Fifty Plus (50+) - Motorcycle gang signs

So there I was, riding along minding my own business on an almost vacant road in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge this morning. There's me, the forest, the swamp, alligators, and a car once in a while. I hear a rumble behind me that says motorcycles, and as the sound gets closer I hear the "whoop" of a motorcycle cop. Two cops with lights on pass me, then two more, and then more, all with lights on, and one yells, "get off the road!" My reaction, of course, is "bite me," but then some non-cops pass and then a bunch more. I start to think of the jogger getting passed by a large group ride, and decide maybe I ought to pull over. I stop and watch the parade, figuring it was some Fat Guys Looking for Other Fat Guys to Ride Motorcycles With Charity Ride, and after it thins out I figure it's safe to get back on the road. I'm riding along, and as the bikers pass me, several raise an arm with what I would describe as a "hook 'em horns" gesture - the pointer and little finger raised. Not being versed in motorcycle gang signs, and not being anywhere near Texas, I figured I would ask you guys. What does that mean? Is it a "get your skinny as* off my road" sign? "Peace, bro"? A sign to those behind to watch out for a speed bump? Anyone know?

I know that around here the serious motorcycle gangs were often escorted by police so that they would be less inclined to take on the locals and start trouble. Perhaps it's the same down that way?

Never heard of the "bullhorns" sign though.

Never heard of the "bullhorns" sign though.

Do you suppose they could be signalling, "Hey, Dude, nice bike. It would look great with bullhorn handlebars."

http://i26.tinypic.com/16iyxae.jpg

This is what I found. It looks like the bikers were playing nice.

The “Corna”
Consisting of a clenched fist with the second and fifth fingers straightened out, the corna (‘horns’) hand gesture has most recently been adopted by fans of rock and heavy metal music, first used by Black Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio. The gesture carries only a vague meaning, implying the presence of Satan, malevolence and loud guitar music, and is used in much the same way as headbanging. The gesture was actually popularised as a Satanic salute during the 1960s, appearing in many editions of the Satanic Bible. Nowadays many Americans use the gesture simply to mean “rock on”, or in support of the University of Texas in Austin (known as the “Hook ‘em Horns”).

Jenna Bush - satanist, metal fan, or just trying too hard?Occasionally used by baseball players to indicate “two outs”, the corna is actually a positive hand gesture in Buddhism and Hinduism, known as the Karana Mudra in such circles, and is used to dispel evil – an interestingly opposite meaning to its contemporary significance.

Historically, however, the symbol basically means “cuckold” (or rather, “your wife is cheating on you”), and its origins are Mediterranean, possibly dating back to Ancient Greece. The corna is still popular in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Colombia, Brazil, Albania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and seems to be used most often to disagree with football referees - perhaps their wives are taking advantage of their husband’s occupation to score with hunky football players - though only when the referee make an incorrect decision, of course…

I know that around here the serious motorcycle gangs were often escorted by police so that they would be less inclined to take on the locals and start trouble. Perhaps it's the same down that way?

Never heard of the "bullhorns" sign though.

This was clearly an organized motorcycle ride of some sort. There were easily 100+ motorcycles, and the road runs through the Kennedy Space Center. When I turned off to head to the beach, the bikers were heading straight into KSC, which requires official permission. I'm joking about "motorcycle gangs" - the ride certainly was some organized event.

Dunno what that means. Next time I see the Hell's Angels, I'll give 'em that sign and see what happens. Then I'll report back.

Maybe it was president Bush traveling incognito.

Just a friendly greeting to a fellow 2 wheeler. Motorcyclist face many of the same problems bicyclist do (like the motorist “I never saw him” montra).

Isn't that first and pinky deal the "hang loose" surfer's sign? If so then yeah, it was one two wheeler to another and all was well.

Nah, the surfer's "Hang Loose" is the thumb and pinky

Dunno what that means. Next time I see the Hell's Angels, I'll give 'em that sign and see what happens. Then I'll report back.

