I am 58 years old and have owned and ridden motorcycles for 40 of those years. I have owned a Yamaha, 3 Hondas, and a 1977 BMW R100 RS. My longest ride was from NC to Niagra Falls many years ago on the Beemer. I took the MSF Instructors course many years ago, but never taught. My favorite bike (except for my silver NT) is my 1989 Trans Alp, which I still own. My wife and I greatly slacked off riding during the child raising years with our 2 daughters, but I always had a bike in the building.. This year both my sons-in-law decided to take the MSF course and get bikes. This inspired me to get with the program again while I could still keep a bike upright. I did a lot of research, and, being a certified Honda nut, ended up going to Chattanooga, TN. I brought back my new love with only 13,000 miles on her and a lot of farkles. What a great decision! Wife and I have put on about 3,000 trouble-free miles in 3 months. By far the most concentrated period of riding in my lifetime. I said all that to say this. Things have changed. About 90% of the bikes I meet these days are Cruisers. I have always waved at other cycle riders when I meet them. Still do. I still wave the old fashioned way, with my hand up in the air. They used to all wave back. Meeting another rider was special. I always wonder where they are going. I thought we were all part of a very special group of people. Adventurous, fun loving, curious. Always wondering what is around the next curve, or where does that road go? Waving acknowledges that I think you are special. Having the wave returned makes me think I am special.
Yesterday my wife and I celebrated the first day of Fall and gorgeous weather with a 2 1/2 hr. ride to White Lake, NC. Great ride except for one thing. There was a huge, private motor-home camping facility at the lake. We got caught at the stop light at the entrance. 2 Harley riders, one with a passenger, were opposite us, waiting to turn in to the place. We all got to look at each other until the light changed. They had to wait for us to pass before they could turn. As they all had open helmets on I got a very good look at their faces as I waved at them at about 5 mph. These were older men, 55 or so. Family looking men. They were all looking at me, I could tell. Their hands did not move from the bars. The expressions on their faces did not change. Stern. Cold. How dare you wave at me. Look what a MACHO MAN I am. Look at this big loud shiny thing that I am straddling! I think they would have spit on my boots if they could. Sad. Very sad. Out on the road, probably 90% of these gentlemen will not return a wave. My wife says Oh Well - Their Loss. When I meet you folks I promise I'll WAVE.
Yesterday my wife and I celebrated the first day of Fall and gorgeous weather with a 2 1/2 hr. ride to White Lake, NC. Great ride except for one thing. There was a huge, private motor-home camping facility at the lake. We got caught at the stop light at the entrance. 2 Harley riders, one with a passenger, were opposite us, waiting to turn in to the place. We all got to look at each other until the light changed. They had to wait for us to pass before they could turn. As they all had open helmets on I got a very good look at their faces as I waved at them at about 5 mph. These were older men, 55 or so. Family looking men. They were all looking at me, I could tell. Their hands did not move from the bars. The expressions on their faces did not change. Stern. Cold. How dare you wave at me. Look what a MACHO MAN I am. Look at this big loud shiny thing that I am straddling! I think they would have spit on my boots if they could. Sad. Very sad. Out on the road, probably 90% of these gentlemen will not return a wave. My wife says Oh Well - Their Loss. When I meet you folks I promise I'll WAVE.
so you know it for sure... You're just being "dissed", not disliked...at least so far....
That's okay, I think scooters are cool...because they have two wheels and a motor. Anyway, I generally don't look at passing motorcycles to closely so I never know if they wave back or not. I don't wave to get a wave. I just wave say "Hi" or "What's up fellow rider". It's just fun to do. I even wave at little kids or pets in cars that are staring at me. 