The Fat Lady and I got pulled over for 5 over the speed limit yesterday.

[Rams]

True story, last night.  

Sitting a a traffic light, preparing to turn right onto a four lane that turns into a two lane about a quarter mile from the light.  I make the legal right turn on red. saw the local police coming, twisted the throttle and accelerated to about 60.  The legal speed limit slows from 55 to 45 about a half mile after the convergence into two lanes.  I had already slowed to 45.  About a half mile futher down the road, the speed limit slows to 35.  Again, I was at that speed when all of a sudden, the police lights come on and the siren sounds.  I pulled over and the "officer" proceeds to ask me if I know how fast I was going.  He said he clocked me at sixty.  Asked me if I knew the speed limit, told him exactly  as is posted above.  Also asked him where he clocked me at 60 because I was positive I was at 45 and 35 when entering those speed zones.  He admitted I was traveling as I stated.  Therefore, he stopped me for going 60 in a 55.  He then asked me why I accelerated the way I did.  I told him that more than once, I had had the right away when others had failed to yield or tried to run me off the road at that particular convergence in the road.  I had learned to get in front and establish my presence and not depend on other's to drive responsibly.  He looked at my bike and said, "Well if you were a turd, I'd write you up but that's a pretty bike."  He did not issue a ticket but, I was not pleased.  Yes, I was speeding by 5 mph.    I'm thinking he just wanted a closer look at my ride.

blackrams

[Chrisj CMA]

They may have guidelines like we have in our county.  They can pull you over for 5 over but they have to find something else to cite you witih, you are supposed to get a warning if 5 over is all you did wrong.  They cannot write a ticket for 5 over unless its in a residential area or a school zone.

[Jess from VA]

I told him that more than once, I had had the right away when others had failed to yield or tried to run me off the road at that particular convergence in the road.  I had learned to get in front and establish my presence and not depend on others to drive responsibly.

Blackrams, that is a riding technique that I have used for many years. 

That is, I tend to git-on-it a bit to get out in front of traffic, then slow to the speed limit or a few miles over and try to maintain space separation between me and the crowd of cars (both behind and ahead).  On occasion, I go extra slow, and get behind the crowd, but usually I am out in front.  I find this is a good riding technique, and have long prepared to tell a PO exactly what I am doing, as a safe driving technique.  The key is you must slow back down to at or near the speed limit to give credibility to the story.  It also helps to be running stock pipes (or nothing more than a piggy trim), so the acceleration does not draw much attention.  Being pleasant and polite at pullovers is also a plus;  you don't have to kiss ass, but smiling politeness goes a long way..... even if the pullover was horsehockey. 

The other thing I think we all have experienced is lookyloos pulling up beside us to check out our bikes, and as they look sideways they naturally steer sideways right toward us.  I don't mind someone wanting to check out my machine (or my handsome face and superior physique   ), but I follow a few second rule;  they get a few seconds to look, then I either nail it or grab the front brake, and break contact.  I do not appreciate someone riding right next to me for any length of time............even if she's got nice hooters. 

[RLD]

I'm surprised you were actually 5 over as both of my I/s's have been off by about 7-8%. If your speedo was reading 60, you may have only been going 55. Are the standard's also this way? Just curious.

[Jess from VA]

Are the standard's also this way?

To my knowledge, every Japanese bike is this way (roughly 5% off). 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Are the standard's also this way?

To my knowledge, every Japanese bike is this way (roughly 5% off). 

But we all usually compute that in our head while riding so he was probably more then 5 over registered. 

[Rams]

I told him that more than once, I had had the right away when others had failed to yield or tried to run me off the road at that particular convergence in the road.  I had learned to get in front and establish my presence and not depend on others to drive responsibly.

 The key is you must slow back down to at or near the speed limit to give credibility to the story.  It also helps to be running stock pipes (or nothing more than a piggy trim), so the acceleration does not draw much attention.  Being pleasant and polite at pullovers is also a plus;  you don't have to kiss ass, but smiling politeness goes a long way..... even if the pullover was horsehockey.  


...........even if she's got nice hooters.  

Just so we're clear on this point, I thought I was doing around 60, the LEO said I was doing 60.  Also,  I was not at 60 for more than 30 seconds and started slowing for the 45 mph speed limit sign.

I was gracious to the LEO, I don't go around insulting LEOs even if I think they are wrong.  But, I will stand up for myself.  

blackrams

edited:  BTW, if he had been a she and had possessed decent hooters, this may have been a different story.   

[Brad]

Around here the government is broke and they have been pulling people over for anything they can.  I got pulled over last week for running 5 over (my normal speed).  The only thing that saved me was the LEO was ex-military and he saw my paperwork.  He admitted that he felt like an ass for being so strict on the speed limit but they have their marching orders.  5 over in a special enforcement district is a $250 fine.  I have been watching my speed since then.

[Rams]

Around here the government is broke and they have been pulling people over for anything they can.  I got pulled over last week for running 5 over (my normal speed).  The only thing that saved me was the LEO was ex-military and he saw my paperwork.  He admitted that he felt like an ass for being so strict on the speed limit but they have their marching orders.  5 over in a special enforcement district is a $250 fine.  I have been watching my speed since then.

Probably a smart thing to do.   

Ron

[Spirited-6]

even if the pullover was horsehockey. 

Jess, you just dated yourself with "horsehockey" I have not heard that term in YEARS.

Ron, glad you "got off" scott free. You should know those Frankfort Cops are always looking for something to do. 

[Jess from VA]

Jess, you just dated yourself

Six, I haven't been on a date in years..... not even with myself.  LOL