Scooter Wave Variations

GatsbyGirl · Post by **GatsbyGirl** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:40 pm

So last week after we picked up Andie's yet-to-be-named replacement, we were riding to have lunch when another scooter approached from the opposite direction. Instead of the usual scooter wave, the rider blew kisses as he passed. I must say, it had some mad flair.

Then last weekend at a light a car passed by with the driver blowing his horn and waving madly. Which is also understandable, since I always have to resist the urge to wave at scooterists when in my car (for that matter, I also want to wave at other VW Bugs).

How about you all? Getting anything different than the usual wave, fingers or nod?

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:32 pm

GG,

Maybe if I ever see another scooter on the road I could answer that question.

I can tell you though that nobody will be seeing me blowing kisses to another scooterist unless it is somebody I know well, and then done only in jest. I suppose I might also blow a kiss to my wife or daughter as a gesture of affection.

The gesture of blowing kisses to another person is just, (hmm, how to say this?), not very masculine.

I have seen riders of motorcycles wave, while others choose not to. When I drove a Jeep there was a similar greeting with other Jeep drivers. I have never seen anyone blow kisses. Frankly, I think it would worry me a little.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:40 pm

lobsterman wrote:The gesture of blowing kisses to another person is just, (hmm, how to say this?), not very masculine.

And I was on my scoot right next to her when it happened! Sheesh.

I got 2 good scooter waves this morning.

The only other thing I get (ahem) is the occasional horn toot. While I love being acknowledged by other scooterists, this bugs me a little because if I'm in motion it makes me think something's wrong (so I start looking around and frantically checking my mirrors) and the surrounding cagers may take it the wrong way.

GatsbyGirl · Post by **GatsbyGirl** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:47 pm

lobsterman wrote:The gesture of blowing kisses to another person is just, (hmm, how to say this?), not very masculine. ... I have never seen anyone blow kisses. Frankly, I think it would worry me a little.

As a woman, I must say it was quite charming. He didn't come across as less masculine, just more "continental."

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:56 pm

ericalm wrote:
lobsterman wrote:The gesture of blowing kisses to another person is just, (hmm, how to say this?), not very masculine.
And I was on my scoot right next to her when it happened! Sheesh.

And what evidence is there that those kisses were not directed at you??

I never see any other two-wheelers on my commute, so no waves for me.

A few nights ago while running an errand, however, I did have a fellow on a Goldwing comment on how fast the Buddy was! He was probably just jealous becuase I was able to split lanes while he was too wide to squeeze through!

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 7:35 pm

GatsbyGirl wrote:As a woman, I must say it was quite charming. He didn't come across as less masculine, just more "continental."

There are, of course, generally accepted differences in how one interacts with the different genders. This varies by country, region, even the part of the city you live in, etc. In Paris, Rome, and Los Angeles perhaps the males are more comfortable blowing kisses to ladies (and gentlemen) than I might be.

I am secure in my masculinity, but I think I'll stick with the wave or a nod.

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:37 am

Something is starting to bug me here in Denver. When I'm on my bike, other motorcyclists almost always wave, as do I. I'll also wave to some scooters, but waving on a motorcycle in the city can be dangerous. One time, when I was on my way up to Blackhawk, I saw a gang of vintage scooters heading down the mountain. It really surprised me so I flashed my lights and gave them a pretty obvious thumbs up. Many of them responded, but that's about the only time I've seen scooterists wave.

I see scooters all the time on my commute and none of them wave. There's one exception, a guy on a maxi that I pass a lot in all kinds of weather always gives me the low sport biker's wave. Otherwise, I've pretty much given up on waving to scooters. So, I'm wondering what some of the other Denver riders here at Modern Buddy are experiencing?

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:53 am

I've noticed that there are different reactions depending on the type of scooterist. Riders who know of and understand that there is a "scooter community" will almost always wave. This includes a lot of Vespa riders and those on modern scoots who are members of forums such as this. (Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of snobbery regarding shifters vs. autos and European vs. Asian and so on. I've once got a scowl from a mod on a vintage Vespa when I waved from my LX. Jerk.)

