Proper hand signal for "radar ahead"?

ucwinters · Jun 5, 2006

While on a ride today, got some varying hand signals from oncoming riders warning about a deputy shooting radar ahead. Some riders were pointing at the top of their helmets, others were twirling their hands around the top of their helmets (I guess imitating the bubble gum light on the cop cars). What is the proper hand signal to warn other riders that there is a speed trap set up ahead?

Thanks,

Ed W.
Universal City, TX

jjsC6 · Jun 5, 2006

The signal I mostly see is "patting" the top of their helmet.

Jchefboyardee · Jun 5, 2006

I concur with JJ!

Guest · Jun 5, 2006

I passed a couple on a Goldwing last Thursday as I was approaching a small town. Still about a 1/2 mile out of town, but I was doing about 70 at the time. Both of them, at the same time had their arms outstretched, palms down and swung their arms towards the ground several times, in a pushing motion.

This is the same arm motion I've used for group riding when telling riders behind me to "slow down". Anyway, hit the binders to scrub off speed, topped a hill and the was the 30 MPH sign and an LEO sitting on the side of the road. Saved me a ticket and I knew exactly what they meant. If they had tapped their head, I would have had no idea what message they were trying to get across.

No sure if there is a "best" or "standard" sign, but I like the pushing toward the ground, arm outstretch and palm down...but that's just me. :wink:

BLilly · Jun 5, 2006

I find that a cyclist holding out an 8 X 4 piece of yellow paper as he cruises by at the speed limit is generally a good clue :roll:

Wanderer · Jun 5, 2006

Used to be that you flashed your lights on and off several times to warn oncoming traffic of a speed trap ahead. I still see folks do that.

IR Harry · Jun 5, 2006

Truckers around here make a fist with the thumb sticking out one side and the little finger out the other side and roll it left and right -

means there is a bull in the pasture......

Fred H. · Jun 5, 2006

The generally accepted sign is indeed to tap the top of your helmet with your left hand.

Seldom Home · Jun 5, 2006

In the Gold Book tapping on the top of the head/helmet with open hand, palm down, means "Check Headlight" (for following riders)

FUSE · Jun 5, 2006

Tapping the top of the helmet around where I ride means that you are breaking away from the group and riding by yourself.

I have always been told that twirling your hand around the top of your helmet means a cop ahead.

I have never heard of anyone using the twirling hand methord for anything other than police. But I have heard of different meanings to tapping the top of your helmet.

Roadking522 · Jun 5, 2006

What fatfenders said about the arm out, palm flat in an up and down motion. At least if you in the Mid West area, that's how I've seen it done and you'll know what we're all talking about.

However, I'm not too worried as Goldwings are invisible to radar :shock:

Tom Finch · Jun 5, 2006

I have been told that patting our helmet means hold it down.

RazorWinger · Jun 5, 2006

ucwinters said:
What is the proper hand signal to warn other riders that there is a speed trap set up ahead?

Given the variety of answers, there doesn't appear to be one. I guess we could use tap-tap, twirl-twirl, push-down. :roll:

skip h · Jun 5, 2006

I would think that waving the arm up and down with palm facing down and then extending the middle finger!
You know- slow down or you are going to get ----ed!

cycledude · Jun 5, 2006

i would never exceed the speed limit

flash the headlites seems to b the most common warning i've noticed

Firewinger · Jun 5, 2006

I tryed to worn alot of Bikers that there was an accedent at the top of Ortega highway as I was comming down E-to -W and because of the mass of traffic that was going E direction that the overturned big rig that was blocking the road was not only a danger thret but also a long .Long ,LONG,Wait time to clear the overturned rig ,they must have had a three hour wait to pass,,,thousands of cars and Motorcycles,,,two lanes they were there for a long time.

To the subject at hand , as I was passing the Motorcycles as they were appeoaching going E I Held my arm high and twerald it as to say TURN AROUND....Bad accedent ahead. and pointing my fingrer in the air.

As for smokies ahead,, I stick my left arm out and express a patting motion to the on comming bikers to worn them to slow down, most all of the bikers around here knows that motion.....and have seen it used several times.

A no motion wave is just the Hi sign pointing down,, just waving..

