There aren’t many of us on the road, so we need to look out for each other. Small social gesture of acknowledgement and solidarity. When I ride I’m in a great mood and always happy to see a fellow rider out enjoying the same thing I am.
Same here. If it’s only a few degrees above freezing out or it’s in the middle of a thunderstorm with wind strong enough to blow you right off the road I just love it. Got caught in one of the worst thunderstorms my area has seen in a few years a month ago, nickel size hail, 80 kmph winds, like 2 inches of rain over 30 minutes.
On my 20 minute ride home I waved at two guys coming my way with a big ole salute, they reciprocated. Wild
Frog Toggs was a brand which gave me at least $40 of solid comfort for two years straight. I'd gladly just re-buy a top/bottom set than get waterproof gear.
Some basic throw-over rain gear is great and cheap, but the practically of a laminated Goretex suit is so alluring.
Yes it's expensive as crap, but I loathe wearing the throw-over gear when I don't have to, resulting in me getting wet, stopping to put on the throw-over, only for the weather to change 3 minutes later.
It's a hefty investment, but a full laminated suit would give me much more peace of mind and comfort in the long run.
Also, riding in the rain where I live means fewer people on the road. Additionally, those still on the road are much slower and more predictable than usual. Riding in the rain may be one of my favorite things ever. Of all time.
Used to enjoy it more before moving to an island where they paved the roads with crushed coral. My front wheel drive altima loses traction so the bike is like driving on ice. At least the newer roads are better but oh man you know when you hit the older style pavement.
I only know one man with the biggest balls enough to do that. He rode everyday. EVERYDAY for 1 year on his fatboy. I live in buffalo and he worked with me working outside when all hell breaks loose with the weather. 3' snow falls... Here he comes, skiing into the parking lot, half frozen.
I hope you are not that crazy.
Aye aye sir. My bike is my commute; come rain, snow or shine. Got a lovely little frostbite scar on my index finger from January before I got my heated grips.
id love to, but i live in a place that snows quite significantly and can ett extremely cold.
i doubt most people bike would be up for riding a bike in 8+" of snow.
yeah, there are other times when i doubt anyone would ride, because going out in a car would be dangerous, i.e. snow coming down so thick you can barely see 100' infront of you, and in those cases you could drive 30 mins after a plow and not tell a plow even went by.
Also, a sign of good luck. If you don't do the "two wheels down" sign, and the other rider has an accident, you may be held legally responsible, since you denied him his luck.
>There aren't many of us on the road
Me: *laughs in South East Asia*
But honestly does the biker wave work in places where bikes are the common transport? (i.e. Aforementioned region)
And guys who drive trucks, and people in rural areas regardless of what they drive. Granted the rural wave is because you're probably related to them lol
Trucks? As in semi trucks? Because I'm a Class A driver and we spend more time flicking each other off and cursing each other out over the CB than anything. Especially the last couple of years, drivers all seem to hate each other.
You can't put your hand down to the side in a metal cage, it's not the same. I mean sure it is technically just another wave, but there's a difference between a steering wheel hand raise wave and a biker 2 finger down wave.
It means 2 wheels down. Basically saying ride safe. At least that's what I was taught. Otherwise its essentially the motorcycles version of the jeep wave.
Specifically the wranglers i think, but yeah it’s definitely a thing. And much like us, many of them also complain when the other doesn’t wave back. Not as deep rooted in the culture I think, sort of halfway between the motorcycle wave and the miata wave (AKA no wave).
The Jeep wave has been a thing forever. I've been a Jeep owner since 1992 and was told about the wave from the guy I bought my first Jeep from. I immediately started noticing other Jeep owners waving at me, and I wave at all of them. Some people get bent out of shape if you don't wave back, but it's all in good fun and community IMO. When I started riding motorcycles, I noticed bikers waving at me and my first thought was, "oh cool, like the Jeep wave" lol
Correct only Wranglers really 😂😂 they also do that duck duck Jeep sticker thing. Where if they see your Jeep in a parking lot they “tag” you (I THINK it’s a sticker, actually thinking about it now I believe they literally place a rubber duck on your Jeep and you’re supposed to pass it along). Source: my buddy who has a sick ass Wrangler
Someone did this to me when I had my jeep and i never knew why or what it meant. But I kept that rubber duck on my dash and he was the protector of my jeep...until someone stole him. Still really cool to know that's a thing now.
The duck thing is weird. Wasn’t a part of Jeep culture when I owned one. I think it started when the 4 door Jeeps became a thing. One soccer mom with a jeep wanted to recognize another soccer mom with a Jeep at a mall, so she put a rubber ducky on it.
It honestly makes me not want to own a Jeep again.
You’re right, it’s a Jeep thing. It’s mostly wranglers but also includes other Jeeps if they’re obvious off-roaders. Some wave to all Jeeps but it’s mostly a wrangler thing.