There are a lot of people who bought scoots just to get around on or just for fun, have no sense of community and feel no need to wave. They very often, but not always, ride Asian imports. But you can bet that the cheaper the scoot the less likely they'll wave. I've seen plenty of people around here who laid down money for a Vespa, though, who also seem to just not get it (t-shirt and flip flop riders for the most part).

The other group of non-waving scooter rider is the new scooterist who looks too terrified riding through traffic to even lift 2 fingers.

weebl · Post by **weebl** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:30 am

ericalm wrote: The other group of non-waving scooter rider is the new scooterist who looks too terrified riding through traffic to even lift 2 fingers.

Haha, I've fallen in that category. I have a vintage scoot and it was a while before I had any willingness to take my fingers off the clutch.
I ride with my two fingers resting on the clutch lever (just in case!) and when my dad saw me ride the first time he said "I see you were taught by someone who'se seized a few times"

Now I wave sometimes, but I'm still wobbly enough that if I'm focused on anything else (turning, slowing, shifting, speeding up) I won't wave.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 2:42 pm

ericalm,

I don't always wave, it depends on the situation.

First, I don't know anything about other scooterists waving (or not) to me because I still haven't seen one while I am on my scoot.

I have seen lots of motorcycles though, and I will wave back if they wave first. Some wave to me and some don't, there seems to be no correlation with what kind of bike they are riding. I have been waved to by every kind of motorcycle rider, and also ignored by all kinds. I think it is more about the individual than the kind of bike. I think you may be on to something about the sense of community. If they feel connected to a larger community of two wheel riders, they wave. If they are more about snobbery or prejudice, they don't. And of course, if they feel or have no connection to any community they won't wave either.

Now, I freely admit there are times when I do not wave. There are sections of my commute where the road is such a mess and the traffic is so dense that taking a hand off the bars to wave would be suicidal. I commute through a part of the city that isn't first on the list for keeping the roads nice, if you know what I mean.

I try and wave when I can, because I really believe that fostering a sense of community is a good thing. I am more interested in people treating all other people well than in what kind of bike they ride. It is kind of like holding a door for another person behind you - a gesture of courtesy.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:29 pm

I have to admit that while I'll always wave to a scooter if I can, to a motorcycle, well, most often not. I just got tired of their bewildered looks or being ignored. But I'm also quite happy when I get a wave from an MC (usually an older person or couple on a giant Goldwing-type touring bike).

On the other hand, I do give the two- wheeler "yo, what's up?" nod much more often than a wave anyway. This tends to save me some embarrassment if it goes unacknowledged. Ha.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:37 pm

This is a BIG Harley area and I always attend the Harley functions; toy runs, poker rides, etc on whatever scooter I happen to have. Most of the Harley riders in the area know me now and we all wave...probably to the bewilderment of any non-area riders. But I DO have to admit, it I wave first, most of the "cruiser" riders and "touring-bike" riders will wave back. About a third of the "crotch-rocket" crowd will. BMW riders look at me like I was something scraped off their shoe... Don't care. I'll wave anyway...I'm always happiest when I'm riding and I'll let them know...if they don't wave back, it doesn't affect how happy I am. And I believe that secretly they feel like dorks because I waved and they didn't.

--Keys

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:26 am

ericalm wrote:I just got tired of their bewildered looks or being ignored. But I'm also quite happy when I get a wave from an MC (usually an older person or couple on a giant Goldwing-type touring bike).

On the other hand, I do give the two- wheeler "yo, what's up?" nod much more often than a wave anyway. This tends to save me some embarrassment if it goes unacknowledged. Ha.

The bewildered looks are the best part! The guy wearing a denim vest over leather with the head scarf on the old Harley with sidecar got his wave back halfway up when he realized I was on a scooter!

The chin lift is a good way to avoid embarassment if that bothers you. You can always pretend you were looking at the lights.

