Question for Biker Cops

[placidfemme]

This morning I was riding to work, and as per usual at the very last set of lights on Onewa Road, just before you head onto the motorway, there was a cop parked at the lights waiting to turn onto the motorway heading into the city... now usually it's a cop car, but this morning it was a cop on a bike...

As I went past I thought "what the heck" and gave him a nice big nod, there was no way he could have missed it as he was looking at me (proberly checking me out to decide if he should follow me down the motorway and catch me out doing something bad lol), so anyway... he saw my nod, which I thought was rather friendly... and he didn't nod back... how rude :(

Are biker cops not allowed to nod/wave back to other bikers?

Is waving/nodding to a cop on a bike as worthwhile as waving to a guy on a Harley? (which is pointless).

[Mr Skid]

Did you get his badge number? I think you should complain.

[thehollowmen]

Is waving/nodding to a cop on a bike as worthwhile as waving to a guy on a Harley? (which is pointless).

No, friendly southern harley riders wave or nod.
Cops on bikes are known to salute if you wave or salute them :-)
maybe us southern types are friendly?

[placidfemme]

No, friendly southern harley riders wave or nod.
Cops on bikes are known to salute if you wave or salute them :-)
maybe us southern types are friendly?

man that would be so kewl... getting a saulte from the cops... maybe the cops down there are friendlier because they don't get as much shit as the cops up in Auckland... Same with the Harley Riders here.... I waved to a few of them when I first started riding... just got a bunch of funny looks and that was it... so now I don't wave to riders on cruiser styled bikes... well not Harleys anyway...

:ride: + :spudwave: + :wavey: + :Police: = :(

[Firefight]

Sudeep and I got a salute :motu: from a Grey haired old HP, s/h/way one rangariri last year, I guess were special.

F/F :whistle:

[placidfemme]

Sudeep and I got a salute :motu: from a Grey haired old HP, s/h/way one rangariri last year, I guess were special.

F/F :whistle:

thats not fair! *wants a salute*

*sings* what about me it isn't fair I've waved and nodded now I want my share *stops singing*

[Firefight]

here you go :Police: :motu:

F/F

[DemonWolf]

I've been waving to anything that has 2 wheels.. and out of the 20 or so waves dished out.. I've only received about 2-4.. pretty sad really. (though most of the bikes I've waved to were 250 class, and the riders looked pretty young.. ya'd think they'd wave back eh?) ah well... haha no waves from the cruizer bikers from the Naki area.. dunno if they just dont like the yellowish helmet with the red jacket and red bike....

[Mr Skid]

thats not fair! *wants a salute*I don't think your bike is capable of eliciting the salute FF speaks of..

[placidfemme]

I've been waving to anything that has 2 wheels.. and out of the 20 or so waves dished out.. I've only received about 2-4.. pretty sad really. (though most of the bikes I've waved to were 250 class, and the riders looked pretty young.. ya'd think they'd wave back eh?) ah well... haha no waves from the cruizer bikers from the Naki area.. dunno if they just dont like the yellowish helmet with the red jacket and red bike....

I'll wave/nod back to anyone who waves at me... pedestrians, school girls in a van (hehe), all bikers and I've even nodded back to a guy in a scooter...

I do find though that riders on bigger bikes (bigger than 250's that is) are the best at waving back... Maybe its an old school thing, common biker greeting, whereas the newer riders either don't know, or don't have the experience to remove a hand from the bars or nod in time... Also I've never had a wave/nod returned from anyone on a GN250...

[Mr Skid]

I do find though that riders on bigger bikes (bigger than 250's that is) are the best at waving back... Maybe its an old school thing, common biker greeting, whereas the newer riders either don't know, or don't have the experience to remove a hand from the bars or nod in time... Also I've never had a wave/nod returned from anyone on a GN250...I ride a 600, but don't expect a wave from me.. I don't wave to sportsbiker scum.

