You just can't predict people

[Bob]

Laura, my wife, rides an XV250 Virago. So we are talking a cruiser here.

So on the way to work, she pulls up at the lights... and a Harley pulls up alongside. So she nodded (someone else on a bike, it is what you do). Harley rider blanks her - to the point of looking the other way.

So she filed him under "Wanker" and carried on.

Next set of lights, a van pulls up in the next lane. And looks at her bike. Then she realised he was still looking, so she looked over. "Thats a really nice bike" he said "What cc is it?"

So she told him it was a 250. "Yeah, really nice little bike that" said the van driver.

Great isn't it? Another biker blanks her, but a man in a van tells her what a nice little bike it is.

As I say, you just can't predict people.

[Magua]

I haven't had much people comment on my bike. There was this one time though, I pulled up at the lights and a NSR250 pulled along side, the guy lifts his visor and greets me with "Sup Gangsta" and asks about the cc before promoting his own "Silent but violent" bike. :lol:

[wari]

NOt really surprised by the HD fella ...

SOMe people just need to get over themselves ...

SOMEthing I've noticed is young boys checkin outhe bike as I ride past ...

YOung girls dont even notice ...

MUst be genetick ... :yeah:

[toads]

Laura, my wife, rides an XV250 Virago. So we are talking a cruiser here.

So on the way to work, she pulls up at the lights... and a Harley pulls up alongside. So she nodded (someone else on a bike, it is what you do). Harley rider blanks her - to the point of looking the other way.

So she filed him under "Wanker" and carried on.

Next set of lights, a van pulls up in the next lane. And looks at her bike. Then she realised he was still looking, so she looked over. "Thats a really nice bike" he said "What cc is it?"

So she told him it was a 250. "Yeah, really nice little bike that" said the van driver.

Great isn't it? Another biker blanks her, but a man in a van tells her what a nice little bike it is.

As I say, you just can't predict people.

yeah I've been told that the freedom riders wouldn't want me around cos I don't have a harley, what a bunch of tossers!

[dhunt]

I haven't had much people comment on my bike. There was this one time though, I pulled up at the lights and a NSR250 pulled along side, the guy lifts his visor and greets me with "Sup Gangsta" and asks about the cc before promoting his own "Silent but violent" bike. :lol:
I've had one guy in a cage ask what size engine I had then went on to ask if I would do a wheelie. Not sure where he wanted me to do a wheelie as there was traffic in front of me so I couldn't exactly do a wheelie even if I wanted to.

I'll also have to agree there are some bikers (all cruisers) that wont even agknowledge that you are a biker too and just plain ignore you.

David

[scumdog]

Quote "on the way to work, she pulls up at the lights... and a Harley pulls up alongside. So she nodded (someone else on a bike, it is what you do). Harley rider blanks her - to the point of looking the other way."

Harley owner was probably waiting for the jibes/ridicule/scorn that H-D riders normally get to start, and when it wasn't forthcoming he was at a loss for words!! :Pokey:

[Jackrat]

Yep ya' can't figure people huh.
If she ever pulls up beside a green tow truck and an incredibely good looking type says "gidday" it's not me.On the other hand if an ugly bugger leans out an says "Nice bike" then it probably is me.
Cheers.

[KATWYN]

Recently I asked a couple of Harley Riders what is it about
the Harley - sport bike animosity thing? I found it interesting

They said that sport bike riders have totally missed the point
of motorcycling. HD riders get annoyed at the sport bike riders
speed attitude. Zooming everywhere,taking off at speed etc
ringing the bikes out- instead of cruising and enjoying the scenery
etc

They reakon they laugh when they see sport bikers take off
after being at the pub or cafe etc they can't even cruise off
then..they have to speed.

So when I said whats it like trying to get one of those things
around a sharp corner they said...its really easy...just slow down.

So they proceeded in trying to talk me into riding a Harley...they
reakoned even from a safety perspective they are better. (ie) they
NEVER get tail gated and people HEAR them coming, so drivers move
out of the way.

[Cajun]

Recently I asked a couple of Harley Riders what is it about
the Harley - sport bike animosity thing? I found it interesting

They said that sport bike riders have totally missed the point
of motorcycling. HD riders get annoyed at the sport bike riders
speed attitude. Zooming everywhere,taking off at speed etc
ringing the bikes out- instead of cruising and enjoying the scenery
etc

They reakon they laugh when they see sport bikers take off
after being at the pub or cafe etc they can't even cruise off
then..they have to speed.