ECS

dru_ · Post by **dru_** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:13 am

About the only people that I don't get waves from are the guys on those gorilla arm Choppers, and I firmly believe it's because if they let go of those grips, they'll dump. Those things look terribly unstable

GatsbyGirl · Post by **GatsbyGirl** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:35 am

OK, one more and we have a trend. Earlier this week, ericalm and I were out and about and once again I got blown a kiss.

What can I say -- it seems pink Buddies are quite the flirts.

GenuineSlacker · Post by **GenuineSlacker** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:29 pm

I've only seen a few other scoots in my area and yes, I will wave, but I always laugh afterwards cause besides mine and my uncles, they're all hondas. We also have a LARGE weekend MC community, so lots on the weekends I see cycles out and about with lots of different riders. Most all of them don't wave but I do get an acknowledgement nod most of the time...

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 3:41 pm

We saw lots of motorcycles while out on our group ride yesterday, many waved but I didn't see anybody blow a kiss.

We did see one other scooter going the other way at one point, if he waved I didn't see it.

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:12 am

If anyone ever blew a kiss at me I am not sure what I would do. It was good riding with you yesterday Lobsterman!

The only riders I do not wave to are squids.

mandelia · Post by **mandelia** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:32 pm

nothing like dredging up an old thread

i was riding in the aptly named little italy area (it's shamefully tiny) yesterday, and a group of motorcycle riders (mostly harleys) came up towards me on the opposite side of the road. it was quite awesome when the leader motioned for me to join behind them

unfortunately, i fall into the group that ericalm identified - too scared to let go long enough to wave back... so i did the head nod, and i hope they saw me, because that totally made my day... possibly even my week

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:43 pm

I so seldom see fellow scooterists around here that I get quite excited when I see one, and don't react in time to say hey! I am a bit nervous about raising my hand just yet. Sometimes I just lift my left fingers up, still holding the grip, and I see other motorcyclists do that. There are some that lower their arms with a "v" sign. Today, though, was a first for me...a comrade girl-scooter tooted at me and grinned big, and darn it, I was too slow! I did turn my head and grin in response and I think she saw me.

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:45 pm

mandelia wrote:a group of motorcycle riders (mostly harleys) came up towards me on the opposite side of the road. it was quite awesome when the leader motioned for me to join behind them

I think that was the Call Of The Open Road I've been reading about! Lucky you.

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:33 pm

polianarchy wrote:
mandelia wrote:a group of motorcycle riders (mostly harleys) came up towards me on the opposite side of the road. it was quite awesome when the leader motioned for me to join behind them
I think that was the Call Of The Open Road I've been reading about! Lucky you.

I wanna have that!

i get a wave from 90% of scooterists in the area, but less than 50% of bikers.

bamboo · Post by **bamboo** » Tue May 01, 2007 11:06 am

Lat week my wife commented that on her way home from work a Harley Dude! Waved to her and appeared quite bemused by her scooter. Then later that same night we were out riding together, she was ahead of me and when she got to the lights a Harley Dude crossed in front and again waved at her with a smile on his face. I've gotten a nod from the occaisonal Harley Dude, but that was a cold morning last month and assumed it was a sign of solidarity for riding at 40 degrees. Bottomline. Harley Dudes dig chicks on scooters! Apparently guys on scooters just don't measure up, unless you were going to jump the fountain at ceasers palace ala Evil Kneivel. Thats a funny thought! Oh well.
bamboo

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:51 am

I'm usually to slow with the waves... by the time I get around to it, the other scooter's path-crossing with mine had already past.

When I'm my bicycle going to work every morning, though, I always past this one bicyclist who rides in downtown Denver on 14th street by the Convention Center on one of those vintage bicycle with the huge (and I mean huge as in 6ft in diameter) wheel in front and a tiny one in back. Even when it's snowing and I'm the only one on the bicycle, I see him. Lately though I haven't seen him at all, and miss seeing my familiar stranger in the morning.

ThisDude · Post by **ThisDude** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:14 am

Has anyone ever got the "motorcycle" from pedestrians? I got it once. The pedestrian puts up both hands like grabbing a motorcycle handlebars and "revs" the throttle. Don't know if he's making fun or what.

