Top 10 Reasons For Not Waving To Other Bikers

bikerwaveNot new, but for all the youngsters and those who still don’t know why…

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don’t Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner’s manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can’t tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They’re too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don’t Wave Back
10. Wasn’t sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn’t find the “auto wave back” button on dashboard.

Top 10 Reasons Sport bikers Don’t Wave At All
10. They have not been riding long enough to know they’re supposed to.
9. They’re going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren’t wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they’ll rip it out of the socket.
6. They’re too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don’t want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It’s too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don’t Wave Back
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered “bad form.”
8. Your bike isn’t weird enough looking to justify acknowledgment.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock “comfort” seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, or talking on the cell phone.
5. He’s an Iron Butt rider and you’re not!.
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You’re not riding the “right kind” of BMW.
2. You haven’t been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture

51 Responses to “Top 10 Reasons For Not Waving To Other Bikers”


  1. 1 Mr.Defo Jun 3rd, 2014 at 8:36 am

    Nice! I laughed hard on this one.

  2. 2 fuji Jun 3rd, 2014 at 10:36 am

    Hell being cool

  3. 3 Cem Onur Jun 3rd, 2014 at 11:15 am

    ROTFLMAO. Perfect capture of each group’s mentality.

  4. 4 Tom Jun 3rd, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Learn to wave at rider and not use the yuppy wave towards ground.

  5. 5 bobx Jun 3rd, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    how about wave optional but stop when a guys pulled over and seems to be having a problem and see if he needs a hand.

  6. 6 Chris Jun 3rd, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Saw a kid on a sport bike pulled over in the median on a busy highway outside of Orlando during heavy traffic. Thought i’d be helpful so I swung around, bobbed and weaved my way through traffic and pulled up behind him. Asked if he was alright. He was, he was just calling his girlfriend.

    Guess i should have just waved.

  7. 7 knucklehead on a panhead Jun 3rd, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    Hell……I wave at ALL riders most of the time!

    Except, I’m only using my middle finger!

    I guess I’m gonna have to work on that!

  8. 8 James just another Crazy Kiwi Jun 4th, 2014 at 12:25 am

    I’ve seen all these motorcycle tourists over here pointing at the ground.
    I thought they were just alerting me to horse poo and other hazard’s…well bugger me

  9. 9 Jay Horton's Private Shop Jun 4th, 2014 at 7:54 am

    Time for a new prescription: I read BMW #4 as “wire from Gerbling to short”. It stands to reason; erect riding position, little movement in the saddle and that could explain why they ride so far ….but to electrocute the poor little critters, that’s just too much. Later Jay

  10. 10 Chris Woolley Jun 4th, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    I generally wave at riders who are wearing a helmet. They tend to be into motorcycles. If they aren’t wearing a helmet they tend to be somewhere else. But on a beautiful Saturday ride through the Colorado mountains it gets obnoxious having to wave every 10 minutes on a ride.

  11. 11 Blackmax Jun 4th, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    Yeah, I know these are old, but I just can’t stop laughing !!!!

  12. 12 oscar Jun 4th, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    Left throttle ,right spark,no one sees a right hand wave , I ride an american, motocycle. ( spellchecker says I’m wrong, guess spellchecker doesn’t know history)

  13. 13 Iron Horse Jun 4th, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    I agree with bobx. At the very least, slow down enough to see if they need assistance or not, or if help is already on the way. I’m sure there will be plenty who disagree with this, but that’s the way I am and I’m not changing for anyone at this point in my life.

  14. 14 nicker Jun 5th, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    No law for or against it…. Yet.
    So, do what ya like ……

    -nicker-

  15. 15 Robert Dawgr Jun 5th, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    We are all brothers and sisters on the road and we show unity when we wave at other riders, this in turn lets all know we as bikes stand together and don’t mess with us… Dawgr..bad example riders

  16. 16 Talknshell Jun 7th, 2014 at 10:09 am

    The two fingers pointing to the ground is a symbol for keeping two wheels down….. that’s why people point to the ground… its a way of saying ride safe as you pass your fellow rider 😊

  17. 17 Brad Jun 7th, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    I enjoy waving at all bikers. And as far as helping, if someone is stopped you should think about if it was you. Remember the last 5 minutes of easy rider…. Damn people can be ignorant to others, we only live for a short while be kind to as many people as you can.

  18. 18 Doug Truesdale Jun 8th, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    “4. Wires from Gerbings is too short” should that be “gerbelings”??

  19. 19 John Eight Ball Jun 8th, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    What the hell. Been riding since 58.Used to be a ‘Peace sign’. Still do it. Started to wave at scooters but they tend to fall down. Waving is a ‘Brotherhood’ sign of respect. But those ‘Crotch Rockets’. Man I just can’t do it. Some of those guys give the rest of us a bad reputation. Maybe I’m lumping them all in, but just can’t. Ride on 🙂

  20. 20 John Eight Ball Jun 8th, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    Make that 1968 not 58

  21. 21 tony Jun 9th, 2014 at 2:37 am

    It’s not safe to wave and text at the same time.