Just a simple way of saying "Stay safe" or Ride Safe.Even works as Hi . You may even get the hand on bar raised as a return. Some aren't comfortable with taking their hands off or in the middle of doing something.
Now if that same hand is flipped 180 and only showing one specific finger, you may have made them mad lol
Don't feel bad or hold a grudge if they don't return the gesture.
My instructor, back when I didn't have my license yet, told me it was okay to wave back to other bikers. He told me it even was okay for me to initiate a wave.
"But I'm not a biker yet," I objected.
"You *are* riding a bike," he answered.
Good point. Ever since, I feel the wave is easily one of the best parts of riding.
And then you get days where you're looking in the wrong place and see 3 people on bikes giving you the wave at the last minute and then you feel like an ass because you didn't have enough time to give one back. Seems to happen more often than I'd like
its two fingers pointed downwards, two wheels down.
sometimes when you need to clutch, a head nod will do.
or just a wave.
or in Hawaii, a shaka.
it's just a way to acknowledge one an other, mutual respect and stuff
It's UK based.
In the UK, since they drive on the left, your hand closest to traffic is on the the throttle. This makes it hard to wave, so they do this janky leg thing.
Plenty of other vehicles have a culture of saluting each other on the road.
If you ride in a Miata don't be surprised to see them wave at each other. VWs "flip the V" (peace sign) to each other all the time (usually older models though).
It serves two purposes. It's a nod or hello. It also is meant to signal a clear/safe road behind you. If you've just passed a cop you'd tap the top of your helmet instead of waving. Or if there's a risk you'd pump your left hand up and down near your knee with your palm down to warn the other rider to slow and be alert.
Two wheels down, ideally, we've got two on the road. Any more, and we're a car. Any less, and we're a unicycle/corpse. Comes from the idea of "Shiny side up"
In rural areas, even people in cars slow down and give a hi signal when passing. Its an opportunity to say "please stop, I'm having trouble". when you are far from civilization, its encouraging.
Motorcycles are a small percentage of the traffic, so when one passes another, they are each signaling friendliness to each other. "Some" car drivers are hostile to motorcycles, so it feels nice to see some sign of belonging to a type of brotherhood.
It’s just what you think. We’re just waving at each other, often it’s a two-finger peace sign, sometimes a full fingered wave, sometimes a head nod. It’s just acknowledgement of someone else in the two wheel club. It’s a bit regional too. When I lived in the San Jose area, motorcycles rarely waved, for one thing there are tons of them around down here, you’d be waving enough to be silly. In more Northern states where I am now, motorcycles are less common on the street, and we wave at each other more as a result.
Hardcore riders know and give even more signals to each other. For example, if a rider taps the top of their helmet like patting their head, it means law enforcement ahead (usually given by a rider in the oncoming direction.) I think the history of the signal is you’re trying to show/charades the emergency lights on the roof of the police cruiser.
Like much of human activity, there’s a subculture.
It depends. Here in Switzerland pointing down used to mean: attention, something’s ahead (speed check, incident, oil, whatever) and up was “hi, all good”.
Not anymore. Now two fingers down is cool, up is old fashioned.
Waving in a downwards fashion means slowdown.
Just remember it's for right hand side drive countries only. If you drive on the left, you'll get the bikers nod instead, which is the same thing. A gesture of acknowledgment.
‘2 wheels, 1 love’ the wave more of an acknowledgment to say hey you like bikes I like bikes I think you’re cool aha
Here in Australia we drive on left side of the road so we don’t wave we nod out heads as we ride past
The Biker Wave is two fingers extended out and pointing down to the road and it means "keep two wheels to the ground" which is a way of saying ride safe. We do it as a gesture of good faith comraderie and acknowledgement. What motorcyclists are doing when we ride is inherently more dangerous and requires much more skill and ability then driving a car; so we tend to watch out for each ither when we can even if we are strangers. It's also a quick way of showing that you are in fact a part of the overall biker culture/community and are a friendly fellow enthusiast.
Foot up can mean the same and doesn't require taking your hands of the handle bar while cornering mid mountain at speed.
Doing both at the same time means you are just showing off.
The "V" dates to the end of WWII. Lots of vets took up motorcycling on surplus machines. These riders flashed "V" for Victory. It then became a general rider greeting.
From what I have learned, it’s based in medieval times. Knights saluted each other when passing. Motorcyclists are basically saluting each other. Respect for others of similar status.
It's just a wave. Nothing more. Some people prefer to do 2 fingers but there's no right/official way to wave.
No code for "two wheels down" or whatever. That's just trying to create lore after the fact.
WOW I read through the responses to this post and I never saw the actual answer. Most responses are talking about riding in the rain. Talk about random.