So when I said whats it like trying to get one of those things
around a sharp corner they said...its really easy...just slow down.

So they proceeded in trying to talk me into riding a Harley...they
reakoned even from a safety perspective they are better. (ie) they
NEVER get tail gated and people Hear THEM coming so move out of
the way.


I never get tailed gated in my 600, people here me coming (after market exhust), i even get the big look at that stares which alot of the harley rides are after(from people in cars and side of road) and thats due to riding like a dumb fuck or anything,
I am on a so called hard core sports bike, doesn't mean i race everywhere. its like anything alot of harley rides also own american cars that they race around in, while in a car i just cruise

[Ms Piggy]

Well I dunno about you guys & gals but I reckon there are 2 breeds of riders...nah maybe 3.

Breed # 1 - wave at everyone on 2 wheels & acknowledge that if you are on 2 wheels you're part of a great 'family'.

Breed # 2 - just use their 2 wheels for transport and don't consider it a really great way to get from a to b, just cheap & handy. They generally won't wave.

Breed # 3 - those that do ride but are snobs & don't wave at anyone unless they look 'right'. I've struck Harley riders & sports bike riders in this group.

:bye:

[scumdog]

I guess I'm too dumb to know that nobody expects to get a wave from a H-D rider so I wave to anyone on a scoot that I see on the road :spudwave:

[FROSTY]

There are bikers out there everywhere -you just don't know it.
That guy in the family SW chacing ya -might have a duke at home in the gargre. That guy in suit and tie might be a harley rider at the weekend.

[jimbo600]

Recently I asked a couple of Harley Riders what is it about
the Harley - sport bike animosity thing? I found it interesting

They said that sport bike riders have totally missed the point
of motorcycling. HD riders get annoyed at the sport bike riders
speed attitude. Zooming everywhere,taking off at speed etc
ringing the bikes out- instead of cruising and enjoying the scenery
etc

They reakon they laugh when they see sport bikers take off
after being at the pub or cafe etc they can't even cruise off
then..they have to speed.

So when I said whats it like trying to get one of those things
around a sharp corner they said...its really easy...just slow down.

So they proceeded in trying to talk me into riding a Harley...they
reakoned even from a safety perspective they are better. (ie) they
NEVER get tail gated and people HEAR them coming, so drivers move
out of the way.

I photographed a Wellington HOG chapter run one day. Now obviously I couldn't rock up on the gixxer so a loan HD something or other was lent to me for the day. Man what a laugh. I really enjoyed myself. Took a while to get out of sportbike mode and into lazy cruise mode, but when I did I could really see the point of it all. Plus those HOG groups are very well supported. Hundreds turn up for runs etc. HD are OK in my opinion, however some HD riders get a bit caught up in the 'badass' image, usually lawyers doctors on their weekend fantasy run. End of the day they ride what they ride, we ride what we ride, but if any of us saw a rider down we wouldn't hesitate in helping.

[KATWYN]

I never get tailed gated in my 600, people here me coming (after market exhust),

Wow you must be a first out of us all to never get tailgated at some point
or another.

I have an after market exhaust as well on my 600- makes no difference
I also find in a 50km area and i'm doing 50km I get tailgaters. :ar15:

[Storm]

Some people just dont want to share the love.I even wave to scooters !! :scooter: The XV is a nice looking bike I reckon- I was going to get one for a while. I agree wholeheartedly with Jimbo's comment on stopping to help a rider in need

[KATWYN]

, but when I did I could really see the point of it all. Plus those HOG groups are very well supported. .

I would probably give a Harley a go just to check out the difference.

I reakon your limbs are more vulnerable sticking out the way they do as opposed to crouched jockey style riding and the different COG.

[Uncle B]

I wave to anybody on two wheels....except push bikes......if you choose not to wave back i'm not going to let that dampen my spirits for motorcycling.
Weither your into cruising, sport or commuting were all out there doing it experiencing the freedom and risks that come with riding.
There will probally always be a rivalry between HD riders and sport riders, but when it comes down to it we all put our preferences aside and help fellow riders in need....i can say that i have.
Ride on and enjoy.

