Standard on-bike signals

[Leseid]

Riders,

This post is research for my BEngTec (mechanical) Engineering Communication paper. I am doing a group oral presentation with the topic of Motorcycle Culture. One of my sub topics is how motorcyclists communicate with the use of on-bike signals.

This so far is one of the most consistent group ride set of signals.

http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/group_ride_page_2-2.jpg

There seems to be some conflicting signals between regional riding groups. For example a flat open palm on the helmet signals a rest brake, where as others would signal it to mean high beam. What are the standards in New Zealand? do we have any?

Oncoming signals

Most of my findings so far are following signals, but if you have some info on oncoming signals that would be much appreciated.

Offensive signals

Signals are signals, as long as your receiver will understand what you mean. Add your ideas too on this if you have any.

Euan.

[Usarka]

Sit slumped next to bike holding dip stick = out of oil. To avoid confusion it's only used on Harley's and early model triumphs.

[Leseid]

Lol, but to be fair that would be a off-bike signal.

[Bren]

two that spring to mind are this,

First is the opening and closing of your hand, signalling that blinker is left on...usually used by rider in front of or behind rider with blinker left on...

second is twirling of hand above helmet in a circular motion...signal is copper is up ahead...

[Leseid]

Thanks Bren, I've seen and used those two often my self a few times. It took me a while to work out what the pointer finger going around and around meant. And first time I saw the 'you've left your indicators on' sign, was from my ex girl friend (who got me into motorcycles). I thought at first it meant I she wanted to pull over and have a talk.

I once had a guy pointing to his tank when on coming, I couldn't figure what that might have meant. Does anyone know what this means?

Are there any hand signals for oil or approaching hazards? Say you ridden through a section of road and you noticed some spilt diesel on the other lane, you then see a on coming motorcycle what hand signal could you give them?

[quickbuck]

One I got when we were on the way back from a Rally, was from a bike overtaking us.

He gestured like he was swigging from a bottle, and then did the pointing back down the road thing......

That apparently means you dropped your drink bottle back down the road!

[sinfull]

I once had a guy pointing to his tank when on coming, I couldn't figure what that might have meant. Does anyone know what this means?
Hey wow ! Same model bike !
Are there any hand signals for oil or approaching hazards? Say you ridden through a section of road and you noticed some spilt diesel on the other lane, you then see a on coming motorcycle what hand signal could you give them?
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[Hopeful Bastard]

One i use frequently... Middle finger raised on hand and then point to opposite side of road.. For me, Means fuck you! Get back on your own side of road.. Mainly used to car drivers when im heading out to my old mans

[Bad Gixxer]

One i use frequently... Middle finger raised on hand and then point to opposite side of road.. For me, Means fuck you! Get back on your own side of road.. Mainly used to car drivers when im heading out to my old mans

I used to use the middle finger at on-coming tin tops for their various infringements such as pulling out in front of me, or passing vehicles and forcing me to go left or wind up as their bonnet ornament. But they generally gave me the same sign back and it left me feeling that I hadn't really got one up on them......so whenever possible I now take the necessary evasive action (brake, change lines or whatever), sit upright on my GSXR, let go the bars and give them a mock applause. It generally makes them look a little sheepish and they lose the reaction time to think about giving me the finger back!

[Bad Gixxer]

Are there any hand signals for oil or approaching hazards? Say you ridden through a section of road and you noticed some spilt diesel on the other lane, you then see a on coming motorcycle what hand signal could you give them?

If there's a hazard I've encountered and I want to warn any oncoming motorcyclist, I generally hold my left hand flat above my tank and raise and lower it between my shoulders and tank - I think this is generally a sign for "there's some sort of shit ahead, slow down.)

If I encounter something on the road (shingle, cow shit, pothole etc.) and want to warn my buddies behind me then I'll usually hold my left hand out to the side, palm flat, and wave side to side. If There's insufficient time to make this signal, they get the general idea because I'll be going cross country.

[Leseid]

If there's a hazard I've encountered and I want to warn any oncoming motorcyclist, I generally hold my left hand flat above my tank and raise and lower it between my shoulders and tank - I think this is generally a sign for "there's some sort of shit ahead, slow down.)

If I encounter something on the road (shingle, cow shit, pothole etc.) and want to warn my buddies behind me then I'll usually hold my left hand out to the side, palm flat, and wave side to side. If There's insufficient time to make this signal, they get the general idea because I'll be going cross country.