AgentKestrel · Post by **AgentKestrel** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:15 am

The wave here is hit or miss. I've had the best luck with Harley/Victory riders, the least with other scooters. Maybe it's the handle bars. LOL. Other than couple of Buddy and Zuma owners, never from another scooter. And I see quite a few of them here.

beelzebubbles · Post by **beelzebubbles** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:33 am

Here in SF, I get waves mostly from motorcyclists, rarely from scooterists (this goes triple for those riding the old-school scooters - I've never got a wave from them, except when we're clearly on the way to the same rally). Either the latter are not used to waving, or they got tired of being ignored by some motorcyclists and didn't think the custom is for them, I don't know. But from motorcyclists it's a hit-or-miss, and no predicting based on model/brand/type of motorcycle. Actually, now that I think about it, I think I tend to get waves more from well-protected (full leathers, etc.) riders. Or maybe I just get much fewer waves from squids, period. That could be likely.

To be frank, it's enough of a distraction that I don't unfailingly initiate the wave, either. If I have time to look, I take a glance, and if they're looking back, I wave. Otherwise, if I'm in a good/unhurried mood, I'll make a quick wave anyway, or if I'm in a bad/hurried mood, I just focus on the road ahead. Community is great, but safety first, anyway.

mikalius · Post by **mikalius** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:56 am

ThisDude wrote:Has anyone ever got the "motorcycle" from pedestrians? I got it once. The pedestrian puts up both hands like grabbing a motorcycle handlebars and "revs" the throttle. Don't know if he's making fun or what.

The pedstrian is asking for you to rev your engine i think. I used to get that a lot when i rode motorcycles. Think of it as kind of like when kids pull there arms up and down to get semi truck drivers to pull there horn.

jetboy · Post by **jetboy** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:14 pm

My acknowledgement of other riders is based upon how far in advance I see them coming from the other direction. I'm usually pretty focused on scanning the road for debris, brake lights, left-turners, right-turners, etc. I always wave to another scooterist if I pull up behind one or if one pulls up behind me.

If it is a last second sighting I'll give a nod. I do get some waves (about 20-25% of the time). Once I was at a stop light and a couple of Harleys pulled up, real loud, one with an extended fork. He rev'd it and gave me the thumbs way up. That cracked me up.

-jetboy

250koala · Post by **250koala** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:20 am

Dh rides a Honda 750 motorcycle. I believe the "upside down V" signifies keeping two wheels on the ground. Please return the gesture. It' s good karma.
Also motorcyclists have a "gremlin bell" tradition/superstition. The bell is tied low on the underside of the bike to scare off road gremilins that may mess up the bike. Potholes are caused by falling gremlins. I think. You can't buy your own bell. Someone has to give it to you. I honestly don't know if this can be applied to scooters.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:35 pm

250koala wrote:Dh rides a Honda 750 motorcycle. I believe the "upside down V" signifies keeping two wheels on the ground. Please return the gesture. It' s good karma.
Also motorcyclists have a "gremlin bell" tradition/superstition. The bell is tied low on the underside of the bike to scare off road gremilins that may mess up the bike. Potholes are caused by falling gremlins. I think. You can't buy your own bell. Someone has to give it to you. I honestly don't know if this can be applied to scooters.

That's correct on the fingers pointed down; it's like a blessing: "May you keep both wheels on the ground (where they belong)." Two up fingers, however, don't necessarily mean "hope you crash," as it could be a peace sign or just a way of waving while keeping three fingers on a brake lever.

I've never heard of the gremlins thing. Interesting, but I don't think I'll be hanging a bell from my scoot.

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:37 pm

almost nobody here waves. it pisses me off. i want a community dammit. where's my community? =)

so i wave at everyone. bicycles included.

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:41 pm

This is great. Makes a jab at scooters, but otherwise hes dead on!

http://viewfromthecloud.blogspot.com/20 ... tings.html