cops NEVER ever stop me on my Valk!

[Lyonardo]

Incident #1:
Today I wanted to make a U turn to pick up my pizza. It was on the other side of the street but, to get there I would have to go 2 blocks before I could circle the block. There was a single open parking space right in front of it.
A cop was sitting at the 4 way intersection, watching traffic. I made a big half-circle with my arm, and he gave me the thumbs up! I made my illegal U turn with his blessing, and we both waved

#2:
I'm coming off a long hill, and see a police SUV right at the bottom.
It's a weird road because there are no curbs. The road ends right before the parking lot of an auto shop.
I've never run that stop sign in my life, but I was trying to figure out why he was so close to the road, and by the time I figured out he was actually parked in the lot, I blew right past him!
I was caught red handed. He was obviously there to stop what I just did, right?
I pulled over, stopped, and shrugged. Just waiting for my ticket. But the cop just waved. I nodded my best "message received" nod, and drove away, ticket free.

#3
On my way home from work, as always, I put on my turn signal to get out of the carpool lane to cross over to my exit.
Suddenly the car that was about 6 car lengths behind me floors it to block me on the right.
No big deal, I slow a little to let him pass.
But of course, he hits the brake to block me from getting behind him either. Just another bike-hater I guess.
Waiting for the next exit would've added about 15 miles of rush hour traffic to my commute, so I rip the throttle, leave the jerk behind, and make my exit easily.
That's when I notice the cop car matching my speed, then slowing right along with me.
I prepare for the speeding ticket, but instead the cop points at me, gives me a dammed THUMBS UP! Then drives away. Apparently he thought the guy was a jerk too.

There were a few other times I expected to get stopped (deservedly or not), but the L.E.O. just... didn't.

Can't explain it, except most people seem to think Valks are cool.

[Jess from VA]

Come to VA and try your luck.   

[h13man]

Honestly I haven't had a LEO pull me over on a bike since 1974. A Hooker header on a XL250 will get one's attention quite readily. 

[Hooter]

If a road isn't marked "no U turn" it isn't illegal as long as the offender does not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

[Harryc]

Yeah I personally wouldn't count on that kind of luck in NY either. Last time I got stopped on a bike was also in '74, but I was a dumb kid doing way over the speed limit thru a small town.

[John Schmidt]

I had a similar instance some years ago while dating my wife, I was on my Honda 750 on the way home at 2:00am after we had attended a party. Came up to this dead-end with a right turn only sign, but I needed to go left. The only chance for a U-turn was about two blocks away. I looked both ways and there wasn't a car in sight for a good mile, but sitting in a parking lot across the street was a squad car. I flashed my headlight at him, then pointed to my left. I could see just enough of him from the parking lot lamps to see he had leaned forward enough to check traffic in that direction. With that, he flashed his headlights and turned on his turn signal for that direction which I took as an OK sign. I made the turn, gave him a wave and went on my way.

A couple weeks later while sitting at the counter in a local Dennys restaurant, a cop walked in and sat down nearby. A moment later, he asked if that was my bike outside..."yes."  Then told me that was him I flashed at when I wanted to make the left turn a couple weeks back. I thanked him and went on my way.

[Challenger]

I got waved into safety check points twice in one month riding two up With full gear on my I/S, once in Springfield (at the mile race) and once in Savanna near Poopies. Both times I was riding with some H.D. buddies with loud pipes and ape hangers, (W.T.H.) They pulled me over, checked my Lic. and insurance card and let me go. I think they were just trying to do their job and didn't want to cause any problems.

[Bigwolf]

I have been stopped.....once.  I had not been on my bike for several weeks (about 8 or 9 weeks I think).  Anyway, it was about one in the morning and I jumped on the bike for a short quick ride.  Pulled out from a side road onto a divided 4 lane.  There are 2 stop signs.  One when you come up to the road and a stop sign in the middle before entering the other 2 lanes.  No cars on the 4 lane but two about to be pulling out from another side road opposite and 80 yards to my right.  I stopped at the first sign but I rolled thru the stop in the median and opened the throttle.  I shut it down at 70 and the lights came on at the same time.
The deputy was polite, made a few complimentary comments about my bike and gave me a warning for rolling thru a stop sign.  I did not even have to show my registration.  Seemed pretty obvious that he wanted a closer look at my bike.  I doubt he would have paid any attention to me if I had not taken off so fast.

[Lyonardo]

I looked up my local law after that post.
When I learned to drive, that kind of U turn was illegal in Seattle. But the law was changed in 1997. As long as the intersection is clear for 500 feet in all directions.
So I was definitely iffy, but probably OK. A few cars (and the cop himself) were definitely within 500 feet.