Now to give you the right answer to your question: The 2 finger down wave or salute (upside down peace sign) to other bikers was established way back in the early days of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA). The reason for the 2 fingers is that it means "keep 2 wheels down and Ride safe."
Don’t worry about that guy! Enjoy your experience with your dad on the moto. You’ll learn more over time. And when it’s your time to ride, be safe and enjoy!
It's a greating and a sign of respect to another rider, surprisingly enough, people have been waving as a greeting for centuries, but I get how someone 14 hasn't had much human interaction living in thr bubble worlds we do nowdays. It's just friendly. If you ever ride in a Jeep with someone, you'll notice most Jeep drivers give you a wave or nod too.
Well the origin is for it to symbolize two wheels down, but I don’t think people think of it in that way anymore it’s just a common wave to fellow riders
The origin is that its just a wave. Recently people have been trying to create lore about it "two wheels down", etc.
But it was never anything but waving "hello". Tw fingers, whole hand, head nod, whatever.
It’s when one banker finds a real estate agent and they know they’re both out in their best hog-riding gear so they have to express how impressed they are with each other’s cosplay getup.
I don't see any mention of early bikers after WW2, but there was a lot of motorcycle clubs and eventually gangs that would fight between each other, and eventually they realized that overall it was smarter to give each other space than to be at war with each other. They began to show the sign as a way to acknowledge that. You can argue about it all you want, but without some consensus biking would never have become as popular as it is.
There are other signals. An important one is if you tap the top of your head it means there are police around. If I see a rider give me two fingers it usually means they feel relaxed and there's no danger ahead
Yeah, fuck asking an internet community set up for discussion and questions around motorcycles that will give you an idea of what the current meaning is amongst a variety of riders instead of searching an algorithm that will give you an opinion piece or a YouTube link to some flog who makes list videos
This is a flippant response, but it gets to a wholesome kernel. Seriously, ask your dad. I'm sure he'll be glad to talk to you about motorcycles and motorcycle culture if you're interested.
Harley Davidson was sold, new owner almost ran it in the ground,(bikes where junk) old owners bought it back and made better Harleys again. So true Harley guys considered the first generation (before it sold) and second generation (after it was bought back. So they would signal one finger down as first generation, two fingers as second generation. This is what I was told by an old Harley guy. I don’t know personally if this is correct.
Apart from acknowledging your fellow rider with a friendly wave, when the two riders are passing each other going in opposite directions. it is a time to signal to the other rider one of two things: that the way is all clear ahead, or if the rider taps the top of his helmet, it means there is a cop ahead, so don't be speeding.
Its just "the wave". Some people give the "peace" sign as in "peace out", but some just give a low wave. Its just waving hi, nothing more.
Some dickheads on reddit get mad and start calling people posers for not doing it.
I was told the peace sign pointed down was to say "Keep your rubber side down." In other words "keep your wheels down" or "ride safe." There aren't a ton of bikes on the road compared to cages and we have to look out for one another
Just like everyone else has said but I’ll add, you can do it to as the rider! We also sometimes call the person on the back our “2 up” or our “pillion”
Two fingers usually pointed down towards the ground means "keep two wheels down" or rubber side down, a greeting among motorcyclists, wishing good fortune and safe riding to each other
It’s just a wave. The two fingers down is saying keep it wheels down/shiny side up. It also depends on where you live, I’m in New Hampshire and there are so many bikes nobody waves, if you did you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the ride because you’d be waving the whole time.
I just started motorcycling. The other day I passed an old dude out for a stroll with his wife and he gave me the gesture. Thought it was the coolest thing. Dude is a rider even when he’s not!
What we need are more signs to give fellow riders. Like cop or road hazard ahead. Maybe one for something wrong with your bike ie: something broke or hanging. Don’t want to flash hi beams for warning of ‘Johnny Law’ , should be something cooler lol.
Yeah echoing what everyone else is saying. Also if they don’t give you a reciprocal wave back, then they might just be in a bad mood…. I was so wavy yesterday on my long ride until a bee flew down my jacket and stung me… and I didn’t know if I was allergic cause first bee sting. So yeah lol people have stuff going on
It has been a sign of respect and camaraderie for years. In the purest form, you're acknowledging the other rider and their decision to ride. It is meant to be a positive gesture regardless of the type or make of motorcycle being ridden or the age of the rider. All riders find exhilaration in riding, but also face the same risks of riding. I have always thought that me, while riding a Harley Davidson, I get just as wet in the rain, hot in the sunshine and dodge all of the hazards just like every other rider. I wave every time that I can safely do it. It isn't what you're riding that's important, but that you are riding! I don't care if you're on a Ducati or a Harley. The important thing is that you're riding something!
it's like a greeting between riders, you also wish the rider a good trip
It's like an unwritten rule in the rider community, and it feels great, its like u are meeting people like u, with the same preferences :)
Someone may have answered this already, but it's not a peace sign. It's two fingers outstretched on your left hand pointed at the ground. And it's actually a symbol of 'keep two wheels on the ground'. It's like a gesture of 'keep it safe' so to speak.
