Arrested!

[n4mwd]

This is old news, but I'm just now talking about it.

Last September I bought my Ninja, took the MSF course and got my motorcycle endorsement along with all the proper paperwork, gear and taxes. About a month later in October, a buddy and I were riding on a dirt road out in the woods when a surly game warden nearly ran us over with his 4 wheel drive pickup. He accused us of riding on a bicycle trail and trying to flee and evade a police officer. Then he charged us both with misdemeanors. This was the first time in my life that I have ever been arrested.

Now the fleeing and evading part was totally made up. Need I say again that I was on a Ninja. Its a really great street bike, but in soft dirt it really sucks. My max speed was about 10 mph. He was full of sPit. Neither one of us was running and my friend who was ahead of me actually turned around and came back.

As far as the bicycle trail stuff, we were on private property with the permission of the owner. It seems that the owner didn't know that the South Florida Water Control District had stolen their land. Now it seems that they are upset about it and a lawsuit may follow.

We were sent to court in the company of all sorts of hookers, drug dealers, wife beaters and other friendly folks. Fortunately the state attorney looked at the charges and promptly dropped them remarking "This is stupid." We never actually had a trial, but their was a lot of grief between point A and point B.

I checked the game warden's history and we were the only ones he has arrested for a misdemeanor in the 12 months that I checked. The interesting thing is that he has stopped other people out there and only gave them an infraction. One was a guy on an unlicensed ATV, drunk and firing a gun at targets. He got a $50 fine.

So there you have it. Unarmed, sober guy on motorcycle = arrest. Armed drunk not on motorcycle = ticket.

Just curious if anybody else has been harassed by the law for riding a motorcycle.

[backinthesaddleagain]

No but almost hit head on by a DEM (park ranger) chasing 2 ATV on a public road. The DEM officer was driving on the wrong side of the road.

[demp]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

This is old news, but I'm just now talking about it.

Last September I bought my Ninja, took the MSF course and got my motorcycle endorsement along with all the proper paperwork, gear and taxes. About a month later in October, a buddy and I were riding on a dirt road out in the woods when a surly game warden nearly ran us over with his 4 wheel drive pickup. He accused us of riding on a bicycle trail and trying to flee and evade a police officer. Then he charged us both with misdemeanors. This was the first time in my life that I have ever been arrested.

Now the fleeing and evading part was totally made up. Need I say again that I was on a Ninja. Its a really great street bike, but in soft dirt it really sucks. My max speed was about 10 mph. He was full of sPit. Neither one of us was running and my friend who was ahead of me actually turned around and came back.

As far as the bicycle trail stuff, we were on private property with the permission of the owner. It seems that the owner didn't know that the South Florida Water Control District had stolen their land. Now it seems that they are upset about it and a lawsuit may follow.

We were sent to court in the company of all sorts of hookers, drug dealers, wife beaters and other friendly folks. Fortunately the state attorney looked at the charges and promptly dropped them remarking "This is stupid." We never actually had a trial, but their was a lot of grief between point A and point B.

I checked the game warden's history and we were the only ones he has arrested for a misdemeanor in the 12 months that I checked. The interesting thing is that he has stopped other people out there and only gave them an infraction. One was a guy on an unlicensed ATV, drunk and firing a gun at targets. He got a $50 fine.

So there you have it. Unarmed, sober guy on motorcycle = arrest. Armed drunk not on motorcycle = ticket.

Just curious if anybody else has been harassed by the law for riding a motorcycle.

I've once been pulled over claiming I had an expired license plate, yeah that's right, claiming.

[sombo]

The most I've had was an Orange County Sheriff telling me I was doing 80mph in a 55. Granted my speedo said close to 80 (we all know the innacuracy of our speedos), but the limit was 65 and I wasn't the only one going that fast. He pulled up to me at a light from the exit ramp and asked if I knew what the speed limit was. I told him it was 65 to which he responded "NO, it's 55 NOT 80. If you don't want a $***.00 fine I suggest you slow down!" Of course all I did at that point was nod and go along my way thinking what a prick he was.

[mj23retired]

This crap happens to me on any vehicle. I fall into the age range that I must always be doing something wrong. That is a fear I have about getting a bike.

