Is the Biker nod dying off?

KamiKazi

BrokenArrows wrote: »

most bikers give the nod over here in the UK.

Had one guy today give a full on hand in the air wave. was hilarious looking.

+1

Very rare for a biker not to nod / wave over here.

Zascar

Yeah over in france it's great they ALL give a Huge wave to each other!

Last year when I did my first overseas trip, in the first hour out of Cherbourg we must have passed dozens of bikers who all gave us the big hand out wave. Made us all giddy and excited like children!

RosieJoe

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Biker.ie is a great community if I may say so here. When I've had problems there's always been people offering to bring me to/from the garage. It really is a good community and nobody is after any reward.

In my experience this will relate to all of the Biker forums, not just biker.ie.

Kaner2004

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

God damn those people trying to be nice and be friendly to you. The motorbiking community is one that extends far more than sharing the same number of wheels on the road, if they see you in trouble at the side of the road, they stop and help.

Even if you're not a fan of the nod, it's hardly a reason to consider people idiots, they aren't nodding because they claim to (or indeed want to...) know you, it's more about solidarity.

God help you when you're down the country and every second vehicle contains a driver giving you his index finger.

No, of course, we should only salute people we know...

Im from the country. I always thought that it was silly.
I stop for people in trouble. People stop for me when im in trouble.
The fact that I dont nod at every stranger doesnt make any difference to the situation.

Kev.OC

Took a nice 50 mile round trip to Killaloe today. It being a Monday, there weren't that many bikers on the road, but from what I can tell the wave isn't dying.

It might be different when commuting tbh. My route between Tallaght & D8 requires a fair bit of concentration so I probably miss lots of nods. It is a different story when I'm out for a spin though, I always nod then

mikemac1

Kev.OC wrote: »

Took a nice 50 mile round trip to Killaloe today. It being a Monday, there weren't that many bikers on the road, but from what I can tell the wave isn't dying.

Lough Derg run?

It's a great area for a biking

Up through Ogonnelloe and East Clare, have a break in Portumna, then back down through Tipp, if you want a detour head along Terryglass, Puckane and Dromineer.

Keep going and then cross back over the Shannon

Portumna to O'Briens bridge and back again is a spin I've done a few times, a bit longer

FGR

I always nod/wave. Noticed it first when driving down from Dublin after buying my first bike. It's a nice way to say "Hey there!" to the biking community which in fairness shows a common interest between those people.

Cars are a necessity for 99.9% of the driving population. Bikes are more of a special interest to the majority of those who drive them.

So why not be friends?

Kev.OC

mikemac1 wrote: »

Lough Derg run?

It's a great area for a biking

Up through Ogonnelloe and East Clare, have a break in Portumna, then back down through Tipp, if you want a detour head along Terryglass, Puckane and Dromineer.

Keep going and then cross back over the Shannon

Portumna to O'Briens bridge and back again is a spin I've done a few times, a bit longer

Lough Derg run indeed. From Ennis out the Tulla Road, through Scarriff, Ogonnelloe, Limerick, Sixmilebridge and home. Road is a little bit bumpy in spots for a sports bike, but some lovely stretches of road and spectacular scenery.

Tipp detour sounds fun. Must give that a go one of the days. I've never been over around that side of Lough Derg.

daenerysstormborn3

I nod because (a) I live in the countryside and generally a lot of the bikes I pass either know me or know me through my boyfriend or I'll have met them at a rally or on a run, (b) I am a member of a motorbike forum and nod just in case I pass a member, (c) If I find myself at the side of road in a bit of bother I'd like to think the friendliness would pay off, no car is going to stop for you (and I am speaking from personal experience).

Quebec Delta Mike

Hi folks,

I just read this entire thread, and don't really know where to start. I have been biking off and on, since 1976, when I bought my first Honda, a CD175. I have had over 20 different machines, and currently ride a '02 Goldwing 1800. I love my bike, and the whole experience of riding it, but especially when away in Europe. As posted by others, the biking experience over there is completely different, and it's down to cultural and attitude differences. But that's a whole other thread...
IMHO this nodding, waving, leg thing, is a sign of a normal human need...to belong. So, motorcyclists/bikers, "caravaners" (is that a word?), classic car drivers, etc will all acknowledge each other on the road, it's a need to feel part of a group, even if the other person is a complete stranger. Anyway, enough of the psychology..
This bond, even if it's only the occasional nod, really pays off though. Whenever I see a bike stopped, and the rider looks in trouble, I will always stop and offer to help. I have given lifts home, to petrol stations etc, it really is worth the effort, if you can spare the time, to help another human in need. My belief, my philosophy if you will, was re-enforced last year while away with a group, of 20+ bikes, all strangers at the start, on an escorted touring holiday in Austria/Italy/Slovenia. The group were a mixed bag of first timers/old timers abroad, singles and couples, riding everything from CBR400s, Varaderos, FJRs, Pans, GSs, and my lone Goldwing. It was a truly fun and memorable holiday, from the fabulous roads, great hotels and food, but one thing stood out for me. It was the unselfish behaviour of individuals and the group, when there were problems, whether it was with accommodation, food, but mainly when a bike broke down. On two occasions there were serious breakdowns, one electrical whilst riding in a downpour, the other a fire while riding on a motorway. Each time, the rider concerned could have had a nasty accident, and a ruined holiday, however, without a moan or a word of complaint, other riders stopped, gathered around and got stuck in to the bike to fix the problem. We became a "family" experiencing a bond that is hard to explain. I will never forget that as long as I ride a bike.
So, the moral of the story is...give a nod...you might be glad of a friend some day...