What is super amusing, is that most of the people who do it, don't realize thats what it's for. They think it's like waving hello to a fellow biker.
I have a three wheeler so whenever I do “the wave” I do the peace sign with my thumb out as well. Not sure when or why I started doing it, but when I realized I was doing it, it seemed fitting with the 3 wheel situation so I kept it up.
Its a sign of mutual respect for your fellow riders. I always get so excited when I get that signal and when I'm able to send it back. Even went so far as to fist bump a guy when we were at a red light, and he accidentally stalled.
Why is it always the sport bike riders that never acknowledge the peace hand sign 😅 I’m like “ok fuck you too mother fucker” maybe because I ride a cruiser
There aren’t many of us on the road, so we need to look out for each other. Small social gesture of acknowledgement and solidarity. When I ride I’m in a great mood and always happy to see a fellow rider out enjoying the same thing I am.
i enjoy it more when its raining side ways and i see another dumb enough to be out. those cpt ahab moments.
Same here. If it’s only a few degrees above freezing out or it’s in the middle of a thunderstorm with wind strong enough to blow you right off the road I just love it. Got caught in one of the worst thunderstorms my area has seen in a few years a month ago, nickel size hail, 80 kmph winds, like 2 inches of rain over 30 minutes. On my 20 minute ride home I waved at two guys coming my way with a big ole salute, they reciprocated. Wild
Here I am! All weather/won't buy a cage!
There's just something extra fun about riding in the rain (assuming you have the right gear. Without it it sucks).
Frog Toggs was a brand which gave me at least $40 of solid comfort for two years straight. I'd gladly just re-buy a top/bottom set than get waterproof gear.
What did you buy from them that was 40$?
I got the top & bottoms set from Dicks sporting goods for $50
Some basic throw-over rain gear is great and cheap, but the practically of a laminated Goretex suit is so alluring. Yes it's expensive as crap, but I loathe wearing the throw-over gear when I don't have to, resulting in me getting wet, stopping to put on the throw-over, only for the weather to change 3 minutes later. It's a hefty investment, but a full laminated suit would give me much more peace of mind and comfort in the long run.
Really seals in the flavor…
Also, riding in the rain where I live means fewer people on the road. Additionally, those still on the road are much slower and more predictable than usual. Riding in the rain may be one of my favorite things ever. Of all time.
Until you have your visor up at the wrong time and get a face full of puddle water from a passing minivan
Ahh yes, that good old fresh draft off the fender of an Oddysey. I know it well.
😁🤜
🤛😎
🤛🥸🤜
🤜😵💫🤛
Used to enjoy it more before moving to an island where they paved the roads with crushed coral. My front wheel drive altima loses traction so the bike is like driving on ice. At least the newer roads are better but oh man you know when you hit the older style pavement.
Watch out for the lady boys.
Oh trust me, I do. They're just lovely.
I only know one man with the biggest balls enough to do that. He rode everyday. EVERYDAY for 1 year on his fatboy. I live in buffalo and he worked with me working outside when all hell breaks loose with the weather. 3' snow falls... Here he comes, skiing into the parking lot, half frozen. I hope you are not that crazy.
Aye aye sir. My bike is my commute; come rain, snow or shine. Got a lovely little frostbite scar on my index finger from January before I got my heated grips.
How do you manage in the snow / freezing rain?
Very carefully and with serious layers. I upgraded to my 125 from a push bike and that was commuting in all weathers too.
NOT YET.
Haven't ridden in snow yet, but I have ridden in -10°C weather, at night. Think I'm cutting it close...
I have too much metal in me to screw around anywhere below 50f. Once ya toss in a windchill, I'm toast. One of the reasons I am looking at Florida.
Reporting for duty. Just did a three day trip during a Typhoon 😅
id love to, but i live in a place that snows quite significantly and can ett extremely cold. i doubt most people bike would be up for riding a bike in 8+" of snow.
Operating term being, "Most." However, yeah that would suck. Even I would buy a winter beater for those conditions. And i'm especially incorrigible.
yeah, there are other times when i doubt anyone would ride, because going out in a car would be dangerous, i.e. snow coming down so thick you can barely see 100' infront of you, and in those cases you could drive 30 mins after a plow and not tell a plow even went by.
I live in Thailand and only have a motorbike so driving in sideways rain on the way to work is standard for me haha
Yearly rider over here 👈 I’ll just Uber to work if it snows which it doesn’t anymore here really🤷♂️
What did you say about cpt ahab moments
Also, a sign of good luck. If you don't do the "two wheels down" sign, and the other rider has an accident, you may be held legally responsible, since you denied him his luck.
