Tap you helmet if? - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Shea · 05-17-2006, 11:20 PM

Yes, tapping the top of the helmet means there is a cop ahead. I actually use it to warn other bikers of anything potentially dangerous too though.

tailgunner · 05-17-2006, 11:56 PM

I waved at two Illinois state troopers splitting a lane just last week and they both gave me a hard stare.

BigD · 05-17-2006, 11:58 PM

Scroll down towards the bottom of the page and look in the "Hand Signal" section.
Rider etiquette

Quote:

Smoky alert (police or emergency vehicles) -- Hand taps top of helmet several times

**inspiron** · 05-18-2006, 01:51 AM

In Europe, I've never seen the helmet tap done. Over here, when riders have passed a speed trap and want to warn the oncoming bikes, they give a "slow-down" hand signal (left hand, palm down, like you're patting a dog)

GSX1100FL · 05-18-2006, 02:03 AM

I once seen two police bikes cruising down I-70, they were riding side by side, something that is illegal here in MO. I used my forefinger to let them know that was a "no-no"

, they both looked at me with those

looks.

Guess the main reason to be a cop is so one can legally break the law,

**inspiron** · 05-18-2006, 02:23 AM

Why is riding side-by-side illegal? Normally, when riding "in formation" you ride in a staggered formation, but there is no law here about 2 motorcycles riding next to each other. It is illegal for 2 bicycles to ride next to one another (since they are slower than the rest of the traffic), but not motorcycles.

IntruderCruiser · 05-18-2006, 02:40 AM

I wave at police officers and some wave back -- I have had a couple instigate the wave to me.

NCBoulevard · 05-18-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspiron

Why is riding side-by-side illegal? Normally, when riding "in formation" you ride in a staggered formation, but there is no law here about 2 motorcycles riding next to each other. It is illegal for 2 bicycles to ride next to one another (since they are slower than the rest of the traffic), but not motorcycles.

Side by side is illegal in a lot of states because it deprives you of the use of your full lane. It's still done quite a bit though.

viper94bite · 05-18-2006, 09:50 AM

in NE they say no more then 2 abreast in a single lane.

RampageRider · 05-18-2006, 09:50 AM

It's really hard for them to wave back around here, their Harleys are in the shop broke most of the time. But they wave back when they can and we see them.

HAMMERPETE · 05-18-2006, 10:58 AM

Tap on the head ...sirens on the roof! For some reason I totally thought everyone would know that?

Waving at bike cop...here you get a wave back. They hardly ever pull bikes over. Now they have popped me in my cage...a few times!

D_Klein · 05-18-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailgunner

I waved at two Illinois state troopers splitting a lane just last week and they both gave me a hard stare.

You're lucky that's the only thing they gave you.

BlueMax · 05-18-2006, 11:52 AM

I will be using the tap on the helmet to warn others of troopers in the area. I just wanted to making sure that a tap on the helmet was not a variation of the middle finger salute. As for the motorcycle cops in Houston the one that I wave to waved back and looked might proud that someone recognized him and his good looking bike.

Thank you and safe riding,
Blue Max

kwc50 · 05-18-2006, 12:45 PM

There's a MSF Tip Sheet for group riding (http://msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf) that says this is a signal for highbeams. I think the editor of the Rider Etiquette page (http://www.njmc.org/etiquette/) should have exercised a few more brain cells -- look at the illustration for "Hazzard Right A" (or is my bike missing some kind of gizmo

)

CManT1914 · 05-18-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMMERPETE

Waving at bike cop...here you get a wave back. They hardly ever pull bikes over. Now they have popped me in my cage...a few times!

I got pulled over by a motorcycle cop in South Austin. I was running 84 in a 70, he let me go with a warning.

POE-BOY SAMICH · 05-18-2006, 03:42 PM

According to the book "More Proficient Motorcycling":

Tapping on the head is a signal to other motorcyclists that their headlamp is off.

Pay_The_O · 05-18-2006, 08:34 PM

the logical thing to do is carry a sign with you that says "COPS OVER THERE TURN AROUND"

flash when needed

robertc729 · 05-18-2006, 08:44 PM

I guess it's similar to flashing headlights in a car, but there are obviously multiple meanings for this hand gesture.

HAMMERPETE · 05-18-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POE-BOY SAMICH

According to the book "More Proficient Motorcycling":

Tapping on the head is a signal to other motorcyclists that their headlamp is off.

Good point and can see that..but what if they are riding with you? Flashing hibeams is the international sign of "the man" is gunning for speeders..I even get it down in Costa Rica.

Waltamighty · 05-18-2006, 10:25 PM

I allways thought the tap on the helment was a signal that your head was on fire.

