Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Motorcycle etiquette

At one time, there seemed to be a prominent etiquette amongst bikers. Somehow, this seems to be vanishing. As time goes by and we see more bikes being sold to those that only do weekend riding. Therefore, I thought maybe it would be great if we could make a list of what we think should be the motorcycle etiquette practiced today. So please add on yours to the list

1. Never touch another bike unless invited to.
2. Never criticize another bike; it may be the best that can be afforded at the time.
3.Try to acknowledge the other biker on the open road. This just show that you share the bond of being out there in the elements enjoying the moment.
4. Be courteous to other road users. This includes acknowledging drivers/riders who give way for you, as well as giving way for other riders/drivers who have the right of way.
5. Make way for faster vehicles, let then past in a friendly manner.
6. Never pass another bike or motor vehicle on his left hand side unless he indicates for you to do so. Keep Left and Pass Right. The opposite being true for the USA.
7. Always stop for a bike on the side of the road. He may need help, if not well it was worth the effort and I am sure it was appreciated.

Gotta disagree with ya here Dave. I don't think there should be a list I have only one rule and it is:
Ride your own machine.
What does this mean? It means don't try to tell anyone what or how they should ride.

Post deleted by Grump

AMEN, to that brother Grump!!!!!! Respect!!! thats what the word of the day is folks, so pass it on!!!!

Quote:

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These rules should apply to most everything.

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Tru dat! There would be a whole lot less problems.

I am running this thread on a few other bike forums and this is what I have so far.

1. Show respect to your fellow biker as he/she may have travelled many a road.
2.Never touch another bike unless invited to.
3. Never criticize another bike; it may be the best that can be afforded at the time.
4.Try to acknowledge the other biker on the open road. This just show that you share the bond of being out there in the elements enjoying the moment.
5. Be courteous to other road users. This includes acknowledging drivers/riders who give way for you, as well as giving way for other riders/drivers who have the right of way.
6. Make way for faster vehicles, let then past in a friendly manner.
7. Never pass another bike or motor vehicle on his left hand side unless he indicates for you to do so. Keep Left and Pass Right. The opposite being true for the USA.
8. Always stop for a bike on the side of the road. He may need help, if not well it was worth the effort and I am sure it was appreciated.
9. Don't pass other riders on the inside of turns - you never know
if he/she is a newbie, nervous etc.

Not bad rules for life. If newer bikers don't know them the best way to teach them is to follow the rules yourself and hope they're bright enough to pick up on them. There will always be the selfish and arrogant who feel they don't need those rules - and chances are they're the ones who'll be most upset when someone else touches their bike, passes them on the wrong side etc.

Hello BA Members
rear one all
I thinks the written from Dave applies to all countries in the world, therefore also my appeal of all: more respect to EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. Naturally there can be also 5 different opinions among 5 humans - nevertheless have exactly these 5 different humans a hobby: Motorcycle-drive......
best regards PETER

.......translated with Babelfish......

I couldn't agree more. This is the root cause of our
society's problems, in my opinion. If people(young or old)
have no respect for themselves, how can you expect them
to respect anyone else.

It's a shame,
Uncle Charlie

Grump nailed it, sister Aretha sang it...R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

----------------------
Hank

Thats cause you can't beat it into the kids anymore and they know it. I don't mean abuse but a good spanking goes a long way and makes em think twice next time.

A neighbour of mine got a bike licence a couple of years back and rides a Hornet 600. He never waves or nods to other bikers. He had a game of golf with his best friend. on the way home his mates car broke down on the freeway and this guy drove straight past. When his passenger asked him if he had seen his mate stuck at the side of the road, his response was "F**K him, he should get a more reliable car". Is he a youngster - no he's well into his 40's. This guy's youngest kid was the As*hole of the 'hood until an ex military neighbour 'put him straight' with a few words in his ear !

Funny how so many dont want to live with rules, it gets in the way of their "freedom". They dont understand that the rules are designed to enhance freedom and liberty. To be free, to live free, one must respect others, the rules, and be responsible.

Reason we as a people have become a bunch of rude selfcenter a$$holes.

Is we have become too civilized and leagalized.
200 yrs ago an insult was replied to by a slap and perhaps bloodshed. Therfore people were alot less likly to through insults around.

Now that jackass who throws you the bird at an intersection
knows there isnt too much you can do about it.

