Featured Advice To Foreign Bikers On French Roads

Please be adviced that when riding in Sweden, it is of utmost importance that you salute in the proper way. You make your left hand a fist and point the middle finger towards the sky. If you miss this when meeting a motorcycle gang, they WILL turn around, run you off the road and beat you up, so beware.

 

What with you madly waving, nodding and shaking your legs about whilst grinning insanely at everyone, I think most people would think you’re a bit ‘special’ and give you a wide berth.

Much like what happens to me when I try talking to people on the London Underground. It’s amazing how many people get off a stop or three before they intended, or how people gravitate to the other end of the carriage - even in rush hour. It seems no one is genuinely interested in my collection of slugs I keep in matchboxes.

 

If you waved at every bike you see at the IOM TT they would think you are having an epileptic fit.

 

I don't feel that if I'm honest. 99% friendly and interested in the bikes etc wherever I've been.

 

That confirms my observation. HD riders are just like others now, with more money.
And only a few of them are able to check oil level and tire pressure without going to the dealer.

 

Like the op mentioned somewhere, my grumpy feeling comes also from the area I live now.
Savoie is a quite posh area (it's now called "la Riviera des Alpes" on touristic papers ), and a destination for sunday riders, sport cars owners, etc.

It's the first place when it's raining people are asking me why I ride a motorcycle.
And yes I'm sure people in north of France are way more friendly.

 

harley people never used to wave back unless you were on a harley. thats changed and everybody waves at everybody.

except for the very occasional harley newbie still insecure with tbeir image. they steadfstedly look the other way. i wave anyway. someday theyll figure it out

 

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Are you sure it's bikes ..?

 

I won't ask them

 

Waving is done here as well, I'm in Mexico

 

I remember the first time I took my throttle hand off the bars to wave when riding with a sidecar.

Bike violently veered right across the right lane towards the central reservation

I grabbed repeatedly where the handlebar should have been until I got it

Opened throttle

Bike swung back left again but with sidecar wheel lifting, so...

Had to close throttle to get the wheel back down causing the bike to head towards the central reservation again.

I finally got it under control but was rather more careful about acknowledging other riders after that

 

brilliant. blagged

 

Actually I find the 'Adventure' bike riders are the worst for not nodding, 99%ers......

 

Actually I find its the 99%er 'Adventure' riders that don't say hello.

 

I ride a Tiger and give a either a very regal style wave or a frantic one like I’m swatting a wasp. Which has happened a few times when one gets in the lid!