[placidfemme]

I don't think your bike is capable of eliciting the wave FF speaks of..

lol thats discrimination... just because my bike is smaller... thats even ruder... Older... more experienced riders should encourage the wave/nod gesture, exspecially to smaller bike riders... Having someone wave at you, makes you feel more like you are a part of a special minority group, therefore giving you a happy buzz and also a slightly higher sense of responsibility because you know that your actions represent the whole biking community to those watching (unless they are bikers themselves...)

And older, more experienced riders, and some of them might not know it, are like idols to some newbie riders, we're stuck on 250's... thats not our fault, so why should we be treated like we're not a part of the community?

[placidfemme]

I ride a 600, but don't expect a wave from me.. I don't wave to sportsbiker scum.

Judging by your comments so far I wouldn't expect much from you. I'd wave to you once... remember your bike and if I saw you again I wouldn't wave again...

[DemonWolf]

When I started out on my 100, I got waved at by every biker.. which is a good feeling, so now I wave to anyone.. even the kids in the back of the Van as I pass 'em.. Gets the kids wanting.... hehe

[FROSTY]

Thats ok skiddy --your time will come my son--ohh yea your time will come .

[Motu]

Maybe its an old school thing, common biker greeting, ...

It's certainly not an old school thing,unless you think ''old'' is 10yrs.There were a lot more bikes on the road in the ''old'' days,and we never waved to each other,one of the reasons I don't wave often now.I think waving is ''new'',trendy like....

[Mr Skid]

lol thats discrimination... just because my bike is smaller... thats even ruder...
You should ask FF what he had to do to get his special wave. I'm sure the cop though it was rude.


Older... more experienced riders should encourage the wave/nod gesture, exspecially to smaller bike riders... Having someone wave at you, makes you feel more like you are a part of a special minority group, therefore giving you a happy buzz and also a slightly higher sense of responsibility because you know that your actions represent the whole biking community to those watching (unless they are bikers themselves...)But you're already part of a special minority group. How many special minority groups do you want to be a part of?


And older, more experienced riders, and some of them might not know it, are like idols to some newbie riders, we're stuck on 250's... thats not our fault, so why should we be treated like we're not a part of the community?Your right, it's not your fault that your stuck on a 250. I think you should complain about it.

[John]

Cops always wave at me when I attempt to wheelie past them - and the fun ride back SH14 with a nice average speed of 170kmph top speed just over 205, SH14 is a fucken fun road - roasted alot of cars got the rear out alot to - faster and better than any "want to be" dirt rider.

[placidfemme]

It's certainly not an old school thing,unless you think ''old'' is 10yrs.There were a lot more bikes on the road in the ''old'' days,and we never waved to each other,one of the reasons I don't wave often now.I think waving is ''new'',trendy like....

Really? I thought it was an old school thing... from back in the days... I didn't realise that it was a new-ish thing...

[Mr Skid]

Thats ok skiddy --your time will come my son--ohh yea your time will come .Don't fret Tony - a XJ900 isn't a sportsbike by any stretch of the imagination!

[Ixion]

It's certainly not an old school thing,unless you think ''old'' is 10yrs.There were a lot more bikes on the road in the ''old'' days,and we never waved to each other,one of the reasons I don't wave often now.I think waving is ''new'',trendy like....

I' ve always waved. For 40 odd years. Almost everybody waves back to Li'l Ratty , not so many to the BMW. But cruisers wave back, and cops in Auckland will nod or wave back .

One thing is that it's harder to pick up a wave or nod from a rider on a faired bike, your hands and head are less visible.

I think discrimination of the "I won't wave back to xxxx type riders" is silly. Biker is biker.

Some bikers will just raise a hand on the bars instead of taking it fully off which is harder to see, but it's all good.

Keep on waving. If the occasional blahwump doesn't respond that's their loss, clearly they're not having fun, so they don't understand what it's all about.