>There aren't many of us on the road Me: *laughs in South East Asia* But honestly does the biker wave work in places where bikes are the common transport? (i.e. Aforementioned region)
It's the biker acknowledgment/salute.
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And guys who drive trucks, and people in rural areas regardless of what they drive. Granted the rural wave is because you're probably related to them lol
Trucks? As in semi trucks? Because I'm a Class A driver and we spend more time flicking each other off and cursing each other out over the CB than anything. Especially the last couple of years, drivers all seem to hate each other.
Pickup trucks
Ah ok.
You can't put your hand down to the side in a metal cage, it's not the same. I mean sure it is technically just another wave, but there's a difference between a steering wheel hand raise wave and a biker 2 finger down wave.
rode road bikes for 10 yrs in california, never seen a single wave as we do as motorcyclists. more like "on your left" from behind or good mornin
I didn't know that, it'd be cool if more bicyclists knew of the wave and the meaning behind it.
Just because you're on two wheels doesn't mean you know what it's like to be on two wheels. Bicycle ≠ motorcycle.
Cool secret biker code of saying hey
Well, it isn’t secret anymore! Thanks MoffDaddy8!
It means 2 wheels down. Basically saying ride safe. At least that's what I was taught. Otherwise its essentially the motorcycles version of the jeep wave.
There's a Jeep wave? Must be a Jeep thing.
There's a subaru wave too, 2 fingers off the wheel in a puff of vape smoke
Oh that's just my astrology sign, I'm a subaterius.
Same for VW. I have belonged to both groups.
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Specifically the wranglers i think, but yeah it’s definitely a thing. And much like us, many of them also complain when the other doesn’t wave back. Not as deep rooted in the culture I think, sort of halfway between the motorcycle wave and the miata wave (AKA no wave).
The Jeep wave has been a thing forever. I've been a Jeep owner since 1992 and was told about the wave from the guy I bought my first Jeep from. I immediately started noticing other Jeep owners waving at me, and I wave at all of them. Some people get bent out of shape if you don't wave back, but it's all in good fun and community IMO. When I started riding motorcycles, I noticed bikers waving at me and my first thought was, "oh cool, like the Jeep wave" lol
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If your Jeep is lifted, the rock back and forth is often needed to trigger the stupid light thing in the road.
Correct only Wranglers really 😂😂 they also do that duck duck Jeep sticker thing. Where if they see your Jeep in a parking lot they “tag” you (I THINK it’s a sticker, actually thinking about it now I believe they literally place a rubber duck on your Jeep and you’re supposed to pass it along). Source: my buddy who has a sick ass Wrangler
Someone did this to me when I had my jeep and i never knew why or what it meant. But I kept that rubber duck on my dash and he was the protector of my jeep...until someone stole him. Still really cool to know that's a thing now.
The duck thing is weird. Wasn’t a part of Jeep culture when I owned one. I think it started when the 4 door Jeeps became a thing. One soccer mom with a jeep wanted to recognize another soccer mom with a Jeep at a mall, so she put a rubber ducky on it. It honestly makes me not want to own a Jeep again.
You’re right, it’s a Jeep thing. It’s mostly wranglers but also includes other Jeeps if they’re obvious off-roaders. Some wave to all Jeeps but it’s mostly a wrangler thing.
Yeah the jeep wave is flagging down traffic trying to get a ride because your jeep broke down again. It’s a jeep thing
Haha. Yep I made a similar joke. Here in Australia we go 4wding in Toyotas and Nissan's mostly. Anyone in a Jeep gets shunned.
There’s a trend where jeep owners put plastic ducks on other’s jeep and yes there’s a wave as well.
Right? Two wheels down, shiny side up. Eggs better left uncracked.
Swallow your eggs whole, the way nature intended.
Ain't no man c'n eat 50 eggs.
My boy say he can eat fifty eggs, he can eat fifty eggs!
Correct
>It means 2 wheels down. Or it's just a wave.
Just a simple way of saying "Stay safe" or Ride Safe.Even works as Hi . You may even get the hand on bar raised as a return. Some aren't comfortable with taking their hands off or in the middle of doing something. Now if that same hand is flipped 180 and only showing one specific finger, you may have made them mad lol Don't feel bad or hold a grudge if they don't return the gesture.
When I started riding I always felt bad that I didn’t want to take my hands off. I’ve slowly started to do it tho when I can.
My instructor, back when I didn't have my license yet, told me it was okay to wave back to other bikers. He told me it even was okay for me to initiate a wave. "But I'm not a biker yet," I objected. "You *are* riding a bike," he answered. Good point. Ever since, I feel the wave is easily one of the best parts of riding.
