Is the Biker nod dying off?

phoenix0250

I have just noticed the sheer lack of head nodding to each other recently. Why dont bikers acknowledge other bikers anymore? Kind of sad really, as the biker subculture and mutual respect was/is pretty fantastic. So do you nod? if not, why?

WHIP IT!

Just noticed this thread on the homepage, never been on a motorbike in me life... but sadly the 'head nod' is not just dying out in the motorbike fraternity... it seems to dying out in the 'horsebox' fraternity too... thems were the days when ye'd get at least a wave off another horsebox on your way racing/exercising/buying/selling and perhaps even a beep and a flash of the lights... now, the occasional nod and raised eyebrow if your lucky...

tsk tsk tsk...

Nostalgia - it's not what it used to be...

stratowide

Don't think so,was out yesterday for a spin met a good few biker's and I think they all nodded or waved..I'd always give a nod too,maybe not always a wave though.

mikemac

I never nod, I give a wave.
Being from rural Ireland saluting everyone is expected no matter what you drive :cool:

Met one biker in Borris-in-Ossory (miserable little town) who pumped his fist in the air and I got a wave like I got from my ma collecting me on my first day of school
It made my day!

bladespin

Yes and no, personally I think there will always be a 'type' that will wave and a 'type' that won't, I always nod, wave or stick the leg out depending on the circumstance, that was what I learned - respect and acknowledge each other.

phoenix0250

Because the reason im asking is that, for the past month, when i bike it down to and from college i always nod, yet no one nodded back which is strange. And no,i dont ride a scooter :P

Flyin Irishman

I always nod, but its a bit hit-and-miss whether I get a nod back. I did get one guy that rode next to me on a dual carriageway and informed me that my seat cowl was loose, I appreciated that!

DiscoStu

Always do it out on national roads or a spin through the mountains. In Dublin city its a bit too chaotic to ignore the rest of the road food chain waiting for that opportune moment to kill you on the off chance of a nod in return.

daenerysstormborn3

All bikers get a very noticeable nod from me whether they nod back is irrelevant. I do it in a "it was good to see you on your bike" sort of way. If they don't nod back I don't give it a second thought, if they do I always give and get the nod whenever I see them out.

honeybadger

bladespin wrote: »

Yes and no, personally I think there will always be a 'type' that will wave and a 'type' that won't, I always nod, wave or stick the leg out depending on the circumstance, that was what I learned - respect and acknowledge each other.

always wonder wot the stick the leg out was about,,sound for clearing that up

biscuiteater

honeybadger wrote: »

always wonder wot the stick the leg out was about,,sound for clearing that up

i am not a biker, i am a one that sits behind the biker and thumps him, (husband),
they wave if they are facing each other and stick there legs out if it's buts, ie over taking,
i learnt this on a holiday in france when if someone came towards us they waved and i would ask did he know them, and if someone over took us the leg went out and i thought they were trying to kick us, my husband would roll his eyes, lol

seanybiker

Use the leg when its not a great idea to be waving. Taking a corner 1 handed is frowned upon lol.

RRaff

Living in Dublin now almost 3 years and no one seems to nod or wave except for this weekend at the IBS! Completely different in Cork (greatest city in Ireland) where everyone I cruise past gives or returns recognition.

seanybiker

RRaff wrote: »

Living in Dublin now almost 3 years and no one seems to nod or wave except for this weekend at the IBS! Completely different in Cork (greatest city in Ireland) where everyone I cruise past gives or returns recognition.

loves the way cork people always throw in the greatest city into a post. PROC rules

WHIP IT!

seanybiker wrote: »

loves the way cork people always throw in the greatest city into a post. PROC rules

You'd think he'd move back there if it was so great, wouldn't ya?

seanybiker

WHIP IT! wrote: »

You'd think he'd move back there if it was so great, wouldn't ya?

Maybe he's an ambassador for them.

mikemac

Maybe a spy

seanybiker

Probably yeah lol

Alkers

Nearly always nod in Dublin but I find it isn't always returned. Couriers and the likes tend to not return the gesture but that's understandable! Nothing worse than nodding and not getting a response though!

RRaff

seanybiker wrote: »

loves the way cork people always throw in the greatest city into a post. PROC rules

Credit where credit is due!

WHIP IT! wrote: »

You'd think he'd move back there if it was so great, wouldn't ya?

I wish! Damn work commitments!

feelingstressed wrote: »

Maybe a spy

Oh no I'm not......please kindly ignore the black unmarked van that may appear to be following you over the next few days.