[Bob]

I nod to everyone, but it is apparant that scooter riders never nod back (exception being when I was out for a ride once and found myself in the middle of a scooter rally! Everyone was really friendly and grateful that I made space for them to all keep together). H-D riders? Well I did once get a really cheery wave from an 'Angel' on his heavily modified H-D chop. BMW riders? Bit hit and miss, but you do get some response.

Riding an SV, I suppose I fall into a slot between two camps - it looks sporty enough for sportbike riders to acknowledge, is middle of the road enough for anyone riding commuter bikes or general 'get you from A to B' bikes.

As for the 'cruiser thing', having been in charge of keeping the XV250 running until Laura passed her test, I have to say that I love it to bits. I'd quite happly have the SV650S for day to day work, or whenever I want to get out for a 'spirited' ride, and have the XV250 for general toodling about or when I'm happy to just take my time and see where the road takes me.

(That said, I've blown away some dork in a car going uphill at 75mph on it, so once you've got it under way - and you get your timing right - it can 'kick bottom' in it's own understated little way!)

I liked the baby Virago enough to try out a 650 Dragstar - which to a degree I liked, but I couldn't get on with it as a sole means of transport. If I lived somewhere with lots of fairly empty roads and wouldn't get caught up in town traffic? It'd be another story perhaps.

[Two Smoker]

There is some awesome comments on this thread :niceone: if i pull up to a bike or scooter at the lights, i always lift my visor say hello, tell them they have a nice bike, and i never brag about my own bike..... I wave at everyone, unless i am blatting hard as i need both hands and one knee....

As for tailgating, some of you might know how i got hit by a tailgater, whilst doing the speed limit.... lesson learnt, speed everywhere :whistle: *joking* lol

[moko]

You`ll find in Britain that in winter the diehard/thick/deicated/mentally unbalanced bikers are still "out there",and to be fair last year there were several sportsbikes out and about in sub-zero temperatures.These guys will return your wave almost without fail,it`s the fairweather types that have spent all winter fantasising about being a real biker that stick their noses up in Summer.These guys dont "get" the biker spirit,we all stick together,they`re from another world where you judge people by how expensive their vehicle is,how recent it is,how good they look in their riding gear.That`s why you get the riders of bikes with a percieved image being the worst offenders,too busy basking in the admiration they really thing their getting to acknowledge anybody else.
Worst ever case I`ve ever come across was an R6 rider a couple of years ago.Saw him stopped by the side of the road peering into his tank,me out on my XT600,turned around when it was safe to do so and headed back.Because it was a dual carriageway this involved a lot of pissing about on my part and a distance of 5 miles covered to get to the guy.By the time I did he was pushing his bike.He`d run out of petrol and luckily for him the garage was only about 400 metres up the road.I offered him a lift,offered him help pushing,offered to go and get him some juice,all of which he turned down with thanks.Now this guy had a nifty set of leathers and a matching lid which is why I know he was the same guy who I met again later in the day.Not only did he ignore me but the more dickheaded of sports riders will actually turn their heads away so you really get the point............just as this dork did,amazing.

[marty]

NOt really surprised by the HD fella ...

SOMe people just need to get over themselves ...

SOMEthing I've noticed is young boys checkin outhe bike as I ride past ...

YOung girls dont even notice ...

MUst be genetick ... :yeah:
at least you HOPE the guys are checking out your bike.....

[Magua]

:D My bike turned heads, as the gn aproaches it makes a wicked sound, a low grumble. People turn around as I climb the hill at 7,000rpm and the little bike starts to screem. Haha I can imagine them anticipating a cruiser and all they get is a 12BHP beast.

[Mr Skid]

I try to wave/spread goodwill to everybody whenever I can.
Bikes, scooters, cyclists, I'll say hello to any and all of the above when waiting at the lights. Even had the occational "how about that weather eh?" chats with cagers at a red light.

Today I went for a ride to Whangamata on the way back to dorkland I stopped at Kopu Mobil. As I was filling up a chap standing to one side of the forcourt asks "Some good roads around here?" Get chatting and he's from the Wellington chapter of Ulysses up there on a job, have a yarn about life the universe and everything for a bit.

