The Motorcycle Wave Analogy (#36) — Transcript
Updated: Oct 26
THE PICTURE OF WEALTH · EPISODE 36
Dustin Serviss uses the motorcycle wave to explore connection, shared experience and enjoying life. He reflects on the small gestures and communities that can make an experience meaningful.
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This transcript was generated from the episode audio and lightly edited for readability. It may contain transcription or speaker-attribution errors. Refer to the recording for exact wording.
Chapters
[00:00:23] The motorcycle wave
[00:01:33] Connection between different riders
[00:02:54] The different kinds of waves
[00:04:11] Small gestures and shared experience
[00:05:22] Finding these moments in everyday life
Related episodes
Transcript
[00:00:01] Show announcer: Welcome to the Picture of Wealth, a podcast all about living more of your life now yet being responsible for your future. Lifestyle experimenter, wealth scientist, and financial coach, Dustin Service, shares life hacks, wealth tips, and interviews successful entrepreneurs on how they're thriving in happiness, purpose, and prosperity.
[00:00:23] Dustin Serviss: The motorcycle wave, a fascinating, simple, and yet completely pointless thing. Or is it? There are bikers doing the by grandma wave, others doing the howdy wave, and still others doing the extremely feminine princess wave. Or how about the hey you, point straight at you style wave, and the newly emerging I want to wave, but I'm just so lazy I'll lift one finger off the the grip wave. And the motorcycle community wouldn't be what it is without the delegator wave, where Pat, the wave assistant on the back waves for the driver. Who even started the wave? It all started one day in nineteen o four when Arthur Davidson passed William
[00:01:00] Dustin Serviss: Harley, and since they knew each other, they waved. Another biker saw the two kings of motorcycle doing this and thought this was a biker necessity, and the tradition was born. Lifestyle on a motorcycle. I've personally been licensed since I was sixteen years old where I bought a friend's motorcycle in grade eleven, drove it in the back of my pickup to the parking lot of the driver test training center, and got my learners. I've been to Sturgis multiple times. I've ridden the Oregon coast, own road glides and street glides and six hundred RR race bikes, and always loved going for a ride with
[00:01:33] Dustin Serviss: the anticipation of exchanging waves with other bikers, especially if it was on an opposite bike to the one coming towards me. Crotch rockets don't usually wave at Harleys. And when I had a Harley, I always loved waving at crotch rockets. There is something truly present about riding side by side with your father in the wrong lane across the plains of Wyoming, Washington, Montana, not speaking for nearly an hour and enjoying the amazing scenery. An unspoken bond, an adventure, a journey, an exploration, a discovery of who you are yourself and who your partner is. Partner meaning my father.
[00:02:12] Dustin Serviss: Motorcycle trips are a point of learning things like shooting bottle caps off your thumb to being the designated driver and two dudes doubling is always hilarious. The anticipation to get to the next destination or the stories at the end of the day where you had to gear up, rain gear, take it off, gear up, take it off because the weather was changing. That is lifestyle. Let's get back to the wave. When is it appropriate? On the interstate? Unnecessary. On a curve? Unnecessary. In the rain or at night? Unnecessary. On a mellow two lane? Proper. On the highway with little traffic? Proper. At a rally, like Sturges or Laughlin Riverrun?
[00:02:54] Dustin Serviss: Unnecessary. Slow speeds in traffic? Maybe a small gesture, but unnecessary. And jackasses don't wave. You aren't that cool. What are the different kinds of waves? I pulled a few and a number of these points from axle attic blog. Thank you. The left handed low wave. Sometimes this wave is called the Harley or cruiser wave. Left handed straight out. Left handed high. The palm must be facing the oncoming rider, and the hand can either remain still or use slightly side to side motion. This wave has been proven to be useful when you have a loose wristband or watch. Right handed, left handed, forward.
[00:03:36] Dustin Serviss: This wave is solely used by crotch rocket riders because, let's face it, what the hell else can you do in that position? Axl Addict notes, this is important. Should you be riding a crotch rocket, it is extremely important to main the crotch rocket image by using the wave only if the left hand is coming from the left hip or thigh. This should never ever be used when coming from the handlebars. Warning of possible injury. Do not use this type of wave on a cruiser. You will appear aloof, snobbish, and everyone will hate you. If you have a medical condition or feel you must use this type of
[00:04:11] Dustin Serviss: wave, get a bagger or ride a crotch rocket only in the upright position, it is suggested that you present the hand in a relaxed state regardless of what wave you use, as flattening will make you look like a dork. The classic variations of the peace side, deuce or thumbs up, are also acceptable. If practiced, this is one of the easiest waves to master. Regardless of the wave style, the feeling, it is a gesture of good feeling. It is a shared moment of two strangers who are in their element and nothing else matters. A moment of happiness free of the encumbrances of life.
[00:04:47] Dustin Serviss: You are focused on riding traffic, the police presence in the area, when the next gas station is, where the next exit is, is your bike running right, is Bertha warm enough, But you are always present enough to wave at another biker. When considering your ultimate picture of wealth, would this analogy moment in time be of value to your life? Never mind the motorcycle riding, but a sense of community where it is just two people minding their own business, going different directions, yet connected by a sense of lifestyle enjoyment. I know you thought I was gonna get deep there, but, seriously, take a
[00:05:22] Dustin Serviss: minute and reflect where you have motorcycle wave moments in your life. Cherish them. It could be the barista at the coffee shop or the teller at your local hardware store. It is the relationships that ask of you of nothing yet make you feel good. Being present enough to notice is wealth. Life is short, buy the damn motorcycle. And for all you riders out there, when life gets you down, remember, it is only one down and the rest up. Next episode, full face helmet or beanie.
[00:05:52] Show announcer: If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend. If you found this episode super valuable, leave us a review on iTunes. It will help us continue to bring you top quality content. For more information on anything discussed on the show, visit w w w dot service wealth dot com. That's service spelled s e r v I s s. Any investment topics covered on the show are not investment recommendations, and you should seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. This show was produced by Prodigi Podcast. Thanks for listening.