Why do bikers tilt their head sideways to say hello

[dizzyblonde]

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

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]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Wow! You must be a professional stunt rider.

It's not spelt like that...

Originally Posted by Drumming_Animal

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 LOL

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.

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

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.

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.....

Originally Posted by Drumming_Animal

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?

leg waving seems the norm over in europe no nodding