Rider hand signals?

[burkazoid]

So, I *almost* had a little mishap today. I say "almost" since I did, but I didn't go down. I hit something in the road. I wish I could say I saw it before I hit it, and that I used what I learned in the MSF course to successfully get over it, but I didn't. I just plain got lucky.

While I'm not sure what it was before I hit it, as soon it made impact with my front tire it, whatever it was, shattered into splinters of wood, and large pieces of two-by-four shot in opposite directions to the left and right of the bike. Nothing hit the undercarriage, or went under the rear tire. And, as I found out after pulling over and checking the front tire, you couldn't even tell I had hit anything at all. I was only about five miles from home, so my instinct was to take it home, let it sit, and check the tire after a while to make sure it was still inflated. And, as it turns out everything is fine.

About five or ten seconds before I hit it, whatever it was, a sport bike rider passed me going in the opposite direction, and was frantically pointing to his left rear. It didn't dawn on me until after I pulled off on the side of the road checking the bike, that he was signaling me.

It made me think on the ride home whether there are official hand signals for riders (hand signals similar to those for scuba divers)? I haven't checked the MSF website yet.

Here's a link to some common hand signals: http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf

Maybe he was signaling to pull over?

[burkazoid]

Originally Posted by wolfman

Here's a link to some common hand signals: http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf

Maybe he was signaling to pull over?

Oh, wow. Thanks. That's exactly what I was looking for.

[coacha]

I only use the middle finger hand signal...is that wrong?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by CoachA

I only use the middle finger hand signal...is that wrong?

It depends. Sometimes it's the only signal that's appropriate.

[chainsaw]

That might be a good thing to hand out at the Custer Rally the night before the day rides. So everyone is on the same page.

[nomad561]

Not a bad idea.There are alot of good riders that aren't familiar with riding in groups.

[burkazoid]

Since the sport bike rider was coming towards me on my left, it looks like he was doing the "hazard in roadway" signal. Of course, once I stopped looking at him, I turned around and hit the hazard LOL.

I do, however, think this is invaluable information. Thanks again, Wolfman.

[paul]

For the reason you just discovered and many others, do take the time to learn the signals. A well seasoned friend of mine kind of took me under his wing and during our long and short trips, took the time to teach me about the hand signals. Saved me from pot holes and police alike. And yeah, I always give riders coming at me a heads up when needed. These little things can save a life.

[unwind2]

Originally Posted by "CHAINSAW"

That might be a good thing to hand out at the Custer Rally the night before the day rides. So everyone is on the same page.

That's a great idea!

[unwind2]

Originally Posted by CoachA

I only use the middle finger hand signal...is that wrong?

I use that signal a lot when I'm riding the bicycle. For some reason folks like to come up behind you when you're on a bicycle and scream as they go by. Never happened to me when on the m/c....maybe I do look like a mean biker chic. ::)


Man I can't type this morning - having to modify all my post for typos! :-[

[burkazoid]

Originally Posted by unwind2

I use that signal a lot when I'm riding the bicycle. For some reason folks like to come up behind you when you're on a bicycle and scream as they go by.

There are a handful of rednecks around here that have the huge freakin' trucks with the huge freakin' tires on them, with CBs and a speaker mounted to the top of their truck cab. I was pulling away from a red light yesterday, and I could hear the drivers voice echo through the speakers "...guy riding a motorcycle..."

He kind of drawled it out, like Matthew McCounaghey always speaks in his movies.

[dabull]

Nice...I DL'd this as well....was already using the leg to point out road hazards as when someone uses their hands it could be confuse with a wave or other thing....nice find.