Talking to Fellow Motorcyclists: Do You Know Your Hand Signals? | Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys® (2024)

FAQs

How do bikers talk to each other while riding? ›

A motorcycle intercom is a device that allows riders to communicate with each other while riding. The device consists of a microphone, a speaker, and a wireless connection that enables communication between the riders. Some intercoms even allow for connection to a phone, GPS or music player.

The "Biker Wave", the greeting between motorcyclists, is well known to us: it is a gesture of recognition, of friendship, which we do because we are part of a community, accomplices even without knowing each other. The basic concept is "Hello two-wheeled brother.

It's simply a way of showing camaraderie with other riders. A wave or nod is our special way of saying hello and showing solidarity. Motorcyclists are often outnumbered on the road, so it's nice when riders show that we have each other's backs.

In order to ensure the safety of everyone on the road, motorcycle bluetooth Intercom have become an essential way for motorcycle riders to communicate with friends, family and other riders. The Bluetooth intercom is wireless and fits most helmets.

Cop or Speedtrap Ahead

Unlike a lot of the other signs it might be a little confusing if you haven't seen it before. If you pass a speed trap and you see another rider heading towards it warn them by taking your left hand and tapping the top of your helmet a couple times.

Biker Code Hand Signals: Indicate To Turn Right

In the image below, you can see that the biker code hand signal for a right turn is to hold your left fist up with your arm at a 90-degree angle.

So instead you live a lie – or a series of lies about loyalty, honour, brotherhood, respect. And you give this lie a name. You call it the Bikers' Code.

Eighty-six or 86 is American English slang used to indicate that an item is no longer available, traditionally from a food or drinks establishment, or referring to a person or people who are not welcome in the premises.

Dangling your leg into this high-speed airstream results in a significant force on the rider's leg as it acts like a small parachute, creating a turning moment by pulling the riders leg around his core. This in turn encourages a pull on the outside handlebar, further helping to turn the bike through counter-steering.

High Beams On—When a rider taps their head, it is usually to indicate that high beams are on. In some groups, it can be used to mean that there are cops ahead. Debris on Road—If a rider shakes his leg, it is usually meant to tell the riders behind him that there is debris coming up ahead on that side of the road.

How do bikers say goodbye? ›

“Keep the rubber side down”: A common way to say goodbye to another rider. Basically, it means to stay safe (the “rubber side” being the tires).

While, when the same gesture is shown to a four-wheeled driver by a motorcyclist, it means that the biker is saying 'Thank You! ' So whenever you cross paths with a motorcyclist, raise your hand to greet him with a two-finger biker wave.

Where did it come from? Some claim that a 'wave' started in 1904 when William Harley passed Arthur Davidson, and since they were friends, they waved at one another. Another passer-by on a motorcycle saw this event, and presumed it to be the norm. Thus, the practice became a tradition.

The universal sign of distress when your motorcycle is broke down on the side of a road. All motorcyclists know that putting the helmet on the ground is bad luck,what not everyone knows is that:the helmet on the ground is the international sign of help from biker code (Biker).

You may feel inclined to honk your horn to announce that you are behind a cyclist or to let them know that you will attempt to pass them. You might also honk because you're frustrated with the cyclist on the road. Cyclists, however, have the same rights as other motorists and must be treated as so.

Begin counting as the rear of the car ahead passes the check point. If it takes less than three seconds to reach the check point, you're too close. Three seconds (one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three) is correct for ideal conditions. Allow more space in poor conditions.

A two-second following distance gives you a minimum amount of space to stop or swerve, if the driver ahead stops suddenly. It also gives you a better view of potholes and other road hazards.

A pillion is a secondary pad, cushion, or seat behind the main seat or saddle on a horse, motorcycle, bicycle or moped. A passenger in this seat is said to "ride pillion". The word is derived from the Scottish Gaelic for "little rug", pillean, from the Latin pellis, "animal skin".

Another reason might be that the motorcyclist is hiding their plates from law enforcement, as the plates might be fraudulent or they might be doing something else wrong. In any case, motorcyclists should always have completely visible and valid license plates on their bikes.

Speed Up: Left arm extended straight out, palm facing up, swing upward. Slow Down: Left arm extended straight out, palm facing down, swing down to your side. While these aren't the most exciting signals – you gotta remember it's not just bikers on the road & luckily the above signals apply to other vehicles too.

Why do quarterbacks point at their helmets? ›

Why Do Quarterbacks Point To Their Helmet Before The Ball Is Snapped? When the quarterback wants to change the play at the line of scrimmage, he will use what we call an “alert” system. Using the hand signal of pointing to his head and yelling the word alert means the offense changes the play.