JohnnyCrash

Met 2 bikes on way into work this morning,gave 2 and got 2 in return. Maybe a lot of it could be "If you dont nod first,I wont nod back" I always nod and its very,very seldom I dont get some sort of recognition dack

scorn

Not sure if it's countrywide or just Dubland, but I find some of the guys on the more upmarket bikes tend not to acknowledge guys on the 'lesser' bikes... (note that this a generalisation based purely on my own observation - please don't jump down my throat as I'm sure everyone on boards would give the nod)

I give the nod to many but don't get many back - and those back are mainly from similar smaller bike riders. I'd hate to think there was bike snobbery around as it's great to get out on two wheels regardless!

I should disclose that I'm on a Bros so might appear as a courier, giving the impression that I wouldn't give/return the nod in the first place - so it could all be just one big misunderstanding

CJhaughey

scorn wrote: »

Not sure if it's countrywide or just Dubland, but I find some of the guys on the more upmarket bikes tend not to acknowledge guys on the 'lesser' bikes...

You mean BMW riders don't you...:D

rymus

I'd been wondering about this lately.. Bought a bike back at the end of Jan after being off bikes for a few years. Back before I sold my last bike the nod was more or less universal. The only people you really wouldn't get it from was the sports bike guys. Something about interrupting their aerodynamics probably

Since getting back on two wheels in Jan I've noticed 'the nod' is all but gone. At the moment I'm still hoping it's mostly a Dublin / big cities thing. I've been down around Cork and you still get the odd one or two that'll do it but it's mostly died out.

You do tend to get it from groups more so than people on their own and I got a very enthusiastic wave from a few grizzly looking harley riders down in Wicklow a few weekends ago.

Also, to answer the previous posters statement, I'm on a bmw and I'll feckin nod at everyone!

CJhaughey

rymus wrote: »

Also, to answer the previous posters statement, I'm on a bmw and I'll feckin nod at everyone!

'Pologies man , don't mean to tar ye all with the same brush. But Those twats from Long Way have encouraged a load of people to start riding bikes that have no knowledge of biking practices.

No1J

seanybiker wrote: »

Use the leg when its not a great idea to be waving. Taking a corner 1 handed is frowned upon lol.

Most couriers use the leg, the right one, what else can you use going around a left hander overtaking a van kicking up a gear while using left hand on the walkie talkie?

rymus

CJhaughey wrote: »

But Those twats from Long Way have encouraged a load of people to start riding bikes that have no knowledge of biking practices.

Can't argue with that!

Paparazzo

Simona1986 wrote: »

Nearly always nod in Dublin but I find it isn't always returned. Couriers and the likes tend to not return the gesture but that's understandable! Nothing worse than nodding and not getting a response though!

If I don't get a nod back I spend the next 5 miles about what wánkers they are!

CJhaughey wrote: »

'Pologies man , don't mean to tar ye all with the same brush. But Those twats from Long Way have encouraged a load of people to start riding bikes that have no knowledge of biking practices.

I think the Celtic tiger has a lot to answer for. Lots if people with too much money bought bikes. Hopefully the recession weeds some of these out

Wossack

dont tend to nod on the commute these days...

however, with the roads so potholed to shite, to a casual observer it probably looks like Im nodding more

Flyin Irishman

CJhaughey wrote: »

Those twats from Long Way have encouraged a load of people to start riding bikes that have no knowledge of biking practices.

Paparazzo wrote: »

I think the Celtic tiger has a lot to answer for. Lots if people with too much money bought bikes. Hopefully the recession weeds some of these out

I think this is more a symptom of the biker subculture and community diminishing than people not nodding. New people getting involved in biking, whether they know the ins-and-outs of the current practises or not, should be a good thing! New bikers should be welcomed and shown these practises, not ridiculed and resented for not inherintly knowing them.

Hopefully you wont get your way, and new people will continue to get bikes, otherwise it will become a very scarce community altogether...

amacca

I ride a fairly full on sports bike and I always either nod (when going fast..ish) or give a wave (when going slow...ish) to anyone on any form of powered two wheeler (so none of your sportsbike people look down everyone else guff)

In the past two years I'm fairly sure not a single rider has failed to acknowledge in kind

and they've been on bmws, goldwings, silverwings, cb250s, kwakers, monster, harleys, svs etc


even "da police" although I did have a sudden rush of "maybe that wasn't such a good idea itis" when I waved as I sped (mildly over)/rode at a perfectly legal speed by a bike cop parked in a 50km zone obviously looking for those that may have been "breakin the law"

slept slightly uneasily that night.

No1J

I only seem to get the nod as a reply these days, but while we are on it does anyone pop the front wheel any more. I have had more strange looks than anything else, was a time that if a bike on the other side seen you lift it was expected of you. maybe its the bikes, LC's DT's and Gama's couldn't help it.

