can somebody tell me why people that ride Harley's never wave ?

Question

can somebody tell me why people that ride Harley's never wave ?
Most people when passing another motorcycle in the opposite direction will wave as a sign of good day ride safe or whatever no matter what you ride except people on Harley's. I mean are they too good to be cool with everyone. Am I to believe that they all (harley riders) started on a harley.
Just curious.
Brady_128

Answer 1

here in philadelphia, pa almost every h-d rider i know waves to whoever goes past no matter if they wave first or not. i wave to everything on two wheels, vespa's, mopeds, even kids on bicycles. i started riding a harley and have been riding harley's ever since. i don't care what you ride, as long as you ride.

had to add this after reading the top 10 reasons h-d riders don't wave. it's funny.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back
>10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
>9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
>8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
>7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
>6. The espresso machine just finished.
>5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
>4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
>3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
>2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature, and satellite navigation system.
>1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

>Top 10 Reasons Sportbikers Don't Wave:
>10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
>9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
>8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
>7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
>6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
>5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
>4. Their skin tight-kevlar- ballistic- nylon-kangaroo- leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
>3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
>2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
>1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flops back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave Back
>10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
> 9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
> 8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgement.
> 7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
> 6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, or talking on the cell phone.
>5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!
> 4. Wires from Gerbings are too short.
> 3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
> 2. You haven't been properly introduced.
> 1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.

Answer 2

Hey Brady, thats gold because even in Australia we have the same common problem!

I used to crack it when I didn't get acknowledged by another rider and you know what, it's not just some individual Harley Riders, it's BMW riders as well!!

Funny eh!

Anyway, it's not worth the stress and starin on your ride when you are supposed to be enjoying yourself.

I still wave to everyone I pass, I think the wave is an acknowledgement of the freedom that we all share as motorcyclists and the guys that don't do it are missing out!

Anyway, I also wave to our local motorcycle gangs that frequent our roads and almost always get a reply which is good considering I ride a Jap machine!

Keep on waving mate, the one's that dont will eventually come around!

Troy.

Answer 3

To be perfectly honest I could say the same of sport bike, import touring bikes, dual-sports. Is it because I ride a Harley that I am snubbed by them all?
Or course I realize the truth of the matter is they're not use to someone on a Harley waving to them in most cases. In my own case I've gone through most of it, young and enthusiastic about riding, arrogant and with the opinion of everyone but my people being wannabe's, and now old and accepting. You see I wave to everyone no matter what they ride and with no concern as to if they wave back. I figure what does a wave cost me? And even with other Harley riders a percentage seem to be waiting to see if you're going to wave first. Unlike when I was young and the bike was the only thing I had to get around on I have plenty of vehicles to choose from. When I'm on the bike I'm out to enjoy riding and my wave is my assumption and acknowledgment you're doing the same.
Concerned about who waves back? Wave first and wave early. No matter what they're ridding some will wave back some won't and some really just shouldn't take one hand off the handlebars for their own safety and others.
And just something to add, when I'm in my Jeep Wrangler some others in Jeep Wranglers wave and some don't. When in the Corvette, some in Vetts wave and some don't. What is this an epidemic?? Is it because they know I ride a Harley?
So in some cases "never" may be a generalization. If you see me coming I bet you I can get my hand out first. And if I lose I'll buy you a beer.

Answer 4

I ride a Harley and I wave!!!!!!!! I don't care what they're riding. All that matters is they're out there riding. And no, I didn't start on a Harley. I started on a Yamaha 175 street and trail. That was in 1980. Then I had a Honda 400 street bike, then a Yamaha Maxim 700. In 1988 I got my first Harley, a 1988, 1200 Sporty. I now ride a 2005 Fat Boy, my third one, 6th Harley. I don't care if anyone waves back or not, but I always wave back, unless I'm unable to, like when my clutch is pulled in or I'm in a tight corner. I wave first, too, and don't care if they wave back or not.

Answer 5

I ride a Harley and wave at other riders all the time. Who cares what someone rides; the important thing is - you're ridin!

Answer 6

I live in Pa and I drive a HD and b/f has a Bourget and Big Dog, we wave, when it is safe to do so. HD riders wave back, most of the time. If they don't , I don't take it personally, maybe they are just trying to pay attention, maybe they have someone tail gating them or some other problem, that is happening on their side of the street, that you don't see.

Answer 7

Why do people even care who waves at them?This seems petty to me. My nephew is seven years old and whines about people not waving back.I ride Harleys and the only person I wave at is Baron, most of the time he just salutes me on his way to the tittie bar.
I started out on a Harley Davidson Sprint when I was 13 and have been riding Harleys ever since

Answer 8

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back:

10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

*/End of Line.

Answer 9

We ride a Honda and we get waved at by every kind of riders. Harley riders as well.

Answer 10

Well yes I did start on a Harley 1200 sportster but I Have graduated to a Heritage Classic. I try to wave at all my fellow rider's no matter the ride they choose. We are friendly in Kansas. Perhaps your not riding in a friendly state?