Motorcyclists' hand signals explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 พ.ค. 2014
- L.A. Times auto writer Charles Fleming defines the many hand signals that motorcyclists use to stay safe on the road.
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There is one more signal, it is called "middle finger"
what does the middle finger do? does it mean "have a good day"?
Yeah, somethihg like that:)
Well that's primarily for communicating with our inattentive friends in 4 wheeled vehicles.
Ahh, the good old bird.
Hehehe
why am i watching this? i dont even have a bike.
Get a scooter. You won't regret it. Then upgrade to a motorcycle
Funky173 why am I reading this? I can't even read.
Funky173
Same😂
Well, there is only one way to fix that problem. Get a bike.
get one! cars are boring! on two wheels is better! cars are unresponsive and laggy
Been riding for over 40 years, over 400 000 on pavement and 20 000 off pavement; never knew the off road signs alerting incoming vehicle about the number of remaining riders to come. Always something new to learn, thanks.
You forgot the One finger salute... it signals that giant "fuck you" to the person you are pointing it at... very useful when disagreeing with that persons actions, usually when they almost run you off the road, hit you with their car, or gave you the same salute earlier... Ahhh.. so nice to learn
Glad you touched on the trail riding etiquette. Many people have never been taught to signal for their group size.
I had never heard of this, very neat to hear.
The Police ahead signal is incomplete.
Yes, you tap the top of your head/helmet but you forgot to mention at the same time with your free hand you must must rub your tummy in a circular motion.
Please make this correction in your video.
Ride safe!
Don't forget to make circular motion with your legs too
I hate you and love you at the same time
X-D
That signal is a lie (it is not how you do it I found out later), I tried doing that signal doing down a road full of tight turns and now I have been dead for 6 years... And I tell you it is no fun being dead.
I was stopped and asked once, what was up with dirtbikes and the closed fist. They laughed after I told them. They thought it was about Power to the People.
I just love when usually always motorcycle riders salutes each other
Keep the rubber side down. .
Wheelie for safety
aluisious wheelie for savings of a front tyre
Ivan Gartenhaus riiighhtt "down" 😉
... and the shiny side up!
Don't tell me what to do
In group riding, the closed fist actually means braking ahead. It's a sign to spread it back as far as possible by doing the some once you see it, before braking.
Being in Aus, I"ve never seen the one @0:46. We wave the left hand in a similar motion above the petrol tank to say slow down. This way it's not obvious to everyone else on the road, and only riders will understand it.
I've been riding bikes for almost 50 years and most of those signals were around when I started, especially the Police aware one. Good Vid for new riders to be aware of.
i ONLY WANT TO KNOW THE POLICE hand SIGN
bowches tap the helmet. you don't really have to do it like the video shows, a subtle tap with the index finger on the side of the helmet is how I do it and people seem to get it since most people nod back
If you were a safe rider, you wouldn't be concerned about police.
If you were such a safe rider that you never crept over the speed limit, then you should just get a car and fuck off from bikes. The biking world doesn't need you.
relax. i was joking. i follow the rules on england
"Crept over the speed limit" isn't how you get pulled over. 80 in a 45 is. By the way, first time I've heard "We don't need bikers that obey the law!"
That's funny. I'll remember that. Just be sure to record it when you spill doing 110 in your wife-beater and basketball shorts.
And here in Nepal we don't give shit about these stuffs.. you are a good rider as long as your motorcycle isn't falling off the cliff 😕
In the 1970s, when the NMSL of 55mph was in effect across the US, I learned two signals for police (that were not motorcycle-specific) - the Kojak (as if placing a magnetic police light on the roof of the car...of course, the car window must be open), and the Smokey Bear (as if donning a wide-brimmed hat, like those that most state troopers/highway patrol wear). The helmet-tap probably grew out of those, and is probably a US-only thing.
I'm confused. I see riders often tell me how many riders are on the road by holding up fingers like at 1:27. But I'm always on a normal road, not a trail, and they always show that there is 1 one more rider behind them, even if they ride alone or in a group of many more rider. Perhaps it's a differnet signal if they use a different finger ? THey always use the finger next to the one shown at 1:26
Nudelwanne probably just greeting you
When they show you the middle finger, it means "straighten up", you're probably leaning too much on the handlebar, and they don't want you to hurt your lower back; kind, considerate strangers those are...
hahaha! Good one, mate!
Elaborate work, this comment. Very well.
they will let you know if riders behind them if they are staggered so you don't make a left into on coming riders
In UK and Australia, the hand is replaced by a head gesture to greet our fellow bikers, like bowing (but because it can be bad, especially at highspeed, most prefer to tilt the head to the right or more accurately, to lift their chin to the left).
Curve Ahead Here in Belgium we just stretch our left leg to greet another biker
I thought the leg was mostly used as a thank you but in Belgium that's for greetings?