Buford T. · Jun 5, 2006

Boy......all the hands down palm extened...patting on head.....I feel like I'm getting into a Mason Secret Ceremony on two wheels! :lol:

I like the universal flashing of the brights...always gets the point across to me...all the head patting and hand gesture's would just distract me for the most part.

Even easier....keep it within 8 miles of the speed limit and in most cases you'll be fine.

CJ · Jun 5, 2006

Keep something in mind when your warning a fellow biker about that Officer with his radar waiting for you. That Officer is also looking for a bad guy who just robbed a bank or kidnapped a child. By revealing his presense you might just be helping the bad guy.

Roadking522 · Jun 5, 2006

skip h said:
I would think that waving the arm up and down with palm facing down and then extending the middle finger!
You know- slow down or you are going to get ----ed!

ROFLMAO :yes: :yes: :yes:

FUSE · Jun 5, 2006

CJ said:
Keep something in mind when your warning a fellow biker about that Officer with his radar waiting for you. That Officer is also looking for a bad guy who just robbed a bank or kidnapped a child. By revealing his presense you might just be helping the bad guy.

Excellent point..

Big Wes · Jun 5, 2006

I tend to blink my lights to warn of radar/cops. As a matter of fact I did it yesturday to on coming vehicles. It works well here in VA. 8)

Big Wes · Jun 5, 2006

CJ said:
Keep something in mind when your warning a fellow biker about that Officer with his radar waiting for you. That Officer is also looking for a bad guy who just robbed a bank or kidnapped a child. By revealing his presense you might just be helping the bad guy.

That is a good point, but more than likely, their just out for some revenue, and trying to catch the unsuspecting traveler. If they were looking for a thief or the like, I would think that they would have some sort of discription available to them as to what type of vehicle etc to be on the look out for.8)

hennigm4 · Jun 5, 2006

I just wave as I normally do, if they can't read my mind than too bad......Shouldn't be speeding. Not that i have ever sped.....

I was cruising down rt 50 at about 85 when the guy across the median did the head pat thing, I was thinking what the hell does that mean, he was on an HD so I figured it was some window licker trying to give me the finger. It puzzled me so much that I slowed down and avoided the ticket. Changed my whole outlook on HD riders.....

twodogs1800 · Jun 5, 2006

If everyone would just do the posted speed limit, you wouldnt have to warn other drivers to slow down with silly hand signals, and you can keep your hands on the handlebars where they belong.

salyzyn · Jun 5, 2006

ON-OFF-ON

Buford T. said:
I like the universal flashing of the brights...always gets the point across to me...all the head patting and hand gesture's would just distract me for the most part.

I tried once to rub my tummy and pat my head to get my point across, terribly distracting to me while riding. :twisted: Any covert signaling like patting your head with your left hand increases your danger; but so does waving, so why am I being a chicken little? I do recognize this is the secret handshake for motorcyclists to warn of a cop ahead ...

Flashing the brights is used to signal a high beam or lights off problem, not speed trap, although it does have the later affect in many cases non-the-less.

Tapping the starter button turns all the lights off on a substantial majority of motorcycles including the Goldwing, this is the defacto standard for all vehicles to informing anyone that there is a policeman ahead (speed trap). This is the one I use, if I feel compelled to warn, keep in mind that most jurisdictions make warning the other drivers an infraction. Some cars do not permit the lights being turned off, so I expect in a decade or so this will be a distant memory for a 'police ahead' signal.

Buford T. · Jun 5, 2006

twodogs1800 said:
If everyone would just do the posted speed limit, you wouldnt have to warn other drivers to slow down with silly hand signals, and you can keep your hands on the handlebars where they belong.

Yea..... because most cop's wont pull ya over for no reason right :?: :?:

If they can hide behind bridge supports, bridge signs on over passes...in the tall grass...I think it's fair for motorist to give a heads up to on coming traffic.....is it ethical???? thats for each person to decide.

We have alot of speed traps in my area, but they usually give a person 5-7 MPH over the limit before they pull you over.

But I do agree with you twodogs to a point......the hand signals can be a hazard more then a help in many cases.

Proper hand signal for "radar ahead"?

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities