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24 Aug 2006
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The franglais-riders
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,185
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Stephano
Greg
I have a few questions for those who ride regularly in the UK.
Is a quick flash of the headlight OK, as a lazy option, or does it indicate something else and possibly annoy riders?
Stephan
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My interpretation of a biker (or any on-coming vehicule) flashing at me would be "Caution, Police ahead, reduce speed!" 
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24 Aug 2006
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lincolnshire UK
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Hi Stephano, a flash of the lights can give out a mixed message IMHO, also car drivers can interpret this as a “to go” signal and pull out in front of you which keeps you on your toes! A nod or a wave is fine as some people are not comfortable with taking their hands off the bars.
I tend to wave to everyone including mopeds (I own a Yamaha Townmate so ride a Moped during the worst of winter) and admit that a lot of moped riders don’t respond.
Hope the Yellowbellies didn’t treat you too bad, we can be a funny bunch at times!!
Also I use the waving of the right arm hand flat out, arm straight at shoulder level to knee to indicate police presence or as a general slow down signal for road debris, accidents etc, anyone else use this, it was told to me by an old biker as a universal sign, but I don’t see it much?
Cheers - Greg
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25 Aug 2006
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Registered Users
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Location: Travelling North America
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Perhaps UK bikers only wave with a 'high hand' as we drive on the left and a simple drop off the hand like the US/Cans do wouldn't be seen from the other side. The simple drop off or even a twist of the wrist so the hand barely moves is easier to do. That's also perhaps why we tend to nod more???
You missed a point about the US - Harley riders wave maybe 1 in 100. Sportsbikes 100 in 100 and even the Golwings about 70%. Just an observation!
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Originally Posted by Dodger
I suspect that a lot of the "bikers" we see today on new machines and in pristine leathers are very new to biking and don't know about the biker wave .
They probably wouldn't know what to do in a breakdown situation anyway .
Maybe it's just an irrational fear of scruffy bikers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just keep waving that's what I do , they will get the message eventually .
BTW, why do N American motorcyclists wave with the hand and arm horizontal or even facing downwards ? That's always puzzled me .
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25 Aug 2006
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Originally Posted by BruceP
Could just be they are concentrating on the road so much, they did not see you.
Stop worrying about it and ride
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Anyone who didn't see a bike coming may also not see the deer/cop car/ Volvo U turning and therefore surely isn't concentrating enough!
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25 Aug 2006
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 18
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RANT: whats wrong with bikers! Reply to Thread
Hello there fellow hubbers,
I wave most of the time at oncoming riders; however, when my speed is above 60 kms p/hr, congested traffic or using the clutch, I will simply give a nod or flash the headlight. Be safe and ride free!! 
Correction: 60 mph not 60 km/hr and sorry to all that I flashed my highbeam to on the road; when all I meant was, hello.
__________________
"The only thing that needs constant adjustment on a motorcycle is, the biological linkage between the handgrips and the footpegs" <*)))>{
Last edited by rio_perros; 26 Aug 2006 at 08:23.
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25 Aug 2006
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Registered Users
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Down here in the South West I have found the following to be recognised by all:
1. Generally tilting your head to the side is hello; nobody waves
2. Some, including me, slick out the right leg to indicate to the bike coming up behind me that I have seen them and they can come past; or to say thanks.
3. I always wave with my left hand after passing a car that has given me a gap but sometimes it's just extending the fingers while still holding on to the handle.
4. Flash of the lights means beware cops ahead or danger in the road ahead and is only used for that purpose.
5. "Cops ahead" can also be indicate by tapping the side of your helmet with your left fist.
The tendancy to greet or wave decreases the closer you get to London.
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25 Aug 2006
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Hi Bossies,
I agree about flashing your lights. I normally assume it to mean 'speedtrap ahead' or 'accident ahead'.
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com
http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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26 Aug 2006
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Gold Member
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Thanks for the clarification. All much as I thought except for the left fist gesture.
I'll continue to nod rather than wave but I'm still not sure what to do if I see Denis on his Honda 90 rather than his Africa Twin.
