[Closed] The motorbikers nod

Harley riders - and most certainly those on japanese fake harleys - ignore them.

Everyone will ignore you if you are on a BMW - they did for me anyway

not sure on the "rules" but when I was on my CBT I nodded at all bikers I passed and was really suprised when every single one nodded back, a few even managed a thumbs up 😀

I am a waver/saluter, me, and seem to have got most of the Bikes I see of a work day waving back.
I just can't seem to acknowledge scooters, though I have been fooled by some giant Honda thing on several occasions and it didn't actually hurt me.

I nod at every other biker when I'm out. In Devon most bikers nod back. In London virtually no-one does. I'm slightly worried because I've started doing the noddy thing on my pushbike.

I have to say I almost never did unless there was a specific reason - great day on country roads or grim winters day

i was concentrating on progressive riding technique other than to acknowledge anyone who was obviously riding slower than me, when i rode the road.......... 😛

try rolling along in gear, hitting the kill switch then priming the kill switch live again whilst rolling back the throttle......

much better than a wave.......... 😈

Better to make the wave / nod, then take the moral high ground if you're not dignified with a response 😀
I'll always wave / nod if the situation allows, good for the camaraderie y'know. Not to mention encouraging those hardy riders when I've marshalled in road events - usually a thumbs up when passing.

:wink:Is blowing kisses to cyclists of the opposite sex ok? Or should I ask the ladies to stop

harleys and gold wings.

wave at the cops though, it's cool when they wave back

oi tj why ignore harley riders?

Hardly riders never nod back.

Rules are...

Don't nod at scooters. Harley riders can be nodded at but never nod first, they might be one of those weekend only riders.

Never nod at BMW riders as they're ALWAYS*, without exception, complete and utter ****'s who get in the way. Their indicators and mirrors don't work either.

Don't not in busy cities.

*maybe exaggerating

Lobby - 'cos I (used to) ride a BMW 🙂

They ain't real bikers - just weekend posers

More money than sense?

Just teasing really. A bike is a bike - even if its a harley

I always nod or lift a hand, in winter I would say 100% recipricate in summer it drops by half.

With other cyclists i always shout Hiya, even roadies seem to respond.

I smile at cyclists, f and blind at beemer drivers, nod at motorbikers, esp. HD, BMW and GoldWings.

Hey, don't knock the poor Harley riders.

They have given up a lot for their bike.

Let's see:
Stop shaving Thursday morning
Practise scowl in shaving mirror
Buy more useless shiny tack for the bike
Practise scowl in mirror
Hang large floppy gut over belt
Practise scowl in mirror
Put on pseudo American outlaw gear
Practise scowl in reflecto sunglasses
Struggle to get bike upright
Wait for large fat woman with overexposed mammaries to mount
Struggle to get bike upright again
Lift large floppy gut from left or right side onto tank
Practise scowl in bike mirror
Start bike and ride short distance
Admire reflection in shop windows, remembering to scowl
Join other "outlaws" at the pub
Practise scowl in chrome tank panel
Scowl replaced by look of fear - some of these guys may be real
Drink crap American beer/whisky
Large fat woman with overexposed mammaries invited to romantic group therapy session by other "outlaws"
Drink more crap American beer/whisky
Scurry off home asap without large fat woman

Yup that's about it. Really just image conscious fat boys too unfit too fit into roadie lurid lycra suits.

Oh, yes, the not waving bit. Harley riders never wave because they are too scared to take one hand of the bars.

epicyclo - up yours. I'm not fat, and my wife certainly isnt. My Harley has no 'useless shiny tack' on it, I ride day in, day out, whatever the weather, and the only scowl you'll get from me is when I'm kicking your b***ocks from under you. I've been riding bikes for thirty years, everything from sports bikes to my current street bob, and have never knocked other people for what bikes they choose to ride, and dont understand why you would want to do so. As far as your comments about outlaws go, you really need to be careful with that sort of s**t.

Don't get sucked into it. You'll end up like a nodding dog.

If a gigantic rideout passes you in the other direction, it's acceptable not to nod or wave at everyone :mrgreen:I was out on the SV650.org annual rideout last year, about 120 bikes wandering around devon, and some of the people we passed looked like they were practicing for a motorhead concert.

Waving is acceptable. Nazi salutes are not. It's a fine line.

barnsleymitch - Member
epicyclo - up yours etc

That's what's called satire.

Settle down mate. I have been riding Harleys since 1970. I used to go trail riding in Oz on a springer 74ci Flathead with foot clutch and hand change. I have owned 3 Evolution HDs since - plus a HD branded Aermacchi.

Have you been scowling so much you've lost your sense of humour? Do you really not know any of the weekend warriors with their lifestyle accessories?