[placidfemme]

Cops always wave at me when I attempt to wheelie past them - and the fun ride back SH14 with a nice average speed of 170kmph top speed just over 205, SH14 is a fucken fun road - roasted alot of cars got the rear out alot to - faster and better than any "want to be" dirt rider.

lol thats cause they think your about to kill yourself and they're trying to flag you down :ride:

[stunz]

Officers of the law on bikes have to be seen to be unbiased. If they give you the nod back, you might think that was actually an "ok" to pull a mono up the centre line...Besides, the motorway is pretty busy, and i'd expect (s)he was concentrating on what smoke billowing diesel to pull over and harass.

I nod, occasionally wave and get the same in return from others, except from scooter riders. For some reason, they just don't acknowledge other road users. Too snobby...

[placidfemme]

Officers of the law on bikes have to be seen to be unbiased. If they give you the nod back, you might think that was actually an "ok" to pull a mono up the centre line...Besides, the motorway is pretty busy, and i'd expect (s)he was concentrating on what smoke billowing diesel to pull over and harass

Yeah I was thinking there might a rule or something for them not to be too friendly with the biker community... :sherlock:

[Lou Girardin]

Same reason why zebras aren't too matey with lions.

[N4CR]

I don't think your bike is capable of eliciting the salute FF speaks of..

I ride the same bike (don't forget zxr's are very big looking for 250's...) and have got one from a bikey cop... I was speeding as well, but mabey they could'nt lock me at a long distance :)

T'was a long time ago.

[John]

I ride the same bike (don't forget zxr's are very big looking for 250's...) and have got one from a bikey cop... I was speeding as well, but mabey they could'nt lock me at a long distance :)

T'was a long time ago.
dont worry your bike still goes faster than his anyway ......

[madboy]

I'm shocking at waving... it's not a deliberate thing honest. Usually I find I come across another bike at the exact moment when I don't want to be taking my hands off the bars, and sometimes I don't even dare take my eyes off the road to nod.

Rush hour is worst. I generally give a quick hand on bar wave to a bike i've passed, but the oncoming ones barely get any recognition cos I'm usually concentrating on the cars I'm splitting rather than oncoming traffic.

But the bike cops are usually okay about it. Can't say too many wave back, but they at least don't try and chat to me half as often as I'd expect them too.

[MSTRS]

It's certainly not an old school thing,unless you think ''old'' is 10yrs.There were a lot more bikes on the road in the ''old'' days,and we never waved to each other,one of the reasons I don't wave often now.I think waving is ''new'',trendy like....
Motu, Motu, where fore wert thou ? Waves were mandatory when I started in the early '70s (except for those dirty british bike riders of course)

[NhuanH]

Your right, it's not your fault that your stuck on a 250. I think you should complain about it.
:rofl: bwahahaha

Nah, start a new poll on the subject....

[Ixion]

Motu, Motu, where fore wert thou ? Waves were mandatory when I started in the early '70s (except for those dirty british bike riders of course)

/me was a dirty Briddish bike rider in the 70's and /me always waved.Except in the city , cos sometimes then there were so many bikes that it just wasn't possible to wave to all of them. Ah, them was the day when you'd filter up to the front of the traffic at the lights and have to wait between the cages, cos the front of the queue was already filled with bikes. And when the light went green , no-one could see for several seconds because of all ther two smoker smoke as they took off. Ichabod, Ichabod

[kiwisfly]

/Ah, them was the day when you'd filter up to the front of the traffic at the lights and have to wait between the cages, cos the front of the queue was already filled with bikes. And when the light went green , no-one could see for several seconds because of all ther two smoker smoke as they took off.
Cracking up! I remember being one of those smokers on my old RD350, rear mirrors were always useless for a few seconds past the lights!

I think there's also abit of a size snobbery going on. For the bulk of this community I sense we're all comfortable in our size-hood but for the bulk of the 2 wheel fraternity "if it aint a big hairy one then I aint gonna acknowledge him".

[Eurygnomes]

I wave. I wave incessently (well, except when I don't). And it's a right proper cheerful hand off the bar and waggle from the wrist wave. I put loads of effort into it. And I've noticed that I seldom get a response. Maybe I'm not looking at the right thigns (I can't see your damned eyebrows for the one-eyebrow-lift wave through your iridium visor).

