View Full Version : Rider Etiquette Decision - What do you do?
Ok, some but not all riders provide rider etiquette with a simple nod or tilt of the head.
My question to the forum is; do you do this to every motorcyclist that you pass, or only those on the same style of bike as your own ie. sports bikes, trials, tourers, and or peds?
Or do you wait for nod from the oncoming rider, before you return the nod.
decisions, decisions.
when im out on mine i am big bird! chicken nod to um all, scooters to 'arleys.
I dont give nods, because im only on a 125 and i dont think i really have the right to yet :D
Ive got quite a few nods though, and i always nod back.
I dont nod at mopeds or massive shiny cruisers. They are different breeds of bikers...
I wouldnt ever overtake a faster bike. Like today there was this brand new 09 plate ninja that i was behind and it was going so slowwwwwwwwwww, i wanted to overtake it, but cmon its a 100bhp bike, and mines 10bhp. Didnt really seem right.
SVDragRacer
14-03-09, 06:21 PM
Before coming to live near london i used to nod at every rider i went past, but down here a lot of people ride bikes for their ease and not for the motorcycling so they dont nod back, so what i do now is assess how they look at me then decide whether to nod or not.
davepreston
14-03-09, 06:27 PM
any bike with gears is my rule
shonadoll
14-03-09, 06:33 PM
I dont give nods, because im only on a 125 and i dont think i really have the right to yet :D
Ive got quite a few nods though, and i always nod back.
I dont nod at mopeds or massive shiny cruisers. They are different breeds of bikers...
I wouldnt ever overtake a faster bike. Like today there was this brand new 09 plate ninja that i was behind and it was going so slowwwwwwwwwww, i wanted to overtake it, but cmon its a 100bhp bike, and mines 10bhp. Didnt really seem right.
Mopeds and cruisers are still on two wheels:rolleyes:
shonadoll
14-03-09, 06:33 PM
I nod to everyone, don't get the different bikes tosh.
TheNinj1
14-03-09, 06:36 PM
any bike with gears is my rule
Snap, sometimes I nod at bikes even while i'm walking -which is odd.
But scooters don't make the cut. Sorry.
I nod to everyone, don't get the different bikes tosh.
+1.
Im lke the churchill dog me :D unless you,re in the st helens area you,ll be ok :rolleyes:
I wouldnt ever overtake a faster bike.
You'll end up sat behind a lot of weekend warriors then.
You'll end up sat behind a lot of weekend warriors then.
Whats a weekend warrior?
I wave to everyone except chavs on scooters.
I waved to a couple of young lads on 125's on the Glencoe massacre and they looked really surprised, I guess a lot of people with big bikes don't wave to them.
I even wave to trikes, and have always had a wave back.
Whats a weekend warrior?
People who do very few miles a year and only on dry, sunny days.
Very often, all the gear, no idea.
That's my take on them, anyway.:D
I don't generally nod at learners or scooters, although I did nod at a learner today because he nodded first, obviously borrowed a mates bike!
It's true though about London, as I commute into London the nod count diminishes to zero, although with all the loony drivers trying to splatter you all over their bonnet it's probably better to concentrate on the road more anyway!
littleperson
14-03-09, 07:45 PM
i nod to all we all been a learner, served time on a 125
We need to stick together other wise the cars and pen pushes will take over the world!!!!!!!!!!
the_lone_wolf
14-03-09, 07:51 PM
all but those wearing no gloves and a tracksuit...
Mhm nod to everyone, really hate the pr!cks on supersports who don't nod or wave..
Must be the weekend warriors previosly mentioned.
Having served my time on a 50, i felt sh!t when other bikers didnt nod, so i must return the favour :)
I'm the same as TLW - everyone except the CE approved stripy jumper crowd gets a nod from me.
Yep, everyone gets a nod from me except the guys on mopeds or scooters:toss:
Having served my time on a 50, i felt sh!t when other bikers didnt nod, so i must return the favour :)
Yea it is a downer :rolleyes:
I remember whizzing round the local country lanes and i nodded to someone taking their test and to the instructor behind. Didn't get a nod back :toss:
Gene genie
14-03-09, 08:41 PM
i do more nodding in the cooler months than i do in the summer. not because i resent summer riders but i think they look down upon me and my little S.V.:(
i have acknowledged many riders in the sunshine who just arrogantly stare back. i do find it very jonesyish.
i do nod to scooters IF they are wearing decent attire and not tracky bottoms and trainers.
but i always nod to riders who are displaying long hair blowing in the wind from underneath the pink lids.:wink:
Kalessin
14-03-09, 09:46 PM
I used to nod at everyone, but moped and cruiser riders don't tend to acknowledge, so I don't bother with them any more. No point in waiting for a nod; if everyone did that, we'd all be waiting...
