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There has always been a lot of controversy surround rider etiquette and "The Wave".
New riders tend to obsess over when, where, whether, and how to wave when facing an oncoming fellow rider. Legend has it that medieval knight began the practise when they would raise their visors as another knight approached them to better see and be seen so that each party could determine whether the other was friend or foe.
In modern times, with riders saddled on horses of steel, some wave, some do not, and others return single finger salutes when the approaching rider is mounted on non-domestic iron.
Despite all the both serious and humorous attempts to document a standard protocol, the etiquette of the wave is ultimately up to each individual to determine for himself. The late Buel motorcycle company's final ad campaign ridiculed the practise entirely, suggesting it's patrons were far too serious and skilled to be taking their hands off the bars to wave at some annoying other motorcyclist who was was frivolous enough to initiate a salute.
Whether you feel the wave is a necessity, and whether you feel that the inverted two-finger 45 degree point should be specially reserved for fellow v-twin riders or even further restricted only to Ducati spaghetti-rocketeers, Frank the Real Biker has come up with a global solution that will free your mind from having to deal with this complex social issue while you have (as Buel said) "more important things to be doing".
Here is the innovative new product that will keep both your hands firmly on the bars and still make you seem friendly and gregarious:
I know the video is in jest -- but on the serious side
I've been riding for 40 years and always waive and always get waived back. When I ride a jab bike I waived at all riders. When I rode Indians I waived at all riders. When I rode Harleys I waived at all riders. A waive is as simple at opening the index finger of the left hand. It isn't raising an open hand over your shoulder and flapping your hand like a fool.
My Dad, who rode sold and rode Indians waaayy back in the day, told me it was a sign of comraderie, a sign we'd all help each other out if we were broke down or needed help on the road. I always wave;usually my hand lowered from the grip, not raised.
People that don't, or the asshole Harley riders who say, "I only wave at women" are dicks, IMO. Doesn't matter what you ride, only that you do. Some kid on a moped because of his age or its all he can afford, that little gesture could be the glue that keeps him riding and advancing.
The Following User Says Thank You to storm king For This Useful Post:
Speaking of rider camaraderie, how 'bout this little experience I just had today...I darn near got crushed, but it turned into one of those surrealistic moments of hilarity. I only wish I'd had my Droid set to video recording at the time. It would've got a million hits on youtube. This guy had the one-finger wave down to a science and used it quite appropriately.
In the late 70s I didn't wave cause I usually had my front wheel in the air , so waving would have been dangerous ! In the 80s I rode a Suzuki 1000l cruisef , and I waved , but black bros. got the power wave , and most Harley guys were still hard core and all you got from them was the bird! In the 90s seemed like everybody waved , till them zipper bikes showed up and they didn't deserve a wave! In 2001 I got my Yam Roadstar , and most people thought it was a Harley , everybody waved , except adventure riders on their beemers , and Goldwing riders ? I still ride my Star , and still wave , but wait , I now ride a ZX14 Kawasaki Ninja also , and I still wave and get waves back , even from Harley guys , crotch rockets , and pretty girls in sports cars! Be friendly and wave , just be safe about it! Ride safe
To Wave or Not to Wave 
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