Triumphrat

tspapa · 03-11-2008, 05:17 PM

When I was kid I could I could easily tell the difference between auto makes.IE
Chevy, ford ,Plymouth etc. I don't remember Honda or Toyota. (circa 1956)
Same with bikes.Now there is a myriad of both.My question or comment is, when riding, I try to wave or nod to all oncoming bikes.Sometimes they return the wave,sometimes not.It is hard for me to tell what kind of bike is approaching @ 40-60mph, until you are right on top.Even then it is either a sport bike or cruiser.I suppose the longer I ride the more familiar I'll get with the marks.Around here it 90% HD

saphena · 03-11-2008, 05:35 PM

The problem I often have is distinguishing oncoming scooters from bikes. This is a real problem as the nodding rule explained to me was: always nod to other motorbikes, never nod to pushbikes, cars, vans, etc but for scooters a third rather special variation - don't nod but do it in such a way that the scooter rider knows you're actively not nodding to him.

Old Scratcher · 03-11-2008, 05:39 PM

The one bike you can always recognise is a Hinkley classic twin.
Why? 'Coz there's nothing else quite like it out there (OK, except for the Meridens) & that Triumph badge can really gleam in the sunshine (if you still remember sunshine)

Navy Chief · 03-11-2008, 05:47 PM

Two wheels, don't matter what it is I wave. But I too could tell most cars a way off as kid also certain bikes. Now all cars look the same here in UK, but I still know my bikes.

mecscc · 03-11-2008, 05:50 PM

If I see it in time I wave at anything on two wheels, and Amish buggies on 4. Truth is I get the greatest smiles from bicyclists, scooter riders, and Amish families. I get the least response from the sport bike guys and some big cruiser riders, but most of them around here also wave. I don't do it for the responses, I do it because it feels right for me to do it. It makes me feel good. I also don't get all bent out of shape if somebody doesn't acknowledge my wave. I have been preoccupied and ridden right buy somebody who was waving at me and didn't notice it until it was too late to wave back, so I figure it can happen to others too.

Nod? I do when I'm busy riding with both hands, getting ready for a corner, coming down hard braking, etc.

Part of this is a small town/rural thing. A lot of people here wave at each other in cages and trucks!, especially if you are on a little traveled back road. On those I automatically lift my fingers off the steering wheel in a little wave at the oncoming car or pickup.

M700R · 03-11-2008, 06:58 PM

25 years ago the HD guys seldom returned a wave. Now they do. I think there's been a big shift in who rides a Harley over time. I too wave at pretty much anything on two wheels, and on deserted country roads, heck I'll wave at anybody. They might be the only folks around who can help haul the bike out of the ditch I ride it into while waving!

tc_dick · 03-11-2008, 07:27 PM

Had a crotchrocketeer pass by on sunday riding just his rear wheel. I waved, but only one finger.

erikmustride · 03-11-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tc_dick

I waved, but only one finger.

That's how I wave.

yonder · 03-11-2008, 10:11 PM

Heck, I'm so happy to be on 2 wheels I pretty much wave at anything else on 2 wheels with a motor. Even scooters (not the little DUI 50cc scooters but the ones that can actually keep up in local traffic)

pjamesb80 · 03-11-2008, 10:21 PM

I'm a waver too. Motorcycles, scooters, 10 speeds, farm tractors, joggers, walkers, and commercial airliners.