Food for thought. Remember what got you interested in riding in the first place. We have a few bike clubs here in the Washington Area, and a couple of them are 25-35 in age for just women. And, half of them started out on a dirt bike, Scooter or mini Bike. There is nothing wrong with a wave, a nod of the head, or the two finger hand jive. Next year, you may just see a few of them on a Harley. They are watching you and what you are riding-and they are loving it.

After all, we are not Barbarians (smile)

Answer 3

I wave are nod to other bikers, the only time I don't is if I'm shifting are I notice that the other biker is not even looking my way , Scooter Boys will get a wave from me also .I even nod are wave to the Beer cooler riders .Not to wave are nod just shows your really insecure and miserable and who wants to go through life like that /peace

Answer 4

I nod/wave at all motorcyclists/bikers but it depends on what I'm doing at the time. (those fun twisty curves with a few little hiccoughs of potholes make for interesting times and nodding may be the only option i have.)
You don't have top be rude to those riding around you, because you never know who will stop to help you out of a sticky situation

Answer 5

I always give other bikers a nod or a wave.

Certain bikers do not reciprocate unless you have the same style bike as them . ( BMW and Chopper/Harley riders are particularly guilty of bike snobbery)
I don't usually acknowledge scooter or learner riders unless they give me a nod first.

There isn't a rule, it's just courtesy!

Answer 6

I acknowledge anyone and everyone on two wheels. Here in the States, it is with a wave.

Yes, even scooters, and those of you that don't wave at scooters are lame, IMHO. Most of us started out somewhere, right? They are living their dream, and the rider you wave at today may be the one pulling you out of the ditch tommorrow....

Answer 7

"Bikers?" I ride a motorcycle. (and don't care what you call me)
When I meet someone in passing, I usually say "Hello".
I always return a wave (It's rude not to acknowledge when another says hello). Quite often I greet first.

About scooters - There aren't any around here. I have seen two, they didn't get waves. We were all riding together. You don't wave to your own group!
And mopeds - Not anymore. There was a time... I first rode one. Now, the people who ride them are just a hazard. They ride the shoulder, do 20 in a 30, etc. etc. They don't know what they're doing, and are too damned scared to think straight.

Answer 8

you ride what your budget can afford.I feel we are all the same and brothers and sisters so a good ole wave is great if you are at a stop light and can't let go of the controls hey a good nod is fine.scooter boys are just bikers in the making

Answer 9

I used to wave at everyone on a motorcycle...that was in the G.O.D. (good old days) before posers, RUB's and snobs on high-end bikes with big price tags and no riding skills. Now I just watch 'em and acknowledge all greetings in kind. If they snub me, I do the same. If they wave, so do I. But I let them set the tone...seems like the older, grungier bikers are the most friendly...maybe because they've seen it all, done it all and don't feel they have to prove anything to anyone else? K ;o)

Answer 10

Here in the Black Hills home to STURGIS the largest bike circus on earth! I wave to all bikes but since the roads are pretty twisty it's usually two fingers aimed at the road. Closure speeds in excess of 180 mph in a corner kind off makes you keep your mind on the task at hand.