BanditPat
14-03-09, 11:13 PM
Don't nod at folk on scoots and they don't nod at me. I had a guy on a B12 wave at me the other day on the dual carriage way i tried to give him a wee nod but there was no way i was taking my hands off the bars at erm........70 that's definitely what i was doing
Nod at everyone except scooters (they don't nod back) and chavs without helmets.
MiniMatt
16-03-09, 12:20 PM
Everyone and anyone, possible exception of scooters if I'm honest.
Question: Do you nod to bike coppers? I do, but got pulled for it once! He was sat at the side of the road monitoring traffic/waiting/whatever, I nodded as I went past and 30 seconds later saw blue flashy lights in the mirrors. Apparently whenever anyone sees him they look first at their speedo, then look dead ahead and never make eye contact - so whenever anyone deviates from that norm the copper reactions kick in, and figure something is up and it's worth a tug :D All was fine, chuckle had by all etc.
Bike paramedics round here are very happy fellows though (that or they're sampling their own supply) as you often get full on waves from them :D
Dappa D
16-03-09, 12:20 PM
i dont nod to mopeds/scooters....or chromosexuals......used to but dont think ive ever had a nod back from a chromosexual...so i stopped! i nod to everyone else
Dave20046
16-03-09, 12:25 PM
I nod to everyone lambrettas, occasional twist and go through to harleys (apart from trikes and ridiculously ugly tourers) unless they look like a pratt (track bottoms etc or in the process of doing somehting dangerous).
Used to nod and get nods on my 125 and occasionally on the 50.
Dave20046
16-03-09, 12:29 PM
Whats a weekend warrior?
The r1 boys who won't nod back or get their backs wet.
petevtwin650
16-03-09, 12:30 PM
Question: Do you nod to bike coppers? I do, but got pulled for it once! He was sat at the side of the road monitoring traffic/waiting/whatever, I nodded as I went past and 30 seconds later saw blue flashy lights in the mirrors. Apparently whenever anyone sees him they look first at their speedo, then look dead ahead and never make eye contact - so whenever anyone deviates from that norm the copper reactions kick in, and figure something is up and it's worth a tug :D All was fine, chuckle had by all etc.
Yep nod or wave at bike cops. They love riding as much as us. Not been pulled for it though. Yet! :)
Dave20046
16-03-09, 12:30 PM
Everyone and anyone, possible exception of scooters if I'm honest.
Question: Do you nod to bike coppers? I do, but got pulled for it once! He was sat at the side of the road monitoring traffic/waiting/whatever, I nodded as I went past and 30 seconds later saw blue flashy lights in the mirrors. Apparently whenever anyone sees him they look first at their speedo, then look dead ahead and never make eye contact - so whenever anyone deviates from that norm the copper reactions kick in, and figure something is up and it's worth a tug :D All was fine, chuckle had by all etc.
Bike paramedics round here are very happy fellows though (that or they're sampling their own supply) as you often get full on waves from them :D
I have done before porbably stupid though thinking about it!
gruntygiggles
16-03-09, 12:32 PM
I nod or wave to all (except idiot kids on scooters in shorts or tracksuits).....luckily am free to wave as I have two free hands!
I do find though that cruisers, groups of blokes on supersports with matching brand new leathers and some moped riders never nod back....oh well!
