hand signal?

fraggles04 · Jun 22, 2015

Hello. I am a new rider and just got my [first] bike Saturday (Honda CB500X). Sunday evening (about 7:30PM) I rode from Waterloo -> St. Agatha -> Wellesley and back (want to try to get an hour in every day). It seems like every oncoming motorcyclist gave me a wave of sorts (left hand down, palm facing out - one guy had a #1/index finger out). I assume it means greetings or hello? Is there a list somewhere? A quick search through the site doesn't show anything.

I didn't really wave back as I am still learning and keeping my hand on the handle bar while going 80+km/h seems like the prudent thing to do. So if you passed a rude jerk on a white Honda (wearing red Icon jacket) that ignored you completely, my apologies.

Riceburner · Jun 22, 2015

The Biker Wave. Just nod yer head.

https://www.google.ca/#q=The+Biker+Wave...some funny stuff on that list too.

griff2 · Jun 22, 2015

fraggles04 said:
I didn't really wave back as I am still learning and keeping my hand on the handle bar while going 80+km/h seems like the prudent thing to do. So if you passed a rude jerk on a white Honda (wearing red Icon jacket) that ignored you completely, my apologies.

If you don't want to take your hands off the controls, just shake your head from side-to-side in response to the other rider's wave. They'll understand completely.

TorontoBoy · Jun 22, 2015

Welcome to riding! It is a good sign when other bikers acknowledge you on the road. Any acknowledgement to the other rider is good, such as a nod or wave.

There are not many biker signs. Some important ones include:
-Police ahead: repeated pats on your helmet
-road debris: stick your leg straight out

unL33T · Jun 23, 2015

You want a chart to understand a simple wave that basically just means, "Hey."?

I82l8 · Jun 23, 2015

[video]https://www.facebook.com/Benjas122/videos/776126389126370/[/video]

kiwi · Jun 23, 2015

jcbarnar · Jun 23, 2015

Both feet out means they are stretching

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

griff2 · Jun 23, 2015

jcbarnar said:
Both feet out means they are stretching

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Or preparing to launch on impact Superman-style over the bars.

Furpo · Jun 23, 2015

fraggles04 said:
I didn't really wave back as I am still learning and keeping my hand on the handle bar while going 80+km/h seems like the prudent thing to do. So if you passed a rude jerk on a white Honda (wearing red Icon jacket) that ignored you completely, my apologies.

You will find that gently moving your hand off the grip does absolutely nothing to your trajectory or stability. But when you're comfortable. Nice bike, eh?

https://rideapart.com/articles/important-motorcycle-wave

wonderings · Jun 23, 2015

Furpo said:
You will find that gently moving your hand off the grip does absolutely nothing to your trajectory or stability. But when you're comfortable. Nice bike, eh?

https://rideapart.com/articles/important-motorcycle-wave

When the bike is moving, it is very stable and will not just fall over. You could take both hands off the bars and it would stay upright till it hit something. Not recommending this of course, but in time you will get comfortable riding one handed, something you will do if you ever tour on a bike.

unL33T · Jun 23, 2015

wonderings said:
When the bike is moving, it is very stable and will not just fall over. You could take both hands off the bars and it would stay upright till it hit something. Not recommending this of course, but in time you will get comfortable riding one handed, something you will do if you ever tour on a bike.

Assuming there's nothing wrong with your bike.

Riceburner · Jun 23, 2015

ages ago used to play air guitar and drums passing cages going to the cottage.... lol

Roomie · Jun 23, 2015

Riceburner said:
ages ago used to play air guitar and drums passing cages going to the cottage.... lol

Didn't you know my gas tank doubles as a drum lol. Highway or not a catchy tune just does it to ya sometimes

fraggles04 · Jun 23, 2015

You want a chart to understand a simple wave that basically just means, "Hey."?

No, I want a pretty chart!

Looks like kiwi delivered! Thanks kiwi!

griff2 · Jun 23, 2015

fraggles04 said:
No, I want a pretty chart!

Looks like kiwi delivered! Thanks kiwi!

Now print that chart off and tape it to your instrument cluster for easy reference when you're out riding.

fraggles04 · Jun 23, 2015

Thanks. Actually we did a lot of one hand riding in the M2 course but not at speed. I am not confident enough to do no hands yet (I can barely do that on my bicycle for extended period of time - funny I could do that all day long as a kid) but one hand typically isn't a problem. It was a combination of late reaction, new motorcycle, lack of experience and speed that made me keep my hand on the handlebar.

I went out for another ride this evening and had no issues waving back this time, now that I am prepared.

wonderings said:
When the bike is moving, it is very stable and will not just fall over. You could take both hands off the bars and it would stay upright till it hit something. Not recommending this of course, but in time you will get comfortable riding one handed, something you will do if you ever tour on a bike.

fraggles04 · Jun 23, 2015

Thanks for the link. I do like the bike so far!

Furpo said:
You will find that gently moving your hand off the grip does absolutely nothing to your trajectory or stability. But when you're comfortable. Nice bike, eh?

https://rideapart.com/articles/important-motorcycle-wave

canuckwr250 · Jun 24, 2015

Most guys on sportbikes just nod their head,I guess its because most of their weight is positioned over the handlebars so they cant let go and wave.

unL33T · Jun 24, 2015

canuckwr250 said:
Most guys on sportbikes just nod their head,I guess its because most of their weight is positioned over the handlebars so they cant let go and wave.

I only nod if I'm using the clutch at the time. Most people wave.

hand signal?

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