Scooter riders I wave at to test them....are they awake? Or are they too focussed on the next cup of mochafrapp to wave?! :)

On wednesday the guy in the petrol station asked whether i wanted a bag for my bottle of water since I was "on a scooter". I discovered then and there, that it's really difficult to give someone a filthy look with your helmet squishing your face into one that resembles a small fluffy rodent! :mad:

[Motu]

Motu, Motu, where fore wert thou ? Waves were mandatory when I started in the early '70s (except for those dirty british bike riders of course)

um,ah...yes...that would be me.You waved to those you knew,and everyone knew everyone - but as Ixion says there were so many bikes one the road,from bike gangs to commuters,acknowledging everyone was not possible,we all wore open face helmets and you could talk to the bike next to you at the lights.I think there was more cammadre (sp???) back then than now,today bikes are such a lesure activity no one rides a bike because they have to,it's just a trendy thing to do.

I think that's where it may have started with me - the riders of bright shiney Japanese bikes looked down their noses at us guys riding old and unreliable British bikes....they ignored us,we ignored them.I've continued to ride bikes different from the mainstream and continued to have riders of bright shiney Japanese bikes be a little puzzled when they see me on the road - their problem,not mine.

[N4CR]

In regards to what you said motu - I find that bikers on clapped out or older looking bikes (no offence) wave the best! They seem to be enjoying it and getting the most out of it when compared to everyone on flashy new bikes.

Keep it up guys, nice to see some real oldschool spirit sometimes.

[SPman]

They seem to be enjoying it and getting the most out of it when compared to everyone on flashy new bikes.
Coz people on flashy new bikes are too busy trying to keep the fuckers upright!

OOps!

:psst:

[John]

Coz people on flashy new bikes are too busy trying to keep the fuckers upright!

OOps!

:psst:
Poor bugger :(

[duckman]

um,ah...yes...that would be me.You waved to those you knew,and everyone knew everyone - but as Ixion says there were so many bikes one the road,from bike gangs to commuters,acknowledging everyone was not possible,we all wore open face helmets and you could talk to the bike next to you at the lights.I think there was more cammadre (sp???) back then than now,today bikes are such a lesure activity no one rides a bike because they have to,it's just a trendy thing to do.

I think that's where it may have started with me - the riders of bright shiney Japanese bikes looked down their noses at us guys riding old and unreliable British bikes....they ignored us,we ignored them.I've continued to ride bikes different from the mainstream and continued to have riders of bright shiney Japanese bikes be a little puzzled when they see me on the road - their problem,not mine.

You know it considered very trendy these days to be different - Just like evryone else ... :rofl:

[Motu]

In regards to what you said motu - I find that bikers on clapped out or older looking bikes (no offence) wave the best! They seem to be enjoying it and getting the most out of it when compared to everyone on flashy new bikes.

Keep it up guys, nice to see some real oldschool spirit sometimes.

Too right - on the road the riders who invaribly wave to me,on my dirt bike - are riders on older bikes...not old bikes,but just well used bikes from the 80s,nothing flash.Equaly invaribly it's the riders of flash hyper bikes with all the new gear that ignore me - it's the ''new breed'' that seem to be up themselves.

[John]

Too right - on the road the riders who invaribly wave to me,on my dirt bike - are riders on older bikes...not old bikes,but just well used bikes from the 80s,nothing flash.Equaly invaribly it's the riders of flash hyper bikes with all the new gear that ignore me - it's the ''new breed'' that seem to be up themselves.
For once I agree with ya, you friendly prick :)

Theres this old couple on a tourer and a guy on a harley of the older generation that always reply with a big wave, rather heart warming.

[NC]

Bwahaha I did that once and got no nod back, so I went around the block and came back and gave him a big 'spaz' wave.

He waved back..

Give them 'spaz' waves :D

[placidfemme]

Bwahaha I did that once and got no nod back, so I went around the block and came back and gave him a big 'spaz' wave.

He waved back..

Give them 'spaz' waves :D

lol and whats a spaz wave?