On the bike = happy = nod
the_lone_wolf
16-03-09, 12:44 PM
...groups of blokes on supersports with matching brand new leathers...
odd, i get the most enthusiastic nods from the CBRGSXRZXR1 guys, kind of like they're trying to look over their right shoulder by turning their heads to the left:smt043
petevtwin650
16-03-09, 12:51 PM
See your post TLW reminded of an incident yesterday. We were ambling along the A44 when a couple of SS riders caught us up. Not wanting to hold them up I moved left and waved them through. The first guy on a 675 waved his appreciation, only to swing wide on a left hand bend and nearly mount the kerb. Close thing. He carried on in front, his touching his helmet to indicate the time honoured gesture "what a knob". So sometimes an acknowledgment can be inappropriate or dangerous.
gruntygiggles
16-03-09, 12:55 PM
See your post TLW reminded of an incident yesterday. We were ambling along the A44 when a couple of SS riders caught us up. Not wanting to hold them up I moved left and waved them through. The first guy on a 675 waved his appreciation, only to swing wide on a left hand bend and nearly mount the kerb. Close thing. He carried on in front, his touching his helmet to indicate the time honoured gesture "what a knob". So sometimes an acknowledgment can be inappropriate or dangerous.
Tis true.....luckily I am on the back and can always afford a nod or wave. The only exception being when going at speed round twisties when I'd rather keep my eyes on where Dan is putting the bike so I can keep my knees out the way for him to lean off.
I nod at near enough everything apart from mopeds/scooters
Graciepants
16-03-09, 01:09 PM
i've only been nodded at once *nobody likes me* :cry:
i try to nod to most but scooters, but im new and i have to concentrate unless im going in a straight line, and i've only ridden in winter and so passed all of 2 other bikes
if i dont nod back its only cos i dont notice or im concentrating
EDIT: i never nodded/waved as pillion unless the rider didnt acknowledge the nod cos he was busy doing something
Thingus
16-03-09, 01:09 PM
I nod to everyone. I was out yesterday in the blazing sun for a short while, the amount of bikes i saw was huge, but hardly any nodded back, especially the groups. But whatever, i'll keep nodding away. I'll nod at scooters too because they could just as easily have bought a Nissan Micra.
I nod to everyone. I was out yesterday in the blazing sun for a short while, the amount of bikes i saw was huge, but hardly any nodded back, especially the groups.
Maybe those who didn't return the compliment were concentrating on not colliding with each other, like the bunch I saw at Craven Arms yesterday morning. Why do people ride so close.... they must trust their mates implicitly. I like a bit of space around me. I said this to Karl once and I justified it on the braking distance needed, he suggested that even a supertanker could stop in the space I wanted. Got a bit better since but I still hate being crowded out.
I wouldn't ever overtake a faster bike. Like today there was this brand new 09 plate ninja that i was behind and it was going so slowwwwwwwwwww, i wanted to overtake it, but cmon its a 100bhp bike, and mines 10bhp. Didn't really seem right.
I've never understood that mentality. I'm not saying that you're wrong as it personal choice of course. But if I want to overtake a bike I will. I've gone past things much faster than the SV before when they've been tootling along at 50mph on a 60mph road. I'll always give a wave as if to say 'Not after a race mate, just got places to be'.
I'd done this when the new Hayabusa was released. I assumed the guy was running it in and I went past him on the Ducati. I didn't get chance to wave, as by the time I'd raised my hand he was head down, ar$e up and doing a good 40 mph more than me:rolleyes:
I've never understood that mentality. I'm not saying that you're wrong as it personal choice of course. But if I want to overtake a bike I will. I've gone past things much faster than the SV before when they've been tootling along at 50mph on a 60mph road. I'll always give a wave as if to say 'Not after a race mate, just got places to be'.
I'd done this when the new Hayabusa was released. I assumed the guy was running it in and I went past him on the Ducati. I didn't get chance to wave, as by the time I'd raised my hand he was head down, ar$e up and doing a good 40 mph more than me:rolleyes:
I just didnt want to look like the typical learner who thinks their 125 is a beast of a machine capable of racing against sports bikes.
But to be honest, ill just go past it next time as he may be a 'weekend warrior'.
I'll always nod unless like previously said, scooters with little turds wearing trackies and trainers.
Been out today with my tinted visor on as it was really bright and sunny,why is it you seem to get ignored more when you nod at a fellow biker,what's all that about?:confused::confused:
Paul the 6th
16-03-09, 05:32 PM
nod to the lot of them... even peds :) although you only get the odd ped nodding back since they prolly don't expect to get any attention from big bikes... it's all about fun on 2 wheels innit :D
Steve_God
16-03-09, 05:41 PM
any bike with gears is my rule
Ditto here.
I generally, without giving it any thought, nod to anyone who is wearing a helmet, unless there are so many bikes that it becomes pointless.
