I was riding in the area metroparks yesterday evening. There were lots of bikes out. Due to the heat, there were a lot of people in shorts and sandals, etc. There is one section of the road that ends in a pretty aggressive hairpin turn that does a 360. There was a procession of bikes heading the opposite way around the curve and there were a few riders in front of me. It is a 25MPH curve but the group of riders in front of me where pulling away to about 35. The guy ahead of me, about twenty yards, extends his hand to wave, while leaned over pretty good in the middle of the turn. I don't know what happened but I momentarily saw his back wheel flinch and the next thing I see is he threw his hands up like he was giving a touchdown sign and his bike fishtails. He slid accross the paverment right into the path of the oncoming bikes. He was lucky as heck, as he narrowly missed getting run over by a Road King.

It's the first 'real time' accident I have seen so far while riding. Luckily, I maintain a good distance and stopping was no issue. I just pulled over to the side. Pretty much everyone was stopping to help the guy out and a Metorparks officer came along shortly thereafter. The guy had on shorts and a tank top and his right side looked like a lobster. He was bleeding pretty good on his leg from an open cut. He suffered more damage than the bike, which looked relatively unscathed.

It served as a good reminder to me to not take my hands of the bars to wave and also why I don't wear shorts and tennis shoes, even when it is hot.

 

the whole waving thing chaps my ***.
a lot do it
wannabe hardasses do the secret don't look like your doing it thing
The patched group fly down the road in formation like the blown angels on a ride to Valhalla.

sheeeesh whatta cluster

 

I feel ya. I don't wave to anyone. Bunch of posers who think that because your on two wheels we share a brotherhood. If that's the case, why wouldn't everyone in car wave to each other. Can you imagine the cluster f*k?
Get a life and lose the wave.

 

I've been riding for over 45 years and used to wave to most any bike.
There are so many bikes in my area now, that I find myself waving to every 4th or 5th vehicle that I pass.
I ride 2 up with my wife 95% of the time.
I just told her last week, I'm done waving to anyone, period.
She can wave if she wants, but I'm done.
I'm really not a grouch, but when you wave every 30 seconds, it gets just a bit ridiculous.
I certainly would never wave if I was in the middle of negotiating a turn.

 

Is the head-nod thing OK?

 

I will never understand the riding in shorts and tanktop thing. I'm not exactly an ATGATT guy myself, but there is a safe(r) minimum that must be worn. Saw a pic once of a mangled foot from a rider in flip flops. Not pretty. Waving into a steep turn prob not a great idea either.

As for the whole wave/nod thing I'll do it when safe and see no reason for all the anger. It's a friendly gesture. Lighten up, you're on a bike and all should be well.

 

It's a free country..

 

Go to Sturgis, so many bikes you've have set throttle lock and use both hands

 

Agreed. Rally's exempt.

 

The one day I took off with just the helmet on......no jacket..no gloves...just a t-shirt.
A dim witted woman turns right in front of me on her bicycle...at an intersection...3 way stop.
I was halfway through my left turn....leaning..accelerating.....and she decides to cross the road in front of me!
I hit the brakes and do a power slide....she suddenly stops...and I just miss her.

I usually throw the jacket on and deal with the heat....seems as soon as you dont....the odds get worse for you.