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Acknowledging other riders

Acknowledging other riders

offbeatmammal
5 years ago

One weird thing I've noticed though since moving back from the US....
Riding my Harley round Melbourne if I've got the leather jacket on I rarely get a response to a nod, but if I'm wearing my rain jacket or armoured flannel shirt I usually get a response... At first I thought it was just a coincidence, but over the last 3 months I've made a game of seeing if I do/don't get a response depending on what I'm wearing and it's pretty consistent.

Maybe the US was just more demonstrative with acknowledgement and 'community'? Or are we supposed to just hate leather jacketed stereotypical Harley riders? ;)

On the plus side ... it really makes me happy to get a nod or a wave from kids, and their parents. Given all the bad press bikers get it's good to take every opportunity to present a friendly face!

Ratbob
5 years ago

I give all riders a nod, don’t matter what their riding, we’ll unless maybe it’s a Ducati, I reckon those boys are the worst bike snobs.

steelo
5 years ago

Oh please. God no......

offbeatmammal
5 years ago

Ducati riders are to busy working out what just fell off to notice ;) I used to drive an Italian car so understand the whole love/hate relationship!

Birtyyy
5 years ago

I bought my first full face helmet a couple of weeks ago and I've been getting nods from everyone. Previously while riding with the leather jacket and an open face helmet would only be other harley riders.

Krash Kinkade
5 years ago

Quoting offbeatmammal on 27 Mar 2019 12:28 AM
One weird thing I've noticed though since moving back from the US....
Riding my Harley round Melbourne if I've got the leather jacket on I rarely get a response to a nod, but if I'm wearing my rain jacket or armoured flannel shirt I usually get a response... At first I thought it was just a coincidence, but over the last 3 months I've made a game of seeing if I do/don't get a response depending on what I'm wearing and it's pretty consistent.

Maybe the US was just more demonstrative with acknowledgement and 'community'? Or are we supposed to just hate leather jacketed stereotypical Harley riders? ;)

On the plus side ... it really makes me happy to get a nod or a wave from kids, and their parents. Given all the bad press bikers get it's good to take every opportunity to present a friendly face!

Must be Melbourne ( Cold wet place no one happy? ) that has been going on even before the same sex marriage .
in the 80's & before everyone acknowledged these day's it's rare think the youth today have grown up in a different world. but American's have always been much more friendly than Australian's!!

Krash Kinkade
5 years ago

Quoting offbeatmammal on 27 Mar 2019 01:31 AM
Ducati riders are to busy working out what just fell off to notice ;) I used to drive an Italian car so understand the whole love/hate relationship!

That's the " Do it again Tony!!" syndrome .

keith
5 years ago

One distinct place for rider acknowledgment is on the Nullarbor, even peddle power tourists.

Ratbob
5 years ago

Quoting steelo on 27 Mar 2019 01:30 AM
Oh please. God no......

Oh please. God yes......
I forgot Steelo, I usually ignore bagger riders too, all that emotional luggage they have. :-)

Kjay
5 years ago

Well as someone who was waiting for a tow truck last week after the bike stopped suddenly (fuel pump). It was interesting to watch the reaction of other bikers that rode past.
A couple of older Harley riders gave me the thumbs up, but mostly others didn't really show any sign of acknowledgement,. Irrespective of what they were riding.
I'm sure the sight of an old fat bugger leaning on his broken Harley brought a few smiles behind some of those full face helmets.. :)

Nutty
5 years ago

Quoting offbeatmammal on 27 Mar 2019 01:31 AM
Ducati riders are to busy working out what just fell off to notice ;) I used to drive an Italian car so understand the whole love/hate relationship!

Quoting Krash Kinkade on 27 Mar 2019 05:38 AM
That's the " Do it again Tony!!" syndrome .

Fix
It
Again
Tony

...FIAT

Wideglider
5 years ago

Once stopped at side of road just to make phonecall for 10 mins, had a few riders, one on a sports bike, slow right down asking if I was alright (by giving thumbs up). Even a car driver did same thing. Restores my faith in human nature.

HOG63
5 years ago

Interesting topic. I had many bikes in my youth and everyone used to nod, regardless of bike type.
That was 30 years ago.
Now after a year of being back on two wheels, I find most don’t nod, except another Harley rider.

Evo
5 years ago

Around town, no but out on the road, every rider gets a nod. Don't care if I get a response as I do it for my benefit.

Jay-Dee
5 years ago

I give everyone on a bike (except maybe scooters) a nod or a wave of some sort if possible, most respond, some don't. I found when I only had a Jap sports bike most Harley riders were unwilling to acknowledge me back.
Years ago a couple of mates and I were pulled up on the back road near Wivenhoe Dam on our sports bikes when a large M&W shop or HOG ride went past (with the obligatory ute and trailer following for break downs) and about two or three people acknowledged us when I waved. I know riding in a large group you absolutely have to concentrate, but they obviously thought we were beneath them as many looked at us.

tussuck
5 years ago

Quoting HOG63 on 28 Mar 2019 08:15 AM
Interesting topic. I had many bikes in my youth and everyone used to nod, regardless of bike type.
That was 30 years ago.
Now after a year of being back on two wheels, I find most don’t nod, except another Harley rider.

Yeah I have noticed this too! I'm getting back into nodding though

steelo
5 years ago

There’s always the ever popular foot wave if your hands are busy.

Ratbob
5 years ago

Quoting steelo on 29 Mar 2019 02:11 AMedited: 29 Mar 2019 02:12 AM
There’s always the ever popular foot wave if your hands are busy.

Love it Steelo, best laugh all week.

Smokey61
5 years ago

Quoting Evo on 28 Mar 2019 09:41 PM
Around town, no but out on the road, every rider gets a nod. Don't care if I get a response as I do it for my benefit.

This. This is the right attitude.

If you get sniffy because someone didn't do their bit to help you inflate your sense of self worth today, you're doing it wrong.

Nutty
5 years ago

Quoting Evo on 28 Mar 2019 09:41 PM
Around town, no but out on the road, every rider gets a nod. Don't care if I get a response as I do it for my benefit.

Same here Evo, my thoughts exactly. I usually have the cruise on so it's nearly always a right-hand wave to HDs/Indians and a mod to the rest.

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