  22. 22 Blackmax Jun 9th, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    BWHAHAHHAHA !!!!

  23. 23 Sash Jun 10th, 2014 at 12:17 am

    This is hysterical! I laughed pretty hard.

    I used to get all bent over riders not waving back. But I figured out a wave is something you give, not something you expect to receive.

    I feel much better about it now.

  24. 24 Rowdy Paul Jun 12th, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    I only have one arm. It stays on the throttle.

  25. 25 Smitty Jun 13th, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    They didn’t mention that HD riders don’t want to drop the part they are holding, that fell off near the start of the ride!

  26. 26 Tony Jun 14th, 2014 at 10:30 am

    I ride a beemer and wave to most……..love this though

  27. 27 Elfisherman Jun 14th, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    With all the bikes on the road is waving really necessary? When I was a kid in the 70s I lived in California we invented waving because there were not that many bikes on the road. So it was cool. Some of the HD riders waved most didn’t unless you were on a HOG too. I think WAVING has run its course especially at big events like Sturges or Daytona. Time to end the WAVE. I am sorry but I have over 500,000 miles on a motorcycle and I refuse to wave anymore

  28. 28 Sathish Kumar Jun 15th, 2014 at 4:49 am

    Nice one. But happy that ‘Royal Enfield’ is not listed. In India, We wont get time to hold the handle bar if we start waving at every biker.. lol.

  29. 29 hairyette Jun 15th, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    i throw three fingers down because itza trike! 11. point down means please dont run over my chrome that flew off, will scoop it up on the return run! waving equals respect cause all those crazy cagers try to run our buns over! Ride safe & smile Big!

  30. 30 Peter B Jun 16th, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    They were all good. Thanks

  31. 31 Otter Jun 16th, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    The wave is actually a protest. An inverted peace sign to protest our government’s inaction in bringing our POW’s home . It was started on the 60’s.

  32. 32 Mad Maxx Jun 17th, 2014 at 12:42 am

    To myself and those who occasionally share my opinions, it is a way to be reminded that you CAN be seen and are actually in the visible light spectrum to other motorists, even though it seems nobody else can see you!! I’ve ridden all of these classes of bikes in my million miles of riding, and wave about 90% of the time to any rider regardless of brand or type.

  33. 33 Greg Christopher Jun 17th, 2014 at 6:45 am

    I don’t wave anyway. Just cuz someone buys a bike does not make me “respect” them.

  34. 34 Louis Jantzen Jun 17th, 2014 at 7:50 am

    When I waved back at the cop standing by his Radar Bike… BOY, was HE surprised…!!!

  35. 35 Maiden Jun 17th, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Pretty funny stereotyping, ‘if you can’t laugh at yourself’. 🙂
    Brad, Easy Riders was a fictional movie not an excuse to pass a fellow biker in need of assistance. Many people make excuses not to help others.
    Sometimes I wave, sometimes I don’t. Most riders of all makes will when you’re out on a lonesome scenic bi-way including myself.
    Other than that I find that there are just too many motorcycles on the road and it gets a little ridiculous.

  36. 36 cathie west Jun 18th, 2014 at 6:25 am

    We tend not to wave over here in the U.K more of a nod of the head to the other rider. but if theres a massive ride out going on u do get repetitive strain on your neck (or a head ache lol)
    But im sure some one from the U.K will come on-line and correct me if im wrong. but that what we do.

  37. 37 Paul Tannahill Jun 18th, 2014 at 10:21 am

    Why DS and ADV Motorcylists Don’t Wave To Other Bikers

    10. They know you probably don’t know what a DS or ADV bike is, anyway.

    9. They are too busy thinking of that remote mount lake they are headed to.

    8. They don’t want to make you feel jealous for being a pavement slave.

    7. They are uncomfortable sitting on that 2X4.

    6. They use their helmet visor to assist with a head nod.

    5. They feel it’s unsafe to wave while popping a wheelie off of the sidewalk.

    4. They are too busy anticipating the turnoff onto the gravel road up ahead. The gravel road you just rode past without even noticing. Because you can’t ride on gravel.

    3. They don’t wave to people who can’t ride on gravel.

    2. They got told once by a certain motorcycle gang member they don’t wave at “dirt bike m-fers.” You might belong to a motorcycle gang.

