tour reports » The Motorcycle Wave

I went out for a local ride last weekend in northern California on Rt 299 from Trinidad to Willow Creek on my 2015 R1200RS. It's an energetic 40 mile ride from the Pacific coast over mountain ranges with wide sweepers and great vistas. During this time of COVID-19, its nice to put on a favorite leather jacket, Helite vest, a comfortable Schubert helmet, a pair of broken in leather gloves and Bose noise cancelling headphones along with your favorite tunes while riding curves that feel more like flying than riding. The road reminds me of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest Virginia that was my weekly ride a decade ago. With little traffic, it's easy to glide into the curves without consciously thinking about lean angle or which hand to push to follow the road. Deep in thought, you realize why you got into riding. It's so much more enjoyable and different from driving the best caged vehicle.

Do you want to know one of the the most satisfying parts of the ride? It's the one handed wave you receive as you pass other motorcyclists going in the opposite direction. Some extend their hand downward, others lift their palm while others almost salute you as you pass by. Its the connection and camaraderie you experience by sharing a passion with other riders you may never meet. It almost feels impolite not to wave to other riders. When rounding a difficult curve, sometimes all you can do is to nod your helmet to acknowledge the opposing rider.

COVID-19 has changed the way we greet others. I'ts nice to know that you can acknowledge other riders who share your compassion for riding.

Ride safe and be well,
Richard Clompus
Trinidad, CA

Nice way to sum the wave up. My wave story involves my niece. When she was young she wanted me to take her out for her first ride on the back of a bike. When she was finally big enough and her mom said, "yes", I took her out for a nice 50 mile ride. It was a beautiful day and there were plenty of other riders out enjoying the day. When we got back her mom asked her, "So, how was it?" Beaming she said, "Great, and Uncle David must know every other motorcycle rider out there."

I used to think they were anti-social, but I've come to realize that a lot of biker guys are hanging on for "dear life" due to the ape-hanger bars or their insistence on riding in tight groups.

I've never understood ape hangers. People have looked at me on my sport bikes and asked, "how can that be comfortable" but ape hangers? Really?! Are you even in control of the bike with them?

In my experience almost all motorcycle riders wave if not riding in an urban environment and it is safe to do so, except for the occasional old-school H-D rider. I will also wave to scooter riders that I encounter along the highway, but I can't recall any of them waving back. I guess scooter riders don't wave to each other and I probably take them by surprise.

How long can you hold your hand above your heart before it goes numb?

Most people in the UK tend to nod at each other. It always puts a smile on my face, but going past a line of 20 or so fellow bikers can give you a sore neck!

It was particularly noticeable during the Covid lockdown - when I was out for the odd essential trip to the supermarket or whatever, I'd occasionally pass a biker and the nods definitely had more feeling to them.

In Europe, I've been told they do some sort of V sign with two fingers pointing down?

Yes Olie, when I lived and rode in France in the late 70s, there was the "signe motard" which was the reverse V - sign. Didn't go down so well in the U.K.!
Martin Springall. ex- guildfordian.

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #8

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The nod is more common in the UK but this seems to be waning. Maybe 30% participate on recent outings.

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Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #5

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In my experience almost all motorcycle riders wave if not riding in an urban environment and it is safe to do so, except for the occasional old-school H-D rider. I will also wave to scooter riders that I encounter along the highway, but I can't recall any of them waving back. I guess scooter riders don't wave to each other and I probably take them by surprise.

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I'm not a scooter rider, but I would wonder what happens when you have no tank to grip with your knees..........

We dangle a right foot in France as we pass a car who has moved over or a biker riding slower. As we drive on the right, waving with the right hand would cause a rapid deceleration as we took the right hand off to wave, so the foot is much better.

Since buying my BMW I noticed a distinct reduction in the number of oncoming bikers in the UK who either don't give a wave/nod, or don't reciprocate my own effort. I certainly don't observe the same effect while riding in continental Europe.

I also routinely wear a fluorescent vest too, so not only am I a twat riding a beemer, but I'm also a twat wearing hi-viz. I've got no chance, have I?

Zitat von himoverthere im Beitrag #13

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We dangle a right foot in France as we pass a car who has moved over or a biker riding slower. As we drive on the right, waving with the right hand would cause a rapid deceleration as we took the right hand off to wave, so the foot is much better.

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