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26 Aug 2006
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Moderated Users
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just do it
Well that's me on the back of the 90 so I think you'll know what to do. I hope you'll know what to do unless you're......?????
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26 Aug 2006
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Moderated Users
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bossies
Down here in the South West I have found the following to be recognised by all:
1. Generally tilting your head to the side is hello; nobody waves
2. Some, including me, slick out the right leg to indicate to the bike coming up behind me that I have seen them and they can come past; or to say thanks.
3. I always wave with my left hand after passing a car that has given me a gap but sometimes it's just extending the fingers while still holding on to the handle.
4. Flash of the lights means beware cops ahead or danger in the road ahead and is only used for that purpose.
5. "Cops ahead" can also be indicate by tapping the side of your helmet with your left fist.
The tendancy to greet or wave decreases the closer you get to London.
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Hi Bossie
All that tapping,flashing , extending, indicating and waving! It's so busy!
If I see you on the road I'll give you a gesture however....
Good roads!
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26 Aug 2006
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Moderated Users
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dodger
I suspect that a lot of the "bikers" we see today on new machines and in pristine leathers are very new to biking and don't know about the biker wave .
They probably wouldn't know what to do in a breakdown situation anyway .
Maybe it's just an irrational fear of scruffy bikers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just keep waving that's what I do , they will get the message eventually .
BTW, why do N American motorcyclists wave with the hand and arm horizontal or even facing downwards ? That's always puzzled me .
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Hi Rodger
Are you sure about all this? I mean really, really sure?
XXGood roads!
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28 Aug 2006
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London
Posts: 124
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bossies
Down here in the South West I have found the following to be recognised by all:
1. Generally tilting your head to the side is hello; nobody waves
2. Some, including me, slick out the right leg to indicate to the bike coming up behind me that I have seen them and they can come past; or to say thanks.
3. I always wave with my left hand after passing a car that has given me a gap but sometimes it's just extending the fingers while still holding on to the handle.
4. Flash of the lights means beware cops ahead or danger in the road ahead and is only used for that purpose.
5. "Cops ahead" can also be indicate by tapping the side of your helmet with your left fist.
The tendancy to greet or wave decreases the closer you get to London.
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I'm regularly down that way and my experience is pretty much the same. Nobody really waves, it's usually just a nod of the head. And yes, the closer I get to London, the less it happens. Usually, the M25 is my cut off of when to start/stop nodding. London bikers are so miserable. And I would always stop and help a fellow rider. And I never nod to scooter riders. They never nod back.
__________________
"On that? You're nuts!" - My cousin's boyfriend
Current Bikes - Kawasaki KLE500 '05 (May 06)
Previous Bikes - Hyosung GF125 (Oct 05 to May 06)
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29 Aug 2006
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Moderated Users
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by muthaf9cka
I'm regularly down that way and my experience is pretty much the same. Nobody really waves, it's usually just a nod of the head. And yes, the closer I get to London, the less it happens. Usually, the M25 is my cut off of when to start/stop nodding. London bikers are so miserable. And I would always stop and help a fellow rider. And I never nod to scooter riders. They never nod back.
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Maybe they dont wave to you because of the bikes you ride?
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29 Aug 2006
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Registered Users
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Location: Poole, UK
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by denis brown
Hi Bossie
All that tapping,flashing , extending, indicating and waving! It's so busy!
If I see you on the road I'll give you a gesture however....
Good roads!
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Hi Denise
Ditto, even if you happen to be on the 90 ;-)
Warm tyres
Bossies
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29 Aug 2006
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by denis brown
Maybe they dont wave to you because of the bikes you ride?
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Nah. Scooter riders don't wave because they're either a) hoodies, b) urban trendies or c) car drivers who had to face congestion reality. Seriously, I've heard stories of people turning up to CBTs and they can't even ride a bicycle!
__________________
"On that? You're nuts!" - My cousin's boyfriend
Current Bikes - Kawasaki KLE500 '05 (May 06)
Previous Bikes - Hyosung GF125 (Oct 05 to May 06)
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