Mostly a biker tradition, the 3-4 foot braided cord you see hanging from the ends of handlebars on some bikes is called a “get-back whip” or a “dog whip,” and is a tradition going back to the motorcycle gangs of the 1970s who used them ostensibly as a way to keep aggressive dogs at bay while riding at low speeds.
Why do bikers have whips on their handlebars?
The 6 main reasons why motorcycle riders hang a whip from their handlebars are: To Quickly Identify What Motorcycle Club The Rider Is From. As A Self Defense Mechanism, To Help Other Motorists See Them Easier.
What are motorcycle bells for?
These little bells, known in the motorcycling world as Gremlin Bells, Guardian Bells, or Spirit Bells, are a kind of good luck charm for motorcycle riders. The bell is said to protect them during their travels, similar to how a pendant or image of St.
What does it mean when a motorcyclist taps their helmet?
Probably one of the most important signals for me is the ‘Police Ahead!” motion. I’m pretty sure the reason for this sort of awkward hand sign is because police have lights on the top of their vehicles, so by tapping your helmet you are saying, “Hey man, watch out for cars with lights on top, also known as cops!”.
Why do bikers rev their engines at stop lights?
Perhaps the reason motorcycle riders of today still incessantly rev their motors at a stoplight—to the annoyance of non enthusiasts— is simply because it feels and sounds cool.
Why do bikers point at the ground?
The rider was acknowledging the driver’s considerate safe driving efforts while the motorcycle passed. … The two-finger salute is actually a peace sign. That’s how we motorcyclists wave to say thank you for making room for us to split lanes.
Why are ape hangers illegal?
High-set ape hanger bars were banned in 30 American states in the 1960s. The American was on the pretext of safety, but was more likely introduced so police had reason to pull over and search riders believed to be members of outlaw motorcycle gangs. Laconia Motorcycle Week Association spokesman Charlie St.
Why is green a bad color for motorcycles?
Green Bikes are Bad Luck The whole thing might have started because of World War II. Soldiers rode motorcycles painted green to carry messages or get quickly from place to place. The color identified them as military and made them a target for enemy rifles in the area.
Why do bikers wave at each other?
The two-finger motorcycle wave is often a way of telling your fellow riders to stay safe, BikeBandit explains. Those two fingers pointed down symbolize keeping your bike’s two wheels on the ground. But regardless of the specific variant, the wave is a way to express solidarity with other riders, Cycle World explains.
What does it mean when a gremlin bell falls off?
A bell that is not given with intentional good will loses its spirit-fighting mojo. If someone steals a Gremlin Bell, the gremlins go with it – and the bell will no longer ward them off. The key to the bell’s power is good will. If it is stolen, it loses its effect…and karma will take care of the rest!May 4, 2018.
Why do motorcyclists put their leg out?
When we hang off we effectively move the centre of gravity closer to the ground and towards the inside of the corner which, for a given speed, requires less roll angle to balance out these forces. This allows the motorcycle to remain more vertical and on the fatter part of the tire giving us more grip.
What does patting the top of your helmet mean?
It means there is a police officer down the road.
What does it mean when the rider in front of you pats his or her helmet with an open palm ATV?
Cops Ahead – When you see a fellow rider coming at you in the opposite direction and they are tapping the top of their helmet with their open palm face down, they are letting you know that law enforcement is ahead.
What does the number 13 mean for bikers?
The letter M, being the 13th letter of the alphabet, often is said to stand for marijuana or motorcycle. Generally, it is assumed someone wearing a 13 patch is either a user of marijuana or other drugs, or is involved with the sale of them.
Why do Harley riders blip the throttle?
To execute smooth downshifts, it is important to match the engine speed with the road speed. Throttle Blipping is the term used to describe the rev-matching technique where the rider momentarily “blips” the throttle to increase engine rpm to better match the revs to the road speed when downshifting.
What should you not say to a biker?
20 Things to NEVER Say When Dating a Biker Your garage really needed a makeover! It’s like you have another woman out in the garage. You’ll never get ME on that death machine! You know, I think you love that motorcycle more than you love me. You spent HOW MUCH on new pipes for your motorcycle?.
What do bikers call their girlfriends?
Old Lady. This is a term of endearment for a biker’s girlfriend or wife. If a biker refers to his lady as such, you’ll know to keep your paws off.
What does 2 fingers down mean on a motorcycle?
This is a way of expressing respect towards the other motorcyclist. It’s our way of saying, “Hello! Keep the rubber side down, keep both wheels on the ground”. It signifies that the rider is wishing the fellow rider to stay safe and ride safe.
Is it harder to ride a motorcycle with ape hangers?
Thus, ape hangers move hands not just higher, but also closer. If the hands become too close to the chest, it can be hard to control a bike. Ultimately, the bike handles exactly the same as it did with different bars — but if the handlebars aren’t right for a rider-and-bike combination, the handling may feel awful.
What is the legal height for ape hangers?
California Vehicle Code section 2780 provides that “a person shall not drive a two-wheel motorcycle that is equipped with handlebars so positioned that the hands of the driver, when upon the grips, are more than six inches above his or her shoulder height when sitting astride the seat.”.
Why is it called ape hangers?
“Ape-hangers” — found mainly on choppers, these are handlebars of such exaggerated height that the rider has to reach up to them, hence the name.
