 |
|
24 Aug 2006
|
 |
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,185
|
|
Quote:
|
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
|
My interpretation of a biker (or any on-coming vehicule) flashing at me would be "Caution, Police ahead, reduce speed!" 
|
24 Aug 2006
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lincolnshire UK
Posts: 49
|
|
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
|
25 Aug 2006
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Travelling North America
Posts: 16
|
|
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!
Quote:
|
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 .
|
|
25 Aug 2006
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Travelling North America
Posts: 16
|
|
Quote:
|
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
|
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!
|
25 Aug 2006
|
 |
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 18
|
|
|
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.
|
25 Aug 2006
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Poole, UK
Posts: 316
|
|
|
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.
|
25 Aug 2006
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
|
|
|
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!
|
26 Aug 2006
|
 |
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
|
|
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.
|
26 Aug 2006
|
 |
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
|
|
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......?????
|
26 Aug 2006
|
|
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
|
|
Quote:
|
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.
|
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!
|
26 Aug 2006
|
|
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
|
|
Quote:
|
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 .
|
Hi Rodger
Are you sure about all this? I mean really, really sure?
XXGood roads!
|
28 Aug 2006
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London
Posts: 124
|
|
Quote:
|
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.
|
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)
|
29 Aug 2006
|
|
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
|
|
Quote:
|
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.
|
Maybe they dont wave to you because of the bikes you ride?
|
29 Aug 2006
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Poole, UK
Posts: 316
|
|
Quote:
|
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!
|
Hi Denise
Ditto, even if you happen to be on the 90 ;-)
Warm tyres
Bossies
|
29 Aug 2006
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London
Posts: 124
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by denis brown
Maybe they dont wave to you because of the bikes you ride?
|
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)
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 4 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 4 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-14
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
just do it
Linear Mode
