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Proper etiquette and attire?

bigdaddyjuniorbigdaddyjunior Member Posts: 11,233
edited May 2006 in General Discussion
Now that I am mostly riding a Harley instead of the Goldwing I find that I get waved at more often when riding by another Harley rider or group of them. I am not too keen on letting go of the handle bars at 60mph to wave at some jerkweed I don't even know. Will I eventually insult them enough to stop doing that oh so smug wave like we are in some kind of secret fraternity. I mean the Hog is nice and all, but for comfort it don't compare to the Goldwing. And when I want to burn up some pavement my wife's Suzuki is the ticket. The Harley is great for aimless wandering along country roads and for trips less than around 200 miles, but I guess I am not a one manufacturer guy.
The other thing has to do with apparel. These guys look like a bunch of lawyers and accountants but I swear they have Harley Logo socks even. Helmets, gloves, shirts, jackets, pants... everything is Harley labeled. Even their glasses! My bike and my helmet have Harley logos and that is only because they gave me the helmet with the bike. My jacket is a Tommy Hilfigger jeans jacket cause they are cut over sized in the chest and shoulders so fit me real good without the sleeves being way long..only $15 at the Goodwill too. Plus my jacket has an inside pocket that holds a full sized 1911 with room to spare. My riding glasses are my wrap around Remington shooting glasses and my boots are the same clod hoppers I have been wearing since Moses crossed the desert. I am thinking I should get a pink ascot and some nice Armani gloves...then maybe those guys will stop waving to me and trying to talk to me at the gas stations. Like they could rebuild a carb if their life depended on it or even know the difference between a connecting rod and a pushrod. Hopefully there are some real bikers around here somehwere.

Comments

  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    I just wore what I would normally wear any other time of the world, blue jeans and t-shirt type. As far as waving goes, a nod of the head will have to do.
  • sig232sig232 Member Posts: 8,018
    edited November -1
    In Oregon there is a special way to wave. You let go of the left handlebar and just kind of let your hand go down towards your leg like your pointing at the ground. You have to go to Harley school to learn this stuff.

    Have you joined the local H.O.G. chapter yet? We have 400+ members in the Rose City HOG's and that is attached to one dealership.

    I agree the seats on the Harleys suck. My back kills me after 100+ miles or so. Have to stop and try to hobble around and get things working again, then back on and put on my Macho face. I used to ride my BMW from Miami to Orlando with no problems, my honda 500 from Miami to St. Pete with no problems. Seats were fantastic, but then I was a young dude then, got my Harly at 64 yrs so I guess I have to expect some comfort differences.

    All the Harley cloths are first class but priced 30% higher than anyplace else. But then that logo! that is worth at lot! I get approached at every gas stop and asked questions about the bike and where I am riding from/to. Interesting how Harleys have become kind of a badge of honor for the babyboomers. Good luck and ride safe!
  • Rebel_JamesRebel_James Member Posts: 4,746
    edited November -1
    The only HD logo clothes I have are some jeans I bought on Ebay, and a few tshirts I bought at dealers I've been to.

    There's more than one type of Biker Wave. You don't have to do all of them, but should be able to recognize each one:

    1. New Rider Wave: This guy just started riding, and is afraid he'll crash if he takes even one hand off the handlebars for more than a second. His left hand goes up like he's gonna wave, and back to the grip in a millisecond. If you're not paying attention, you won't see it.

    2. Sport Bike Rider Wave: This one is hard to see to. Being cool, the Sport Bike Rider just raises his left index finger from the grip, and may nod his head.

    3. Harley Rider Wave: Soooo COOOOOL. The Harley Rider points to the ground with his left hand, either one finger or two is acceptable. If he's meeting a long line of bikes, the really cool riders hold the 'wave' till they've all gone by.

    4. Gold Wing Rider Wave: You almost have to see this one to get the full effect, but I'll explain it as best I can. The Gold Wing rider has a specific system he goes through to wave:
    1. He puts his cigarette in the handlebar mounted ash tray.

    2. He puts his coffee cup in the handlebar mounted cup holder.

    3. He flips up the face shield of his full-face helmet.

    4. Turning to face who he's gonna wave to, he has a full grin on
    his face, turns loose of the handlebars, and waves with BOTH
    hands in a manner that looks like he's trying to flag you down!
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No sweat BDJ, beemer riders will wave at any biker. It is a noblese oblige sort of thing. Simply adopt the attitude that it means so muc to the little people when you give them a wave.