Depends, if you pass another motorcycle going in the same direction its a greeting.
If you pass someone who made space for you or another friendly gesture it's a thank you.
For oncoming motorcycles you use the standard hand out.
I used to stretch my left leg out from the bike to crack my left knee - otherwise it'd get sore and stiff. "Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as a super friendly biker, I'm really an a'hole ;)"
Tapping the top of your helmet means "Girls ahead, pop a wheelie!"
Very cool, great video for new riders.
A couple of years ago me and my friends were caught by the police and we got tickets and our licenses suspended. The
annoying thing is that just a 1000ft earlier we met a friend going with oncoming traffic, he had just passed the police control and just waved friendly to us. We thought. If he would have known the sign for police ahead, we would still have our licenses.
lucas ekman only when the situation is perfect. if they have to do a 3 point turn and you know you'll be out of sight in seconds, with lots of roads that branch off.
That's the only time it's fairly safe to run. I honestly can't tell you wether they'd bother to chase you.
Nice and helpful video. Thx for explaining
This helps a lot for when I'll start riding.
this is a great tip for real Riders, thanks for posting.
Few bikers use these signals in England. A nod of the head as acknowledgement is about all you'll see.
Ya'll need to get with the program then ! :)
PsyMongazoid We can't do the hello signal because we drive on the left and need our right hand for throttle :(
Yeah, some waggle a foot or raise their left hand. I just nod.
There's the proof that you guys drive on the wrong side of the road :D
TrylleBoennen Or....maybe the throttle side is wrong
Thank you for sharing!
In Europe you strech out your right leg to thank other people for giving you space to overtake them (it was pretty common, but more and more people seem to forget about it)
Aaaaaah.... otherwise, they kick you. ;)
whats the song called that plays in the background?
Thanks for video
Another signal is two fingers (on one hand) held up by helmet to signify "deer in road."
closed fist also is another way of saying hello on the trails
What does far kicking to the right mean? with their right leg on sport bikes?
I see the problem. These are US hand signals. Over here in the UK left hand sticking out means and only means "I'm turning left" whereas left foot sticking out probably means "I'm about to fall off 'cos I've lost the footpeg".
Hand up in the air and twirled round is from an old official hand signal made by horse and cart for turning around, the twirl was made by the long cart whip followed by pointing it in the direction of the turn.
Thank you
thanks that helps alot out there
thank you
These should be included in driving lessons by law. In all around the world.
Wow, an article from the Los Angeles times that isn’t fake news. Any moment, pigs will be flying.
In the U.K. we nod at each other instead of the hand signal mainly due to us riding on the left side. But what do we do for warning other bikers of police, flash headlights like cars do? Only been riding a year so genuinely interested.
Okay, that was a good start. Dig in there's more fun to be had.
One useful hand signal is pointing into the next lane when coming off a merge ramp letting a car driver know you intend to merge THERE. Used more by cruiser riders I think.
Cool. Thanks boss!
where did you get cezeta shirt in la? thumbs up! ;)
Hmm I know this is more US geared but the biker wave is actually the biker nod here. I think it is because we ride on the other side of the road and you would be waving at pedestrians or chopping your throttle to wave.
Circle the pointing finger often used to tell other riders, that there is speedcams (at least it is quite common in Europe :D )
The guy in 0:33 has "ČZ" on his shirt, that's an old Czech company, I come from the Czech Republic, nice! :D
These hand signals are NOT universal
Pretty damn close, I know and use most of them.
"Universal" means used around the world. These hand signals may apply to N. America and Europe at most. But they are definitely not "Universal".
Well I'm in Australia and it's pretty common here.
They will be used mostly in English speaking countries.
Raymond XL The police one doesn't mean anything in Europe.
That is so cool thanks for the info .bike life is the best
In England we mainly nod to other riders to say hello
2 fingers down wave means "keep the rubber side down, hello".
Two fingers down on the left side means be safe
Thx
When we group ride, we usally do a chopping motion (Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Braves) to indicate "hey let's spilt lanes" .
When I'm in a group ride, we split lanes to indicate we want to split lanes.
All he the signals are explain in the motorcyclist guide in my state
Nice to know ...
I cannot understand how I grew up on and around bikes and have ridden seriously for 25 years and never seen the signal for cops. Maybe I am just such a great and law abiding rider that no one feels it is needed to indicate the officers ahead.
Steven Cox I’ve seen a lot of riders who have never seen it before. If someone does it to me I usually give them a peace sign and a head nod to say thanks.
I’ve been riding close to 45 years and never seen any of these signals. I guess I’m out of touch.
Just saw it for the first time today, 34 years riding. Was a spot check for learner riders not displaying their L tag.
I can't pat my head and ride at the same time. I crash. For cop ahead, I put my left hand down by my side with a downward motion (to tell them to slow). Kinda like petting a dog.
