I take it they're not riding a Harley or a BMW then. I think with those your warranty is invalidated if you acknowledge other bikers..
Fuck me !!!....I thought that sort of drivel was reserved for the Triumph Forums, where hardly a thread passes without some sort of cheap snipe at BMW riders.
No you're thinking of Fartly Hatefulson riders. That's the first cheap snipe I've made at BMW riders in between singing the praises of the GS1200 and congratulating Mervyn on the purchase of his classic HP2. I shall have to try harder in future to live up to my reputation. :Troll: At least Beemer riders don't wear chaps and live on doughnuts. :Troll::Troll:
Well, I ride a BMW GS everyday. A don't give a shite what people say or think about the tossers that ride them
Best wave I ever received was the day I passed my part 2 test. Been ignored by other two wheelers on my L plated peds and 125's since I was 16. When I passed and I was riding home with the pass certificate in my pocket feeling as proud as punch I pulled into the first layby I came to, ripped off the L plates and threw them in the hedge. As I pulled away two bikes came past and both raised a hand. They will never know how good that made me feel...
I'm always concentrating so hard to stay aboard most of my bikes that I ain't got time to think about waving! However,when I am out on my chopp if I encounter another chopper we all seen to acknowledge each other with the same laid back sort of cool nod? Mainly out of surprise and respect that there is someone else who has forsaken all common sense,comfort and safety just to show the world you don't give a flying fuck!!!
There seems to be a rule to nod/wave until you get into the London bus catchment zone. When you see buses, all niceties go out of the window.
I always try to acknowledge my fellow motorcyclist with a raised hand. Unless I'm trying to get a march on,and then I might be limited to a quick nod. Way back,it was pretty much universal,except,(in my experience), for two main types of rider:those who considered themselves too,"cool",i.e patch clubs:and those who considered themselves,"superior",that is riders of more expensive machinery,(including,but not exclusive to,quite a few BMW and Ducati owners!). In our area,it was quite common to see large groups of bikes together on the the road. These were not gangs,often just riders from the same area who had decided to meet up and travel together.(I came from the villages,and apart from our own little gaggle I rode out regularly with different groups from Bedford,Hitchin,Stevenage etc). There were a much larger number of bikes on the road back then,the sense of camaraderie seemed much greater .Many who had to give up bikes still feel that comradeship,and cannot pass a rider with problems even though they have not ridden for years...it's a strange feeling when a lone woman in a car stops to ask if you are ok,because her dad/boyfriend/late husband used to ride a bike A friendly wave to your fellow motorcyclist said it all: you had both traded (? ) comfort,safety and warmth for that indescribable feeling that comes with riding a PTW. Many people try bikes but never,"get",that feeling,or understand what it's all about.(I imagine the same goes for horse riding and other hobbies). And there are others for whom motorcycles is a temporary passion,a lifestyle accessory that will be replaced by the next big thing. Those who feel they are,or want to be, a,"member", of the fraternity,generally wave or nod. Those who don't...(perhaps)...don't...
It's funny what you say about even ex bikers still feeling that urge to help a fellow biker. I was a year without bikes due to buying a house (thankfully back now), and during that year my wife would get very annoyed with the manner in which I drove when bikes were around. I was apparently too courteous and would even go as far as to indicate over and stop to let them all pass. Her argument was that I was slowing down our journey in order to benefit people we don't even know. My argument was that it costs us no time at all really and to the bikers, it's a quick and safe pass that lets them carry on and enjoy their ride.
Always wave - or nod if I don't spot them in time. Kids in the back window of buses is a favourite too !! The dropped left hand with a down pointing two fingered " V " is one of the coolest thing about riding sur le continent !!
I always wave, or at least nod..........and I ride a GSA and an1198. I must be really wierd?................ So wierd in fact, I still find myself doing it when I'm driving my car. I think I'm going to make Dorset the exception though
And when the school kids are waiting at the bus stop I find a quick back-fire normally brings a few laughs
Me too. Only exception being very busy motorways and Harley davidson riders. When I had an off last September three different bikers stopped to ask if I was ok or needed any help in the space of 45 minutes or so and I always give a thumbs up/down to anyone I see at the side of the road. It doesn’t take much and as you say adds to that us against them/comradeship type of thing.
I tend to nod, and even though I'm only 31 I tend to make an effort to say hello to the young newbie bikers. For the simple reason, that when I was 17 and trying to get every last mph out of my 125, if a Ducati came past I would nearly crash while ogling it! Having said that my commute is pretty rural, in the centre of London wouldn't for fear of turning into a nodding dog!
I gotta say it's the casual outstretched leg that does it for me..and the way French car drivers automatically move over to let you past