    As for the We Be Bad Yuppies, smile and wave, they may buy their next estate from you.
  • scottm21166scottm21166 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited November -1
    I think you should adopt a parade wave. wear a pink polo with dockers and penny loafers get a bucket helmet with yellow lense glasses and a cut up bumpersticker that claims "mean People suck" then rev your detuned motor as you drive by the local beer hall while the patrons are on the sidewalk and scream "gay pride" and give them the thumbs up...see if there are any real bikers left in the world. If they smile and wave, move on...if they jump you in you will find your home group..repeat this activity until you remind yourself that niether the bike nor the clothes make the man then go get your money back for the hardly and buy a new goldwing
  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    you wear what will save your hide. keep wearing glasses when you ride, if you want to lose your eye. ever try to pull a frame out of one before?
    its not about what you look like, its about what you look like after you wipe out that counts. all the rest is vanity.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
  • ironjohn929ironjohn929 Member Posts: 1,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think motorcycle waves are gay. I don't wave and I never will unless it's someone I know. Why would I wave at someone I don't even know?....just because he's on a bike? I'd be willing to bet that if I were to meet the morons that wave at me, I probably wouldn't like very many of them any way. Maybe if I knew he were a good guy and a good rider and didn't beat his wife or molest children or steal or cheat or do drugs and wasn't gay, served his country and went to church and wasn't a rich middle aged yuppy with too much time and money on his hands.....maybe then I'd wave....but until then, forget it!!! I don't see why just because you ride a bike, you have to wave. Does that mean I have to wave at every Dodge truck owner that I drive by just because I own one? If I were you I certainly wouldn't wave at anybody waving to you, especially if it makes you nervous to take your hand off the grip!
  • sig232sig232 Member Posts: 8,018
    edited November -1
    Back in the 1960's, when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, people waved at each other if they owned a Volkswagon. Special class of folks! Harley riders are the same, kind of a special breed! Cool logos and lots of macho leather! Its a mental thing. A baby boomer feeble attempt at rebellion.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bigdaddyjunior
    Now that I am mostly riding a Harley instead of the Goldwing I find that I get waved at more often when riding by another Harley rider or group of them. I am not too keen on letting go of the handle bars at 60mph to wave at some jerkweed I don't even know. Will I eventually insult them enough to stop doing that oh so smug wave like we are in some kind of secret fraternity. I mean the Hog is nice and all, but for comfort it don't compare to the Goldwing. And when I want to burn up some pavement my wife's Suzuki is the ticket. The Harley is great for aimless wandering along country roads and for trips less than around 200 miles, but I guess I am not a one manufacturer guy.
    The other thing has to do with apparel. These guys look like a bunch of lawyers and accountants but I swear they have Harley Logo socks even. Helmets, gloves, shirts, jackets, pants... everything is Harley labeled. Even their glasses! My bike and my helmet have Harley logos and that is only because they gave me the helmet with the bike. My jacket is a Tommy Hilfigger jeans jacket cause they are cut over sized in the chest and shoulders so fit me real good without the sleeves being way long..only $15 at the Goodwill too. Plus my jacket has an inside pocket that holds a full sized 1911 with room to spare. My riding glasses are my wrap around Remington shooting glasses and my boots are the same clod hoppers I have been wearing since Moses crossed the desert. I am thinking I should get a pink ascot and some nice Armani gloves...then maybe those guys will stop waving to me and trying to talk to me at the gas stations. Like they could rebuild a carb if their life depended on it or even know the difference between a connecting rod and a pushrod. Hopefully there are some real bikers around here somehwere.



    DWS tells me you look kinda cute wearing those...
  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rebel_James
    The only HD logo clothes I have are some jeans I bought on Ebay, and a few tshirts I bought at dealers I've been to.

    There's more than one type of Biker Wave. You don't have to do all of them, but should be able to recognize each one:

    1. New Rider Wave: This guy just started riding, and is afraid he'll crash if he takes even one hand off the handlebars for more than a second. His left hand goes up like he's gonna wave, and back to the grip in a millisecond. If you're not paying attention, you won't see it.

    2. Sport Bike Rider Wave: This one is hard to see to. Being cool, the Sport Bike Rider just raises his left index finger from the grip, and may nod his head.

    3. Harley Rider Wave: Soooo COOOOOL. The Harley Rider points to the ground with his left hand, either one finger or two is acceptable. If he's meeting a long line of bikes, the really cool riders hold the 'wave' till they've all gone by.

