Shadowfax, I am a Harley rider and nod all the time - your entry made me laugh though and it does have a point with the some of the Harley riders that I know. It certainly gave me a giggle. Don't tar us all with the same brush
I always nod to others on the road, even the shiney thumper crew and wreeeee wreeeee boys. Whether i get a nod back is up to them, i like to think the wreeeee wreeeeee boys might get into biking and those shiney thumper riders have too many flies in their teeth to worry about nodding back. I do struggle when i see a large group of bikers though, ill be buggered if im nodding at everyone of them. I might stick my boot out or wave/salute if the roads straight enough!
As for virtual nods, i dont think too many use them the same as on the road. I send more than enough nods to male and female bikers on here (most of them locals) and get 10% returned. I put that down to infrequent users of the site more than anything as there are'nt too many peeps from the South West on 'ere.
on here I have sent nods to friends, but if a nod is sent to me, will always nod back out of courtesy.
Now the L plates have gone most bikers nod to me when passing lol.
Know this is an old topic now but feel the need to have a small rant, so here goes: If you send me a nod I'll send one back because I'm being polite and friendly just saying 'hello', cos generally 99.9% of the time I'm a nice lass. It DOES NOT mean I want to get inside your leathers. Do you stop every female biker who nods at you on the road and hand out your details??? Didn't think so. So please don't act all offended and send stroppy and rude messages when I tell you that I don't want you mobile number or your msn contact, just because we nodded at each other.
A nod is a nod nothing more! I nod at all manner of bikers, prj,s & Harleys included even the scooty boys!
I give it as a friendly gesture, a sort of 2 wheeled brother/sisterhood, I just hope none of you guys out there take it as a come-on if I nod at you as some of our ladies seem to be finding!!
BM & the biking fraternity in general is a friendly place, lets keep it that way!