Next a bloke pulls up on a VTR1000. Say gidday and have a yarn, he's heading up to Whangaparoa.
I asked if he'd mind the company of my angry lawnmower, and he was keen, so we rode through to Auckland together.

This is one of the things I'm still comming to terms with riding, you'd never see this between cagers, but you'll always have common ground with another rider.

As CSL said, we're part of a family (of sorts) :grouphug: :banana:

[toads]

I try to wave/spread goodwill to everybody whenever I can.
Bikes, scooters, cyclists, I'll say hello to any and all of the above when waiting at the lights. Even had the occational "how about that weather eh?" chats with cagers at a red light.

Today I went for a ride to Whangamata on the way back to dorkland I stopped at Kopu Mobil. As I was filling up a chap standing to one side of the forcourt asks "Some good roads around here?" Get chatting and he's from the Wellington chapter of Ulysses up there on a job, have a yarn about life the universe and everything for a bit.

Next a bloke pulls up on a VTR1000. Say gidday and have a yarn, he's heading up to Whangaparoa.
I asked if he'd mind the company of my angry lawnmower, and he was keen, so we rode through to Auckland together.

This is one of the things I'm still comming to terms with riding, you'd never see this between cagers, but you'll always have common ground with another rider.

As CSL said, we're part of a family (of sorts) :grouphug: :banana:

yeah I can relate to this experience, Me and Pete went into town one time on our old beasties and decided to go to mc cafe for lunch when we got there there were hardly any places to park so squeezed our bikes into a park with someones large expensive bmw, got into the cafe and a delighted old guy( the owner of it) said "I'll go get us a table," we had a great chat about his adventures and we both learned a bit about bikes we hadn't known before, awesome instant camaraderie
It's disappointing when it doesn't happen with some bikers because of their ego with regard to the type of bike they ride. Takes allsorts to make a world eh!

[Mongoose]

I'm a social lush, I just keep waving and waving and do not give a toss for those that do not wave back. More wave back than not.
As far as tha HD non-waving debate goes, this is my thoughts on that. EVERYONE knows a Hoggly, but how many can tell at a glimpse the make of a sports bike for example?
Makes it a lot harder to say Suzuki, or Honda for that matter, are snobby sods.

[EZAS]

funny this topic, I was riding througha set of lights and noticed a fully chromed out cruiser (possibly a harley), on the perpendicular set of lights, i turned and nodded, but the guy pulls his visor up and starts waving his hand infront of his nose as if to say ---> your smelly.

what a sad guy, im only a newb on a 250 and i dont need that sh*t.

[Mr Skid]

i turned and nodded, but the guy pulls his visor up and starts waving his hand infront of his nose as if to say ---> your smelly.


Was he downwind of you?
When was the last time you'd washed your riding gear?
:Pokey:

[Posh Tourer :P]

I also find in a 50km area and i'm doing 50km I get tailgaters. :ar15:

You wuss!!! You ought to be doing at least 70!! You cant be a real driver... must be a learner..... :D

[Two Smoker]

You wuss!!! You ought to be doing at least 70!! You cant be a real driver... must be a learner..... :D
theres a speed limit :eek5: you must be a tourer :P LOL

[Mongoose]

theres a speed limit :eek5: you must be a tourer :P LOL


Two choices, One "Smart arse" two, Not long for a licence :buggerd: :finger:

[Two Smoker]

Two choices, One "Smart arse" two, Not long for a licence :buggerd: :finger:
LOL, its choice number one, PT is my neighbour and we always give each others bikes shit lol.....

[KATWYN]

You wuss!!! You ought to be doing at least 70!! You cant be a real driver... must be a learner..... :D

Or I like to save 120.00 per week and not give it to the LTSA! :ride:

[Fluffy Cat]

Hmmm,well I don,t wave I nod and I nod to everyone.But try this,I like bikes all bikes I'am 36 yrs still no car licence.My bikes are kind of different XT 600 tenere 1986,YZF 750 sp 1994,NSR 250 1991,Aprilia RS 250 1999,XRV 750 Africa Twin,and a GSXR 750 1991.I love them all they all have different styles so I can cruise go on trails go fast go faster still.So you can have both so I guess people can ride what they want they still get a nod from me no matter what their pre-conceptions.(still I don't like harleys, a seriously overated piece of junk if you ask me)

[bgd]

Everybody mentions waving. Does that mean an actual wave. Over here we tend to nod. In Europe, as they ride on the right, they wave. And if they overtake they put a leg out in acknowledgement. Here we use that gesture to say thanks. Could someone enlighten me on the NZ protocol.