    4. Gold Wing Rider Wave: You almost have to see this one to get the full effect, but I'll explain it as best I can. The Gold Wing rider has a specific system he goes through to wave:
    1. He puts his cigarette in the handlebar mounted ash tray.

    2. He puts his coffee cup in the handlebar mounted cup holder.

    3. He flips up the face shield of his full-face helmet.

    4. Turning to face who he's gonna wave to, he has a full grin on
    his face, turns loose of the handlebars, and waves with BOTH
    hands in a manner that looks like he's trying to flag you down!


    And whatever you do don't confuse any of them with the highly complex Jeep wave!!!
    http://www.jeeptalk.org/jeep_wave.shtml
  • scottm21166scottm21166 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited November -1
    on a goldwing, you can always ask your partners to do the courtesy wave
    94a0c391.jpg
  • DancesWithSheepDancesWithSheep Member Posts: 12,938 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Fashion and Harley owners have always gone hand-in-hand. I was fueling at the Standard station in Coeur d'Alene not too long ago when two Hog riders rode in alongside. One of them eyes me and says to his partner, "Steven, I think you would look impossibly delicious in those jeans that savage with the Ducati is wearing. They leave nothing to the imagination in front and his backside looks like two boxing gloves touching. Yummie." The guy's partner flips his hair back and puts his hands on his hips and pouts, "You're absolutely shameless, Kevin. Not an hour ago you were complimenting me on how my bandana highlighted my eyes and gave me a wounded Bambi-like appeal, and now you are flirting with an attractive and obviously fit older man nearly twice your age. Honestly, Steven, you're such a butterfly boy." The first guy smiles sheepishly and replies, "Steven, we're Harley boys, you and I. We're divinely macho and thoughtfully accessorized as befitting the haughty steel steeds we ride. Now let's just drop it here and now; I do not want a scene at Brian and Phillip's wedding." The second guy smiles and mouths "I love you", and the two rode off together.
  • scottm21166scottm21166 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by DancesWithSheep
    Fashion and Harley owners have always gone hand-in-hand. I was fueling at the Standard station in Coeur d'Alene not too long ago when two Hog riders rode in alongside. One of them eyes me and says to his partner, "Steven, I think you would look impossibly delicious in those jeans that savage with the Ducati is wearing. They leave nothing to the imagination in front and his backside looks like two boxing gloves touching. Yummie." The guy's partner flips his hair back and puts his hands on his hips and pouts, "You're absolutely shameless, Kevin. Not an hour ago you were complimenting me on how my bandana highlighted my eyes and gave me a wounded Bambi-like appeal, and now you are flirting with an attractive and obviously fit older man nearly twice your age. Honestly, Steven, you're such a butterfly boy." The first guy smiles sheepishly and replies, "Steven, we're Harley boys, you and I. We're divinely macho and thoughtfully accessorized as befitting the haughty steel steeds we ride. Now let's just drop it here and now; I do not want a scene at Brian and Phillip's wedding." The second guy smiles and mouths "I love you", and the two rode off together.

    Dude, sewriously...did you write...the philadephia experiment?
  • sig232sig232 Member Posts: 8,018
    edited November -1
    "DWS"

    quote:Fashion and Harley owners have always gone hand-in-hand. I was fueling at the Standard station in Coeur d'Alene not too long ago when two Hog riders rode in alongside. One of them eyes me and says to his partner, "Steven, I think you would look impossibly delicious in those jeans that savage with the Ducati is wearing. They leave nothing to the imagination in front and his backside looks like two boxing gloves touching. Yummie." The guy's partner flips his hair back and puts his hands on his hips and pouts, "You're absolutely shameless, Kevin. Not an hour ago you were complimenting me on how my bandana highlighted my eyes and gave me a wounded Bambi-like appeal, and now you are flirting with an attractive and obviously fit older man nearly twice your age. Honestly, Steven, you're such a butterfly boy." The first guy smiles sheepishly and replies, "Steven, we're Harley boys, you and I. We're divinely macho and thoughtfully accessorized as befitting the haughty steel steeds we ride. Now let's just drop it here and now; I do not want a scene at Brian and Phillip's wedding." The second guy smiles and mouths "I love you", and the two rode off together.


    I know those two! My wifes haridresser and friend. Hardcore!
  • mondmond Member Posts: 6,458
    edited November -1
    why advertise for nothing, if the companies want ds, make em pay..(free clothing & then debadge it.)
    nothing replaces a good pair of scuffed cowboy boots,torn jeans x2,black t shirt,unshaved & full black cap! forget the gay wavers, fight the chicks off , its much cooler![:D]
  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ironjohn929
    I don't wave and I never will unless it's someone I know. Why would I wave at someone I don't even know?