We used to have a quick decision making test for potential managers.

Imagine you're stopped at a red light. The only vehicle in front of you is a motor cycle. The rider is wearing Hell's Angels colors. As the light turns green he stalls his motor cycle and is unable to restart it with his kick starter. How long to you wait before blasting him with your horn?

We used to have a quick decision making test for potential managers.

Imagine you're stopped at a red light. The only vehicle in front of you is a motor cycle. The rider is wearing Hell's Angels colors. As the light turns green he stalls his motor cycle and is unable to restart it with his kick starter. How long to you wait before blasting him with your horn?
:DDid any of 'em pass the test? At my old company we would have been SOL for new management.:roflmao:

I ran into a similar thing two summers ago. I was riding along on my bent with a stars and stripes flying from it (makes the rednecks be more courteous to you!) and just as I was passing the airport about 50 bikes led by a police cruiser turned into the airport along with a stretched limo!
I then realized that this was the local bike club (?freedom riders?) who were there to welcome home a badly wounded soldier with the family, who I knew very well, in the limo! So what could I do?? I turned into the airport with all these cycles and rode beside the limo talking to the family, then parked my 'steed' with all the motorcycles and took my flag and went into the terminal with all the bikers where we all gave the wounded soldier a welcome back standing ovation!
Kind of a neat experience!
I wonder if something like that was going on?

Just a friendly greeting to a fellow 2 wheeler. Motorcyclist face many of the same problems bicyclist do (like the motorist “I never saw him” montra).
You got it. My first motorbike was a sears all-state moped at 14 years old and got a motor driven cycle license so I would be legal riding it on the streets. After 16 I could get a real motorcycle and a real drivers license. You'll find most "real" motor bikers started the same way and look back on those early days of new found freedom riding bicycles and then mopeds and scooters a time of fond memories. Real motor bikers also respect someone that can get around with no help at all from an engine. It's all about 2 wheels down signified by two fingers pointed down at the ground. Thats a sign of greeting used between motor bikers. When you got the index and little finger sign you were being shown respect. When I go to motorcycle events I always bring my motor bike shown below.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/HPIM0361.jpg
Motorcycles got started by people strapping an engine on a bicycle like the one above. My motorized bicycle draws more attention than any other motorcycle that show up.

Nah, the surfer's "Hang Loose" is the thumb and pinky

Plus you gotta give it a little shake, I mean if you want it done right and all.

Yep, it's a "rock on" thing, or in your case a "ride on". Having ridden motorcycles for over 2 decades, I think most of us know that a cycle is a cycle first. Having an engine made of metal or one of flesh and bones is secondary to the fact that you're out there on two wheels with all the four wheelers to 18 wheelers.

My Harley acquaintences do an inverted peace sign down low called a "low 2". When they do it to me I just give em a HIGH ONE! ..l..

- my house was several feet from last year's Ford Ironman... i set up a chair and Old Glory on the sidewalk, then loudly rang my cowbell for passing riders...

- a number of the foreign riders gave the sign you describe... index and pinky extended forward via a cocked wrist...

- i took it as a positive, as the sign was accompanied by a wide smile...

You'll find most "real" motor bikers started the same way and look back on those early days of new found freedom riding bicycles and then mopeds and scooters a time of fond memories. Real motor bikers also respect someone that can get around with no help at all from an engine.

Agreed. I've been receiving friendly acknowledgements from some of the motorcycle riders out and about lately as well, but they don't come from the yuppie folk out on yuppie bikes.

Agreed. I've been receiving friendly acknowledgements from some of the motorcycle riders out and about lately as well, but they don't come from the yuppie folk out on yuppie bikes.

If I'm 50+ can I still be a yuppie?

He was telling you to "Rock On"

I've seen that Horns thing, but only by Texans. I thought it was a Texas thing. In fact, the Bush girl clinched it for me.