Has anyone ever heard of this indication?

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Has anyone ever heard of this indication? After nearly 100,000 miles on my bikes, today is the first I've heard of this "universal sign" of a biker that needs help.

Comments

Michael o'donnell said…
FFS !
How about just trying to wave over a fellow biker.
February 17, 2016 at 11:04 AM
Matthew Lindberg said…
Never heard of this "distress call".  I don't know if it's really needed.  I try to stop for any rider that is pulled over if I can do so in a safe manner.  I know I'm not the only one that does this.  I've seen other riders do it too so I think being on the side of the road in itself is somewhat of a distress signal.  People pull over for different reasons and sometimes they don't always need help but it's still worth checking...  I think that's what makes the riding community so great.  We are willing to stop and help each other out.  Out of the dozens of people I've stopped for, I think I've only really been able to help out 2 different people.  One guy ran out of gas and I just happened to be on my dual sport that day with a rotopax on the back.  The other guy was lost and needed help with directions.
February 17, 2016 at 3:52 PM
LaJuan Hughes said…
i never heard of that.
February 17, 2016 at 4:09 PM
Christof Harper said…
never heard of it. stopped bike and a wave is plenty.
February 17, 2016 at 4:20 PM
Kenneth Thompson said…
Yes. Helmet on the ground is a 'help needed' sign.. Old timer symbol for distress....
February 17, 2016 at 4:56 PM
Wallace Roberts said…
I've heard of it, but never used it. Seems to me it would be just as easy to wave somebody over.
February 17, 2016 at 4:57 PM
Kenneth Thompson said…
The confusion is - are you waving to say "hi!" or "help!"
Helmet on the seat, you wave at me along side of the road, I think you're taking a break - and I'll wave and continue down the road.
If that helmet is on the ground where it's easily seen, wave or not, I will stop and ask if you're okay.
Remember, you're head might be buried in trying to figure out what's wrong with your bike, and you may or may not be able to see me coming.  Thus, a sure-fire indicator that you need some sort of help.

EDIT: From a post in that thread:  "... I was aware of this signal from my riding days in California and that was over thirty years ago."

I learned about riding in CA, but starting riding in AZ - 40 years ago.
February 17, 2016 at 6:15 PM
Will Munck said…
I've never heard of this one. . I'll have to keep it in mind from now on.
February 17, 2016 at 7:20 PM
Dan Dearman said…
I've heard of it but haven't seen it or used it. Knock on wood
February 17, 2016 at 7:26 PM
Jason ON said…
What if you're actively working on your bike, troubleshooting or knuckle deep into a repair and can't simple "wave someone over?"
February 17, 2016 at 9:18 PM
Erik Yocum said…
30+ years of riding, first heard about this about three years ago, from another ml.
February 17, 2016 at 10:03 PM
Jason ON said…
another "ml?" What's a "ml," Erik Yocum?
February 17, 2016 at 10:04 PM
Kenneth Thompson said…
Jason ON As I ride by at 60 mph, your wave may not be as apparent to me as you think it is. Best make certain that the message is clear.
February 18, 2016 at 4:08 AM
Christof Harper said…
well. everything Ken says makes sense. Unfortunately, it looks like "universal" might need some work. I know it now.
February 18, 2016 at 8:21 AM
Jason ON said…
Kenneth Thompson, that was my point. A wave does nothing. Even if you can get the wave up in time, no one knows for certain what your wave means.
February 18, 2016 at 9:33 AM
Wallace Roberts said…
Jason ON, if I see somebody "knuckle deep into a repair" on his bike, he won't need to wave me over, I'll stop & see if he needs help.  Wouldn't you?
February 18, 2016 at 9:38 AM
Jason ON said…
Usually, but sometimes I'm going too fast to even notice, or there's no place to turn around for miles. I've even pulled over in my truck before, but I'm usually going slower in my truck so it's easier to notice.
February 18, 2016 at 10:36 AM
Kenneth Thompson said…
Jason ON Common knowledge for those of us that grew up riding on the west coast? Maybe different in various regions...
February 18, 2016 at 4:39 PM
Jason ON said…
I didn't start riding until I moved to Denver and no one I've ever ridden with has mentioned it. By the results of this very informal poll, apparently a lot of people haven't heard of it, either.
February 18, 2016 at 7:34 PM
Kenneth Thompson said…
Also note that the thread the link goes to is ten years old.  
Blame it on the old riders for not sharing this stuff with younger riders better.  What else is there that we've missed?  :D
February 19, 2016 at 10:48 AM
Jason ON said…
It's one of two threads I found about this practice before being inundated with links to motorcycle helmets for sale. That just speaks to how rare this practice is, in my opinion.
February 19, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Christof Harper said…
uhhhhhhh..... try search terms like "motorcycle distress signal" or "motorcycle signs of distress" I'm actually seeing a lot, including a lot of riding groups
February 19, 2016 at 11:37 AM
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