    Motorcycle camaraderie aside, you obviously ain't from Texas. [;)]
  • dclocodcloco Member Posts: 2,967
    edited November -1
    Just wear a pink scarf around your neck. I GUARANTEE people will quit waving. :)
  • DancesWithSheepDancesWithSheep Member Posts: 12,938 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcloco
    Just wear a pink scarf around your neck. I GUARANTEE people will quit waving. :)

    Yeah, but only long enough to invite you over to share an aged brie and watch the final episode of "Will and Grace".
  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My parents drive an 02 Road King. My dad is the same way, the bigtime do-it-yourselfer. They ride with their group of friends, but it seems that everyone that has a bike is trying to talk to them, or get my dad to let them drive the bike. It seems that the HD logo is becoming more of a status icon than anything else.

    They too are true bikers and feel the same as you about those "Fake Harley Riders"
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcloco
    Just wear a pink scarf around your neck. I GUARANTEE people will quit waving. :)



    [:D][:D]I would pay to have a pic of BDJ riding his hog with a pink scarf around his neck![:D] I don't think you have the nerve to do it Kurt...[;)][}:)][:)]
  • temblortemblor Member Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by DancesWithSheep
    Fashion and Harley owners have always gone hand-in-hand. I was fueling at the Standard station in Coeur d'Alene not too long ago when two Hog riders rode in alongside. One of them eyes me and says to his partner, "Steven, I think you would look impossibly delicious in those jeans that savage with the Ducati is wearing. They leave nothing to the imagination in front and his backside looks like two boxing gloves touching. Yummie." The guy's partner flips his hair back and puts his hands on his hips and pouts, "You're absolutely shameless, Kevin. Not an hour ago you were complimenting me on how my bandana highlighted my eyes and gave me a wounded Bambi-like appeal, and now you are flirting with an attractive and obviously fit older man nearly twice your age. Honestly, Steven, you're such a butterfly boy." The first guy smiles sheepishly and replies, "Steven, we're Harley boys, you and I. We're divinely macho and thoughtfully accessorized as befitting the haughty steel steeds we ride. Now let's just drop it here and now; I do not want a scene at Brian and Phillip's wedding." The second guy smiles and mouths "I love you", and the two rode off together.

    [:D][:D]
  • bigdaddyjuniorbigdaddyjunior Member Posts: 11,233
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ECC
    quote:Originally posted by dcloco
    Just wear a pink scarf around your neck. I GUARANTEE people will quit waving. :)



    [:D][:D]I would pay to have a pic of BDJ riding his hog with a pink scarf around his neck![:D] I don't think you have the nerve to do it Kurt...[;)][}:)][:)]


    No nerve to it. I'd do it just to see this...[:0]
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bigdaddyjunior
    quote:Originally posted by ECC
    quote:Originally posted by dcloco
    Just wear a pink scarf around your neck. I GUARANTEE people will quit waving. :)



    [:D][:D]I would pay to have a pic of BDJ riding his hog with a pink scarf around his neck![:D] I don't think you have the nerve to do it Kurt...[;)][}:)][:)]


    No nerve to it. I'd do it just to see this...[:0]



    [:D][:D][:D]If you do, please post pics!!!
  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ah come one BDJ, you can wave back at these "jerkweeds" Just show them the back of your hand, with your middle finger extended straight up. I'm sure if you ride often enough, and "wave" at everyone you see, they will eventually get the message. That is, if you can pry your hands off the handlebars. [}:)][;)][:D]

    I have seen the types you are referring to. Harley everything. Sometimes I wonder if they "trailer" their bikes to the local pub.

    What you wear, whether or not you wave, is simply a personal preference. Isn't the experience and pleasure of riding, what it is all about? Wave if you want to, if you don't want to, then don't. What's the big deal?
  • JgreenJgreen Member Posts: 2,579 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm a Beemer/Honda man, and I waive to all on a MC. It's all the same road and wind.
  • willdallas2006willdallas2006 Member Posts: 285 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wave at every biker, unless I am going around 100 or more. The wind is a little intense at that point, so it makes waving a little bit dangerous. I have also tried it with every one who drives cars like mine, but the cagers are obviously easily confused so it doesnt work well.
  • tacking1tacking1 Member Posts: 3,844
    edited November -1
    doesn't Ducati make those cool little likker cycles that the dui guys ride?
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