Hey thanks for that Bad Gixxer, I think I know now what that person pointing to there tank might have meant. Maybe they where being quite specific on the hazard ahead and pointing to the fuel tank that might imply a fuel spillage.

Although one problem with the palm down up and down over the tank is, if you have a large wind shield the on-coming rider might not be able to see your hand down by the tank. But maybe a variation on this could be to palm down and up over your right arm so it's more noticeable and universal.

So just to recap on the thread so far (save new people to the discussion the effort of re-reading all past postings):

Oncoming signals discussed so far: Wave, Police activity ahead, you left your blinkers on and hazard.

Often I've ridden past riders pulled over and wondered what I could sign to them to ask them if they are ok?
Just and idea so far: Point to them with your left hand and then do the ok sign (pointer finger to thumb, other fingers skyward) then palm skyward. Which will read you ok ?.

Apart from the above ones I can't really think of to many more on-coming signs that might be of use?

[Smifffy]

When I see a hot chick, I will lick my eyebrows, but they don't usually see it behind my helmet.

[Ixion]

.. Often I've ridden past riders pulled over and wondered what I could sign to them to ask them if they are ok?
Just and idea so far: Point to them with your left hand and then do the ok sign (pointer finger to thumb, other fingers skyward) then palm skyward. Which will read you ok ?.

Apart from the above ones I can't really think of to many more on-coming signs that might be of use?

Standard is , thumbs up, thumbs down, thumbs up thumbs dow. Replied to by either a thumbs up ("I'm OK, thanks"); or thumbs down (" I'm fucked")

[Leseid]

Thanks Ixion,

That does make good sense actually, it's not until you do it that you can see how it's a simple yet effective sign.
To be honest I've only learn't motorcyclist sign language by riding lots and seeing others communicate to me, it might be good for the guys who run the basic handling test to just run through some of the basic signs you might get. Especially the 'you've left your blinkers on' sign.

I do the 'you've left your blinkers on' to lots of moped riders, but I get the impression they would just read the sign as 'your a hand puppet, get a real bike'. And because they don't associate often with motorcyclist they probably don't get a chance to ask what does this sign actually mean.

I guess my question here is are moped riders part of motorcycle culture?

I'm going to start waving to moped riders from now on, because lets face it one moped rider = one less cadge hogging the road.

[Eyegasm]

I guess my question here is are moped riders part of motorcycle culture?

Nah, they are just faster pedestrians.

Having a universal hand signal system would be cool, but most of the time it comes down to common sense in interpreting some signals. Although I am boggled about pointing at the tank, I would take that as "I need to fill up" yet that wouldn't concern me.

[Smifffy]

Nah, they are just faster pedestrians.

Having a universal hand signal system would be cool, but most of the time it comes down to common sense in interpreting some signals. Although I am boggled about pointing at the tank, I would take that as "I need to fill up" yet that wouldn't concern me.

It might concern you if you were riding with mates, and one of them needed fuel. Otherwise you might start to wonder where they got to.

[Ixion]

In practice, pointing at tank means 'we need to stop at the next gas station'. Usually, for fuel, but culd be 'I need a piss', or 'I need a pie'

Not so common now as it used to be, but worth knowing, arm stretched out full length ahead, palm open and upward, pushing away (like pushing someone away from you), means 'STOP. NOW. There are BAD things ahead'. Stop. Now. or, at least slow RIGHT down. There are bad things ahead of you.

[Leseid]

In practice, pointing at tank means 'we need to stop at the next gas station'. Usually, for fuel, but culd be 'I need a piss', or 'I need a pie'

Not so common now as it used to be, but worth knowing, arm stretched out full length ahead, palm open and upward, pushing away (like pushing someone away from you), means 'STOP. NOW. There are BAD things ahead'. Stop. Now. or, at least slow RIGHT down. There are bad things ahead of you.

That's not a bad idea actually. It would be useful if you come to a dead end (a road closure) and you turn back the way you came from to let other riders know that they might as well turn around.

Thanks again Ixion.

[Leseid]

Nah, they are just faster pedestrians.
Although I am boggled about pointing at the tank, I would take that as "I need to fill up" yet that wouldn't concern me.

It's funny you should say that, because that's exactly what I was thinking just after. Then I thought he or she might be getting me to fill up because they could read other bikes fuel levels with there mind, and was just be thoughtful to remind me. Now that's a very random super power to have, 'I can read fuel level instruments on coming motorcycles' 'What about cars?' 'Nope just motorbikes'.