Motorcycle Emissions

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulates pollution emissions from all motorcycles in California. California makes it illegal to alter any parts or accessories on a pollution-controlled vehicle that is related to the vehicle's emission.

The “two-finger wave” is a common greeting among American riders. This gesture uses the index and middle fingers, similar to making a peace sign. Bikers who use this greeting point their fingers downward when passing each other. This allows them to wave while keeping one hand on the handlebars.

The group advocates gun ownership rights and resistance to the U.S. federal government. The group's name derives from the erroneous claim that "...the active forces in the field against the King's tyranny never amounted to more than 3% of the colonists..." during the American Revolution.

May the sun rise in front of me, the rain fall behind me and the wind follow me. May the Angels guard my travels for they know what is ahead of me. Keep me safe through rolling hills and swirling turns. Let the eagle guide me to the mountain tops.

In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Common nicknames for the club are the "H.A.", "Red & White", "HAMC", and "81". With a membership of over 6,000, and 467 chapters in 59 countries, the HAMC is the largest motorcycle club in the world.

Lady Bikers of California – A statewide, CA riding club for women only.

Generally, it is assumed someone wearing a 13 patch is either a user of marijuana or other drugs, or is involved with the sale of them. The M also has been known to stand for "methamphetamine".

Old Lady. This is a term of endearment for a biker's girlfriend or wife. If a biker refers to his lady as such, you'll know to keep your paws off.

Why do bikers roll up pants? ›

"A lot of people roll up one leg of their pants, especially on the side where the crank or chain is so that they don't get caught and dirty."

A cyclist needs to bend inward while going on a circular track so that a component of his weight provides the necessary centripetal force to perform circular motion.

And speaking of physics, the main reason you see racers (and fast riders) leaning off their bikes and dragging a knee, is because that's the best way to lower your centre of gravity, and the lower your centre of gravity, the more stable you'll be. To corner quickly, you need to lean the bike over.

Motorcycle riders must often take evasive action to avoid being hit by another vehicle. These maneuvers include swerving and lane-splitting. While these actions may appear dangerous, they swiftly move the motorcyclist out of the way of other cars, preventing a collision.

“May the good Lord watch over you, and may he give you his guidance, protection and care. May God ride by your side and bring you home safe to your loved ones.”

Introduction: Motorcycles are colloquially referred to as "donorcycles" among medical staff.

Signal for Help - Wikipedia.

The National Motorists Assn. has developed signals to help drivers communicate with one another. A sampling: * I'm sorry. If you unintentionally inconvenience, irritate or endanger another motorist, hold two fingers in a “V” position, like the “V for victory” signal or the peace sign.

The salute is performed with the middle and index fingers extended and touching each other, while the ring and little fingers are bent and touched by the thumb. The tips of the middle and index fingers touch the peak of the cap, the two fingers have been interpreted as honour and fatherland (Honor i Ojczyzna).

Where did it come from? Some claim that a 'wave' started in 1904 when William Harley passed Arthur Davidson, and since they were friends, they waved at one another. Another passer-by on a motorcycle saw this event, and presumed it to be the norm. Thus, the practice became a tradition.

Why do motorcycle riders hug the center line? ›

This is because motorcyclists only have a fraction of a second to react to hazards like debris and vehicles, so staying close allows their tires and feet to respond more quickly.

Plenty of riders find the same thing when they're on a motorcycle. Some people find themselves sharper and more alert with something to listen to. The noise of the wind and your motor can become unstimulating after a while, and many riders find that music helps.

To signal a right turn extend your left arm out and bend it at the elbow so your hand is pointing upwards. The reason this is done is because motorcyclists control their speed with the throttle in their right hand, so they can't very well extend their right arm to signal or else they would slow down.

First, in the internet age, people do not want others to photograph their bikes and post their license plates online. Another reason might be that the motorcyclist is hiding their plates from law enforcement, as the plates might be fraudulent or they might be doing something else wrong.

If you're riding along the road and see your fellow motorcycle riders tapping the top of their helmets as they pass you in the opposite direction, slow down and be cautious. In most of the U.S., this is a warning that the police are nearby.

In a road bicycle race, the peloton (from French, originally meaning 'platoon') is the main group or pack of riders.

California. Anyone operating a motor vehicle, which includes a motorcycle, cannot wear headphones, earphones, earbuds, or similar devices in or covering both ears. However, the law allows the use of noise dampening earplugs provided they do not prevent you from hearing sirens or horns.

Wear earplugs when riding a motorcycle. Disposable foam earplugs are inexpensive and can quiet up to 25 dB of sound, which can mean the difference between dangerous and safe levels of noise. Earplugs will not interfere with your ability to hear problems with the engine or surrounding warning signals.