Motorcycling greetings
File:Waving from the Harley.jpg.]]
File:Waving from motorcycle on open road.jpg
Motorcycling greetings can include several gestures made between motorcyclists on the road. Titles for this greeting include "Biker wave", "Motorcyclist wave", "Motorcycle wave" or just "The Wave." The greeting made can include a number of gestures including a nod, a pointed finger, palm-out V sign, palm-in fingers-down V sign, or an actual raised-hand wave.
Warnings
Motorcyclists may use specialized hand signals to both greet and warn oncoming riders:
- Circling raised finger — police ahead
- Patting helmet — check your lights or police ahead
Regional differences
The use of specific gestures may be culturally or regionally dependent. Some observers have commented that waving is common amongst riders in North America but uncommon in some European countries, like Germany.Hough's More Proficient Motorcycling caveats the hand signals table with the comment "motorcyclists in North America will generally understand the following hand signals."
French riders will stick their foot out when overtaking another motorcycle, and while lane splitting when a car facilitates it.[https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/features/travel/how-to-ride-a-motorcycle-in-france-2018 How to ride a motorcycle in France], Bennetts, 2018, accessed 2019-01-18
Notes
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References
{{Commons category|Motorcycling greetings}}
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{{citation|author=Mike Seate|author-link=Mike Seate|journal= Motorcyclist|title=Biker Friendly Salute - Permanent Waves|date=August 2009|url=http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_0908_biker_friendly_salute/|accessdate=2013-07-23 }}
{{cite web|title=Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo Long Term Update #2 — Did I Just Join a Secret Club?|author= Basem Wasef|publisher=About.com |work=About.com Motorcycles|url=http://motorcycles.about.com/od/Harley-Davidson-Fat-Boy-Lo/ss/Harley-Davidson-Fat-Boy-Lo-Long-Term-Update-2.htm|accessdate=2013-07-23|quote="The Wave" is like a secret handshake among motorcyclists, a way of acknowledging like-minded two-wheeled travelers ... Most riders distinguish each other with a simple hand movement, a tip of the forefinger, or a nod of the head.}}
|last1=Hahn |first1=Pat|first2=Evans |last2=Brasfield |title=How to ride a motorcycle: a rider's guide to strategy, safety, and skill development |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company |year= 2005 |isbn= 0-7603-2114-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dlBunnjnvtcC&pg=PA132|accessdate=2013-07-23 |page=132 |quote=This is the motorbike wave. It comes in many forms ... gloved-palm flashback, gotcha-pointed finger, howdy-peace sign, rock-and-roll devil fingers, down-low wrist-flipper...}}
{{citation|author=Blaine Kamp|title=Motorcycle Sign Language|page=37|year=1990|ISBN=1560020725}}
{{citation|title=Team riding manual|page=14|year=1995|publisher=Gold Wing Road Riders Association|url=http://www.gwrra.org/regional/ridered/PDF%20Files/TeamRidingManualver2-5-25-05.pdf|accessdate=2013-07-23}}
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