Why do bikers tilt their head sideways to say hello

[Maverick9999]

As the title asks, I usually nod my head to say hi but I noticed that the majority of people saying hi seem to tilt their heads. Is there a reason?

[radicalry00]

As the title asks, I usually nod my head to say hi but I noticed that the majority of people saying hi seem to tilt their heads. Is there a reason?

When passing a bike on the opposite side of the road it can be hard to see the nod if you just nod forwards. The sideways tilt is easier to see.

[toxic]

Also, the sideways tilt allows the tiltee to see the road ahead.

[Stenno]

As above. I took a ride out to Bristol from London today to see a friends newborn and had a variety of nods and wags. One guy even waved.

I started off nodding when I got my bike but as mentioned, soon realised I was taking my eye off the road and also from seeing if they were courteous back.

The only time I tend not to say hello is when kicking it down a motorway. Saw someone nod from the inside lane on the M4 today but I didn't respond for fear of my head blowing off in the prevailing wind. :P

[-Ralph-]

the majority of people saying hi seem to tilt their heads. Is there a reason?

t12_oG-mmHA

[Maverick9999]

i seee.... thanks for clarifying guys!

I've also had moments I'd like to say hi but too scared to move anything incase I become unstable/unsafe.

[Jamesy D]

I'll tilt my head - as has been said, easier to see than just nodding, and you actually nod in their direction, which I think is more cordial.

I've been known to wave now and then, especially when I'm sat in traffic in neutral or if I'm just pootling along at a sedate pace. Just a quick raise of index and next finger. Sometimes say 'wotcha' inside my lid too :D


Got passed the other day by a lad on a Blackbird, he gave me an index-finger wave, just took his hand off the bar, raised his finger and carried on. Nice of him!

[TamSV]

Oh I do the lot.

Forward nod
Sideways nod
The "owdo" flick of the head up and to the left
Raised right index finger
Open right hand
Full blooded left hand wave

Overtaken bikes, and cars that pull over for me, get a left index finger raise, an open hand on the bar or sometimes a thumbs up if they've been especially observant.

And it's not just "regular" bikes. I'll wave at choppers, 1%'ers, police, learners and sometimes even scooters.

It's only a matter of time before I graduate onto the sit back, no hands, double finger point. :D

I'm so busy waving it's no wonder my riding has barely improved in 20 years. :rolleyes:

[maclovin]

not being funny but on nice sunny days i get to only nodding to 1 in 3 or 4 as otherwise you end up head banging down the road

[mikerj]

It's only a matter of time before I graduate onto the sit back, no hands, double finger point. :D


I want to see this :D

[carelesschucca]

As the title asks, I usually nod my head to say hi but I noticed that the majority of people saying hi seem to tilt their heads. Is there a reason?

Cause we can't shake hands?

[Quedos]

not being funny but on nice sunny days i get to only nodding to 1 in 3 or 4 as otherwise you end up head banging down the road


those are the times I laugh and just leave my hand up until they all gone - i'm normally the first of the pack so I'm normally doing it for all of us

[metalangel]

I started off nodding when I got my bike but as mentioned, soon realised I was taking my eye off the road and also from seeing if they were courteous back.

When I started nodding I found the only way to get the proper, quick twitch nod was to do an exagerrated wink. Not a good idea!

Coming up next: why don't cruiser riders nod back?, followed by: a service station attendant told me to take my lid off!

[orose]

Sideways for me, but that's only so other people know I'm nodding and haven't hit a pothole instead...

[Reeder]

Yeah.. why are chopper people so unsocial?

[metalangel]

Yeah.. why are chopper people so unsocial?

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/attachments/trucking-industry-regulations/10060d1299862003-truckers-reality-tv-series-not_this_crap_again.jpg

:smt060

[paiste]

I sometimes get the shake of the leg. Usually when I've been passed by a far more talented rider. Is this still seen as a friendly gesture, or more of a "get out of the way you incompetent buffoon!" ??

[dizzyblonde]

http://www.sevenoaksart.co.uk/images/noddingdog.gif

http://www.noddingtoys.co.uk/images/nodingdog2.gif
http://www.totalleh.com/beta476.gif

[Drumming_Animal]

It's only a matter of time before I graduate onto the sit back, no hands, double finger point. :D

Can be done, 6th gear down a slight hill, straight road for beginners. Start with both hands off, easier than you think. Whether you choose to point, wave, or whatever at your fellow rider is up to you. Then before long youll be raising yourself onto the pillion seat and cruising down the hill doing so. I like to pretend Im pillion by grabbing the grab rail and all. Feet still on driver pegs though.