Fiskar

I only nod at bikers not those on scooters or Bergmans (Sorry!). get a 90 to 95 % return on nods

Paparazzo

Flyin Irishman wrote: »

I think this is more a symptom of the biker subculture and community diminishing than people not nodding. New people getting involved in biking, whether they know the ins-and-outs of the current practises or not, should be a good thing! New bikers should be welcomed and shown these practises, not ridiculed and resented for not inherintly knowing them.

You do realise you're saying they should be shown how to return a wave?

amacca

No1J wrote: »

I only seem to get the nod as a reply these days, but while we are on it does anyone pop the front wheel any more. I have had more strange looks than anything else, was a time that if a bike on the other side seen you lift it was expected of you. maybe its the bikes, LC's DT's and Gama's couldn't help it.

only pop a wheelie for real on a dirtbike in a field usually, try to avoid ever doing it on the road.

I know that's boring but too much can go horribly wrong with traffic coming the other way in my crash shy opinion. youre right though, used to see it fairly regularly a couple of years back.

reckon some people have their traction control switched on permanently on newer bikes and it wont let them pop wheelies anyway.

know thats the case with bmw rr

Flyin Irishman

Paparazzo wrote: »

You do realise you're saying they should be shown how to return a wave?

Its more than just a wave or a nod, its an acknowledgment of the biker sub-culture, which many people will only want to be part of if theyre welcomed.

Antiquo

DiscoStu wrote: »

Always do it out on national roads or a spin through the mountains. In Dublin city its a bit too chaotic to ignore the rest of the road food chain waiting for that opportune moment to kill you on the off chance of a nod in return.

Likewise when in the city and burbs I will nod but more interested in trying to figure out if the moron in the people carrier will stop at the red light or just think it's a suggestion and plough straight through the junction.

No1J wrote: »

I only seem to get the nod as a reply these days, but while we are on it does anyone pop the front wheel any more. I have had more strange looks than anything else, was a time that if a bike on the other side seen you lift it was expected of you. maybe its the bikes, LC's DT's and Gama's couldn't help it.

Yer talking about a few years ago with those bikes and (a) personally I would have but in my defence I was younger with less sense,
now I'm older and have no sense at all but breakages heal a lot slower and hospitals are no longer somewhere to go for a possible romantic adventure and an invite to a good party (b) An awful lot more traffic on the roads kinda limits the opportunity too.

Chaos Marine

RRaff wrote: »

Living in Dublin now almost 3 years and no one seems to nod or wave except for this weekend at the IBS! Completely different in Cork (greatest city in Ireland) where everyone I cruise past gives or returns recognition.

I regularly go along the south link, through the Jack Lynch Tunnel into Tivoli and then Blackpool to get to work. When I start the 10:30AM shift, there's always this guy decked out in black on a cruiser who never nods, waves or anything back at me.

I tend to nod whenever I can or wave if I'm not going too fast. I know it's actually safer to wave at higher speeds (Ever take your hands slightly off the handle bars at high speed?).

Paparazzo

Flyin Irishman wrote: »

Its more than just a wave or a nod, its an acknowledgment of the biker sub-culture, which many people will only want to be part of if theyre welcomed.

I think you're reading to much into the ability to return a wave.

Chaos Marine wrote: »

I regularly go along the south link, through the Jack Lynch Tunnel into Tivoli and then Blackpool to get to work. When I start the 10:30AM shift, there's always this guy decked out in black on a cruiser who never nods, waves or anything back at me.

I tend to nod whenever I can or wave if I'm not going too fast. I know it's actually safer to wave at higher speeds (Ever take your hands slightly off the handle bars at high speed?).

I always find harley riders to be the worst at returning waves.

arybvtcw0eolkf

amacca wrote: »

reckon some people have their traction control switched on permanently on newer bikes and it wont let them pop wheelies anyway.

I've never rode a bike with traction control, so I can't comment.

But how would traction control stop a bike wheeling?.

emptyshed

Dublin city seems to be a no no for the nod, I'm guessin everyones too wrapped up in their own journey.
The long spins into the countryside definitely get a better response.

Amazes me still how bikers will stop to comment on each others bikes etc.
As a relative newbie, about 18 months on the road, still seems strange to have total strangers approach me to ask about the bike etc.

20 years of car driving ...including some very flashy motors, never got that reaction!

unclebill98

Paparazzo wrote: »

I think you're reading to much into the ability to return a wave.


I always find harley riders to be the worst at returning waves.

Hay! I nod at all bikes

I've found there's a varied attitude amongst Harley bikers. My thought are we're all on two wheels! So nod away.

emptyshed wrote: »

Dublin city seems to be a no no for the nod, I'm guessin everyones too wrapped up in their own journey.
The long spins into the countryside definitely get a better response.

