The bikers nod.

[Andy123]

So I've had lots of big bikes and had lots of nods from passing bikers as you do....but I've down sized to a 125 scooter and its now its only one or two at best. Why is this??? Aren't we all bikers regardless of the size of engine???

[Tiggie]

Unfortunately it'll be as its a scooter and not a "proper" bike   If you nodded and they didn't nod back then I'd just think "twat" and carry on 

 

Of course it may be that you have only met BMW riders and they are usually just knobs 

[Fish]

Im currently in Spain and every biker, regardless of make/model sticks their hands our to acknowledge other riders. Mopeds however get ignored.

 

It's one of those things you'll learn to live with

[Fiddlesticks]

I nod at all bikers. Even when I'm in the car, which can confuse some people.

[onesea]

Some are like that I will nod at most bikes, scooters and learners included.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

I nod at scooters and smaller bikes but they very rarely nod back. So I guess most riders assume people on smaller machines aren't into biker culture so just don't nod to them.

 

I even nod at Harley riders knowing they will pass me with a thousand yard stare unwilling to acknowledge the presence of anything else on the road. 

[Takanta]

Yea it's probably because it's a scooter you are on now.

[bonio]

1 hour ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

I nod at scooters and smaller bikes but they very rarely nod back. So I guess most riders assume people on smaller machines aren't into biker culture so just don't nod to them.

This.

I nod to 125s but I've given up on scoots.

[Andy123]

Well I think its stuck up behaviour. What these guys don't realise is that ive probably got more exspirance than them lol. Ive been riding for 17 years. I nod at every rider that passes, two wheels is two wheels

Edited October 3, 2022 by Andy123

[cloughie24]

I nod at everyone except Deliveroo and Just Eat riders who are clearly out to give bikers a bad name (the pavement is not an extension of the road and yes you've just tried to run down your customer).

 

First time someone acknowledged me (back on my L plates) I did a little Happy Feet dance on my pegs so I figure if I can make someone else feel that happy, why not give a nod!

[manxie49]

I nod to all bikers, including scooters, and yes I ride a Beamer .... Cheers Tiggie  In my experience, I find the ones who just look at you are the power rangers who think they're WSB heroes, just my experience that though.  But like Tiggie says, if they don't nod back, I just think "cock" and ride on with a smile on my face.

 

You're right what you say about experience though, my mate bought a GSA and said exactly the same.  He nods or waves to all bikers but said, since getting the GSA a lot of bikers don't acknowledge him, this guy has years of experience and also used to race.  A lot more experienced than most.  Some attitudes are pretty pathetic really, helping / acknowledging all bikers (Except cyclists ), was the biking way of life I was brought up in.

Edited October 3, 2022 by manxie49

[Gerontious]

Ive never really understood why people care so much about this sort of thing. If I were to nod at every biker I see in the summer my head would drop off. I tend to pay a lot more attention to riders on what appear to be learner bikes and to virtually everyone in the cooler months once the 'summer only' lot have disappeared into SORN heaven. If I overtake an L plate I make a point of giving them a thumbs up. or a leg wobble. that's about it.

[manxie49]

31 minutes ago, Gerontious said:

Ive never really understood why people care so much about this sort of thing. If I were to nod at every biker I see in the summer my head would drop off. I tend to pay a lot more attention to riders on what appear to be learner bikes and to virtually everyone in the cooler months once the 'summer only' lot have disappeared into SORN heaven. If I overtake an L plate I make a point of giving them a thumbs up. or a leg wobble. that's about it.

TT week over here springs to mind,  you'd end up like a Churchill the dog effigy in the back window of a car 

Edited October 3, 2022 by manxie49
spelling

[Bianco2564]

I ride my R1 or silverwing to work, more often the scoot and see the same bikes going the other way most days.

There was a guy on a small KTM that didn't used to nod if i was on the scooter but in the end I must have worn him down and now he does. Maybe he twigged I was the same person as I wear the same helmet on both. There is even a lad on an L plated moped that nods when I'm on either bike.

 

[Mickly]

I’ll usually nod, but if I’m in a foul mood or concentrating on making progress or filtering or close to something that needs my attention then no.

