what's this signal mean?

I was on 17 south at the summit today, and a oncoming sport bike rider
raised his left hand to tap his helmet 3 times on the side as I went by.
Kind of like what Pooh does when he's thinking.

Another time an oncoming Harley rider patted the top of his helmet with
his left hand.

Is there a secret list of hand signals somewhere?

Ken

 

Ken, I think it means look out for the cop(s) ahead. Did you notice any
as you kept riding?

Jack

 

It means there's a cop ahead. The pat on the head is symbolic of the
light bar on top of most LEO vehicles.

Other signals I know of for oncoming bikes:

- Palm downward, pumping up and down: slow down
- Palm downward, exaggerated or rapid pumping up and down: slow WAY down
- Palm downward with fingers undulating below: squid alert

 

My personal favorite:
Both hands placed on the sides of your helmet, fingers open , facing up.
= deer ahead

--
Jim Stinnett
VTR1000
R1100RS
YZF R1
http://moto-rama.com

 

David L. Hough has a few rather boring generic formation riding signals
in his book, "More Proficient Motorcycling"...

A few really useful signals are:

For riders coming towards you:

Nice Ducati! Left hand off grip, curl fingers, raise thumb, smile...

Bad traction or rough pavement ahead! Left arm down at a 45 degree
angle, point at road surface with index finger...

Accident ahead! Slow down! Left arm down at 45 degree angle, palm of
hand parallel to road, push down a few times...

Bad accident ahead or police ahead! Quit racing! Exaggeration of
accident ahead gesture, push hand as low to road surface as possible...

Your blinker is on! Left hand off of grip, arm extended slightly, touch
thumb to fingers above repeatedly at a slow rate...

For riders behind you:

I need to make a phone call! Raise left hand and hold thumb and pinkie
to side of helmet with index, middle, and ring fingers curled...

I need a pit stop! Left arm out, elbow bent down, pump fist up and down
about three times as though flushing a commode...

Let's stop for coffee! Left arm up, elbow bent, all fingers curled,
point thumb towards face shield. Tilt your arm toward your faceshield
as though
drinking from a cup...

For agressive riders or cages behind you:

Well, go on around me, if you're in such a hurry! Left arm down at a 45
degree angle, sweep arm forward...

Pass me, you idiot tailgater! Left arm out and down at a 45 degree
angle, palm up, gesturing dramatically...

Are you *stupid*? Why don't you pass me? Left arm out, forearm bent,
raise palm toward the sky as if checking for rain...

Gawd, you *are* stupid! Raise left arm and strike your helmet just
above your faceshield with closed fist...

I'm having a seizure and will fall off the motorcycle in front of you!
Both hands and both feet off the controls. Lean backwards, waving arms
alternately in sweeping circles...

For Harley riders you think you can beat in a fist fight:

Your motorcycle sucks! Left arm extended down at a 45 degree angle,
form a fist, point thumb toward road surface...

F**k you! Left arm out level, turn palm up, extend middle finger
vertically...

F**k you and your bike, too! Left arm down at a forty-five degree
angle. Point your horizontal middle finger forward, and make three
jabbing motions...

Hey, I was just kidding! Stand by motorbike with arms raised in front
of you, both palms facing angry Harley rider. Raise face shield. Smile.
Do NOT remove helmet or leather jacket at this time...

 

No, I didn't, and I was looking for them or anything else out of the
ordinary. I guess I wasn't looking hard enough, or in the right places.

Ken

 

Lightflash doesnt work if the folks giving you the signal are ahead of
you..say, down the road a bit or whatever. Or if they're pedestrians..
Some kids walking along Hwy 9 gave us the signal once...bless their
little redwood hearts.


cds

 

I was travelling on 680 and noticed a bike approaching in the #1 lane at
a pretty good clip, relative to adjacent traffic. Patted the top of me
helmet and then realized that it was a CHP... sure hope that he/she
appreciated being warned that there was another CHP (car) about a mile
ahead. Think I gotta get my eyes checked again.
-M