Cop mindset "Hmm...a 22 year old male, on a sport bike (that thing must be at least a 600) he has to be doing something wrong, or is going to. I should pull him over"

[oroboros]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

We were sent to court in the company of all sorts of hookers, drug dealers, wife beaters and other friendly folks. Fortunately the state attorney looked at the charges and promptly dropped them remarking "This is stupid." We never actually had a trial, but their was a lot of grief between point A and point B.

...and there was all kinds of mean nasty ugly
looking people on the bench there. Mother rapers. Father stabbers. Father
rapers! Father rapers sitting right there on the bench next to me! And
they was mean and nasty and ugly and horrible crime-type guys sitting on the
bench next to me. And the meanest, ugliest, nastiest one, the meanest
father raper of them all, was coming over to me and he was mean 'n' ugly
'n' nasty 'n' horrible and all kind of things and he sat down next to me
and said, "Kid, whad'ya get?" I said, "I didn't get nothing, I had to pay
$50 and pick up the garbage."

Alice's Restaurant
By Arlo Guthrie

[bowersox3589]

Originally Posted by mj23retired

This crap happens to me on any vehicle. I fall into the age range that I must always be doing something wrong. That is a fear I have about getting a bike.

Cop mindset "Hmm...a 22 year old male, on a sport bike (that thing must be at least a 600) he has to be doing something wrong, or is going to. I should pull him over"

I'm 21 and the first time I went riding on an actual rode, started out on the back roads around my house, I was coming up to a cop and four cars passed me and flashed their lights so I'd know he was there so I could slow down. I was going 48 in a 45 and my dad was behind me on his Harley.

[darrell85]

I have gotten the same treatment from law enforcenment a couple times. Most of them see a sport bike and automaticaly think, young, wreckless, punk going too damn fast. luckily both times this happened to me, I was on my way to work. the cop walks up to the bike thinkin hes really gonna lay in to this punk, and then all i do is unzip my jacket so he can see my uniform and badge and duty belt and its, uuuhhh, have a nice day and be careful out there. Another one of the perks of working law enforcement. If we all rode goldwings or big harley baggers they probably wouldnt even look twice at us, but what fun would that be?

[CC Cowboy]

This stuff happens to me all the time;

You were doing 90 in a 70 zone,
You were doing 70 in a 50 zone,
You were doing 149 in a 55 zone,
You were riding on state land (that my taxes pay for),
Your passenger fell off and you didn't stop (I didn't even know),
Your plate doesn't belong to this bike,

I think they make this stuff up when they get bored.
Lawyers can usually straighten everything out but it does cost money.

[Apex]

Man, you had the passenger fall off and you didn't stop?? I thought I was the only person this routinely happened to. No wonder my wife won't ride with me anymore...

Kind of stinks arriving at your destination and wondering what is missing. I know I had something and now I don't, what was it again?

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

Just curious if anybody else has been harassed by the law for riding a motorcycle.

I was riding a cbr 900rr. I got a ticket for doing 55 in a 35 zone. I was the 4th vehicle back in a line of 9-10 vehicles, I was the only bike in the line. We were traveling in the 35-40 range on the bikes speedo... just pokin along. When I asked why he chose me out of the line, he said I was "running a lot faster than everyone else."

I was pulliing at the helmet strap when he said "take off your helmet BOY." I was easily 10 years older than he was.

I took it to court and lost. I think they were neighbors

[t0ast]

Originally Posted by demp

I've once been pulled over claiming I had an expired license plate, yeah that's right, claiming.

I'm sure you'd enjoy this story then:

http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-02-0...police-officer

[FrugalNinja250]

Originally Posted by rockNroll

I was riding a cbr 900rr. I got a ticket for doing 55 in a 35 zone. I was the 4th vehicle back in a line of 9-10 vehicles, I was the only bike in the line. We were traveling in the 35-40 range on the bikes speedo... just pokin along. When I asked why he chose me out of the line, he said I was "running a lot faster than everyone else."

That's why I run a helmet cam pretty much every inch I move on a bike (run a couple in the car, too, but that's a different story).

[bluepoof]

I recommend being a young female on a motorcycle. I've been pulled over twice and let go with a warning both times.

When I was pulled over in a speed trap in Florida, the officer looked at my California plates/license, said, "now THAT'S what I'm talking about!" and told me to enjoy my trip.