And nah, "outlaws" don't impress me - most of them were on their Honda 125s last year. Riding a Harley in colours doesn't make them big and tough in my eyes. Maybe I spent too long in mining towns out west (Oz) with real hard men to be impressed by swaggering braggarts who talk tough.

Epicyclo Have you been to the Patriot in Crumlin, you described them perfectly 😀

I acknowledge bikers when it is safe to do so. However here they tend to wave or give a victory/peace V sign.

The other thing that slightly unnerves me is that if a car driver kindly moves over to let them pass, they stick a leg out to thank them.

The other thing that slightly unnerves me is that if a car driver kindly moves over to let them pass, they stick a leg out to thank them.

why does that un-nerve you?

epicyclo - LMFAO, that was far too funny!

You forgot to mention most of them are doctors, lawyers and other upstanding members of the public too though 😉

I actually get some nods off Harley riders these days - noticed a change in attitude when I went from the knackered old Yamaha to the (once) lovely shiny Triumph (lack of washing and an interface with a wall have made it no longer quite so nice and shiny... big ****off scratch down the side!). Beemers are a mixed bad though, if they don't think they are Charlie MacEwan doing the Long Way Round then they are fine (ie anyone riding a non-GS Beemer). Kind of toying with a BMW K1200S/R Sport for the next bike myself (though there is a certain inevitability that I will switch from the Speed Triple to a Sprint ST - just love them triples!)

Don't nod at scooters. Harley riders can be nodded at but never nod first, they might be one of those weekend only riders.

The other thing that slightly unnerves me is that if a car driver kindly moves over to let them pass, they stick a leg out to thank them.

epicyclo LOL you summed it up perfectly. I was at a 'HOG' meet in August and that description was probably accurate for 95% of the people there.

I've found I get a wave from most riders whether I'm riding a Harley or a KTM apart from the GS Beemer riders. Too focused on going that 'big adventure to Sainsburys' 😛

I nod/wave to everyone (except folks on scooters). Most people respond, but what I've found is that if I'm wearing my Dayglo textile gear I get less responses than I do when I'm wearing my dark leathers.

epicyclo - fair point I suppose - it'd been a long day at work and I was being overly sensitive. I get a bit ****ed off with the slaggings that harley riders get, but yeah, some of them deserve it. I dont buy into all the 'lifestyle' thing personally, and get a bit pi**ed at the weekend warrior thing. So far as the outlaw stuff goes, I was involved with patch clubs on and off for about ten years, and still have mixed feelings about them - all I can say (and if you've been around them, as I'm guessing you have) you'll know only too well that people wearing colours arent generally doing it to spread peace and love. Anyhow, sorry for being a pompous cock, and next time I drink six bottles of magners after a 13 hour shift at the secure unit, I'll think twice before posting.
PS, where can I get some of them overexposed mammaries for the missus?

Oh I love riding a scooter. I once really pi$$ed of a guy on a ZX9 who came battering past me at every available opportunity, only for me to catch and pass him at every set of lights, roundabout, queue etc for about 10-15 miles.
N.B. - Not every scooter rider is a 16yo kid you know, some of us are just between bikes or commuting on a sensibe, cheap mode of transport and are quite capable of keeping up.... 🙂

I have to say I almost never did unless there was a specific reason

And you wonder why BMW riders get labelled as ignorant know-it-alls? 😉

I once had a conversation with a BMW rider (A right tosser he was too) who simply couldn't understand why I would spend more on my little Ducati when I could have had a 'better' BMW for the same/less money.....He didn't understand that I bought it because it made me laugh, it made me feel fantastic, and it had a soul.

I might have a BMW one day, I'm not knocking them, but for me you don't buy a bike with your head, it's not a SENSIBLE decision! 😀

Not every scooter rider is a 16yo kid you know

If you have your driving license there is no excuses for riding a scooter, specially considering how bad they ride and how they behave towards other road users:(

I might have a BMW one day

Quite fancied a R1100S and did consider an F800 when replacing the Deauville, but went with a CBF1000GT instead.

Hang on BMW's have soul and character, the old flying brick was a gem of a bike and I love GSs it is the sad wannabe oaf on the back of one who has spunked his cash at Touratech and is wearing some kind of Andy Pandy suit. Saw a GS12 the other day and the guy even had GS badged boots on.

They are the 2 wheel equivalent of the Urban 4x4 owner.

Scooterers (Excluding the chavs) - Never nod or thank.

Superbikes - Nod & thank (usually)

BMW GS'ers - never nod or thank (similar to BMW drivers)

Ducati riders - always nod & thank, the best riders on the road... apparently

Harley/Roadsterers - Never nod. They think you're a **** as you don't ride a bike where your hands are higher than your face.