Best done on empty roads and with complete confidence in what youre doing. Maybe try the no hands trick on push bike first, slight leaning with no hands = steering.

[-Ralph-]

Can be done, 6th gear down a slight hill, straight road for beginners. Start with both hands off, easier than you think. Whether you choose to point, wave, or whatever at your fellow rider is up to you. Then before long youll be raising yourself onto the pillion seat and cruising down the hill doing so. I like to pretend Im pillion by grabbing the grab rail and all. Feet still on driver pegs though.

Best done on empty roads and with complete confidence in what youre doing. Maybe try the no hands trick on push bike first, slight leaning with no hands = steering.

Wow! You must be a professional stunt rider.

[dizzyblonde]

.....or a bleddy accident waiting to happen

[fenjer]

I'm a bit like TamSV do a variation of all the forms of acknowledgement (not all at the same time)!

Usually the sideways tilt/nod to other bikes, and usually a left hand wave to thank motorists who move over to give me more space.

A wave of the foot is a general thank you as well to other riders who let you past in traffic or whatever.

I think it's a nice thing to do.

[mikerj]

Wow! You must be a professional stunt rider.

It's not spelt like that...

[aaron020873]

Can be done, 6th gear down a slight hill, straight road for beginners. Start with both hands off, easier than you think. Whether you choose to point, wave, or whatever at your fellow rider is up to you. Then before long youll be raising yourself onto the pillion seat and cruising down the hill doing so. I like to pretend Im pillion by grabbing the grab rail and all. Feet still on driver pegs though.

Best done on empty roads and with complete confidence in what youre doing. Maybe try the no hands trick on push bike first, slight leaning with no hands = steering.

is this not dangerous :smt103:smt103:smt103 LOL

[PsychoCannon]

As long as you aren't heading for a pothole centrifugal force will make no hands riding pretty easy so you can do the twin guns point or wave or whatever you want to do if you're in a silly mood.

I've seen the leg waggle a few times and it's great when you are overtaking a slower biker who's moved over for you and you are busy with throttle/clutch and can't wave so I tend to think of it as a thanks my hands are kind of occupied here so can't wave so here have a leg instead.

[kitkat]

when I first started riding I was too scared to release my iron grip on the bars to wave, too scared to take my feet off the pegs in case I couldnt get them back on again and too scared to take eyes off the road to nod, so I used to smile, took me a wee whiley to realise with a full face helmet my smile was unlikely to be fully appreciated. my fat cheeks would rise up but it would not be obvious I was smiling just the possibility that I was related to a hamster. not ridden for a few years, so will be back to being scared if I ever get back out on the road, so if anyone spots a tense hamster riding around hampshire/surrey on a purple raptor, please wave x

[Drumming_Animal]

Yea tis a tad dangerous, I don't do it everyday or very often. Just a bit of fun now and again. I'm not unsafe, I have complete confidence in what I do and don't do anything horrifically stupid at the wrong time.

As for the nodding thing, back to the original subject in hand. Yea I join in. It's a part of owning a bike, I have no idea who is under that helmet going the other way, but he or she has got a bike, so I'm gonna say Hello. Owning a bike isn't just a way of getting from A to B. It's your pride and joy. It's a lifestyle. It's a community. And it's a damn good fun way of getting from A to B, taking the long route, just for the pleasure of the ride and arriving with the biggest grin on your face.

[tweakedtay]

Instead of nodding, over here you just give a little salute with your clutch hand, being on your left side, and riding on the right side of the street. Much easier then any kind of nod, but hard to do in the UK I suppose.....

[-Ralph-]

I don't do it everyday or very often. Just a bit of fun now and again.

Oh, I'm disappointed now. You mean you're not a professional stunt rider?











;)

[madmartyn]

leg waving seems the norm over in europe no nodding

[keith_d]

Yea tis a tad dangerous, I don't do it everyday or very often. Just a bit of fun now and again. I'm not unsafe, I have complete confidence in what I do and don't do anything horrifically stupid at the wrong time.
...


Remember, if you do the two handed wave to people on blue and yellow bikes they'll take it as an invitation to race. So kick it down a cog or two and be ready for some high speed fun.

:plod: :riding: :plod:

Keith.

[AndyBrad]

i go with the scout wave salute type thingy. :D