the "wave" - riding etiquette

C

chistet

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Hi,
I love the feeling of fraternity when an oncoming rider slides their left hand off the bars in a casual low sweeping peace sign to me.

as a new rider im happiest with my hands cemented to the grips.
i want to acknowledge another riders wave but can only raise (polite) fingers in a little V while still holding the grips.

is this appropriate...is it considered rude or dismissive?

im not losing sleep over this but want to ride in my comfort zone while not offending another rider.
 
veno78 said:
Lol just nod then
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That's what I've been doing most of the time. If I am going in a straight line at a slower speed I will do the wave if I feel comfortable. Buts as new riders our main focus should be the bike and not waving.
 
I'd even go so far as to advise to just ignore everything except riding. You'll have lots of time to wave to strangers who are on a similar mode of transportation. It's not worth putting yourself in a situation where you could lose focus/control.
 
you are only dismissed from waving if you are having your mid life crisis on a harley trying to figure out how to get into second and switch off your turn signal before the string in your soa hoodie jumps up and smacks you in the eye.
 
The polite 'v' is good enough. I've stopped waving to anyone unless:
a)they initiate
b)they're riding a sportbike (around here I don't see very many)

You could say that my etiquette is rude and dismissive but I don't care, I'm out to ride, not have a wavefest.
 
eljay said:
you are only dismissed from waving if you are having your mid life crisis on a harley trying to figure out how to get into second and switch off your turn signal before the string in your soa hoodie jumps up and smacks you in the eye.
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That's funny.

OP - don't worry about it. A nod is fine. I wouldn't even probably see you raise your two fingers unless we were close and moving slow.

I don't care if people wave at me or not. If we make eye contact however, it is polite to acknowledge it, I think, with a nod or a wave. The "turn away with smug condescension" is annoying, other than that I don't care.
 
Ride @ your own pace, wave @ your own pace... not rude, not nothing... Some times I wave, some times I don't, some times I nod some times, I ignore. Not being rude or anything.. people should not get offended or think you are rude for not waving, if they do then they have a bigger issue.
 
I love waving to people too, but if they don't wave back it doesn't irk me in the slightest. It’s just how it goes, maybe they are shifting, maybe they didn’t see you in time, maybe they aren’t the type to wave..doesn’t bother me an iota.

I did learn to ride with one hand just to wave and now its just a lot more comfortable being able to ride with one hand when I need to relax a bit and cruise
 
cargoload said:
Hi,
as a new rider im happiest with my hands cemented to the grips.
i want to acknowledge another riders wave but can only raise (polite) fingers in a little V while still holding the grips.
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It's good that you are safe and feel more comfortable with both hands on the grips however having said that..

if your not confident enough in being able to put out a peace sign for 2 seconds when riding perhaps you should re-consider riding on the roads.. being nervous, anxious and not relaxed when riding make you more a hazard.. yes be safe, always scan the streets, be aware of everything around you, keep your distance etc.. but just as nervous drivers cause accidents.. i would believe the same applies to nervous riders.
 
I wave with both hands and give a nod to every biker I see. It's the only I will gain respect at Timmy's
 
CharleneLizette
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i said i was happiest.....with both hands on.
in didnt say i was anxious or apprehensive about anything

so your suggesting a new rider should not ride on the roads????
i think you mean well, but surely you can see some holes in your logic
 
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cargoload said:
CharleneLizette
user-online.png


i said i was happiest.....with both hands on.
in didnt say i was anxious or apprehensive about anything

so your suggesting a new rider should not ride on the roads????
i think you mean well, but surely you can see some holes in your logic
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I've been riding for 4 weeks.. I'm a new rider.. I'm cautious and ride with both hands on the grips all the time.. my post clearly said.. if you are relaxed while riding letting go to give a peace sign should not worry you or make you uneasy..

I find it polite to say hi especially when someone says hi to me..I'm also secure and relaxed when riding ... like i said being anxious is not a good way to ride..

Being new on the road I've noticed the more relaxed and confident you are (not cocky) the better rider you are.. this protects you and protects others on the road..

thats all..
have fun riding =)
 
its all good. thx
:p
CharleneLizette said:
I've been riding for 4 weeks.. I'm a new rider.. I'm cautious and ride with both hands on the grips all the time.. my post clearly said.. if you are relaxed while riding letting go to give a peace sign should not worry you or make you uneasy..

I find it polite to say hi especially when someone says hi to me..I'm also secure and relaxed when riding ... like i said being anxious is not a good way to ride..

Being new on the road I've noticed the more relaxed and confident you are (not cocky) the better rider you are.. this protects you and protects others on the road..

thats all..
have fun riding =)
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I just don't wave people in douchevests...
 
As a new rider, I had the similar questions as OP's lol! I just didn't know if I'm always supposed to wave or nod otherwise it would be considered rude. By the way I love the feeling of fraternity/sorority as well! A typical newb! I know!

So far I mostly nodded cuz I feel like the V sign looks so "advanced and cool" to me and I'm still a little shy doing it although I have no problem having my clutch hand off. lol! Don't laugh at me plz lol!
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