BTW - I'm a nodder/winker (read that again...) I even do a proper 'wink' and make the noise! WHY?!

I like the idea of a saluter, might save this for the BMW GSers and Harley riders, make them feel bad when they don't do anything back.

Quite fancied a R1100S and did consider an F800 when replacing the Deauville, but went with a CBF1000GT instead.

I had a test ride on a Monster 696, and afterwards I went to the BMW dealers close by, inending to ride an F800GS or an R800S. I spent a while looking round at them, having a fiddle, sitting on them. Very nice bikes. But all I could think of was ripping round on the Ducati, the NOISE it made from the airbox, the way it just scampered round like an eager terrier, the light flickable feeling and the little V-twin that just wanted to rev and rev and rev like crazy and headbutt the rev limiter all the time.
I just couldn't bring myself to even ask for a test ride on a BMW. I just knew I didn't WANT one. So I pottered off (Can you can potter on a Speed Triple?) back to the Ducati dealers and bought the Monster.

I've recently had to sell it for various reasons, and it broke my heart to see it go, but I know the new owner's happy and got a good deal, so that's OK. I've never felt like that about a bike. And a little 'bottom of the range' bike to boot.
And I've never had the same bike or even the same make more than once, But I know my next will be another Duke. I'm not even really considering looking at another make. Odd, in a way, but not really.... 🙂

Hang on BMW's have soul and character

I'm not even really considering looking at another make. Odd, in a way, but not really....

I dont give a fiddlers **** whether you nod at me or not. The only people I'm wary of on the road are people driving german cars (generally BMs or Mercs) as most of them drive like theyre the only ones on the road and everone else is insignificant.

If you have your driving license there is no excuses for riding a scooter

Sorry Juan, but that's drivel. And very narrow minded too.
I'll have a joke at TJs expense about BMWs (Note the smiley) but to me, if it's got 2 wheels, it's a bike of some sort. Engine or not, no matter how many gears, what the name on the side is, or it's intended use. It's a bike, and all bikes are good. End of story for me.
I've had 3 scooters now and they are brilliant. Silly cheap to run, practical, warmer then a motorbike at 6.30am in January, easy to park, clean, hilarious fun to ride in a bouncy-side-stand-scraping manner, and they simply destroy traffic like nothing else can.
I really want a Vespa GT200 next.

Sportsbikes aren't my thing, but I'd Love a 916 or a Blade, or a track RS250
Harleys aren't my thing, but I'd LOVE to ride across the USA on one
BMWs aren't my thing, but I might get one if I needed to commute or tour great distances

Etc Etc...
😀

The t1t that is Charley Boorman together with his career made of the back of his 'mate' rides a BMW GS, end of argument.

barnsleymitch - Member
...where can I get some of them overexposed mammaries for the missus?...

Its all about removing the spark arrestors and flicking the killswitch 🙂

nod

ride past

moment of slience

then

BOOOOOMMMMMM CRACKLE crackle crackle

Oh and for groups In just raised my hand off the throttle, not sure what to do for realy big groups though youd end up stationary!

Blimey
This thread is all a bit firey...

I ride / have ridden all sorts but currenly have a GS Adv & Kawa ZX9R and do about 25k km per year.
I wave a hand (or a leg)to all of the bikers I see (though not perhaps the 50cc riders in the village :-)).

The bond between riders is the suffering we go through for the pleasure of riding. The crap weather / the 'moments' we experience with cars turning across us.

If they don't wave back f*ck em. It's them that are missing the point of it & it is their loss. Maybe they are weekend warriors that spend more time reading mags & polishing it than using it hence don't appreciate what makes the bond.

Rant time, I think --

Back on topic, WHY would you ignore a specific type of rider? Why?
That really does to me, defeat the whole object. I case you hadn't noticed bikes and bikers are getting a bit of a raw deal in the UK at the minute, and the last thing we need is infighting and bigotry like this. (United we stand, divided we fall) It's THE most blinkered and selfish stance I can think of, and it will do nothing other than make you a sad old twunt.
So where do you draw the line? Don't nod at Harley riders, don't stop to help one who's run out of fuel in the pouring rain? Ignore scooterists, leave a 17yo 'kid' stranded in the dark?

Take a long hard look at yourselves. Pathetic.

surely nobody would nod at those pensioners on Gold Wings though, except caravaners perhaps ? 😉

Kev

had a test ride on a Monster 696

Never fancied a monster as they don't suit my style of riding (I quite often do 500 mile days) - might consider one if I lived somewhere like London though. I'd be more likely to buy a Ducati sportsbike as a trackday/Sunday plaything.