If a road isn't marked "no U turn" it isn't illegal as long as the offender does not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah I haven't been stopped on my valk and I've had her for 4 years and ridden her 40K (darn certain I got clocked with a ray gun doing 40 in the 25 once too. I think it helps to have a flag on the back and vet stickers). And I hadn't been stopped on my other bike or even this KTM racing bike I had which was street legal-- couldn't keep the front wheel down on that thing and I did see a lot of LEOs while I rode it. But I still hesitate to say anything like "I never get stopped" 

[rocketray]

I got stopped doing 9 mph over and got off with a warning ticket---he liked my flashing headlight --it has a hi/low beam ossilator and my flashing rear brake/turn signal  osillator

[Safety Steve]

Damn I have been stopped 3 times and I have gotten 2 tickets, and the 2 tickets I got was from the same cop.  Both for speeding the first one was I had been out of town working for 3 months and I was taking my valk in to be serviced, if I remember right I was getting new tires put on, well I was on the highway and my exit was coming up and there were 2 cars that I had to get around so I gunned it and when I got over a hill there was a cop sitting there.  The 2nd one I was late for a date.
The 3rd one I was riding home for Labor day weekend and all I got was a warning.
All that was before I had Bob Smith aka "Attic Rat" put his performance package in so now I have to be really careful, she likes to got triple digits now with out me noticing, lol.  So my luck has not been great with the LOE

[Bagger John - #3785]

Around here, motorcycles draw about as much attention as yesterday's newspaper where LEOs are concerned. This from a few of my friends in the profession who happen to be riding buddies.

You have to do something REALLY stupid to get the attention of most. Putting others in danger due to reckless or squidly behavior is one sure-fire way to accomplish it.

[northernvalk]

I got pulled over on the Magna this year........Got lucky as a cager gave me the warning flash before I saw the cop.  I slowed down to the speed limit WELL before he could see me so I thought "ha ha, he's got nothing on me"....Well, that changed as I saw him get out of his car and wave me over to the side.  At first I had no idea why I was getting pulled over, then came the speech "I was sitting in my car with the radio on and air conditioner on and I could hear you coming for the last 3 minutes!!! I also heard you slow down before the corner"..."is that exhaust stock?!?!?!?!" LOL!!! No, the Vance and Hines Quad Pipes are not stock....Cop was a fellow rider and gave me a "warning".  I told him that it is not very loud when I wasn't trying to pass someone  ....... That bike sounds like a 1970's formula 1 car when you get on it hard, soo sweeet!!!!!

[msb]

Not quite as lucky this past September...first ticket in about 15 years. I was guilty for sure, and I was I guess, actually somewhat lucky on a couple of accounts. First off I had just slowed from triple digits (mph) as we were trying to beat an oncoming rainstorm not too far from home after a 4 day ride and meetup, to a much more "respectable" 30 over the limit when I was tagged. Secondly, the cop was a good guy, a fellow rider, appreciated and complimented me on my bike, and gave me a break for ticketing me for only 15 over which reduced both my points and fine by half. I thanked him for being very fair with me and asked if he minded if the Mrs took a photo...again he showed that he was a good guy and willingly agreed  
I live just outside of a very small town and so have ridden by or seen this RCMP officer around several times since, and we always give each other a little nod. I've been given a good reminder, to not get complacent after many years of ticket-free riding & driving , and to not be a dumb-ass like I was in my teens and 20's back in the day

[Fazer]

Mike--I sat with you for dinner at Inzane in Morgantown a year ago and enjoyed the story of your trip and meeting up with guys from North Dakota-- and your beard was black.  Is life in Canada that tough ?

[msb]

Mike--I sat with you for dinner at Inzane in Morgantown a year ago and enjoyed the story of your trip and meeting up with guys from North Dakota-- and your beard was black.  Is life in Canada that tough ?

lol...yes I remember our meeting and dinner together. The beard was a whole lot shorter at that time, but definitely has been White for many years now. Except after a good 8-10 hour day's ride, when the road grime gives it a nice greyish hue 

[Rams]

Not quite as lucky this past September...first ticket in about 15 years. I was guilty for sure, and I was I guess, actually somewhat lucky on a couple of accounts. First off I had just slowed from triple digits (mph) as we were trying to beat an oncoming rainstorm not too far from home after a 4 day ride and meetup, to a much more "respectable" 30 over the limit when I was tagged. Secondly, the cop was a good guy, a fellow rider, appreciated and complimented me on my bike, and gave me a break for ticketing me for only 15 over which reduced both my points and fine by half. I thanked him for being very fair with me.....................