    1. They are too busy riding their own ride, on any road, trail, or goat track they want to ride on.

  38. 38 Cliffy Jun 18th, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Top Ten Reasons Adventure Riders Don’t Wave Back

    10. Your bike wasn’t running 21/18 wheel combo.
    9. Disgusted to see you didn’t have 2 sets of LED aux lights and banks of switches to control them
    8. Started to wave, but pulled back when they didn’t see any overloaded waterproof duffel bags strapped on the back.
    7. Looked away because you didn’t have knobbies on your bike.
    6. Noticed your lack of full aftermarket titanium exhaust system.
    5. Hard to wave when in full-attack stand-up riding mode.
    4. Didn’t see any immaculate custom hard panniers on your bike with tastefully applied ‘cred’ stickers.
    3. You didn’t have the latest GPS, trick Roadbook and studly ICO’s mounted on your bike.
    2. You weren’t wearing a proper Adventure helmet or Adventure boots.
    1. You weren’t sporting the latest matching Klim Adventure suit and accessories.

  39. 39 Fireball Jun 20th, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    I always wave at everybody on a bike. Who knows it might be their last ride!!!

  40. 40 bg Jun 21st, 2014 at 6:01 am

    I get pretty sick of waving by the end of the season. i’ll wave if waved to. usually just lift a couple of fingers with my hand still on the grip. just because someone rides does not make him my brother. there’s lots of a$$hles that ride.

  41. 41 brian Jun 30th, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    waving at other riders also shows your paying enough attention to actualy notice other riders and not oblivious like the ones driving cars who dont seem to see us!!!
    another thing whats with all these riders who dont know where they should be riding to protect their lane
    incant stand riders who ride near the curb ! just looking to get cut off i guess
    ride by the line not the curb people defensive driving saves lives!

  42. 42 castellan Jul 1st, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    top 10 reasons scooter riders don’t wave

    10. outstretched hand could cost them 5 mph off the top end
    9. both hands are needed to keep the three other family members on the pillion
    8. they have no idea what to do when acknowledged by other two-wheelers
    7. they’re drunk. again
    6. they’re using both hands to push
    5. the standard two fingers down wave isn’t adorable enough
    4. they can’t see you from behind all the groceries
    3. they’re afraid you might be a klr rider come to steal their milk crate
    2. they’re using that hand to apply more stickers
    1. the standard scooter greeting is the “commuter cringe”

  43. 43 castellan Jul 1st, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    top ten reasons klr riders don’t wave:

    10-1. they can’t afford it

  44. 44 Doug Jul 2nd, 2014 at 1:43 am

    Generally I nod my head because the wind flow on my bike makes a wave seem like swimming through treacle (or molasses, if you don’t know of treacle). But I will wave if I can.

  45. 45 Fred Down Jul 2nd, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    @John Eight Ball – I have been riding since 1968 and I ride a crutch rocket . I wave at everybody. “loud Pipes” save lives types bug me – Loud pipes bug people – Goldwings are rated as a very safe bike and they are almost silent. I probably have clocked up 1,000,000 miles on 3 continents.

  46. 46 moldor Jul 16th, 2014 at 8:01 am

    Someone PLEASE to a list for Ducati riders !!!

  47. 47 gm Oct 10th, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Back in the ’70’s it was a raised left fist, palm forward

  48. 48 Tim Oct 11th, 2014 at 12:05 am

    I like Fireball’s answer….it might be their last ride. I certainly don’t want them to think I was rude to them. The cagers are rude enough…

    Harley Riders are a dime a dozen. Bikers are a rare breed.

  49. 49 Debbie Oct 11th, 2014 at 7:14 am

    My dad brought some bikes home in the ’70’s when I was about 10. We rode in a field nearby our home. Loved it. We never did ride on the streets and were discouraged to get licensed. Now, as an adult, I got my license a few years ago because of family transportation needs. I knew I could learn to ride again, I had fabulous childhood memories. So I pick out my first bike–a baby bike (Honda Rebel 250). I ride because I need to, but I enjoy it beyond what words can explain.
    I had no idea about the “wave”. When I asked someone who had “taken me under his wing” as a novice, I was completely delighted. Little ‘ole me on a “baby sized bike”, a novice with only childhood family memories of Saturday bike rides was being recognized in a club I never new existed. The more I learned over the years about bikers, the more I realized I was truely a biker. Novice or advanced, we each ride for a reason that no one else will comprehend, and we can never explain. I love to wave. If I miss anyone it’s because I’m focused on driving safely. My heart sends each of you a wave from within. Thanks for welcoming me into this club. Y’all are an amazing group of people. Ride on. Ride safe.

  50. 50 Pete Oct 22nd, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    Only wave after passing them. If oncoming, I’m usually too busy leaned over on my Wing-hack-Tiger-Scrambler-VFR

  51. 51 RS Oct 30th, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    Why HD-drivers don’t wave:

    #11 Have you ever tried driving with a wheelbarrel full of mudd with only one hand?

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Cyril Huze