OK...it's probably not all, but here's what I can remember off the top of my head "etiquette-wise" while riding...at least most of the time:
DO'S:
· ALWAYS wave at children.
· Always pull over or to the side for oncoming funerals, LEOs or EMS vehicles.
· Thank truckers with a wave as you pass them, especially if they assist you or make your ride easier.
· Honk if three or more kids are gathered and wave at you, otherwise just wave or nod your head to them.
· Wave at other bikers if waved at first. If you have a passenger, make that their primary job.
· Only wave at mopeds if no other vehicle is around to see you.
· Wave or nod at LEO’s whether they wave back or not.
· Wave at oncoming US troop convoys or those on the side of the road.
· Honk at each troop convoy vehicle (AFTER passing the driver) when passing on the interstate (except near on/off ramps). It’s a show of respect and THEY get a charge out of it...especially if you’re on a cruiser.
· If coming upon another rider fall into a staggered wingman formation and maintain a 2 second gap until you can pass or he pulls away.
· When coming up on a riding group from behind assume they have a Tail Gunner and keep a safe staggered distance until you can pass them.
· If safe to do so, give short wave of acknowledgement when passing an unknown rider.
· Acknowledge Tail Gunners and Ride Captains when passing a group ride (note: 1%’ers won’t wave or nod back - EVER, but it’s considered “disrespectful” just to blast past them).
· Always pass hand signals back when in a group ride.
· Warn oncoming riders of LEOs with multiple taps of your hand to the top of your head/helmet.
· Warn oncoming riders of accidents or slow-downs ahead of them with multiple flashes of your headlight.
· Know the helmet and weapon carry laws of the state you are about to enter BEFORE you cross the line.
· Let a fellow rider in front of you if he’s trapped behind a large vehicle in the slower lane.
· Always be willing to share road/route/food/rest/safety/weather info with other riders at gas/rest stops.
· Always say “Thank you” to obvious Vet and/or Patriot Guard Riders.
· If possible, ask permission to take pictures of the back of someone vest or jacket ("colors").
· Ride to the right and at the back of others on a group ride if you have LOUD pipes (if you ever want to be invited to ride again, anyway).
DON’TS:
· Never touch another person's bike, bags or vest without their specific permission.
· Never tailgate...ANYbody!
· Never dive-bomb back into a lane after passing someone – again, ANYone!
· Never pass stranded riders on the side of the road. Use good safety sense when stopping and approaching in case it’s a shake-down, but don’t just abandon them either.
· Don’t flirt with the chick riding 2-Up – you have NO IDEA who her Old Man is or who might be watching.
· Never ride 2-Up with another male in the United States (unless it’s your son visiting from overseas).
· Never wave with your hand higher than your elbow (ala Gold Wingers or Moped riders) – Relatives are the exception.
· Don’t play tunes that other riders can hear while on a group ride, especially through dense forests, canyons or other echo producing geography. It’s distracting and potentially dangerous since other riders behind you can’t not hear the “music,” as such...only as misplaced “ghost” noises that they become distracted with while trying to place the sound.
· Don’t initiate waves at mopeds.
· Don’t wave in high density MC arenas (e.g. rallys and popular mountain/canyon roads)
· Don’t rev your engine at stops...it’s makes you look like you’re TRYING to get attention, which is pathetic.
· Never pull up next to an unknown rider at a stop unless invited. He might not realize you’re there and startle him besides it just being rude.
· Never park in another rider’s parking space no matter how much room he’s left unless 1) you know them, 2) they are expecting you or 3) an attendant directs you to do so due to the volume of bikes expected.
· Don’t forget that Truckers talk to each other constantly up and down the road and will pass on your behavior and description if it affects them (good or bad).
· Never join up with an unknown group of riders while they are on the move. Exception: Tail Gunner of group invites you to pull ahead of his bike to join up for your safety. This is VERY rare and usually only happens in a high density urban area where traffic is very start and stop and potentially dangerous to a single rider. It is not considered rude if you are not invited.
· Don’t pace pretty girls while in the hammer lane. It’s dangerous and just pisses off those behind you.
· Don’t interject yourself in between military convoy vehicles if they are one behind the other – for the same reasons you don’t let cars into a bike pack.
· While staying friendly, don’t touch, offer to shake hands, hug or call "Brother/Bro" riders you don't know real well. Some bikers (certain Vets and ALL 1%'ers) find this VERY disrespectful if they share nothing with you other than the fact you are on 2 wheels.