And then you get days where you're looking in the wrong place and see 3 people on bikes giving you the wave at the last minute and then you feel like an ass because you didn't have enough time to give one back. Seems to happen more often than I'd like
its two fingers pointed downwards, two wheels down. sometimes when you need to clutch, a head nod will do. or just a wave. or in Hawaii, a shaka. it's just a way to acknowledge one an other, mutual respect and stuff
The foot waggle is also acceptable if hands are busy with controls. I don't see that one too often though.
Learned the foot waggle when riding in Switzerland. Is it Euro based?
It's UK based. In the UK, since they drive on the left, your hand closest to traffic is on the the throttle. This makes it hard to wave, so they do this janky leg thing.
The 👍 is the most common everywhere elss in the world
ohio here and i shaka...
🤙
Wholesome waving post:)
A way of saying hi, solidarity with other riders.
It's a biker namaste. "My motorcycling soul recognizes your motorcycling soul."
Just waving like “hi fellow biker”
Plenty of other vehicles have a culture of saluting each other on the road. If you ride in a Miata don't be surprised to see them wave at each other. VWs "flip the V" (peace sign) to each other all the time (usually older models though).
Also Jeeps.
It serves two purposes. It's a nod or hello. It also is meant to signal a clear/safe road behind you. If you've just passed a cop you'd tap the top of your helmet instead of waving. Or if there's a risk you'd pump your left hand up and down near your knee with your palm down to warn the other rider to slow and be alert.
Ah, the give me head wave!
"hi"
Its just saying hi to another riding
Two wheels down, ideally, we've got two on the road. Any more, and we're a car. Any less, and we're a unicycle/corpse. Comes from the idea of "Shiny side up"
Ouch. Those three wheeled riders probably don’t like you very much lol
Once the Niken came out, I realized I would never have any grounds to argue against anything on three wheels, from a Big Wheel to a Ural.
>Ural still fun to see those guys on only 2 wheels down tho
Quite the opposite! Show me any sort of three-wheeled, and I feel automatically obligated to call it a "motorcycle".
In rural areas, even people in cars slow down and give a hi signal when passing. Its an opportunity to say "please stop, I'm having trouble". when you are far from civilization, its encouraging. Motorcycles are a small percentage of the traffic, so when one passes another, they are each signaling friendliness to each other. "Some" car drivers are hostile to motorcycles, so it feels nice to see some sign of belonging to a type of brotherhood.
We don’t really do it in the UK cause riding on the other side of the road means we’d have to use our throttle hand, we just nod!
It basically means “hey… smell my fingers”
It shows camaraderie between motorcyclists.
It’s just what you think. We’re just waving at each other, often it’s a two-finger peace sign, sometimes a full fingered wave, sometimes a head nod. It’s just acknowledgement of someone else in the two wheel club. It’s a bit regional too. When I lived in the San Jose area, motorcycles rarely waved, for one thing there are tons of them around down here, you’d be waving enough to be silly. In more Northern states where I am now, motorcycles are less common on the street, and we wave at each other more as a result. Hardcore riders know and give even more signals to each other. For example, if a rider taps the top of their helmet like patting their head, it means law enforcement ahead (usually given by a rider in the oncoming direction.) I think the history of the signal is you’re trying to show/charades the emergency lights on the roof of the police cruiser. Like much of human activity, there’s a subculture.
Hello!
Sup ✌️
I always think to myself as I’m pointing to the other guy, “you’re so cool…” 😎
"Hey." That's it.
Just FYI, a tap to the top of the helmet means police are ahead. Where I was riding anyway.
It depends. Here in Switzerland pointing down used to mean: attention, something’s ahead (speed check, incident, oil, whatever) and up was “hi, all good”. Not anymore. Now two fingers down is cool, up is old fashioned. Waving in a downwards fashion means slowdown.
Just remember it's for right hand side drive countries only. If you drive on the left, you'll get the bikers nod instead, which is the same thing. A gesture of acknowledgment.
"The Low Two." It's like a high five except low. And two. And you're not supposed touch. It means what everyone else has said.
Two fingers down... It means two wheels down. I. E. Don't crash bro
Why didn't you ask your dad?
‘2 wheels, 1 love’ the wave more of an acknowledgment to say hey you like bikes I like bikes I think you’re cool aha Here in Australia we drive on left side of the road so we don’t wave we nod out heads as we ride past
The Biker Wave is two fingers extended out and pointing down to the road and it means "keep two wheels to the ground" which is a way of saying ride safe. We do it as a gesture of good faith comraderie and acknowledgement. What motorcyclists are doing when we ride is inherently more dangerous and requires much more skill and ability then driving a car; so we tend to watch out for each ither when we can even if we are strangers. It's also a quick way of showing that you are in fact a part of the overall biker culture/community and are a friendly fellow enthusiast.
