Waving Etiquette Question

[dank]

Headed across the Upper Peninsula yesterday in an unexpected storm. Scraped 2 inches of snow off my bike at the beginning and headed out at 30 degrees with horizontally blowing snow limiting visibility to 300 feet or so. Whole world was white. Fortunately the residual heat in the road and traffic kept the snow turning to slush and melting. A layer of ice formed on the windscreen so thick I couldn’t see through it. Rode through the storm for three hours before turning south, where the temperature eventually climbed above freezing for the last 200 miles. Didn’t’ see any Harley’s or even Goldwings, but I did pass 5 snow plows actively plowing the road.

My Question: What is the proper waving etiquette when passing a snow plow on a motorcycle?

I gave them a “thumbs up.” Hope that wasn’t too far off the mark.

Moral of the story: Never trust the 5-day forecast in Michigan.

[ken]

Boy, now there is a question that will be hard to answer.

[rayski271]

that is one funny question and cant wait for some answer to show up

[cnc]

Lets see, putting myself in the snow plow drivers <s>shoes</s> boots for a moment I would assume a thumbs up meant one of three things. A: You were looking to hitch a ride. B: You were actually enjoying the ride. Or C: You are not completely frozen and some body movement is possible.

Glade you survived the ride, I would think the last thing cagers are looking for in a snow storm is a motorcycle.

[dantama]

I'd throw him the international gesture for "You are not hallucinating". :)

[Top Cat]

I would go with the same Etiquette I always use. If someone waves, I wave back. If they don't wave, I don't.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I really only wave at motorcyclists. If a car or truck driver happens to wave at me I try and wave back.

[recumbentbob]

Never wave at a snow plow keep both hands on the grips..............

[NRiderUSA]

proper waving in snowy conditions is to let the butt end of you bike wave as you slide by

[phenrichs]

Well living in South Dakota.. and I used to run a snow plow. I would never pass one on a bike. If there is a snow plow out and I am on my bike I can nearly guarantee that the road conditions are better behind him than they are in front of him.
That being said if I did pass I would certainly make sure to get his attention somehow so he knew it was real.

[Idaho]

Dude, if you are crazy enough to pass a snow plow then there is no etiquete for waving at the driver.

[taranis]

I think the answer is "You're exempt" for any etiquette when riding in a snowstorm. Regardless if they wave back or not, you've had at least one person think your cheese done slid off yer cracker.. I'm one of 'em!

[pirate]

Ditto on what OP said. I think I would stay behind him. You've got more courage than I do to pass a plow while on a bike! If you were in ND and the plow was moving snow and not just driving, you would get a ticket if the Highway Patrol saw you: it's illegal to pass a plow that's operating in ND, no matter what type of vehicle you're driving.

[Yellow Jacket]

I'm thinking he was talking about passing an oncoming plow rather than overtaking and passing. Either way, I'm sure it wasn't a whole lot of fun riding in those conditions.

[dank]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

I'm thinking he was talking about passing an oncoming plow rather than overtaking and passing. Either way, I'm sure it wasn't a whole lot of fun riding in those conditions.

I did both, but the ones going my way were plowing the berm at the time.