Ride safe,

MrJoeSoap

Great post QDM.

As an aside, I gave four consecutive nods to four Garda bikes in the Phoenix Park today, didn't get anything back. Anyone ever get a nod from a Garda biker, or even a bit of craic from them at lights?

arybvtcw0eolkf

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Great post QDM.

As an aside, I gave four consecutive nods to four Garda bikes in the Phoenix Park today, didn't get anything back. Anyone ever get a nod from a Garda biker, or even a bit of craic from them at lights?

lol, kind of a running joke in work!.

I'm in the defence forces and when out on the road probably about 70% of Garda give us a nod or some kind of acknowledgement, the other's look like they're in hate with the world and won't even look in our direction.

In my civilian bike or car I just ignore 'em to be honest.

MrJoeSoap

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Great post QDM.

As an aside, I gave four consecutive nods to four Garda bikes in the Phoenix Park today, didn't get anything back. Anyone ever get a nod from a Garda biker, or even a bit of craic from them at lights?

Yep, all the time. With that said I have a white helmet and wear hi-viz so maybe they think I'm one of them.

edit: nodded at four (non-garda) bikers on the N4 today, got 0/4 nods back.

RosieJoe

I've nodded at Gardai and most times get a nod back

Please Kill Me

RosieJoe wrote: »

I've nodded at Gardai and most times get a nod back

Likewise. Never met a jockey who didn't nod.

multiscan

i always nod and if you nod back there is a chance that i will stop to help when you stranded on the side of the road

driving is stressful enough considering there is enough lunatics in cars that will just love to wipe you out ....

Tigger

RosieJoe wrote: »

I've nodded at Gardai and most times get a nod back

funny thing happened this morning

i was on a nice wide country n-road
ticking along at 70 odd ready to throttle off cos it was prime speed camera van territory; well anyhows there was this fool in a transit too close behind me i was ignoring him but tempted to open up just for saftey sake

just then a Cop bike comes tearing round the sweeper at about 120 i reckon he was piling it on just for the hell of it (i would in his boots) so i give him a big wave (i wave at everyone) he waves back

the transit decides to drop back a half mile
just for the craic i drop to 55 an he stays there, i've never been m,istaken for a traffic bike before lol

they don't get us and neither does any fool on a bike that dosen't wave/nod/stick out a boot

ieoinu

This nodding and waving at passing bikes, why? Cos it's cool? I drive a car and a van for work yet don't feel the need to wave at every on coming vehicle. When I'm out in the bike the amount of clowns that spend more time gesticulating to me than concentrating on the road ahead is crazy. I don't know how many times I've seen a biker come towards me with the head nodded, hand up and leg out only to hit the next bend like a tangent to a circle. If i know you I'll wave but then again you'll know that already.

You don't know me, nor me you. Don't wave at me cos I won't recognise you and will probably be distracting me from my driving, I'll be wondering who was that clown? Just cos you drive a bike means jack, it just means you drive a bike. Waving/nodding/kicking, you just end up looking like a tool ( and to be honest if the gesture is not returned you feel like a complete idiot)

So basically you nod/wink/wag/wave whatever to be cool to any passing bi-wheeled brethren, but if they don't reciprocate, you feel you're a twat!

My advice is if you drive a bike concentrate like **** on what is ahead of you, know what's underneath you and forget what's behind you. Don't mind being cool- just be safe and stay alive!

Should I see you on the side of the road broken down, I will stop, and I will offer my help. That's because I'm nice, it's fook all to do with cos I've a bike.:D

Tigger

I'm going to guess BMW

daenerysstormborn3

ieoinu wrote: »

This nodding and waving at passing bikes, why? Cos it's cool? I drive a car and a van for work yet don't feel the need to wave at every on coming vehicle. When I'm out in the bike the amount of clowns that spend more time gesticulating to me than concentrating on the road ahead is crazy. I don't know how many times I've seen a biker come towards me with the head nodded, hand up and leg out only to hit the next bend like a tangent to a circle. If i know you I'll wave but then again you'll know that already.

