Being an student of the human condition, I like to take note of behaviors I see. With the plethora of bikers I've seen on the road (and I don't mean the idiots on bicycles that you have to drive around), I've noticed and studied the "Biker Wave". This is what I've noticed about the "Biker Wave."
- It's a universal signal between bikers, but not between a biker and any other driver, i.e. between a biker and a car or truck driver.
- The Harley riders seem to keep the tradition alive and are more mindful of form and style. The biker in the left of the picture, a painting called "Highway Handshake" by Dawne Holmes, exhibits this wave, with the exception that he has turned his head to the left. Most I've noticed keep their eyes on the road ahead. Most Harley riders, be they doctors, lawyers, or any other wealth-generating professionals who can afford such extravagance, use this form. Of course, Harley riders abound around here, so my information may be skewed.
- Other bikers, such as the Old-Man biker on the Gold Wing, or the youth with a death wish on his crotch rocket, will usually wave, too. Youths on crotch rockets may not wave, but that is because of their typical self-centered focus and not a disregard for the biker code. They have to focus on the more important aspects of biking, such as stoppies and wheelies.
I found this posted on a forum and thought it was well said, especially since it was from the pen of an experienced biker.
This wave, or virtual handshake comes in all sizes, shapes and flavors. And as I've been riding the last 1,600 miles I've kept a mental inventory of the different types of waves.
For some, the rider simply lifts his left hand off the handlebar and with full 90 degree extension and palm facing toward you. As you pass, the rider rests the hand back to his handlebars. Others can be more creative. There's the low wave usually practiced by cruisers where the riders hand drops from the handle bars and extends at a 45 degree angle. A nice variation of the cruiser wave is the subtle piece signed made by the gloved hand of that rider.
Keep in mind these subtle handlebar releases and hand motions happen at all speeds and all driving conditions. Yesterday a rider on a zooming sport bike rounding a nice banked decreasing radius turn swathed in bright red leathers and fully decorated racing style helmet lifted his hand, bent his arm at the elbow and gave me a wave that would have made the Queen of England jealous.
I personally like the "I'm going to acknowledge I'm in the club but remain cool wave" I notice often. That is, the rider simple raises his hand off his handle bar about six to ten inches and then slowly and surely drops it back. Two-up riders must have their own code of handshake or wave acknowledgement Sometimes the rider does the work. While others it's simply the passenger. But pay dirt happens when you get the double whammy -- both riders extend there hands and give it to you.
Keep in mind there's no training or induction into this club. You'll simply develop your own style of wave as you gain more experience riding. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation doesn't tell you how. And I'm sure the Harley Owners Group (HOG) doesn't offer a pictorial of styles in its magazine. One thing is for sure, the mutual admiration, respect and feeling of belonging is part of the motorcycle riders pride. Perhaps no other group, whether its motor vehicle owners, sports fans, collectors or hobbyist share and experience this feeling in such a random and offhand manner.
Allan Karl - www.worldrider.com
(borrowed from http://www.bmwgs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88518 , which is a BMW Aventure Riders Forum)
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