Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB
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Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)
-   Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-questions-dont-fit-anywhere/)
-   -   RANT: whats wrong with bikers! (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-questions-dont-fit-anywhere/rant-whats-wrong-with-bikers-22689)

maria41 24 Aug 2006 08:45
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!" :)

password 24 Aug 2006 09:59
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:clap:

Thunderbrit 25 Aug 2006 06:44
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 .

Thunderbrit 25 Aug 2006 06:46
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!

rio_perros 25 Aug 2006 07:51
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!!:biggrin3:
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.

Bossies 25 Aug 2006 12:28
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.

Matt Cartney 25 Aug 2006 13:33
Hi Bossies,
I agree about flashing your lights. I normally assume it to mean 'speedtrap ahead' or 'accident ahead'.
Matt

Stephano 26 Aug 2006 11:58
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.

http://www.kiwi-us.com/%7Egeifuu/PostaBK05.JPG

Caminando 26 Aug 2006 21:43
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......?????

Caminando 26 Aug 2006 21:50
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!

Caminando 26 Aug 2006 21:53
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!

muthaf9cka 28 Aug 2006 12:15
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.

Caminando 29 Aug 2006 02:19
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?

Bossies 29 Aug 2006 12:54
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

muthaf9cka 29 Aug 2006 15:27
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!


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