Bikers and scooters waving?

Question

I ride a little 49cc Honda Ruckus (scooter-type) bike. I always appreciate a wave from another two-wheeled motorist riding *any* classification of machine as acknowledgement that we share a love for the wind in our faces and freedom from the four wheeled cage. When safe to do so, I always initiate if they don't first.

My question is: What is it about some groups of motorcyclists that makes them "too cool" to wave at us scooter folks? I honestly want to know if it's because we ride something with a smaller engine or because they feel we lack experience.... Truly, what is it?

Answer 1

pretty often they're just being jerks who think their pride would be hurt, but there are a couple of other reasons you may consider...

sometimes of course they may not see you wave, or it may be too late when they realize, but there is one major difference between the two that may also be a factor...



On a scooter, especially a 50cc automatic, your left hand doesn't really do much but occasionally brake and maybe change headlight intensity or blinkers, but a motorcyclist uses both hands actively to drive at all times. their clutch is on that side... so whereas most of them are too cool to bother, looking like jackasses in the process, but every now and then its just not possible to use that hand to wave because its covering your clutch or shifting or something of that sort...



usually when they don't wave I just think well hey, they just looked like a jerk and I just looked like a cool friendly guy... if they think its below them to wave then they can prove how much of a pompous twit they are by not doing so...



I believe in the wave... I think ALL riders on two wheels face much the same challenges on the road.... BOTH contend with weather and other drivers, both have trouble with slick roads and people turning, or pulling out in front of them unawares, and bottom line is, BOTH of them could end up smashed up on the side of the road one day and it could be that same scooterist who you were too stuck up to wave to that could pull over and save your life...

That's something I try to remember... another bike rider is the most likely to help you out if you find yourself in a bad spot, and they are the most likely to recognize your distress...



we all should respect each other on the road

and even if you're too busy to wave, you're never too busy to give a friendly nod...

just forgive me if I don't see you in time!

Answer 2

I don't wave to other bikes when around town, as my hand would be constantly up and down and it's too much of a distraction.

I only wave once I'm out on the road/highway.

Probably get a wave from 10% of BMW and HD riders. HD has improved as it used to be 0%

It seems to somehow based on the cost of the bike. People think that since their bike cost twice as much as yours, that they are somehow superior.

It all depends on the day too. Some days, everyone waves, some days nobody waves (not even me) Depends on the weather too. If its cold wet and miserable and you are still 300km from home, being social is way down the list of priorities.

There is one situation I have found that unites riders of every genre and that is warning about hidden police. If I stumble across a police car hiding in the bushes like some mongrel dog, I will warn EVERY bike and truck I can, and have found that others do the same. Even a group of 1%ers will let a jap rider know about the cops.

Answer 3

I wave at all bikers-regardless of make or model...It is for me a reconignition of solidarity amongs all of us. HOwever I do ot necessarily wave to scooters...It is not a matter of one upmanship or mine is better than yours / bigger than yours/more expensive than yours.....I jsut dont feel you are on the road on two wheels for the same reasons the rest of us are...Heck if it is all about being on the road then you might as well wave to the automobiloes as well...Scooter people are in it for the economy of thei thing. They ride to and form school-grocery store-librarty etc. They really are not init for the experience of the RIDE>...they do not have the yearning for the open road. They have the yearning to save a few dolars.. With prices of fuel going down the scooterss and this issue will go away as well..

Answer 4

This is a common topic on motorcycle forums. I personally wave at any size bike. I ride a BMW K1200s as well as other big bikes. Some guys don't wave at anyone. I think I get the fewest waves from Honda Gold Wing guys, but maybe they have to keep their mind on driving that beast. Harley guys seem to wave only at other Harleys, but some of them are happy to wave to other cyclists. Sport guys seem the quickest with a wave. Scooters do seem to be at the bottom of this wave etiquette protocol though. Don't let it bother you.

Answer 5

properly i will pay attention the banjo's enjoying down interior the swamps from right here as i will confirm that there is an impressive style of inbred rednecks obtainable. driving a Harley would not make you a guy, yet once you improve up you could understand that each and every person one on 2 wheels is a factor of an identical community and we glance after our very own no matter what we experience. additionally a word for the ill counseled, Harley made scooters at one time too. in keeping with risk you ought to get one on your mom.

Answer 6

When you riding a bike you wave at another bike.

Since when is Scooter classified as a bike?



I heard this from my safety course instructor couple years ago lol

Answer 7

I ride a scooter, I don't wave at anyone unless I know them. I drive a truck too, again I don't wave at other trucks either. I own a home ect... I own a computer..... The list goes on and on. After riding for most of my life I don't care anymore. its dumb.

Answer 8

Scooters are kind of new to the main stream of motorcycling in America, therefore don't fit into what the yuppies have been told is "tradition". Many of the riders you see on motorcycles are bar hoppers who don't understand the origin of "the wave" and don't know if its "permissible" to wave at a smaller vehicle.

In short, they are lemmings and snobs who don't respect other riders.

Don't lose any sleep over it.

Answer 9

I upgraded from a scooter to motorcycle, but I would TOTALLY still wave at you :) I dunno what is up with 'ettiquite'...if I dont wave at a scooterist its probably cuz I feel like I'm not 'suppose' to. Lol its kinda stupid, really. Lets all just be friendly and wave :)

Answer 10

its the fact that there riding a beast of a motorbike while your stuck on a 49cc scooter.

or it could be they dont wave at people they dont know.

either way, it happens everywhere.

Answer 11

They don't care?



Not everyone feels like waving! or Too busy looking for road hazards like you should be doing.!

Answer 12

Harley riders wave at other Harley riders.Nothing personal it an American vs metric thing.

Answer 13

Like Bart S I wave at every two wheeled vehicle except Harleys. For some reason H-D riders think thier **** don't stink. Besides most H-D riders just call me Euro-trash or some other expletive because I ride a bike that is not a Harley. (2008 Triumph Street Triple)

Answer 14

motorcycle waving 101:

always use your left hand

general wave, left hand raised about 3 or 4 inches with palm of hand in front

crotch rocket wave, lower your whole left arm down almost touching the road

harley wave, make a fist, or use your middle finger

I hate harley wave, make your left hand in the shape of a gun and point it to your head



I wave to all motorcycles, except Harleys, I hate Harleys