Chase him down and beat his butt..guess what you're going to jail. People treat each other like crap cuz they can get away with it.

And "Do unto others as thou would have others do unto thee"
(Guess where that came from Brummie) isn't taught anymore.
Now we have the wonderful catch phrases like "Gotta look out for number one" and "He who dies with the most toys wins".

Sh!t down off the soap box Jack.

These are great credos to emulate, gentlemen.

And that's exactly what we need more of today....GENTLE men!

You see, it seems all too frequently in today's world that THIS term as been confused with Arnold's pet little catch-phrase of "Girly men"....and NOTHING could be further from the truth!

There are times to turn on the ol' machismo, but it seems that too many men today don't know when to turn THAT CRAP OFF and to start acting like they know to conduct themselves in what USED to be called "Polite Society".

(and sorry Jack, but you don't need "duels" to reinforce this notion of "polite society")

And unfortuately, it seems that the idea of "the lady" is also a little too "old school" for present day sensibilities.




(HOLY &^$*!%*!!! I just re-read what I wrote here........I am now officially AN OLD GEEZER!!!!)

AND...I just thought of one to add to DaveM's list here....

10. If some yo-yo on a cell phone cuts you off in traffic, but after it's all said and done, you and your bike go unscathed....take a page out of the fella's book who many people will be celebrating what they believe to be his resurrection tomorrow....FORGIVE THEM!

And if it turns out you don't go unscathed....try your DAMNDEST to forgive them.

Cheers,
Dwight
(to all my christian friends out there....HAPPY EASTER)

1. Show respect to your fellow biker as he/she may have travelled many a road.
2. Never touch another bike unless invited to.
3. Never criticize another bike; it may be the best that can be afforded at the time.
4. Try to acknowledge the other biker on the open road. This just shows that you share the bond of being out there in the elements enjoying the moment.
5. Be courteous to other road users. This includes acknowledging drivers/riders who give way for you, as well as giving way for other riders/drivers who have the right of way.
6. Make way for faster vehicles, let then past in a friendly manner.
7. Never pass another bike or motor vehicle on his left hand side unless he indicates for you to do so. Keep Left and Pass Right. The opposite being true for the USA.
8. Always stop for a bike on the side of the road. He may need help, if not well it was worth the effort and I am sure it was appreciated.
9. Don't pass other riders on the inside of turns - you never know
if he/she is a newbie, nervous etc.
10. If you do not know how to ride in a group, speak up. Do not be embarrassed; we all had to learn. The ride captain will generally ask if there are folks who have never ridden formation. Remember to ask what type of group ride it will be. Is it a tight stagger? Does everyone just do there own thing and meet at the next stop?

There should probably be something in there about asking the type of group ride. Is it a tight stagger? Does everyone just do there own thing and meet at the next stop? I know I've gone on rides, having been used to a staggered formation, where the faster bikes just took off like a shot and the rest of us just caught up later.

Dave, great post!

You showed great self control. I would be looking for bail.

After I yelled at him he had this look of fear on his face. I didn't need to hit him. I embarrassed the crap out of him in front of his girl and the whole bar. I think he pooped his pants. HaAHAAA

Good idea, Dave. How about adding; Don't over rev your bike to show off your loud custom pipes around crowds, especially with children or seniors around?

Re..motorcycle etiquette, Sorry but there is none, motorcycle riders are and have been treated like outlaws ever since i have been riding. Some people give a dam and most people don't. I build costom Triumphs and ride them and I also have a 2005 America and also a 1966 B S A stock 650. If I was to get into the different kind of behavior I get from cagers and from other riders I would be here all day. If you put your hand out to a fellow rider and he doesn't acknowledge it, he is either watching something more important (a cager about to run him over) or he is just arrogant. If he does wave back (in my books) he is acknowlegding the fact that wether you ride on weekends or ride 24/7 like myself he understands the brotherhood (and sisterhood as my girlfriend rides right beside me all the time) that everytime you throw your leg over your steed you not only run the risk of enjoying what riding a bike is all about but you risk your life in wanting to feel that freedom. Just don't take it personal. Just look at everyone else on the road as if they are out to run you down and you will survive wether you ride with an etiquette or not. How ever you ride just make sure it is defensive and curtious and you will be fine. And most importantly, keep the wind in your face and as many bugs on your teeth as you can. Smile all the while.