Waving to your fellow bikers is an unwritten rule of the road. When you're driving done a lonely stretch of highway and notice another biker riding in your direction, give them a quick wave. Once you've been biking for any serious length of time, though, you'll probably notice a wide variety of different biker waves. To learn more about the many different types of biker waves, keep reading.
Right Hand Up
Okay, the 'right hand up' wave is the most basic type of biker wave you'll see on the roads. Just as the name suggests, this type of wave is performed by raising your hand in the air and waving it to your fellow bikers. You probably aren't going to earn any cool points for performing this wave, but at least you won't piss off anyone in the process.
Left Hand Down
Also known as the chopper wave, the 'left hand down' wave is a popular choice among Harley riders. Rather than raising your hand up in the air like a goofball, you tilt your left hand diagonally towards the road while passing other bikers.
There are a couple different variations of the left hand down wave. Some riders hold out two fingers to create the 'peace' sign with their arm extended, while other riders hold out 3, 4 or all 5 fingers. I guess it's a matter of personal preference, but I've probably seen the 2-finger variation used the most.
Arm Straight Out
Another biker wave that you're bound to come across on the roads at some point is the 'arm straight out.' This wave is more popular among crotch rockets than chopper riders. It's performed by extending the left hand completely out with your palms facing the oncoming biker. If you intend to perform this wave, it's important to keep your arm about shoulder height; otherwise, you'll look awkward doing it. You can also choose to either extend your arm out in front of you, or you can face it horizontally towards the oncoming rider. The arm straight out wave is a safe wave that will get you respect on the road.
Middle Finger Up
Of course, you could always acknowledge your fellow bikers by raising your hand and extending the middle finger. The 'middle finger up' wave is 100% guaranteed to turn heads (although not always in a good way). Just remember to keep your foot on the gas so you can haul ass when the time comes.
