Ok, one more question on waving

[toddhd]

I've been riding for about 3 years now - when I took the MSF course to learn how to ride, they told us that riders always wave when passing (if feasible) and I always do.

What I noticed however is that Harley riders wave by dropping their hand down below the handlebars, as if they were gesturing towards the ground. Non-Harley riders however, tend to lift their hands up in more traditional wave.

Is there some significance to this?

Thanks for entertaining a knowingly stupid question...

[Hoggin03]

Originally Posted by toddhd

Is there some significance to this?

Very simply...No.

[dave51]

Originally Posted by toddhd

Is there some significance to this?

Yes, but it's a secret.

[hogg831]

Careful Dave! You're gonna let it slip out!

[1999 RoadKing]

Careful Dave. You could get booted if you let the secret out.

[OldMiC]

Oh sure, next you'll be explaining the secret handshake.

[casaba]

Originally Posted by toddhd

Non-Harley riders however, tend to lift their hands up in more traditional wave.

Is there some significance to this?

Thanks for entertaining a knowingly stupid question...

This lore goes back to the late 70s in S. California. There was an epidemic of poodle rapes and dry cleaner robberies associated with some Harley riding gangs. As it turns out, this group had a secret sign in passing, they threw their hand out down and low with the first finger extended into a kind of disco inspired point down manuveur. Anyone that passed with a different gesture was known not to be a member and they would follow the offender and beat them and take the ride and use the parts to build new choppers for the club. People were so scared that long after the gang was rounded up and given valium suppositories, folks were still scared to wave, eventually people started waving again but the non-harley riders never again used the hand down gesture due to fear of the bad-ass biker. It was all over CNN and msnbc.com back in 1979 during the trials, hell Court-TV had a special on it and you could watch it on Directv live.

I hope this helps...

P.S. these guys also ran synthetic in all 3 holes on the poodles

[Thealien]

You don't want Dave's secret "handshake"

[Hoggin03]

Originally Posted by casaba

It was all over msnbc.com back in 1979 during the trials

Hah! I know you're lying now. 1979 was way before Al Gore invented the internet.

[Lightnin]

Originally Posted by hogg831

Careful Dave! You're gonna let it slip out!

He hears that a lot.

[casaba]

Originally Posted by Lightnin

He hears that a lot.

In the immortal words of Kelso "oh BURRRRRRRRN!"
That was harsh even for this place, appropriate i'm sure but harsh

[monkeyboy]

casaba's response is pretty close to the actual truth. It did start in the 70's with guys who rode choppers. The bikes they rode had nothing less than 18" apehangers on them so, they had no choice but to wave with their hand below the handlebars. The pointing, rather than the open hand wave came about because they wanted everyone to know that they were "marking" their territory with the oil dribbling from their bikes.

[tomv]

Originally Posted by toddhd

What I noticed however is that Harley riders wave by dropping their hand down below the handlebars, as if they were gesturing towards the ground. Non-Harley riders however, tend to lift their hands up in more traditional wave.
Is there some significance to this?
Thanks for entertaining a knowingly stupid question...

yeah we are lazy and only expend enough energy to raise our hands when there is a beer in them. otherwise it would be a waste.

[Long Rider]

Actually the gesture started back in the 1940's with one rider pointing at the other rider's sled and said, "your wheels are turning!"

[hogg831]

Originally Posted by Lightnin

He hears that a lot.

That's gonna leave a mark...........yea I know that is just another spring board!