Re: Hand Sign Question

Daniel Seung Pugliese wrote:

> Did getting a bike enroll me in some sort of secret club,
> complete with its own secret hand signs?

Hey, we started waving at each other when I was driving sports cars
back in the 1950's. The motorcycle wave is like the sports car wave
except that some Harley riders don't respect other brands of
motorcycles so they don't wave.

> Is someone going to shoot me for doing this?

Nope. But several years ago, I noticed some really uptight Harley and
cruiser riders giving me the finger for riding a sport bike.

> Do I have to start paying dues?

When you wave, you ARE paying your dues to the brotherhood of all
bikers. If you see a biker broken down beside the road, you stop and
help them. If they see you broken down, they help you. Some yuppies
don't understand this. They just pull out their cell phone and call a
tow truck to take their motorbike back to the emporium where they
bought it.

> Am I missing nuances about hand position or angle of the arm?

Yes.

> Should there be a nod of the head?

If your hands are busy operating throttle and clutch and turn signals,
just nod.

> Am I a naive idiot?

Only if you take yuppies pretending to be "bikers" seriously.

David L. Hough has a few rather boring generic formation riding signals
in his book, "More Proficient Motorcycling"...

A few really useful signals are:

For riders coming towards you:

Nice Ducati! Left hand off grip, curl fingers, raise thumb, smile...

Bad traction or rough pavement ahead! Left arm down at a 45 degree
angle, point at road surface with index finger...

Accident ahead! Slow down! Left arm down at 45 degree angle, palm of
hand parallel to road, push down a few times...

Bad accident ahead or police ahead! Quit racing! Exaggeration of
accident ahead gesture, push hand as low to road surface as possible...


Your blinker is on! Left hand off of grip, arm extended slightly, touch
thumb to fingers above repeatedly at a slow rate...

For riders behind you:

I need to make a phone call! Raise left hand and hold thumb and pinkie
to side of helmet with index, middle, and ring fingers curled...

I need a pit stop! Left arm out, elbow bent down, pump fist up and down
about three times as though flushing a commode...

Let's stop for coffee! Left arm up, elbow bent, all fingers curled,
point thumb towards face shield. Tilt your arm toward your faceshield
as though drinking from a cup...

For agressive riders or cages behind you:

Well, go on around me, if you're in such a hurry! Left arm down at a 45
degree angle, sweep arm forward...

Pass me, you idiot tailgater! Left arm out and down at a 45 degree
angle, palm up, gesturing dramatically...

Are you *stupid*? Why don't you pass me? Left arm out, forearm bent,
raise palm toward the sky as if checking for rain...

Gawd, you *are* stupid! Raise left arm and strike your helmet just
above your faceshield with closed fist...

I'm having a seizure and will fall off the motorcycle in front of you!
Both hands and both feet off the controls. Lean backwards, waving arms
alternately in sweeping circles...

For Harley riders you think you can beat in a fist fight:

Your motorcycle sucks! Left arm extended down at a 45 degree angle,
form a fist, point thumb toward road surface...

F**k you! Left arm out level, turn palm up, extend middle finger
vertically...

F**k you and your bike, too! Left arm down at a forty-five degree
angle. Point your horizontal middle finger forward, and make three
jabbing motions...

Hey, I was just kidding! Stand by motorbike with arms raised in front
of you, both palms facing angry Harley rider. Raise face shield. Smile.
Do NOT remove helmet or leather jacket at this time...

.

Relevant Pages

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