Anybody notice more comradarie on the road?

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JET

Well-known member
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May 8, 2011
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Location
Charlotte, NC
I did a loop up in the TN/NC mountains last weekend and noticed that pretty much all of the other bikers I passed, Harley riders included, either waved or waved back. I was a little surprised that even a couple of large cruiser groups either initiated or waved back. I even had a couple of cruiser riders give the fjr props. Me, I like all bikers as long as they treat me the same way I treat them, with respect. I also ride a cruiser, so I'm not partial to any group. I also noticed that most of the cages actually had some manners around me. A few times as I was coming up in the left lane I noticed the car that would have normally just jumped in my lane in front of me hold off until I passed. That really shocked me. I'm still wary of idiots, but it definitely eases the tension a little.

 
In my experience, I think it's a regional thing. Some places I go, I get very few return waves. Too bad. Other places, most everybody. And some places, it's really EVERYBODY. In cars and trucks, too. Some very lightly traveled roads in way outlying and rural areas have been like that.

 
Yes....I've noticed it, too.

It also doesn't seem to matter what style of bike, though "herds" or "swarms" of any particular group may still be motivated by that groups mantra. On my commute to and from, I'v enoticed more cyclists are waving, nodding or recognizing in some fashion.

It's a good thing!

 
Most definitely a good thing! I enjoy some of the more rural areas in Eastern NC, as well as throughout the US where everybody waves. Doesn't matter what you're driving! I really got a kick out of a young boy maybe 5 or younger that walked by the bike and said "look mom, a motorcycle!" then he started saying "vroom, vroom, vroom" all the way into the store...I told him that was the same noise I make when I'm riding down the road :)

 
It may be regional. I live in Central NY, in the Syracuse area, and most everyone waves regardless of what they ride. My wife and I just rode 800 miles this weekend through the Catskills and down the NYC area and noticed less than half of the riders waved. If they were on a garbage can, especially a chopped one, you could guarantee no greeting.

Interesting phenomenon.

 
I blame Burgman scooters. It's really got to take the wind out of your usual, chipper, happy dentist riding sails when, before you can even finish your refrain, "Get a real bike", you've been flipped off and left in the dust by grampa on a flippin' Burgman scooter. Mannnnnnnn that's got to suck. Me, I understand the grumbly folks who don't wave back. Hell, if I spent more than twice the cost of an FJR on a wobbly, underpowered, overweight, POS built around 1939 tractor technology, and then dropped another 5 grand on more displacement, more noise, less fuel economy, and still couldn't catch that damn Burgman, I wouldn't wave at another biker for the rest of my freakin' life. My pagina aches for these poor lost soles. Just sayin'.

 
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I blame Burgman scooters. It's really got to take the wind out of your usual, chipper, happy dentist riding sails when, before you can even finish your refrain, "Get a real bike", you've been flipped off and left in the dust by grampa on a flippin' Burgman scooter. Mannnnnnnn that's got to suck. Me, I understand the grumbly folks who don't wave back. Hell, if I spent more than twice the cost of an FJR on a wobbly, underpowered, overweight, POS built around 1939 tractor technology, and then dropped another 5 grand on more displacement, more noise, less fuel economy, and still couldn't catch that damn Burgman, I wouldn't wave at another biker for the rest of my freakin' life. My pagina aches for these poor lost soles. Just sayin'.
Don't ache for me Ari! I love the slower pace of my 138k 1991 Ultra - and to be brutally honest, my DL650 has the same power as my 1340 Ultra - you learn to shift early, plan the pass. It's all good, I just love to ride. I don't care if I ride with a local on a DR350 (BBG on that bike, no interstates) or even freakin' bicycle. Too carry on, my 91 Ultra gets better mileage than my FJR, as it should - it has 50% less horsepower. Ride in the sweet spot, e.g. 68-72, and all is golden.
I say honor the differences, appreciate the dichotomy, enjoy the 2 wheel day.

