Head Nodders

Author
Discussion

CrispyMK

Original Poster:

199 posts

155 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
quotequote all
Where are all the head nodders at? I rode from Notts to Macclesfield and back today. I nodded every time I could and I reckon less than 50% gave a nod back.

From the full on "yes" nod, to the cheeky sideways "go on my son" nod it's always nice to get a response from people.

From today's ride I noted the majority of nodders were suited up sports bike riders and the least likely to nod were the born again bikers on vintage stuff. Has anyone else noticed a decline in nodding back?

shirt

24,305 posts

216 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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As a recent 2 wheeled convert, first I’ve heard of it. Only ever get the hand thing in Europe which i find weird as it’s your throttle hand when on the continent.

CoreyDog

842 posts

105 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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I rode when I was younger and the nod was just the done thing. Got back into riding a couple of years ago and seems to have vanished. I nod to every biker whatever they are on, as you say get perhaps 50% back. Find that older the bike, more likely to nod back. Anything between 2000 and 2009, get a nod. Anything newer, not a chance.

airsafari87

3,078 posts

197 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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It’s cos everyone rides GS’s now isn’t it.

poo at Paul's

14,449 posts

190 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
quotequote all
shirt said:
As a recent 2 wheeled convert, first I’ve heard of it. Only ever get the hand thing in Europe which i find weird as it’s your throttle hand when on the continent.
Errr, it’s the left hand in Europe when I’ve been there, and US too.
But I refuse to to it as somehow the Americans make is seem all a bit tragic!

Biker9090

1,494 posts

52 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
quotequote all
Jesus wept, every bloody summer this comes up.

Why are grown men so concerned with who acknowledges them?

I couldn't give a shiny ste who does and doesn't nod for me. Someone's I do it and sometimes I don't.

Lambo FirstBlood

1,001 posts

194 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
quotequote all
CoreyDog said:
I rode when I was younger and the nod was just the done thing. Got back into riding a couple of years ago and seems to have vanished. I nod to every biker whatever they are on, as you say get perhaps 50% back. Find that older the bike, more likely to nod back. Anything between 2000 and 2009, get a nod. Anything newer, not a chance.
I nod to every rider I come across too. Reckon 75% nod back. Doesn’t seem to follow any obvious pattern as far as I can tell.

Slowboathome

4,460 posts

59 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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I tend to do it more on midweek daytime rides when there are fewer of us around and it feels more significant.


Alzy

64 posts

165 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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I’ll even give a nod the the step-through’s.

Everyone gets a nod.

Rob 131 Sport

3,666 posts

67 months

Monday 12th June 2023
quotequote all
CrispyMK said:
Where are all the head nodders at? I rode from Notts to Macclesfield and back today. I nodded every time I could and I reckon less than 50% gave a nod back.

From the full on "yes" nod, to the cheeky sideways "go on my son" nod it's always nice to get a response from people.

From today's ride I noted the majority of nodders were suited up sports bike riders and the least likely to nod were the born again bikers on vintage stuff. Has anyone else noticed a decline in nodding back?
As a Suited Up Sportsbike Rider, I always nod. I remember in the late 80’s riding a Kawasaki AR50 and all the riders would nod at you including those riding such exotica as RC30’s.

Edited by Rob 131 Sport on Monday 12th June 05:51

trickywoo

12,936 posts

245 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Harleys, scooters, GS types, old commuter nails don’t tend to nod.

66mpg

682 posts

122 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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The first time I was out by myself, on a 125 with L-plates, two years ago, the rider of a much bigger bike going in the opposite direction gave me the nod. I nodded back and felt a warm glow inside as I realised that even on L-plates I was being admitted into a fellowship of riders that car drivers would probably never know about.

I certainly hadn’t noticed motorcyclists nodding at each other when I was driving a car.

The lads and lasses on scooters rushing about delivering food rarely nod, probably too focused on the phone app that is guiding them.

I have heard it said that Harley riders don’t nod but that’s not always true. I have even had a few nods from police riders on their RTs as well.

anonymous-user

69 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Biker9090 said:
Jesus wept, every bloody summer this comes up.

Why are grown men so concerned with who acknowledges them?

I couldn't give a shiny ste who does and doesn't nod for me. Someone's I do it and sometimes I don't.
This.

Jazoli

9,332 posts

265 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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EVOTECH3BELL said:
Biker9090 said:
Jesus wept, every bloody summer this comes up.

Why are grown men so concerned with who acknowledges them?

I couldn't give a shiny ste who does and doesn't nod for me. Someone's I do it and sometimes I don't.
This.
+1 I honestly don't care if you are riding a bike also, we aren't brothers because you do, I never nod.

Far Cough

2,432 posts

183 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Full on nod for fellow sports bike riders. I ignore learners , choppers and wannabe Ewan McGregor's or whatever the other one was called even if they initiate a nod. Ha

Slowboathome

4,460 posts

59 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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I also nod at bikers when I'm on my bicycle.

Chumley.mouse

690 posts

52 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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I only nod when I’m…….A. Sneezing inside my helmet or …. B. It’s cold and I’m shaking a dew drop off the end of my nose. Other than that no I don’t nod to anyone.

black-k1

12,444 posts

244 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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I always nod/wave.

TGCOTF-dewey

6,496 posts

70 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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shirt said:
As a recent 2 wheeled convert, first I’ve heard of it. Only ever get the hand thing in Europe which i find weird as it’s your throttle hand when on the continent.
Throttle is on the other side... Left hand drive don't forget.

Hungrymc

7,037 posts

152 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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A new phenomena for me this year has been the occasional pedestrian nodding.... And yes, I'm sure they weren't saying "look at that Pratt".. Was definitely a biker nod.