Occasionally that has included a car or two, but they did nod back. If we don't nod to "lesser" machines like L-plate 125s or Scooters, then we really can't complain if someone on a Rocket3 won't nod to us on our SV650s.
It's amazing how the nodding goes out the window in Central London...
I suppose you need to keep your eyes on those folk in 4 wheels who think they own the road, and just want to pull out infront of you.
No consideration. :(
I nod to all other bikes, not sure if I bother with the 'peds though... not know why, dont see that many up here for one thing.
It feels good to nod and get a nod back. :D
Even when I was riding pillion I'd give a little wave.
fatneck
16-03-09, 11:04 PM
I think the guys/gals on geared 50s or 125s deserved to be nodded at, most definitely. Come on, they should be encouraged! When I was on the 125 with L plates it was great to be nodded at by guys on big bikes.
I also think that sports bikes are the friendliest when it comes to nodding back, and the BMW tourer type riders are the worst. But maybe thats cos mine is a GSXRCBRRZX thing...?
keith_d
16-03-09, 11:39 PM
It was nodding dog time on Sunday heading west along the A4 from Newbury. It seemed like everyone who owned a bike was out in the sun and most of 'em gave a friendly nod.
I think it's just London where we're so pre-occupied with survival that we don't have attention to spare for other bikers.
Keith.
There have been quite a few Duke owners on another site we use moaning that people don't nod to them because they ride a Ducati. :rolleyes: We ride what must be the most recognisable of all Ducati models, and apart from the odd cruiser rider and big-tourer-type rider, everyone nods back. I don't think they don't nod because we're on a Duke, I don't think they would nod to anyone.
If you wait for the nod before nodding back, you may not get one. Nod, wave, whatever..........and if you don't get one back, so what. You've done the polite thing!:D
I nod to everyone, even scooters, i have to cos Fran rides one and if i didn't nod she'd call me a chauvanist pig, :D
Daryl.
Brettus
17-03-09, 09:49 AM
I'll always nod unless like previously said, scooters with little turds wearing trackies and trainers.
Been out today with my tinted visor on as it was really bright and sunny,why is it you seem to get ignored more when you nod at a fellow biker,what's all that about?:confused::confused:
I noticed that too after recently acquiring one, tuh. ah well, I still nod to them :-)
My general rule is anyone on two wheels that isn't being a knob gets a nod, trikes and quads count in there too though.
Ceri JC
17-03-09, 09:56 AM
Everyone, even the Harley Riders. A lad on a scoot stopped and helped me jump start my bike, so I'm prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt too.
Kalessin
17-03-09, 10:16 AM
... unless there are so many bikes that it becomes pointless.
Yeah, nodding too much will make you feel like Churchill ("Oh, yessss"). I generally give them a "group nod" or a wave.
I nod to virtually everything motorised on two wheels that I notice.
Not overly surprised when a lot don't nod back, most people concentrating on their side of the road and not paying a lot of attention to t'other.
Went out for a short ride on Sunday (70 miles round) over Cockerham sands, passed lots of bikes (>30), and virtually all nodded.
ranathari
17-03-09, 04:12 PM
Some guy on a Blackbird nodded to me today. This was a complete shock because it was on the A13 and well inside the bits of London where motorbike riders ignore everyone else.
JohnMcL7
17-03-09, 05:51 PM
I nod or wave to anyone on two wheels as up here most people wave or nod to me - it's a great part of motorbike riding.
John
BanannaMan
17-03-09, 08:20 PM
Anything with 2 wheels and a motor.
And I laugh at those who don't nod back.....because real bikers do.
I generally nod to everything two wheeled but don't always look for the nod back or care if I get one really but it's nice when you do.
Edit: Perhaps not cyclists. As BanannaMan said 2 wheels and a motor.
fatneck
17-03-09, 09:07 PM
Got a nod and a wave from a Blood Bike guy today, most excellent.
Matthie
18-03-09, 12:25 AM
I used to nod on my old Gpr 50 and get nods back, probally because I was the one nodding first.
I nod at everyone if I can and if I pass someone I generally give them a wave as I go by nice to see them waving back in the mirror!
I used to nod to scooters but most of them didn't nod back just sort of looked at me like wtf so I gave up in the end.
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