[n4mwd]

I'm trying to get a bike cam for my Ninja, but I don't have one yet. I'm an older guy, but with my helmet and full gear on, a cop can't tell my age. The game warden probably thought I was 21 or something when he saw the Ninja.

Oh yeah, we hired a lawyer. He was worthless. He never even came to court.

I did learn some stuff though. Infraction - you are guilty until proven innocent for the most part. That is, in the absence of any contradictory evidence, the judge will ALWAYS side with the cop. However, with a misdemeanor, you are innocent until proven guilty. So the cop must prove you broke the law not just his word. That probably had something to do with why the DA threw it out so easily.

[gfloyd2002]

I was pulled over for doing 120 in a 65 on highway 101 in california. Sadly, I was actually doing 120 in a 65 and didn't have much to complain about.

[Blackwidow]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

Just curious if anybody else has been harassed by the law for riding a motorcycle.

I wouldn't call it harassement, but I was pulled over the 5th day i had my bike. The cop used a stupid excuse for pulling me over, but I didn't get a ticket. I guess after I took off my helmet and saw i'm a chick he figured i'm too chicken to do anything crazy.

So I invested in pigtails for my helmet so i'm left alone.

[kevlarorc]

Originally Posted by oroboros

...and there was all kinds of mean nasty ugly
looking people on the bench there. Mother rapers. Father stabbers. Father
rapers! Father rapers sitting right there on the bench next to me! And
they was mean and nasty and ugly and horrible crime-type guys sitting on the
bench next to me. And the meanest, ugliest, nastiest one, the meanest
father raper of them all, was coming over to me and he was mean 'n' ugly
'n' nasty 'n' horrible and all kind of things and he sat down next to me
and said, "Kid, whad'ya get?" I said, "I didn't get nothing, I had to pay
$50 and pick up the garbage."

Alice's Restaurant
By Arlo Guthrie

and they aaaaaaalll moved away from me on the bench there.

[demp]

Originally Posted by Blackwidow

I wouldn't call it harassement, but I was pulled over the 5th day i had my bike. The cop used a stupid excuse for pulling me over, but I didn't get a ticket. I guess after I took off my helmet and saw i'm a chick he figured i'm too chicken to do anything crazy.

So I invested in pigtails for my helmet so i'm left alone.

Maybe we should all invest in some pigtails

[Blackwidow]

Originally Posted by demp

Maybe we should all invest in some pigtails

lol i think thats a great idea, but be careful...you get weird remarks for dudes.

[Zombiphone]

Nope, I've never been harassed at all on my bike. Although, I HAVE aided in getting someone else pulled over. Story time!

I was on my way home from work, and I left the same time as one of my coworkers who also rides. We were both probably going about 5, maybe 10, over the speed limit, but I then saw a dark parked car, and figured it must be a cop (Pretty common on that street). I instinctually braked and got my speed down to speed limit, even though that speed wouldn't have really been a problem. But in doing so, it looked like my coworker was going much faster by comparison (The fact that he's a total squid, and I'm an ATGATT nazi probably didn't help).

Anyways, so shortly after we pass, the cop takes off, swerves around me and takes off after my coworker. He ended up not getting a ticket (talked his way out of it I guess. He had JUST gotten his bike out of impound after getting pulled over for riding without a license/insurance/registration, so I guess the cop showed him some sympathy since he was allegedly getting his act together). Texted me right afterwords complaining that I should never just brake right next to a cop

Needless to say, I got to laugh at him rather hysterically for quite some time. I may have felt kind of bad if he had gotten a ticket...... no, on second thought, that guy's the biggest douchebag I've ever met, so that would have made it all the sweeter- but regardless, I was happy to aid in his misfortune. Haha, good times

[Live2ride]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

I may have felt kind of bad if he had gotten a ticket...... no, on second thought, that guy's the biggest douchebag I've ever met, so that would have made it all the sweeter- but regardless, I was happy to aid in his misfortune. Haha, good times

[Reswob]

Luckily, the only cop I've ever met on the side of the road that wasn't a total prick, is also the only cop to pull me over while on my bike. No ticket, just a "Slow down, be safe". In contrast, I always get tickets in my Jeep.