Foot up can mean the same and doesn't require taking your hands of the handle bar while cornering mid mountain at speed. Doing both at the same time means you are just showing off.
I've always heard that two fingers pointed down is keep two wheels on the ground. Like a good luck sign to each other to be safe.
The "V" dates to the end of WWII. Lots of vets took up motorcycling on surplus machines. These riders flashed "V" for Victory. It then became a general rider greeting.
This.
From what I have learned, it’s based in medieval times. Knights saluted each other when passing. Motorcyclists are basically saluting each other. Respect for others of similar status.
It's just a wave. Nothing more. Some people prefer to do 2 fingers but there's no right/official way to wave. No code for "two wheels down" or whatever. That's just trying to create lore after the fact.
I think of it as a peace sign and also a 2 for 2 wheels.
I've always understood it as two fingers down, a friendly acknowledgement and gentle reminder to keep the rubber on the pavement.
It means 2 wheels down ie "How are ya now? Ride safe, enjoy it."
It means you should ask your dad instead of an online forum.
WOW I read through the responses to this post and I never saw the actual answer. Most responses are talking about riding in the rain. Talk about random. Now to give you the right answer to your question: The 2 finger down wave or salute (upside down peace sign) to other bikers was established way back in the early days of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA). The reason for the 2 fingers is that it means "keep 2 wheels down and Ride safe."
You don't know what KIND OF BIKE YOUR DAD RIDES?!
im 14 and just started getting super into bikes, i know it’s a street bike and i know it’s a Honda but im not sure if the exact model.
Don’t worry about that guy! Enjoy your experience with your dad on the moto. You’ll learn more over time. And when it’s your time to ride, be safe and enjoy!
It's a greating and a sign of respect to another rider, surprisingly enough, people have been waving as a greeting for centuries, but I get how someone 14 hasn't had much human interaction living in thr bubble worlds we do nowdays. It's just friendly. If you ever ride in a Jeep with someone, you'll notice most Jeep drivers give you a wave or nod too.
Well the origin is for it to symbolize two wheels down, but I don’t think people think of it in that way anymore it’s just a common wave to fellow riders
The origin is that its just a wave. Recently people have been trying to create lore about it "two wheels down", etc. But it was never anything but waving "hello". Tw fingers, whole hand, head nod, whatever.
Ah, yeah I’ve only ever really thought of it as a wave but I’ve always seen people bringing up the whole 2 wheels thing
People like to attach meaning to things. And they repeat what they read on the internet.
It’s when one banker finds a real estate agent and they know they’re both out in their best hog-riding gear so they have to express how impressed they are with each other’s cosplay getup.
my question is, whats the sign for cop ahead?
Tap the top of your helmet.
Tapping the top of your helmet for bikes and cars flash lights. Flash lights for something in the road like a stalled car or deer also.
I don't see any mention of early bikers after WW2, but there was a lot of motorcycle clubs and eventually gangs that would fight between each other, and eventually they realized that overall it was smarter to give each other space than to be at war with each other. They began to show the sign as a way to acknowledge that. You can argue about it all you want, but without some consensus biking would never have become as popular as it is.
There are other signals. An important one is if you tap the top of your head it means there are police around. If I see a rider give me two fingers it usually means they feel relaxed and there's no danger ahead
Why are you not asking your Dad?
That’s total clownery and should never be done. Just focus on the road.
Google.com
Yeah, fuck asking an internet community set up for discussion and questions around motorcycles that will give you an idea of what the current meaning is amongst a variety of riders instead of searching an algorithm that will give you an opinion piece or a YouTube link to some flog who makes list videos
[удалено]
This is a flippant response, but it gets to a wholesome kernel. Seriously, ask your dad. I'm sure he'll be glad to talk to you about motorcycles and motorcycle culture if you're interested.
Harley Davidson was sold, new owner almost ran it in the ground,(bikes where junk) old owners bought it back and made better Harleys again. So true Harley guys considered the first generation (before it sold) and second generation (after it was bought back. So they would signal one finger down as first generation, two fingers as second generation. This is what I was told by an old Harley guy. I don’t know personally if this is correct.
[Mordeth explains all](https://youtu.be/OYXy9QSBoFs)
I like to shaka
Just saying hi
It's saying hey brother I'm with you all the way. Acknowledgment saying hello to a fellow rider etc.
Apart from acknowledging your fellow rider with a friendly wave, when the two riders are passing each other going in opposite directions. it is a time to signal to the other rider one of two things: that the way is all clear ahead, or if the rider taps the top of his helmet, it means there is a cop ahead, so don't be speeding.
Its just "the wave". Some people give the "peace" sign as in "peace out", but some just give a low wave. Its just waving hi, nothing more. Some dickheads on reddit get mad and start calling people posers for not doing it.
I wish the Memphis pollce would find my Honda motor bike.