[NC]

lol and whats a spaz wave?
Just wave hard out... :bleh:

[placidfemme]

lol I think they wabed back cause you rode around the block lol

I mostly nod now, only wave when the roads are clear and safe...

[raster]

I'm too scared to take my hands off the bars at this stage, so I have resorted to nod my head and have a few responses.
Tried just waving from the bar, don't think it can be seen.

[placidfemme]

I'm too scared to take my hands off the bars at this stage, so I have resorted to nod my head and have a few responses.
Tried just waving from the bar, don't think it can be seen.

Nodding is fine, I prefer to nod as I feel safer doing that. Also by just giving a nod I reckon your more likely to get a response as a wave takes the time to check your surroundings... then take your hand off the bar and wave... where as a nod is instant (kind of)

[Jeremy]

Nodding is fine, I prefer to nod as I feel safer doing that. Also by just giving a nod I reckon your more likely to get a response as a wave takes the time to check your surroundings... then take your hand off the bar and wave... where as a nod is instant (kind of)

People notice really notice a wave though. I've had a guy wave at me on the crawl to Uni. I was in the left most lane and so was he on left on the opposite side. Which was probably the furthest away I've had someone wave. I don't think I would have noticed a nod from that far away.

Also I'd say that a decent nod is probably more dangerous than a wave during heavy traffic. As for a split second it's difficult to see the car that is front of you in the next lane to the left. (Or further left)

Cops tend to wave to me. Not sure why. Might be the reflective stickers on the helmet or something. I'll be heading to Uni and once every couple of days or so they'll wave at me when they're coming the other way.

[soundbeltfarm]

um,ah...yes...that would be me.You waved to those you knew,and everyone knew everyone - but as Ixion says there were so many bikes one the road,from bike gangs to commuters,acknowledging everyone was not possible,we all wore open face helmets and you could talk to the bike next to you at the lights.I think there was more cammadre (sp???) back then than now,today bikes are such a lesure activity no one rides a bike because they have to,it's just a trendy thing to do.

I think that's where it may have started with me - the riders of bright shiney Japanese bikes looked down their noses at us guys riding old and unreliable British bikes....they ignored us,we ignored them.I've continued to ride bikes different from the mainstream and continued to have riders of bright shiney Japanese bikes be a little puzzled when they see me on the road - their problem,not mine.


do you wear a full face stack hat now ?
if yes , how long did it take for you to move away from the open face?

[Motu]

do you wear a full face stack hat now ?
if yes , how long did it take for you to move away from the open face?

Got one of them new fangled full face jobs in 1973,just to see what they were like,brought my second one,a Nolan back from OZ in 1980.I alternated between full and open face for years.Now I have an MX helmet for those days I feel like more freedom.I'd like a Davida,but can't justify the expence for a 3rd helmet.

[placidfemme]

Got one of them new fangled full face jobs in 1973,just to see what they were like,brought my second one,a Nolan back from OZ in 1980.I alternated between full and open face for years.Now I have an MX helmet for those days I feel like more freedom.I'd like a Davida,but can't justify the expence for a 3rd helmet.

lol you can't justify it? 2 helmets in 32 years... you don't need to justify it :)

[Motu]

lol you can't justify it? 2 helmets in 32 years... you don't need to justify it :)

Got my first helmet in 1971,a white pudding basin,as embarassing then as now.Helmets last me about 7 years,and get the final toss as the stand by shed helmet at around 10yrs old,I have 2 now and a 3rd as a ''shed'' helmet,to get an expensive 3rd good helmet would be an unjustifiable expense for me...I'd ''like'' 10 helmets,but 2 is enough really.

[placidfemme]

Got my first helmet in 1971,a white pudding basin,as embarassing then as now.Helmets last me about 7 years,and get the final toss as the stand by shed helmet at around 10yrs old,I have 2 now and a 3rd as a ''shed'' helmet,to get an expensive 3rd good helmet would be an unjustifiable expense for me...I'd ''like'' 10 helmets,but 2 is enough really.

lol fair enough... I've only ever had 2 helmets... and can't wait to get my new one... I havn't decided yet which one I want... either a Shoei, Arai or Shark...

