Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Hand Signals

Anyone still use hand signals. I always point when I am changing lanes to the left but when going to the right, putting my hand in the air with my elbow at 90 degrees makes me feel like I am asking permission to go to the head. To be really a dunce try the hand position for stopping. Elbow at 90 degrees with hand pointed down and palm to the rear. I never use that one.

I use them when something tells me that the traffic around me or in the side street ahead isn't paying attention. But I don't use them all the time...

Yeah, I use them when some asswipe cuts me off!

If some idiot is rite on my a$$ and im in traffic, definately, when I'm riding with other bikes i always do too. I guess the only time i dont is when there no one around to see me. I'd rather look like a dunce than get smucked, You gotta realize, everytime a cager is interviewed after an accident they all say "I DIDN'T SEE HIM" a little movement at least gets their curiosity up and might just make them realize your a person. I've owned quite a few choppers and customs that didn't have turn signals so hand signals are a must and i guess it just stuck.

Yup I use them, especially when changing lanes on the highway. I guess that time in the cub scouts came in handy after all

Your hand signals really helped last weekend...your turn signals are so dim, your hand signals were the only way I could tell you were planning to turn.

I use hand signal when I driving tractors on the road since they dont have signals. And I have decided that no one knows what they mean. I can't count how many times I have signaled left, and pointed were I'm turning only to have a car start passing me on the left. So far the tractor has not been hit, we did have a car go into a tree avoiding us last year. Also on a bike please take care when passing farm machinery, it is hard to see around, and is often longer and wider than you realize.

Yes. Specially when someone is on my arse, or, when its a bust intersection, or when the idiot high school child on the cell phone is looking at me like a deer stuck in the headlights.

I use all four hand signals frequently!

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asswipe

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Matt!

Yes that's right! I use the special universal hand signal for those wonderful "half asleep" or "too busy to see me because their on the phone" drivers!

Yes that's right! I use the special universal hand signal for those wonderful "half asleep" or "too busy to see me because their on the phone" drivers!

oops!

Give em hell!

Give em hell!

Nope I can only give them Heck according to someone on ths board(female, moderator, from CT).

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Nope I can only give them Heck according to someone on ths board(female, moderator, from CT).

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gee whiz matt. anyone i know?

Give em heck Shari!!!!

Found this on the Florida ABATE Web site for state statutes:

2) A signal of intention to turn right or left must be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning, except that such a signal by hand or arm need not be given continuously by a bicyclist if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

BICYCLE???!!!! They got a clutch lever and throttle to control? Only in Florida, the land of hanging and pregnant chads. Where they can play 12 BINGO cards and not use one voting machine. It does not say that turn signals are required either.

Since the turn signals on the 76 Bonneville (Lucas) were mainly decorative and useful as tie down points, I always used hand signals. One time I nearly whacked my hand on a orange barricade thing, turning left in a construction zone. Now I use the turn signals early and often.

JH

I would like to add that if you are in a situation were you have to use hand "turn" signals is that not every body knows what they are.So the point is don't assume that people will comply with your turn signals.

It's a shame people dont know what they are because its part of the written exam for your learners permit here in N.Y. state

I am not so sure that it is so much that people do not know what they are as much as it is a case of people's brains not registering right away what they are since most people have their brains trained to recognize flashing turn signals rather than hand signals.

Soren

Forget hand signals, here in NY people don't no such basic rules as "keep right except to pass" and right of way rules for intersections.... Let's start with the basics

I was trying to stay out of this, but I'm having a weak moment. This Triumph is the first bike I've owned that came with real functioning turn signals. Long before the OL started riding her own, she would sit on the back and give hand signals while I was busy braking and downshifting. Once, I glanced in the mirror and saw her extending and retracting her middle finger to simulate a blinker.
One time, I was in an idiot area in a lot of traffic, so I signalled for a left and some dood standing on the center divider misunderstood and slapped my hand.

Lol... make a turn - make a friend...

Greybeard, You meet the nicest people on a Triumph

I use them depending on the situation. When riding in groups, especially if I'm lead they work great. In casual traffic I use the indicators. If in heavy traffic I use both. I love to do left lane changes with the hand signal. When I use the indicator, I feel like I'm asking permission, when I use the hand signal, I TELL them I'm taking that lane!!

later, Tom.

I stripped all the turn signals off my bike, so I HAVE to use them...no big deal, plus when doing a lot of left hands turns or lange changes, people seem to thing I'm being friendly and I get a lot of waves back hahaha!!

Lee

Hand signals? Most of the cage drivers around here don't have the first clue about right of way issues, let alone something exotic as a hand signal.

Driver's manual? We no need no steenkin' driver's manual!

I use them when group riding but when I'm alone I would agree the cagers think I'm waving.

I use them when cars are close behind me...but I always wonder if they know what i am doing??