You don't know me, nor me you. Don't wave at me cos I won't recognise you and will probably be distracting me from my driving, I'll be wondering who was that clown? Just cos you drive a bike means jack, it just means you drive a bike. Waving/nodding/kicking, you just end up looking like a tool ( and to be honest if the gesture is not returned you feel like a complete idiot)

So basically you nod/wink/wag/wave whatever to be cool to any passing bi-wheeled brethren, but if they don't reciprocate, you feel you're a twat!

My advice is if you drive a bike concentrate like **** on what is ahead of you, know what's underneath you and forget what's behind you. Don't mind being cool- just be safe and stay alive!

Should I see you on the side of the road broken down, I will stop, and I will offer my help. That's because I'm nice, it's fook all to do with cos I've a bike.:D

I think you should take your own advice about concentrating on the road if something as simple as someone waving at you distracts you to the point where it pisses you off this much.

Run_to_da_hills

I ride a Bros and get frequent nods from couriers if about in the city, probably because they think that I am one of them.

KTRIC

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

I ride a Bros and get frequent nods from couriers, probably because they think that I am one of them.

They're just sizing your bike up so they can rob it for parts !!

Paparazzo

ieoinu wrote: »

This nodding and waving at passing bikes, why? Cos it's cool? I drive a car and a van for work yet don't feel the need to wave at every on coming vehicle. When I'm out in the bike the amount of clowns that spend more time gesticulating to me than concentrating on the road ahead is crazy. I don't know how many times I've seen a biker come towards me with the head nodded, hand up and leg out only to hit the next bend like a tangent to a circle. If i know you I'll wave but then again you'll know that already.

You don't know me, nor me you. Don't wave at me cos I won't recognise you and will probably be distracting me from my driving, I'll be wondering who was that clown? Just cos you drive a bike means jack, it just means you drive a bike. Waving/nodding/kicking, you just end up looking like a tool ( and to be honest if the gesture is not returned you feel like a complete idiot)

So basically you nod/wink/wag/wave whatever to be cool to any passing bi-wheeled brethren, but if they don't reciprocate, you feel you're a twat!

My advice is if you drive a bike concentrate like **** on what is ahead of you, know what's underneath you and forget what's behind you. Don't mind being cool- just be safe and stay alive!

Should I see you on the side of the road broken down, I will stop, and I will offer my help. That's because I'm nice, it's fook all to do with cos I've a bike.:D

If you have trouble concentrating on the road because a wave or a nod is too difficult, you should consider a different form of transport. I suggest something like this:



Make sure you take out the radio, you might bury it in a ditch when you go to change a station

Zascar

Yeah and I think some happy pills might be a good idea too - to get that wound up about something that bikers across the world have been doing for decades is really quite worrying.

Kev.OC

I don't wave or nod if I'm in the middle of a bend. Other than that I always do one or the other. It doesn't distract me anymore than glancing at the speedo does. It doesn't make me feel angry when others wave/nod at me. In fact, when I started riding late last year I was pleasantly surprised by the nod. Makes you feel like part of a community. I really don't get the issue here.

Zascar

Just to note I generally don't nod when on the way to work and back every day. I certainly will nod back if someone does - but I don't nod at every bike I see. Maybe only if I see another bike just like mine or something. Of and I don't nod to scooters lol

Paparazzo

ieoinu wrote: »

I don't know how many times I've seen a biker come towards me with the head nodded, hand up and leg out only to hit the next bend like a tangent to a circle.

Let me take a guess at how many times you've seen this: 0
I've never seen it and never even heard of it. Bullshít has been called. Are you even a biker? I never even seen anyone wave like that.

positron

I node, wave etc - I love it when I get one back too.

I even wave to bike garda, and to other road users like nice car drivers who moves to the side of the lane to let me overtake them within the lane, to the car drivers on the fast lane of the motorway who moves to the right side of the lane to let me filter past / lane-split safely and comfortably, to the truck drivers who move to the left of the slow lane to let me lane-split safely, to the cars who move out of the overtaking lane to let me pass etc etc. Trucks and buses usually flash/blink me back for holding the traffic on the fast lane and making room for them to move into the fast lane to over take some slower moving traffic on the slow lane.

Contrary to what you read online, I personally find most road users are ordinary normal nice people. There are a few twats, but your average driver is not bad at all.

Stainless_Steel

Tigger wrote: »

I'm going to guess BMW

Haha exactly what I was thinking. Probably with a rules of the road book in the top box.

Only an incompetent rider would find receiving/giving a wave a distraction. I usually stick the leg out to oncoming bikers. It feels right to gesture. They know and have felt the same feeling I have when having a spin on a bike.