On my trip this year for the most part ALL bikers waved or acknowledged my wave. One area where the difference was VERY noticeable was in the Duluth upper Minnesota area where virtually no HD riders would wave. As soon as I got into North Dakota it was back to normal. All I could think of was that I was riding in textiles (black and red jacket and black pants) and they were all in traditional leathers.

 

I agree.

 

+1 Here... I'm with Cola. They probablly think your on some P.O.S with a aftermarket Calafia fairing (how old is that?)

 

I wave 99% of the time to anyone on two wheels, even kids on scooters and their cute mommies. I've had 50 bike packs all wave and single riders who seem to not pay attention. Some bikers do, some don't. Most Wingers seem to wave back. Ya, jus never know who will return the wave. I've been waving for over 40 years so I'll probably not stop now.

 

we used to do the "Wave" at football games in high school. Fun

 

If they're not waving at you...it's something personal. They wave at me. Maybe you should chase them down and see what's up.

 

Kinda surprised (not really) at alot of the answers, I have ridden for 40 years and wave at everything with 2 wheels and a engine -- it's a reconigtion thing - a brotherhood thing -- it says hey glad to see ya -- guess the rubs and wannabes just don't get IT

 

I have ridden for years and always wave as well.....

However, this summer I have noticed that there are more and more riders that do not wave back. Not sure what is going on??

 

I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community - a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan...

...Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassel handlebars and the studded luggage and the half helmets - God, they drive me crazy.

You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, do I hate those guys. I don't wave at them either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180 degree German engines. God, I hate them.

They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they have got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grandpa.

Oh, and Ducati guys - I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color as long as it is red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a Desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.

Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. God forbid they should ever wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep going.

Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? I never wave at Kawasaki guys.

I ride a Honda. I'll wave at Honda guys, but, even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way. Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and, by the way, neither will the guys in two piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at - those guys with the helmets with loud paint jobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet - like I'm going to wave back at that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.

To me, motorcycling is like a family, a close knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes The Brotherhood of the Road so special?

 

What you should do is keep track of the people who don't wave, and take notice if they're wearing a$$less chaps, fingerless gloves, or both.

I wave as much as I can, but sometimes I'm distracted with something else (maybe a hot woman in a cage), and by the time I notice the biker pass me, it's too late for me to wave. He might think I'm a POS for not waving, but I just think "so what", because I don't pay attention to everyone at the same time.