Amazes me still how bikers will stop to comment on each others bikes etc.
As a relative newbie, about 18 months on the road, still seems strange to have total strangers approach me to ask about the bike etc.

20 years of car driving ...including some very flashy motors, never got that reaction!

I defo find in the more built up areas the nod does not happen.

I drive a van a wave or flash the lights at bike. I always get a nod/wave back.

Interceptor

I nod at everyone except one tool on a Honda Steed who has blanked me every morning for five years - I suspect he's from Dublin and has a superiority complex. I got a big wave from a cop on an FJR last week and nearly fell off with fright. It works two ways - if you want bikers to stop when you break down or run out of juice - keep waving. Otherwise we all just become traffic.

'cptr

paddy147

I love the young moped generation,who seem to feel the need to constantly rev their little 50cc fart mobiles every second that they sit at the light for.

helmet up on the head,no gloves on,tracksuit zip top on,and they think that they are all so cool.when in fact they are complete and utter tools.

Why do they do that and also with regards constanting revving??

And dont even try and say that its to keep the engine warm and keep it idling.Because that excuse is total bullsh!t.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

In my day,my moped or any mopeds that I had allways idled perfectly well without the need for constant w^nking of the throttle.

sleepysniper

paddy147 wrote: »

I love the young moped generation,who seem to feel the need to constantly rev their little 50cc fart mobiles every second that they sit at the light for.

helmet up on the head,no gloves on,tracksuit zip top on,and they think that they are all so cool.when in fact they are complete and utter tools.

Why do they do that and also with regards constanting revving??

And dont even try and say that its to keep the engine warm and keep it idling.Because that excuse is total bullsh!t.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

In my day,my moped or any mopeds that I had allways idled perfectly well without the need for constant w^nking of the throttle.

...and what does that have to do with the biker nod dying off then?

paddy147

sleepysniper wrote: »

...and what does that have to do with the biker nod dying off then?

Because alot of them are completely ignorant and completely clueless too,and with regards general safety and also with regards to other bikers too.

corkimp

When I was an active pillion (not so at moment..but will change soon i hope!) the guy driving would wave and incline his head when overtaking be it car or bike as a thanks - and would greet other bikers by nodding, waving and, depending on situation, leg shake. As for me, at the moment, im in a car so if i do wave at a biker they look at me funny! hehe. Guess it depends on the bikers mood too - if they are having a bad day, in a rush etc, they won't particularly be looking at others to register your wave/nod etc.
hopefully once i get my own bike etc and my skills/confidence is good, will return yer nods at least!

Paparazzo

paddy147 wrote: »

I love the young moped generation,who seem to feel the need to constantly rev their little 50cc fart mobiles

LOL!

Jonybgud

paddy147 wrote: »

Because alot of them are completely ignorant and completely clueless too,and with regards general safety and also with regards to other bikers too.

(I'm risking a ban for this, I know, but it has to be said)

paddy147 you're an idiot.

P.C.

Jonybgud wrote: »

(I'm risking a ban for this, I know, but it has to be said)

paddy147 you're an idiot.

ATTACK THE POST NOT THE POSTER.

PERSONAL ABUSE WILL NOT BE TOLLERATED.

WARNING ISSUED.

amacca

Esteban Wailing Warthog wrote: »

I've never rode a bike with traction control, so I can't comment.

But how would traction control stop a bike wheeling?.

By no means an expert so stand to be corrected by those more knowledgeable

but

as I understand it, traction control systems measure the speed of the front wheel and the back wheel via sensors

if you have good/perfect traction then both wheels should be rotating at the same rate (or a set ratio given their difference in size? )

if you pop a wheelie with traction control on then the front wheel will tend to slow down and the chip/ecu/whatever will reduce the power to the back wheel (you will actually feel the revs being reduced - with a good system its not supposed to be as intrusive and scary as it sounds - and it kicks in quick so its not as if you are up in the air and suddenly you go from 6-7k rpm back to two and get flipped etc)

This is good for not wasting power on launch (getting from the line as quickly as possible without front wheel lift) and getting out of corners quick without the front lifting as I understand it, this is not the only intended use for TC....if you are skidding around a corner then you are not laying down all of the available power efficiently and TC will reduce revs to stop the skid (within reason - if you're fully out of control youre out of control and TC wont save you ) and get you around quicker than if you were left to you're own devices supposedly.....for me it sort of takes the fun out of it.

as far as I know BMW s1000rr has it and the ducati 1198 and presume some of the new jap superbikes have it as well.

edit: just done some googling, apparently some TC systems measure lean angle as well and some have sensors specifically for detecting front wheel lift that are unrelated to rotation speed etc