05-18-2006, 01:51 AM	#24 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,073	In Europe, I've never seen the helmet tap done. Over here, when riders have passed a speed trap and want to warn the oncoming bikes, they give a "slow-down" hand signal (left hand, palm down, like you're patting a dog) __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

05-18-2006, 02:23 AM	#26 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,073	Why is riding side-by-side illegal? Normally, when riding "in formation" you ride in a staggered formation, but there is no law here about 2 motorcycles riding next to each other. It is illegal for 2 bicycles to ride next to one another (since they are slower than the rest of the traffic), but not motorcycles. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

05-18-2006, 09:50 AM	#29 (permalink)
viper94bite Sit speling cheker Joined: Jan 2005 Bike: 2008 Yamaha FZ6 Location: omaha, ne Posts: 1,792	in NE they say no more then 2 abreast in a single lane. __________________ *yippee*

05-18-2006, 09:50 AM	#30 (permalink)
RampageRider Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 05 Red M50 Location: Iowa, riding in the Rain! Posts: 782	It's really hard for them to wave back around here, their Harleys are in the shop broke most of the time. But they wave back when they can and we see them. __________________ . "Grow up, what a waste of a good time, if Peter Pan can do it so can we............... " 05 Red M50 (mine) 97 Yellow Honda Rebel (her's)

05-18-2006, 10:58 AM	#31 (permalink)
HAMMERPETE M-J Member of the Month! Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 HAMMER Location: SOCAL %%%%%ES Posts: 3,031	Tap on the head ...sirens on the roof! For some reason I totally thought everyone would know that? Waving at bike cop...here you get a wave back. They hardly ever pull bikes over. Now they have popped me in my cage...a few times! __________________ "There's not a whole lot ways this can go right" - Johnny Knoxsville "I did something in a previous life that must have been spectacularly good, because I'm getting paid in this life just magnificently, more than one would dare imagine or hope for." - RIP George Carlin. Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, But rather to skid in side ways, totally worn out shouting HOLYSHI$T What A RIDE!!

05-17-2006, 11:20 PM	#21 (permalink)
Shea Third gear and cruising Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Buell XB12Ss Lightning Location: York, Pa Posts: 521	Yes, tapping the top of the helmet means there is a cop ahead. I actually use it to warn other bikers of anything potentially dangerous too though.

05-17-2006, 11:56 PM	#22 (permalink)
tailgunner Seat Tester Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: 05 Kawasaki 1600 Location: Caseyville IL Posts: 60	I waved at two Illinois state troopers splitting a lane just last week and they both gave me a hard stare.

05-18-2006, 02:03 AM	#25 (permalink)
GSX1100FL Puddle Runner Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 381	I once seen two police bikes cruising down I-70, they were riding side by side, something that is illegal here in MO. I used my forefinger to let them know that was a "no-no" , they both looked at me with those looks. Guess the main reason to be a cop is so one can legally break the law,

05-18-2006, 02:40 AM	#27 (permalink)
IntruderCruiser TurtleWax Taster Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2003 Intruder 1500 Posts: 585	I wave at police officers and some wave back -- I have had a couple instigate the wave to me.

05-18-2006, 11:52 AM	#33 (permalink)
BlueMax Found second gear by accident Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: Northeast Houston Posts: 316	I will be using the tap on the helmet to warn others of troopers in the area. I just wanted to making sure that a tap on the helmet was not a variation of the middle finger salute. As for the motorcycle cops in Houston the one that I wave to waved back and looked might proud that someone recognized him and his good looking bike. Thank you and safe riding, Blue Max

05-18-2006, 12:45 PM	#34 (permalink)
kwc50 Seat Tester Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 2005 Boulevard C50 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 59	There's a MSF Tip Sheet for group riding (http://msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf) that says this is a signal for highbeams. I think the editor of the Rider Etiquette page (http://www.njmc.org/etiquette/) should have exercised a few more brain cells -- look at the illustration for "Hazzard Right A" (or is my bike missing some kind of gizmo ) __________________ If God is your Co-Pilot, You're in THE WRONG SEAT!!

05-18-2006, 03:42 PM	#36 (permalink)
POE-BOY SAMICH U.B's LoveChild Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: '07 Harley Road King Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,212	According to the book "More Proficient Motorcycling": Tapping on the head is a signal to other motorcyclists that their headlamp is off. __________________ http://www.lonestarmotorcyclealliance.com/

05-18-2006, 08:34 PM	#37 (permalink)
Pay_The_O Wants Better Weather Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2004 GSX 600 Katana Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 664	the logical thing to do is carry a sign with you that says "COPS OVER THERE TURN AROUND" flash when needed

05-18-2006, 08:44 PM	#38 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,090	I guess it's similar to flashing headlights in a car, but there are obviously multiple meanings for this hand gesture.

05-18-2006, 10:25 PM	#40 (permalink)
Waltamighty In Training Joined: May 2006 Bike: 05 Blue M50 Location: South East Texas Posts: 113	I allways thought the tap on the helment was a signal that your head was on fire.

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