..guess I'll stop here -

 
I blame Burgman scooters. It's really got to take the wind out of your usual, chipper, happy dentist riding sails when, before you can even finish your refrain, "Get a real bike", you've been flipped off and left in the dust by grampa on a flippin' Burgman scooter. Mannnnnnnn that's got to suck. Me, I understand the grumbly folks who don't wave back. Hell, if I spent more than twice the cost of an FJR on a wobbly, underpowered, overweight, POS built around 1939 tractor technology, and then dropped another 5 grand on more displacement, more noise, less fuel economy, and still couldn't catch that damn Burgman, I wouldn't wave at another biker for the rest of my freakin' life. My pagina aches for these poor lost soles. Just sayin'.
Don't ache for me Ari! I love the slower pace of my 138k 1991 Ultra - and to be brutally honest, my DL650 has the same power as my 1340 Ultra - you learn to shift early, plan the pass. It's all good, I just love to ride. I don't care if I ride with a local on a DR350 (BBG on that bike, no interstates) or even freakin' bicycle. Too carry on, my 91 Ultra gets better mileage than my FJR, as it should - it has 50% less horsepower. Ride in the sweet spot, e.g. 68-72, and all is golden.
I say honor the differences, appreciate the dichotomy, enjoy the 2 wheel day.

..guess I'll stop here -
Owie. Cramps. I've got actual cramps. Anybody got some chocolate, or maybe some pamprin?

 
I don't freaking care what anybody rides, just don't try to block me with your bike...or yours and 20 of your best beer drinking buddies' bikes.

Have some courtesy...the road belongs to all of us.

I have met many friendly people on the road...and HD people who stopped and helped me in my FJR time of need (ES stator failure in May of 2010).

Friendly HD guy (Eddie) and his GF from Murphy, NC went and got his trailer for me on a rainy Sunday night...

10-0514BRMC061.jpg


stator failure

10-0514BRMC060.jpg


 
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I blame Burgman scooters. It's really got to take the wind out of your usual, chipper, happy dentist riding sails when, before you can even finish your refrain, "Get a real bike", you've been flipped off and left in the dust by grampa on a flippin' Burgman scooter. Mannnnnnnn that's got to suck. Me, I understand the grumbly folks who don't wave back. Hell, if I spent more than twice the cost of an FJR on a wobbly, underpowered, overweight, POS built around 1939 tractor technology, and then dropped another 5 grand on more displacement, more noise, less fuel economy, and still couldn't catch that damn Burgman, I wouldn't wave at another biker for the rest of my freakin' life. My pagina aches for these poor lost soles. Just sayin'.
Don't ache for me Ari! I love the slower pace of my 138k 1991 Ultra - and to be brutally honest, my DL650 has the same power as my 1340 Ultra - you learn to shift early, plan the pass. It's all good, I just love to ride. I don't care if I ride with a local on a DR350 (BBG on that bike, no interstates) or even freakin' bicycle. Too carry on, my 91 Ultra gets better mileage than my FJR, as it should - it has 50% less horsepower. Ride in the sweet spot, e.g. 68-72, and all is golden.
I say honor the differences, appreciate the dichotomy, enjoy the 2 wheel day.

..guess I'll stop here -
Owie. Cramps. I've got actual cramps. Anybody got some chocolate, or maybe some pamprin?
Sorry Ari, I was on a roll when I posted that! :p
 
People here are too tough to wave. Or maybe they'll fall over if they take a hand off the bars. Haven't decided which yet.
Same thing here.. :lol: except for the scooter pilots.. They wave like pageant transvestite queens :punk: :lol:
Very interesting Bustanut, I'd no idea that RadioHowie and Old Michael rode scooters. Something new every day!

 
People here are too tough to wave. Or maybe they'll fall over if they take a hand off the bars. Haven't decided which yet.
Same thing here.. :lol: except for the scooter pilots.. They wave like pageant transvestite queens :punk: :lol:
Very interesting Bustanut, I'd no idea that RadioHowie and Old Michael rode scooters. Something new every day!
They like to play in the closet with them ya know?

 
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