[n4mwd]

I actually get a kick out of motorcycle cops that biker wave at me. I can't help but think they would be more merciful if I was speeding.

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by kevlarorc

and they aaaaaaalll moved away from me on the bench there.

Gareth, You are dating yourself. "The Group W Bench" Great memories!

[Sailariel]

The only place we have ever been harassed by LEOs has been in Florida on our boat. We were harassed by the "Water Nazis" (Florida Marine Patrol) in anchorages--seemingly checking our Documentation Papers. They have ordered us to move on because we were anchored illegally. (Anchoring off the navigation channel is legal) We were also cited for speeding on the Intercoastal waterway in a no-wake zone. We were under sail alone and a sailboat under sail leaves no wake. My wife and I both hold a USCG Masters License with sail endorsement and maintain our vessel in pristine condition. It is not like we were some dirtballs sailing a garbage scow.

There is no way that our boat will ever sail in Florida waters again. Our recommendation to fellow sailors is to "Go outside" in Georgia and head directly to the Caribbean avoiding Florida altogether. They obviously do not need our tourism dollars. I plan to avoid Florida on my motorcycle as well until someone convinces me otherwise. I love the Carolinas and really have no need to venture farther south.

[oroboros]

Sail, you are an interesting and accomplished fellow.
Posted via Mobile Device

[PsychoNinja]

So, apparently after reading this thread I guess I cannot use the "C'mon officer, do you really think that my 250 can go that fast?" excuse!

[JMcDonald]

Put an NRA sticker on the back of your helmet and all you're vehicles. That seems to help me, at least here in Oklahoma :P .




One time I was enjoying a nice ride before work, and was running a bit fast down the interstate. It was only like 2:00pm and there was maybe a dozen cars per mile on this stretch of 6-lane divided highway. There was a cruiser in the left lane going about the speed limit (about 60), so I changed lanes to pass him to the right of the center lane at about 90mph or so. As I got near him, I saw the little "State Highway Patrol" stickers all over the bike, and really brought the bike down to speed, which put my front tire about even with his body. He slowly looked over at me, and I timidly waved at him, and he just shook his head. I was wearing ATGATT (even my actual riding pants), which might have helped his opinion of me for sure.

Another time, I was riding with a nice tailwind and was with my friend on his CBR600RR. I was just creeping over about 100mph (actual), on the same stretch of highway, and look over to see a cop sitting on the other side of the road, and he was looking right back at me. Oddly enough, despite having taken the next offramp and a few turns here and there, he caught up to us several miles later. He paced me just in my blind spot (I didn't notice him for a while actually) for what was probably 30 seconds probably checking out my plates and such, and then went about his business. I'd like to think it was a mixture of wearing full gear, being out for a joy ride in near-freezing temps, having a clean motor record, and of course my sticker that might have swayed his decision, heh.

I have been pulled over several times in vehicles, though, and had never gotten a ticket since I started slapping on those stickers. Usually, they say something about it or simply give the sticker a pat as they walk by.


But I will say cases (among other reasons) like those make me really glad I don't have a faster bike. The thrill might wear off after a while, but in those cases I'm sure I'd have been going much faster than I was, heh.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by kevlarorc

and they aaaaaaalll moved away from me on the bench there.

http://www.break.com/index/poo-munch...on-camera.html

[gfloyd2002]

Originally Posted by JMcDonald

Put an NRA sticker on the back of your helmet and all you're vehicles. That seems to help me, at least here in Oklahoma :P .

You are close. My dad is a retired firefighter - has a firefighters union sticker on his car. Never, NEVER, gotten pulled over despite driving like a madman, often in front of the police. Cops will go around him, wave, then pull someone else over. Police union and firefighters union stickers is where its at.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by gfloyd2002

You are close. My dad is a retired firefighter - has a firefighters union sticker on his car. Never, NEVER, gotten pulled over despite driving like a madman, often in front of the police. Cops will go around him, wave, then pull someone else over. Police union and firefighters union stickers is where its at.

It's always good to be reminded that some people (brotherhoods) are above the law.

[wild-bill]

That sucks! Yep, some cops are *#%holes. Fortunately, the only time I've been pulled over on a bike is when I actually WAS breaking the law-mostly speeding. I guess I've been very lucky with that.