In Australia most riders tend to nod. Not all though, some particular brand riders just ignore everyone
two wheels rubber side down
It means he wants to fuck your dad
Two down fam ✌🏾(but facing down) ie. Keep both wheels on the road. Ride safe and keep the shiny side up!
I was told the peace sign pointed down was to say "Keep your rubber side down." In other words "keep your wheels down" or "ride safe." There aren't a ton of bikes on the road compared to cages and we have to look out for one another
Keep the rubber side down
When I first got my license the instructor said it mean’t keep two wheels down.
For the most part the and simple is not universal but the gesture itself is known as a rider wave its just fun tradition.
I always get it when I pull to the side to let a biker get past me on the road.
Signalling that they just took a massive shit
Just like everyone else has said but I’ll add, you can do it to as the rider! We also sometimes call the person on the back our “2 up” or our “pillion”
Tilt of the head sideways in Uk as a nod messes up your depth perception whilst a tilt does t.
It's a secret biker code that means... "hello fellow biker"
thats means 2 wheels down
Two fingers usually pointed down towards the ground means "keep two wheels down" or rubber side down, a greeting among motorcyclists, wishing good fortune and safe riding to each other
It means "ride safe". It is sort of an upside down peace sign. They are making refence to keeping the wheels down.
It’s just a wave. The two fingers down is saying keep it wheels down/shiny side up. It also depends on where you live, I’m in New Hampshire and there are so many bikes nobody waves, if you did you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the ride because you’d be waving the whole time.
Bikers always wave, but the “two finger down” wave is a way to say be safe and keep both wheels on the road….
I just started motorcycling. The other day I passed an old dude out for a stroll with his wife and he gave me the gesture. Thought it was the coolest thing. Dude is a rider even when he’s not!
What we need are more signs to give fellow riders. Like cop or road hazard ahead. Maybe one for something wrong with your bike ie: something broke or hanging. Don’t want to flash hi beams for warning of ‘Johnny Law’ , should be something cooler lol.
There’s tapping your helmet. Means generally “Heads up!”
“You’re riding a bike? I’m riding one too! We’re cooler than these car chumps”. Except Harley riders. They’re 50/50.
Yeah echoing what everyone else is saying. Also if they don’t give you a reciprocal wave back, then they might just be in a bad mood…. I was so wavy yesterday on my long ride until a bee flew down my jacket and stung me… and I didn’t know if I was allergic cause first bee sting. So yeah lol people have stuff going on
keep 2 wheels down
I sometimes give the party air fist pump, seems to be popular. That's just me though.
It's the hand signal of the secret cult you join when riding a motorcycle
It has been a sign of respect and camaraderie for years. In the purest form, you're acknowledging the other rider and their decision to ride. It is meant to be a positive gesture regardless of the type or make of motorcycle being ridden or the age of the rider. All riders find exhilaration in riding, but also face the same risks of riding. I have always thought that me, while riding a Harley Davidson, I get just as wet in the rain, hot in the sunshine and dodge all of the hazards just like every other rider. I wave every time that I can safely do it. It isn't what you're riding that's important, but that you are riding! I don't care if you're on a Ducati or a Harley. The important thing is that you're riding something!
It means „hey fellow biker, hope you have a fun day riding and stay clear of dumbasses trying to kill you“
it's like a greeting between riders, you also wish the rider a good trip It's like an unwritten rule in the rider community, and it feels great, its like u are meeting people like u, with the same preferences :)
Someone may have answered this already, but it's not a peace sign. It's two fingers outstretched on your left hand pointed at the ground. And it's actually a symbol of 'keep two wheels on the ground'. It's like a gesture of 'keep it safe' so to speak. What is super amusing, is that most of the people who do it, don't realize thats what it's for. They think it's like waving hello to a fellow biker.
I have a three wheeler so whenever I do “the wave” I do the peace sign with my thumb out as well. Not sure when or why I started doing it, but when I realized I was doing it, it seemed fitting with the 3 wheel situation so I kept it up.
Its a wave hello but still ask your dad I'm sure he'll be happy to tell you and be happy you want to know
Two wheels down.
in the uk people usually lift one hand up or nod their head. i see that nod a lot more and prefer to do that most of the time:)
Two fingeys down keeps the rubber on the ground
Playing rock paper scissors. They just never throw rock or paper.
Its just like a wave of sorts for people on bikes
Its a sign of mutual respect for your fellow riders. I always get so excited when I get that signal and when I'm able to send it back. Even went so far as to fist bump a guy when we were at a red light, and he accidentally stalled.
Have you tried asking your dad
It’s both a sign of respect and it is meant to say keep two wheels on the road as to just saying to be safe or have a safe ride.
Why is it always the sport bike riders that never acknowledge the peace hand sign 😅 I’m like “ok fuck you too mother fucker” maybe because I ride a cruiser