[Paul in NZ]

Nod, wave, flap your arms or wiggle your ears... It does not matter what you do but I believe you should do it. You should not expect a wave back, the other person might be changing gear, switching to reserve, thinking up an excuse to explain to the wife why it took 3 days to pop down the shop to get some milk, not have seen you or a thousand other reasons... With the fairing on some bikes it's actually pretty hard to see a left hand wave....

The wave is your expression of solidarity and companionship, it's value is not based on a response from the other rider and it's significance is not diminished because you waved to a dork. Rather, it diminishes those that choose not to wave because you are on the wrong bike...

Pathetic people are everywhere but there are still far more good people than bad and most bikers are good people....

Paul N

Waves like a loon....

[scumdog]

I deliberately did not wave at any blue Hondas with black number plates beginning with the number 7 to see if any riders of such bikes posted a complaint on this site but no, nothing!

Maybe they are not as sensetive or more secure or maybe they don't expect the rider of a seriously overpriced piece of junk to wave.......eh Fluffy Cat? :Pokey:

[Motu]

Always a waving thread to post in! Coming back from Raglan yesterday going from Te Uku to SH22 I came across a bunch,maybe 10,sports bikes coming the other way - only the lead bike waved to me,just what I expected - sports bikes don't wave at dirt bikes.It makes me laugh to hear sports bike riders rubbishing HD riders for not waving,also BMW riders,they are all too stuck up - and yet they are themselves guilty of the ''I ride a real bike'' mentality.Also came across some parked BMWs,one guy gave be a smile and wave,but the owner of the GS1150 didn't even look up,no way was he going to recognise a single!I just wish people would enjoy bikes and not class others on what they ride...or how much they paid for it.

Oh - I think the only ones who tend to wave regardless are the 'nackid' bikes,they usualy bought the thing because they liked it,notbecause of what others percieve about their riding ability.

[vifferman]

End of the day they ride what they ride, we ride what we ride, but if any of us saw a rider down we wouldn't hesitate in helping.Well said, Jimbo.

[wari]

I DOnt wave 'caus' I fall off when I only use one hand ...

ANd I dont nod coz I get dizzy and fall off ... :yeah: <== oops NO-dding ...

I HAve a med-i-call certificate to proof it ... :finger:

[Dodgyiti]

[QUOTE=wari]I DOnt wave 'caus' I fall off when I only use one hand ...

Yep, I need both hands on deck at all but the puttering trying to do 50 stage. But I used to wave at every other m/bike on me Beemer, more down to the nice wide bars, than a change in attitude. BMW owners are a little stuck up in some cases, I have encountered a fair bit of that in long term ownership of a couple of ratty non-standard, unwashed but much loved old boxers :cool2:

[moko]

Funny thing here,a "normal"nod was always the norm,maybe someone pointed out in one of the bike mags that if you`re on-coming towards a bike you cant always see one but whatever the reason recently seems to have changed to a kind of sideways nod.Makes a lot more sense because it`s easy to think the approaching guy is ignoring you when you just cant see what he`s doing,catching on really fast.Sometimes you just cant because it`s not safe to do so but I acknowledge everyone,though sometimes wonder why I bother if i get ignored too many times.Funny how these days the sports bikes acknowledge me,Fazer`s got a rep all of it`s own and they acknowledge that I guess.When I was riding the lard-arse 1100 BM in N.Z. it was kind of interesting to see that other bikers tended to only wave if I did first,other BM riders always did but I was thinking "yeah mate,wonder what the reaction would be if i was on my XT"

[Motu]

Let's face it - we like what we ride and like to see others with bikes similar - sports bike riders are looking for sports bikes,wave to them and check make model and what cans,HD riders are looking for other Harleys,BMW riders are looking for BMWs,Goldwing riders same....I'm looking for adventure bikes,if I see one I wave and try to see how they are set up as I flash by.Don't expect others to respond out of their 'type' It's kinda embarassing if someone like me catches you out.