[Pie man]

I usually find its the wannabe Rossi's that are the ignorant twats, anyway, we're into October now, so the next 6 months should be a pleasure out there 

Edited October 3, 2022 by Pie man

[fastbob]

You've answered your own question really . There IS a hierarchy in motorcycling as there is in most things . I personally don't go about waving and nodding at everything on two wheels . I do nod or wave when there is a common experience to be briefly shared , like being  hundred miles from anywhere in the pissing rain or on a particularly wonderful piece of road in the sunshine . One thing I definitely wouldn't do is wave at scooter riders especially in my locality . I don't really want some coked up little Roadsman shoving a kitchen knife into me at the next junction because I " Disrespected him "  Ya get me Fam ? 

Edited October 4, 2022 by fastbob

[Davidtav]

I quite like the nodding and waving. But today I was riding my bike in heavy rain from Scotland to Yorkshire … so I’m in the outside lane in traffic on the M74. And I get a wave from a bike in the outside lane coming towards me on opposite side of the motorway … now I understand the camaraderie etc. and there were few bikes out in the weather. But I thought it was taking it a bit far! … and no I didn’t wave back!

Edited October 4, 2022 by Davidtav

[fastbob]

1 hour ago, Davidtav said:

I quite like the nodding and waving. But today I was riding my bike in heavy rain from Scotland to Yorkshire … so I’m in the outside lane in traffic on the M74. And I get a wave from a bike in the outside lane coming towards me on opposite side of the motorway … now I understand the camaraderie etc. and there were few bikes out in the weather. But I thought it was taking it a bit far! … and no I didn’t wave back!

Now that's exactly where and when I would wave . By the way , have you ever tried the B7076 that runs parallel to the 74 all the way ? 

[Davidtav]

Yeah well by the time I had clocked that he was waving at me he was gone. Probably closing miles per hour of 160 … no I haven’t tried B7076. Think you have recommended it before. To be honest today I just wanted to get home

[Davidtav]

I would love to have a ride out with FastBob up to Scotland. I’m a bit slow generally. I usually get overtaken. Just call me SlowDave

Edited October 4, 2022 by Davidtav

[Blackholesun]

I don’t bother with scooters as where I live there are tons of them

[fastbob]

15 hours ago, Davidtav said:

I would love to have a ride out with FastBob up to Scotland. I’m a bit slow generally. I usually get overtaken. Just call me SlowDave

I actively encourage and facilitate overtaking . I fail to understand why car drivers will come up behind another vehicle and then just sit there . Overtake or hang back but don't drive just behind me for mile after endless mile . It's just rude . And before all the Harley jokes get dusted off , I used to do this on my GSXR if it was raining . Why should I be pressured to ride 10 or 20 miles an hour faster than I want to because some nobhead dictates ? This is why every long route is interspersed with little convoys of 5 to 6 cars all driving nose to tail . They didn't set off together did they ? No , someone set off and after a few miles another car latched on behind them . It would be seen as crass to floor it to lose the second car and the driver of the second car does not have the inclination or the balls to overtake . So they drive along until car one becomes weary of the car following and slows down a little bit . It's not long before another four cars join on in the same manner until the whole thing slows down further because everyone is subconsciously interacting with each other . And that's why the open  roads are full of little processions of tin boxes . 

Edited October 5, 2022 by fastbob

[onesea]

2 hours ago, fastbob said:

I actively encourage and facilitate overtaking . I fail to understand why car drivers will come up behind another vehicle and then just sit there . Overtake or hang back but don't drive just behind me for mile after endless mile . 

Down here in the car it’s just not worth the agro, rare is it worth over taking unless your on the roads between about 2200 and 0400.  

Yes the main roads out of the forest are 60mph, however there are enough lorries doing 50 and cars thinking all roads in the Forest are 40.  You just resign yourself to it, it’s not worth the agro.

1) Some will try and race you,
2) Some will try and block you,

3) If a vehicle comes unexpectedly the other way when they are playing the above games you will be left no space to pull over.  Speed up they will join you slow down so will they.

4) There will only be another car, lorry, cyclist pr whatever just around the corner going slower,

 

On the motorbike I will over take many still play games above however generally you can make gains or at least be ahead of the curve for the next cyclist.

[S-Westerly]

The trouble is when you catch up to one of these convoys and you are in a car they are usually bunched up so you can't pass one at a time as there's no gap. If its more than 2 cars you need a decent stretch of road to take them in one go and you can just about guarantee it'll have a speed camera on thar stretch.

That's one reason why when I'm travelling alone I'll nearly always take the bike as its just so much more fun.