[Ixion]

Got my first helmet in 1971,a white pudding basin,as embarassing then as now.Helmets last me about 7 years,and get the final toss as the stand by shed helmet at around 10yrs old...

I had one of them too. A genuine 'Corker Skid Lid' . Me mum made me wear it. I usually have 4 helmets. Newest, open road. Then relegated to ride to work. Thence to off road (never wore a lid off road in the old days, but you need one now. ). Then emergency standby . Never take pillions so don't need one for that. They last me more than 7 years though.

[placidfemme]

I had one of them too. A genuine 'Corker Skid Lid' . Me mum made me wear it. I usually have 4 helmets. Newest, open road. Then relegated to ride to work. Thence to off road (never wore a lid off road in the old days, but you need one now. ). Then emergency standby . Never take pillions so don't need one for that. They last me more than 7 years though.

Just a random question...

You said you didn't really need helmets for off-road in the old days... did you guys have a lot less accidents back then (as in less hoons... therefore less accidents)

[Ixion]

Just a random question...

You said you didn't really need helmets for off-road in the old days... did you guys have a lot less accidents back then (as in less hoons... therefore less accidents)

Our "off road" was not like motocross, more like trials . Quite slow (usually) and a matter of "can you get down there and up the other side ?", not "how fast can you go". We came off heaps, but not at any speed. Injury was rare, apart from scratches and branch penetrations. And shell fish cuts, nasty things those barnacles.

I think they only started wearing helmets in trials very recently, Sammy Miller never wore anything but his flat cap I think.

But generally, I don't think there was such a strong emphasis on speed for its own sake 40 years ago. We liked to go fast, but it wasn't the whole deal, it was riding not racing. Couldn't honestly say we wasn't hoons though.

None of the guys I rode with were killed or seriously injured on bikes, and I can only remember two minor crashes (20mph stuff). Mind you , crashing was considered pretty dorkish so people might not have admitted to it.

[eliot-ness]

.
Mind you , crashing was considered pretty dorkish so people might not have admitted to it.


I'll agree with that. Anyone who fell off through his own mistakes kept very quiet if they didn't want to be called a pillock. No pat on the back or 'hard luck mate'. Accidents were regarded as a serious business, not something to be laughed about over a pint. Body armour didn't exist in those days. Riding gear consisted of basic waterproof jacket and pants plus gloves and helmet.
The pudding basin, thanks to the ACU, was the only approved helmet for racing in the UK up to the late 60s, despite full face being used elswhere.. Not surprising when the sports governing body went by the title of 'Auto Cycle Union'.

[placidfemme]

Our "off road" was not like motocross, more like trials . Quite slow (usually) and a matter of "can you get down there and up the other side ?", not "how fast can you go". We came off heaps, but not at any speed. Injury was rare, apart from scratches and branch penetrations. And shell fish cuts, nasty things those barnacles.

I think they only started wearing helmets in trials very recently, Sammy Miller never wore anything but his flat cap I think.

But generally, I don't think there was such a strong emphasis on speed for its own sake 40 years ago. We liked to go fast, but it wasn't the whole deal, it was riding not racing. Couldn't honestly say we wasn't hoons though.

None of the guys I rode with were killed or seriously injured on bikes, and I can only remember two minor crashes (20mph stuff). Mind you , crashing was considered pretty dorkish so people might not have admitted to it.

Kewl, thanks for answering :)

I've never ridden (is that a word? lol) off road... I've rode my ZXR on a dirt road lol, but not real dirt biking :)

I'm not sure what the accident rate was for motorcyclists in Zimbabwe, I never knew many bikers, and those that I did know had been riding for 15+ years and so they hardly ever came off...

Only accident invloving bikes I ever saw was a little messenger bike (more likely a 125 or 150cc little cruiser type bikes... like the ones you get in India or Asia...) and the messenger went across an intersection and got smacked by a car... the rider was fine... but the bike looked like a harley with high handle bars as they had been pushed right up...