Biker's Salute

@singout (980)
United States
August 17, 2008 8:46pm CST
Does anyone know how or when the biker's salute or wave got started or even how long this has been going on? Almost without fail, when passing another bike coming from the opposite direction, they will always wave or stick out a hand in some sort of biker's code wave or salute. Naturally, when someone waves at you, you want to wave back. I'm not complaining, I think it's cool.
1 person likes this
2 responses
sunnflr
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
18 Aug 08
We just saw this the other day and were talking about it! It looked to me like both sets of bikers held their hand down and out to the side with only two fingers pointing. Is that how you do it?
1 person likes this
singout
@singout (980)
• United States
18 Aug 08
Thanks for the only response so far sunnflr(there must not be a whole lot of bikers on mylot). I've never noticed the fingers pointing here in my area, but yes, that is usually how it's done. The only thing I can figure is that it must some unspoken biker camaraderie where they show respect for each other. It's always the left hand too, I suppose because it is the only hand free once you've reached your cruising speed. The left grip is the clutch side. Thanks again
1 person likes this
sunnflr
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
18 Aug 08
Yeah it was the left hand we saw used also. And both riders on each bike did it. We thought it was pretty cool, but I wondered how everyone knows what to do.
1 person likes this
jamiecl
@jamiecl (1)
• United States
28 Jun 10
kinda late but just came across this im a bike the salute is with the left hand helt twords the ground and the peace symnbol or the 2 fingers pointed down to the ground its just a way to give respect to other bikers and klinda say hey man its just a friendly greating between bikers for sharing the same ambision to ride
tigdupre
@tigdupre (1)
• United States
17 May 09
Singout and sunnflr, I hope by now that you've gotten your answer. The "salute" or wave is a gesture of recognition and respect from one rider to another. It has nothing to do with any "secret code of the road" or any gang sign. It's simply an acknowledgment of one biker to another biker. Usually, one rider will hold out a left hand, down low so "cagers" don't think it's a signal of intent to turn. The left hand is used because the right needs to hold the throttle. I generally stick out two fingers like a "peace" symbol, meaning "peace and good luck to you on the road." I took my 19 year old son two-up tonight. The first time I waved to another biker, he asked, "What was that for?" I told him, and then I had trouble getting him to sit still! :o) I think he'll be a biker, too. Be safe and keep riding! A bad day riding beats a good day at work. Tig Dupre in Port Orchard, WA