OMG ! This guy must have sniffed too much glue !
The low two finger wave means: keep two wheels on the ground.
Or hi. It also means hi 🤣
In the UK it's unlawful to warn *any* motorist or biker of cops on the road. Fines can be quite heavy.
Who cares when any action by you warning another on the road is not enforceable, they cannot prove that you were warning of police.
what does it mean when you're in a car and a safe one and a half car distance from a biker but they keep hand signaling to get closer?
I thought maybe it had something to do with the draft.
In Finland we blink our headlights if there is cop close
Nissani In Australia and New Zealand we do that if there is a speed camera nearby
Exadoor Rising123 Same
I don't - given where I am all cameras (including mobile ones) must be sign posted.
I give my middle finger hand signal to all BMW drivers LOL
*To all the 4 wheel drivers
sam sami quads ?
Ski Fall cos you're also on a bmw and you all understand that language
Ski Fall cos you don't have one and you're jealous
Ski Fall cos you're showing there's one more ride behind you but fk him.
Song at 1:15?
The beginning intro sounded like the movie "room " soundtrack
as far as the trail signals go. hes pretty spot on. only issue is they arnt effective. in all my experiances, the dirt bikers (me included) know the signals. but the conga line of about 20 razors dont. i remember this one time i almost got hit head on and if the guys that passed me would have used hand signals then i wouldnt have had to swerve at 30 miles an hour off the trail.
I'll never notice them from a distance.
For sport bikes, at night, a quick brights flash means cop then you get to decide whether to burn him or slow down. I choose burn. :)
Do people still flash their lights on their car if there are police up ahead?
I do the "I see ya - Good ride day" & "Cops" all the time !
I've been riding for about 9 months now and have never seen any motorcyclists give me any of these hand signals. Just the old ... 'head nod'
RexyFan where you from? I’m from the US california specifically and i’ve seen a lot of these. The low peace sign is the most common since it’s they aye another rider whats up sign i’ve also used the head tap, foot to point out debris but not much else is really needed tbh
RexyFan my guy, you must live in Britain
Different signals here in the UK.
Right arm out in a slow waving up / down action means "I'm pulling in to stop" / "Everybody in the group pull in and stop". It was also part of the motorcycle riding licence test until the 1990's. Still used by police motorcyclists when pulling bikers over.
Hand and arm pointing downwards to the road to opposite direction bikers means "Slow down!! You're about to encounter an unseen hazard" / "Take it easy moron!! Trouble ahead."
Fore finger and thumb formed into a circle and hand waved up and down in a simulated wanking action..... traditional time honoured biker's greeting to scooterists (Mods) dating from the 1960's.
Ive only ever used like one of these signals
1:30 what helmet is he wearing?
how many knew the cop ahead signal? I didnt.
What's 'shut it down' used for
Turn motor off
What does it mean when they touch their pockets and lift their boot when they pass by me?
The middle finger is my favourite signal
I will definitely remember that police one
You didn't mention the squeaky bum signal from the rider in front when he nearly left the road.......
Are these signals used in the UK?
Not really, bikers in the uk nod at each other instead of waving
was this written by a dad who thinks he knows what his kids are into but is completely oblivious.
This is comparable to a mom explaining what LOL or LMAO means...
Not really. A lot of us don't grow up riding motorcycles and I learned these on my first group ride
They left out the hand signal of right hand palm out beating chest?? That signals that the biker has had an almost fatal accident with brain injury and he will NOW be joining the special Olympics team!!
I thought my friend was signaling that he needed to pee in his gas tank
Shiny side back
did this accidentaly ended up in a gangster crew now im scared
Where's the one for police ( *wave hand over heart* )
Why am I watching this, by the way, the "hey dude" actually means keep it between the ditches, but yes it is a greeting
1:12 La Grance !
The sign to turn around is done with the finger "stirring" pointing down . The finger pointing up "stirring"is for police. The tap on the head is for leaving (tapping out) a group or platoon .CHANGE this video.
One time I was on my bike and I saw a police car and 30 seconds later a motorcyclist and I tapped on my head cuz I knew the "signlanguage". And they immidiatly started to slow down. It was hilarious
Two of those signs you've shown, are way too close to.. "I'm making a Right Hand Turn".
I thought I had the last CZ jersey in the world. I would wear it, but I have grown too fat to fit in it. Happens when you get too old to dirt bike.
not aplicable in my country philippines. most riders there cannot understand it.
In UK "shake a leg" means thank you...
0:32 Czech ČZ Strakonice
It's a lifestyle like no other, very own sign language lol
The people I ride with tap the tank to say I need gas.
0:14 who in the world rides like that lmfao
I know this is a year old, but I'm laughing my ass off 😆
Old dudes 🤣
What does this one mean 🖕 had a rider do it to me the other day.
You are riding the wrong brand bike.