First time pulled over on the bike

[kerrfunk]

27 in a school zone (with 15mph flashing lights).

The cop from the school lot pulled behind me, flashed his lights, blipped his siren... We were on a narrow two-lane so I pointed to a nearby intersection and turned into it and stopped. Turned bike off, left helmet on, left hands on the handgrips, and rehearsed what I was going to say.

Officer addressed me while still behind me -- I had to turn pretty hard over my left shoulder to speak. He introduced himself and mentioned the school zone. I asked if I could get off the bike. He suggested we both pull our vehicles forward so he could be off the narrow two-lane.

Scooted bike forward, got off, took helmet and sunglasses off and stood there until he came back. I told him I was getting my license out of my pants pocket, and I told him I was getting my insurance and registration out of my jacket pocket.

He asked me about the school zone and the lights -- I was clearly in the wrong... The school zone is immediately after an uphill stopsign, and there were no vehicles in front of me... I just let the bike do the driving and by the time I thought about the school zone I was half way through it.

Officer asked if I promised to pay attention to the school zones and not speed, and I got off with a warning

 

[Krunk_Kracker]

Police have a no pursuit rule for motorcycles in my area...just sayin'


I kid, my best friend and dad are both Deputies.


Good for you though.

 

[Guest]

School isnt out for summer vacation up there yet?

 

[Big Rich]

Here on the other side of PA, if the flashing lights are on, the 15mph limit is in effect. Could be any number of school functions going on in the summer.

 

[lurch12_2000]

I've been stopped 3 or 4 times in the last few years on my rekindled affair with these old GS1100E bikes and other GSes, all due to speeding. Luckily when I see them, grab a lot of front brake to skim some speed off(try to get under 25 mph over mark), then pull over if I see the lights go on, and wait for them to catch up, I sit there innocently on the bike and flip my flip-up helmet up as they cautiously approach from behind with hand near holster, they see my face and know that I'm old enough to be their father, get a little smirk on their face while they take my license and registration, do their info check back in the squad car, then come back with a goofy smile, give me a verbal warning while handing my paperwork back. Then I slowly go on my way. My luck will run out for sure, but so far so good.....

 

[kerrfunk]

School isnt out for summer vacation up there yet?

Not yet.

My daughter's last day is Tuesday June 14th.
Her friend's is this Friday (different school district).

Sometimes I think "they" forget to turn off the indicator after the school year's over.

I wasn't on one of my regular routes today. Not an unfamiliar place, just not a regular place.

 

[hampshirehog]

I tell you what lads, all these tales of being pulled in the US doesn't half give me the shivers. Everyone seems to be sh*t scared of being shot by the copper. Bugger that.

Over here you know the worst you're going to get is a patronising lecture and if you do your best to smile and sound appreciative you might avoid the dreaded fixed penalty.

 

[Guest]

Not yet.

My daughter's last day is Tuesday June 14th.
Her friend's is this Friday (different school district).

Sometimes I think "they" forget to turn off the indicator after the school year's over.

I wasn't on one of my regular routes today. Not an unfamiliar place, just not a regular place.

I go thru two school zones on my commute and I think you're right. They do indeed forget to turn the indicators off.

The school years sure are getting longer with many breaks. Working their way to year round school.

 

[tkent02]

Everyone seems to be sh*t scared of being shot by the copper. Bugger that.

.

Haven't met anyone yet that was scared of getting shot. Not a good idea to pull a gun on them for fun, but otherwise it's usually OK. Sometimes a ticket, sometimes not, but there's no shooting. Unless you are in New Jersey.

 

[earlfor]

I've been stopped 3 or 4 times in the last few years on my rekindled affair with these old GS1100E bikes and other GSes, all due to speeding. Luckily when I see them, grab a lot of front brake to skim some speed off(try to get under 25 mph over mark), then pull over if I see the lights go on, and wait for them to catch up, I sit there innocently on the bike and flip my flip-up helmet up as they cautiously approach from behind with hand near holster, they see my face and know that I'm old enough to be their father, get a little smirk on their face while they take my license and registration, do their info check back in the squad car, then come back with a goofy smile, give me a verbal warning while handing my paperwork back. Then I slowly go on my way. My luck will run out for sure, but so far so good.....

I seem to have the same luck.

Earl

 

[earlfor]

Haven't met anyone yet that was scared of getting shot. Not a good idea to pull a gun on them for fun, but otherwise it's usually OK. Sometimes a ticket, sometimes not, but there's no shooting. Unless you are in New Jersey.

Generally speaking, I prefer to avoid gunfights about traffic citations.

Earl

 

[tkent02]

I prefer to avoid New Jersey.

 

[Dogma]

I prefer to avoid New Jersey.

Get out to the part you could still mistake for being the "Garden State". It's nice out there. The legal environment, I'm not so sure about. It could be as screwy as California.

 

[TPL]

I prefer to avoid New Jersey.

Yea, me too

7 more years and the kids will be grown and I'm outta this zoo.

 

[marvinsc]

I hesitated to post this and Jinx myself. I have NEVER been pulled over on a bike but from what I read and hear, If you are decently geared up, licenced and insured, and respectful you stand a good chance of getting off with a warning.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi Kerry,

Being respectful and making sure the officer is put at ease goes a long way. Next time give the kids a break in the school zone.

The one time I was pulled over on my GS, the officer would hear nothing of "lane splitting" between the #1 and HOV lanes on the freeway. He wrote me up for a carpool violation anyway. He was about half my age, if that. I took the ticket to court and won via Trail By Declaration. I know you've heard the story but maybe some new members, especially in California, might want to know how to fight a ticket. Hence the link to my little story.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[koolaid_kid]

I hesitated to post this and Jinx myself. I have NEVER been pulled over on a bike but from what I read and hear, If you are decently geared up, licenced and insured, and respectful you stand a good chance of getting off with a warning.

I find this method works the best. I am very polite, I do only what I am told to do, I explain what I am about to do (I need to remove the seat to get to my registration, is that O.K.?) and I do not volunteer any information. I merely stand or sit there and allow them to control the situation.
They have a gun that could shoot me.
They have a car they can cram me into the back seat of.
They have handcuffs they could restrain me with.
They have a radio they can use to call for even more armed persons.

The way I look at it, they own me until they allow me to leave. So I do as I am told. My last moving violation was in June, 1970.
And some persons have insinuated that I sometimes race on the street. Not sure where they got that idea.

 

[earlfor]

I hesitated to post this and Jinx myself. I have NEVER been pulled over on a bike but from what I read and hear, If you are decently geared up, licenced and insured, and respectful you stand a good chance of getting off with a warning.

You forgot the most important thing of all. You must have gray hair. LOL

Earl

 

[Redman]

You forgot the most important thing of all. You must have gray hair. LOL

Earl

My white mustashe and full gear didnt help me.

First words cop said was something about Special Enhanced Enforecment, not exactly sure what that ment.

.

 

[SVSooke]

Think I've been pulled over 3 times in 30 years.First one was dead to rights speeding.No problems with it,I was.Second was when I was taking my brand new 06 SV650 on it's very first ride .Went from Victoria to Sidney.About 25 to 30 km.New bike and the mirror weren't adjusted right.Didn't realise the cop was behind me till he pulled along side with lights going.Pull over cop got out of his car as I was taking my helmet off.You could see his face drop as he came towards me.No lecture not much of anything except asking how much much new leathers cost.Then we where on are separate ways.Third one was funny.Had a speed thing set up in Sooke.Went though 1 way.Nothing but did notice a motor cop.Go back,no one doing over the limit.Motor cop motions me over.WTF.Tells me he's jealous cause I'm riding and off I go.