Acknowledging Drivers.

[Lissa]

Like I'm sure many of you do, we will always thank a driver who moves over to allow us to filter past.

I also, however, acknowledge those drivers at junctions who have obviously spotted us approaching, sometimes from a fair distance away, realised that we may be travelling quickly, and waited for us to pass before pulling out. My wave and nod nearly always get a smile or nod in return.

Do any of you others do the same, or am I just being ultra-polite?

When it's safe to thank folk for moving over, yes.
If I'm filtering, there's not always the chance to wave, but I'll give them a little sideways nod as I go past.

Courtious drivers at junctions get a little nod.
If someone moves over while I'm filtering I normally stick my leg out.

Just as an aside (hopefully not a derail) I've noticed that the acknowlement you get from other biker changes depending where you are in the world e.g.

England - Nod of the head (if your lucky),
Scotland - Seems to favour the hand off the handlebars
France/Belgium - Leg waving !

[timwilky]

But why do some drivers have to over helpful. You know the ones who inist on slowing down and pulling in to allow you to overtake. I would much rather they make progress and I will decide where/when I overtake.

But those who do not impeed my progress, see me well in advance and make a concious effort to help me on my way get a wave

I tend to give a nod or give a small wave/thumbs up to achknowledge the driver as I go past them with the left hand.

It is nice when they see you and think of you.


Cheers


Rich

Yesterday I had some coffin dodger signal for me to overtake him as the he thought the road ahead was clear, despite us both negotiating some very tight bends that even Rossi would think twice about overtaking.

And as if by magic a flamin lorry ( not on fire I hasten to add ) was going the other way.

I waited to the straight I knew was coming up, by this time he got annoyed, started making rude gestures to suggest that I self pleasure myself, then pulled as far across as he could to the middle.


Not sure of the moral of this little fable but it goes to show not all drivers have your best intentions in mind.

I don't think you're being 'over polite' Lissa, not at all. I do exactly the same thing.

We live in hope that, if a mate of their's has something bad to say about bikers, they will defend us.

Positive reinforcement. It's all for the good.

Dan, some car drivers don't want you behind them. Especially if you've got your headlight on. If anybody signals me past I get super cautious anyway, some right nutters out there.

[Stu]

yes I always give them the - straighten the fingers of the left or right hand (all fingers not just one! ) depending which side they are while keeping my hand on the bars -
Hope they notice it, I don't ever look for their acknowledgement.

Don't think I would like straightening my leg - would take too long to get comfortable again! - Does that mean I can't go to France?

I always try to give cars a wave if they have moved out of the way for me as long as I can get a hand free. You can never be too polite, my mum gets annoyed if she moves over for bikes and they then don't acknowledge/thank her, in fact she seems to tell me about every one.