So where do you draw the line? Don't nod at Harley riders, don't stop to help one who's run out of fuel in the pouring rain? Ignore scooterists, leave a 17yo 'kid' stranded in the dark?

I'll nod to anyone one a motorbike. I have stopped and helped scooterists on a couple of occasions (including a chap who'd got a puncture when doing a end-to-end on one), but don't nod or wave to them.

PeteP dont know how long you have ridden bikes but there has always been divisions and in fighting. As a courier on circuit in London in the early 80's you were considered beneath contempt by other bikers. That was fine as we thought we were the ultimate bikers, going through the winter on the road every day.

Going to the trial on Sunday my mate Barry who has ridden road bikes since he was 16 now 49 saw a full dress Gold Wing and just started ranting about how the rider might as well have a car. He is the most level headed person I know, I was shocked and also pi$$ing myself. We all have prejudices and most arent rational.

May I just point out that my BMW was a R1100RS not a GS? and that I have never owned any BMW clothing and it had a race pipe?

Jeezo there are a few on here who just don't get a joke.

As for the nodding - I don't see why I am supposed to have some bond with all these folk I don't know - hence I will wave if there is some sort of shared experience - a particularly nice or horrible day for example but wave to every biker you see? Why. It ain't a lifestyle no more

I nod everyone, although scooterists (and indeed most bikers in London) don't bother doing it back 😀

I have to say, if I was cutting through traffic on a daily basis a reasonably quick scooter would be the way to go. The steering lock on my Monster is so bad you can pretty much forget swapping lanes in stationary traffic. Plus you could stash your helmet under the seat, and your shopping there when you come back.

Race pipe!!! you anti social noisy git 😉

have to say, if I was cutting through traffic on a daily basis a reasonably quick scooter would be the way to go.

Not for me - two-stroke trail bike is what I'd do. When I used to commute into Edinburgh regularily I often used a Honda CRM250R (basically a road-legal MX with slightly toned down power and better power delivery) - it was tremendous fun.

Go to France, they wave with both arms and legs, much more friendly than here. Also because they ride on the right they can wave with the left hand enthusiastically. Unlike us reserved brits.

I've been riding guzzis for 20 years now, and no bugger seems to see them! (except coppers)

Go to France, they wave with both arms and legs, much more friendly than here. Also because they ride on the right they can wave with the left hand enthusiastically. Unlike us reserved brits.

Left hand wave = hello to fellow biker (or a nod if you have your hand busy)
Right (or left) foot down = thank you when someone move out of the way.

BMW/HD is about the same than in UK. Scooter over 50cc are the enemy. And to be fair they deserve it. Almost been cut in two by th ****er in tmax on the motorway this morning who thought it was ok to undertake on the service lane.

great post, i have been riding still on L plates for a year now, 90% of other bikers do give me the nod but theres a few that dont probably because i have L plates on.

sometimes i do forget to give a nod back as im concentrating on not being killed and getting home to ride another day.

epicyclo - up yours. I'm not fat, and my wife certainly isnt. My Harley has no 'useless shiny tack' on it, I ride day in, day out, whatever the weather, and the only scowl you'll get from me is when I'm kicking your b***ocks from under you. I've been riding bikes for thirty years, everything from sports bikes to my current street bob, and have never knocked other people for what bikes they choose to ride, and dont understand why you would want to do so. [b]As far as your comments about outlaws go, you really need to be careful with that sort of s**t.[/b]

wow, harley riders, eh? the whining keeps going long after the engine's stopped.
Did you practice that last bit whilst scowling in your bathroom mirror?

BTW I have it on good authority that most gold wing riders don't wave back because the Auto Wave Back button is disabled by default.

Never nod a scooter.

so in summary, ignore scooter riders there scum, ignore Harley riders they are easily wound up but most people will ignore me as I'm a Euan wannabe on a BMW.

You wish you were a Euan wannabe you dont have enough cylinders 😉

You wish you were a Euan wannabe

****, does that make me a charlie wannabe?

AA - thats about right - apart from the reason motorcyclists hate scooters is they hate how cool a scooter can be.

[img] [/img]

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck from " Roman Holiday" for the young and ignorant

Oh - and BMW riders have always been derided - even before charlie and Ewan got theirs.

BigButSlimmerBloke - Member -
wow, harley riders, eh? the whining keeps going long after the engine's stopped.
Did you practice that last bit whilst scowling in your bathroom mirror?...

Fair go mate, he saw the joke later. Read his next post.

We have discovered a common interest in overexposed mammaries. 🙂

BTW I may have found some [u][b][url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/how-far-before-it-counts-as-playing-away ]right here in STW[/url][/b][/u] about 21 posts down