View Poll Results: Do you wave at other motorcyclists?
I wave at everyone
202
72.14%
I don't wave at anyone
36
12.86%
I wave only at other Harley riders
42
15.00%
Voters: 280. You may not vote on this poll
Waving
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: upstate NY
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
I am so afraid to crash that I usually have an iron death grip on the handlebars so I wave because it helps return blood circulation to my left hand and allows other motorists to see that I have not suffered a cerebral hemmorage while riding and that I am still alive. The thought of dying while in the riding position and continuing on for hours until I run out of gas is terrifying. I never felt this way until I saw the movie "Weekend at Bernies" which I saw right before Paine Stewarts plane crash.
It is comforting to see that all the other people who wave feel the same way I do. It helps to know others share the same afflictions. At least that is what my therapist says.
It is comforting to see that all the other people who wave feel the same way I do. It helps to know others share the same afflictions. At least that is what my therapist says.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 1
From: Haney, British Columbia
The only other time I experienced the wave was years ago when I owned an MGB. Everyone in an approaching MGB would wave at each other. I thought that was so cool. Now here I am on the bike of my dreams and folks wave at me. Some do, some don't. But I always stick out my hand and I don't care if I get one back. Sometime I try and gauge whether the approaching rider is going to wave so I hold off for the right moment. Then is a split second I'll either extend my whole arm and hand out, maybe just raise my fingers off the clutch or sometimes I just give a cool nod. Whatever I do it seems to be part of my ride.
It's the secret bond we all have.
It's the secret bond we all have.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Banned
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
It is just a common thing to do with people who share a common interest and common passion. I have learned however - that stopping on even a very wide shoulder near a bridge - to check to see if my Daughter has called is a bad idea. Not bad in the fact that another biker stops to check if everything is ok - but bad in the fact that soon it looks like a biker party. LOL
