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I'm not sure how it is in your neck of the woods but here in central Texas it is common courtesy to wave a fellow riders as you pass them on the highway out of respect and the "motorcycle fellowship." However every once in awhile you get that on azzhole that doesn't wave back. Maybe this is why...

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
...8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

Top 10 Reasons Sport bikers Don't Wave:
10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave Back
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgment.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, or talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!.
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture

Yeah --- this is cute and old --- been kicking around the various forums and listservs for years. I'll tell you three reasons why I don't wave back to everyone.
(1) There are simply sooo many riders in Florida that if I waved to everyone I'd never have two hands on the bars
(2) I tend to NOT wave to folks who do not wear proper gear
Florida has no helmet law ... besides that you would be amazed at the number of squids I see daily. If you are not wearing at least the basics don't expect me to be all friendly towards you.
(3) Can-Am Spyder riders ... I just don't get them (or it)

Way too funny!!
Some of it is true of course & I have the same issue here in the Carolina's as bostondann does in terms of squids, I hate flip-flops even at the beach but on a bike? Makes me speed just to get away from people like that.

Just a question...why is a sportbike rider with no helmet a "squid" yet its perfectly acceptable for a Harley/cruiser rider to not wear one? There is a double standard there I don't like.

FOREWARNING -- I am using stereotypes for examples in what follows:

By definition a Squid is a motorcycle rider who, experienced or not, rides outside his abilities and sets poor examples by attire, propriety, and general behavior on the motorcycle.

By that standard you stereotypical Harley rider has squid-like tendencies (via attire primarily). However, "Squid" is generally used in reference to sportbike riders. It is my experience that Harley riders tend to be older and slower/safer riders. They may not wear proper gear all the time but they also tend to not ride in unsafe manners. BMW and Ducati owners are typically the least squid-like owners out there -- after all if you paid THAT much money for a bike and matching Aerostitch gear would you want to risk damage?

If you are wondering whether you have squid-like tendencies -- try this handy test:
http://www.bytebrothers.org/squidtest.htm

In Oz 90% of H-D riders are Hells Angels, Nomads Comancheros etc. I tend to give them a nod and get the occasional nod in response . Don't nod to scooter riders though !!

It is mandatory in all Oz States to wear a helmet.

Same in Canada
I dont wave at scooters either l

I say anyone without gear is a squid. Harley, sports bike, I don't care.

I say if your dumb enough to not wear a helmet then you probably deserve to be called a squid and have your skull turned to mush. Gear is essential even on hot days no matter how fast your driving, cause accidents aren't always your fault and if you get t-boned by a van at 40 or 100 your still going to get seriously hurt or worse. The list goes on of possible threats and you could never think of them all so why take the chance

scooter riders do not get the wave. anyone else, sure. even a squid.

99/100 times if you dump a scooter a strong jog will save you from getting hurt, anyway. UNLESS of course you're wholeshotting one after a half a case of beerz.

To me its the opposite. I wave to anyone except a squid. People that don't care about there protection don't care about the thing what makes riding a motorcycle special.

too funny!! I find the later in the season, and the fewer the bikes venturing out .. everybody waves, even the choppers.

That is an awesome list.

I wave to everyone but I have noticed that around here there are so many people that are stupid on their sports bikes they are becoming a nuisance and people that ride cruisers wont wave at you.

Here in Australia we either wave or nod at each other.

As an amendment to my earlier post and a nod to blmiller8 I think that with the there is a correlation between who waves at you and how you look
I have seen guys wave at me and then not wave to someone behind me on a "regular" sportbike. I always wear full gear and have hard cases on my bike - perhaps that look is less "squidly" and therefore worthy of a respectful wave
Although I will say that most of the riders who do not wave at me are on Harleys, they also never seem to turn their heads, even when at a stop.
Weird.

I wonder what they would say about it on a HD forum...

Oh and when I am up in the D.C. area no-one on a cruiser waves or nods back to me