BIKERS who NOD at each other?

Question

My friend has a very old motorbike it is over 28 years old and very big looking.
When we go out on it.
Why do other bikers nod at him and i say do you know them and he replys "no"

not just where we live either we have been all over the place on it and it is the same.
other bikers nod at him.

so please explain why when they do not even know each other.


thanks

Answer 1

A nod is a way of greeting fellow motorcyclists. I do it all the time, irrespective of the make of the other bike. The 'diagonal nod' is best of all, only I can't do it!

Many sports bike riders reckon Harley riders don't nod at other riders, and that's often been my experience, but not always - particularly with older riders, who have earned respect, and show it to others. (This is a good way to start an argument, because there has always been a friendly rivalry betwen sports bike riders and HD riders)

When I was learning on a 250 Honda, everyone seemed to nod to me, as a way of encouragement. Then when I graduated to a Yamaha FZ6, I didn't get nearly as many nods, because the FZ6 (a good all-rounder) is commonplace and not a 'real' sports bike. However, when I got my Aprilia, whiuch is less common and has more 'credo', everyone started nodding at me again, even the HD riders!

Answer 2

I am not a biker, but have great respect for them while driving an artic in traffic, a quick flash on n/s indicator to indicate it is safe 2 pass, usually acknowledged by either a nod or lifting of left hand off handgrip. This is the same for all bikers, from sports to tourers, you show them some respect, they will return it. One thing I do when I see a bike in the mirror is open the window so I can hear the exhaust note, is there anything better sounding than a V twin at full chat (apart from a Aston Martin DB9) sending tingles up and down my spine!. I suppose I should get out more!!!

Answer 3

It seems to be a fact that there is less rivalry between bikers than between tin box drivers. Over here in Europe, driving on the right hand side of the road it is easy to drop a hand off the left handebar to recognise a fellow biker coming in the opposite direction and that is the "norm" here instead of nodding. In the UK, driving on the left hand side of the road it is not at all easy to drop a hand off the throttle so an alternative is to nod your helmet and this has become the "norm" as a mark of respect to other bikers. I once even had two police bikes pass me in opposite direction in Northern Spain - all of us were way over the speed limit on a lovely twisting valley road - and they gave a wave of acknowledgement as they seemed to be enjoying the ride as much as we were. It does make all the difference when you are properly dressed though, many small bike riders and ped pushers ride around with no crash helmet and they dont get any respect from the big bikers.

If you go back in history to the 40s or 50s, it was a "thing" for the AA patrols to see an AA badge on the front of a car and they would salute the member as a mark of respect.

Answer 4

Its their way of saying hello to each other, just like in high school when you see a friend standing down at the end of a hallway and you make eye contact with them, you can't very well shout out Hello, so you just give your friend a nod of the head and this is saying hello, instead.

I have found that a majority of the bikers I have known, even while growing up (use to ride a BSA Chopper) in California, that the nod of the head towards another biker at traffic lights, stop signs or in passing each other, whatever, is just a sign of being friendly with each other even though you have never met that other individual, its just a easy courtesy between the two of you.

Thank you,

Answer 5

This is a funny thing that happens when people share the same interest. I drive a roll back wrecker and all the other roll back wrecker drivers think we are brothers. As do all the drivers of yellow pick ups when I am not at work. It is five times as bad for a biker. Most but not all will go out of their way to help another biker. I know I would

Answer 6

In my experience not all bikers nod but that tends to be due to the large volume of bikes at or near events (bike meets/bike cafes etc).
I always nod to other bikers regardless of the machine as I enjoy the camaraderie of the biking community. Riding a motorbike, whatever it may be, gives you instant membership to a huge club - the other members all share a common interest with you.
It sets bikers apart from car drivers and is a sign of respect & friendship.

Answer 7

bikers are just showing respect and, yes, brother/sisterhood, when they nod at each other. many car drivers do the same if they have a rare or older model vehicle.

after all the government is always trying to make it difficult for bikers to enjoy their freedom on the road ( as in being able to feel the environment and enjoy not having to have a box around them ).

maybe it is time that other people gave the bikers some respect also.

Answer 8

Because most motor cyclists are pheasant pluckers! And it's the same in Europe and the USA. Plus bikers will often get into conversation on ferries, at filling stations, cafes. It's probably because most bikers actually WANT to ride their bikes at every opportunity because it's a FUN pastime.
Just join the club

Answer 9

When i was only old enough to ride my scooter =] I used to know about the nod thing, and my dad used to get it all the time on his r1, but the scooter just wasnt doin it. Know i ride a bigger bike i get it quite alot and feel quite proud to be a part of the British Bikers! May our nodding tradition live on forever!! =D

Answer 10

riding is a kind of brotherhood thing.. you either arm down or you give the nod... it is acknowledgment that you are in the same arena of danger and have the same interests... the only people who don't do it "to each other" are harley guys (some) to us street bike guys.. for some reason they are resistant to it... but we still give acknowledgment to them...

to sum it up, it is a brotherhood of bikers... to acknowledge each other is to show respect for each other being braver then the general public to not be protected by a big metal box all of the time and enjoying the essence of transportation, and the joy it holds... not just the rush to get there...