Fair?   That would not be the way I would describe it but OK.   

Fair would have been to ticket you for precisely what you were doing.   I'd say he gifted you.   
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to know there are LEOs out there like that.   I just don't run into to them much.   Good story though.   Enjoy and be safe out there.   

[northernvalk]

It's a well know fact that our speed limits are set too low in most cases.  The police allow 10-15% over the limit everywhere except school zones or construction zones etc.....I wish they would just increase them and enforce the limit instead of the giant grey area we have now.  You can drive 115km/h in a 100km zone for the rest of your life and not get a ticket in Ontario, hell, you will be in the slow lane on most freeways.....

[Oss]

For years I thought I was invisible to law enforcement

One state trooper changed that    

Now the serious application of using "rabbits" is engaged whenever possible on certain roadways.  Perhaps a radar detector is in my future,

Does anyone use one?

[northernvalk]

I use rabbits in the cage all the time.....my wife laughs at me but it's been a long time since I got a ticket and I know I would have been caught without the tail light warning system!!!

[Reb]

I've only been ticketed on US129. TN Trooper Snow is ruthless on the dragon. He's nailed myself, Joe, and a few others.

Riding back home in Iowa after Inzane in Spearfish. I remember I was bolting on US20 about 20 miles west of Dubuque. An Iowa State Trooper was parked in the median shooting radar on the east bound lane. I was probably doing close to 90  before I spotted him. Luckily he stuck his arm out the window and gave me the slow down gesture.

I was on the Goldwing at the time.

[The emperor has no clothes]

For years I thought I was invisible to law enforcement

One state trooper changed that    

Now the serious application of using "rabbits" is engaged whenever possible on certain roadways.  Perhaps a radar detector is in my future,

Does anyone use one?

I used to use one on my Yamaha 750. It never helped. Probably riding on wide open spaces it would. But on mountainous, curvy roads it wouldn't go off till it was too late. This was 30 years back though. I'm sure they are much better now. Although, a lot of the cops nowadays have the instant on radar. I got nailed in Brenda's Miata the other night. We had went over to my in laws to put up their tree and outside lights because they are getting up in age and couldn't safely do it anymore. For some reason I decided to take the short cuts thru the neighborhoods home. He got me doing 45 in a 35. I should have had a couple beers while putting up the lights, then Brenda would have been driving. 

[da prez]

  Coming back from out east  , I was on an interchange with trucks , busses , cars all rolling well above the posted limit.   A black suburban was pacing me about three lanes away. The drivers window went down and got my attention as he pointed to his shoulder. I think he was a state trooper. He then gave me the palm down signal. I glanced at the speedo. 95 and just barely passing traffic. I slowed to about 80 and when the road narrowed , vascar or radar. I thanked the officer in my mind. 

                                              da prez

[czuch]

Riding the I-10 coming out of Deming, (Irma's), for about 10 miles, we pulled over to tire check.
I thought the front was getting wobbly.
We didn't see him while motoring.
I didn't even have my bucket off and the NM State Trooper was behind us getting out of his car.
He asked why we had pulled over and just wanted to see if he could help. I asked where he came from and he said he had a good spot. I'll say.
Speed limit in NM for sure.
Great guy btw. He's a Valk rider too.

[Gavin_Sons]

Coming home from the Corbin Kentucky ride where i roomed with Reb. I got sick the night before and was not feeling well at all when i left at 7 sunday morning. Made it to Louisville in record time, 1 hour 20 minutes. I was doing 105 in a 55 when i passed 2 state troopers sitting in the middle of those concrete barricades. Looked in my mirror and they both flashed their lights for a couple seconds and then turned them off. I knew they were either calling ahead of figured i was going to get where i was going real quick or die in the process. Made 1 stop for gas on the other side of the river in indiana and was home at exactly 2.5 hours from leaving the hotel. It was 222 miles from my front door to the hotel.  ???

[GiG]

Coming home from the Corbin Kentucky ride where i roomed with Reb. I got sick the night before and was not feeling well at all....

I bet THAT has never happened before - or since... 

[Gavin_Sons]

Coming home from the Corbin Kentucky ride where i roomed with Reb. I got sick the night before and was not feeling well at all....

I bet THAT has never happened before - or since... 

I think he was upset I wouldn't spoon with him. Just the thought made me sick. 

[..]

I got nothing positive to add here.

82-35
58-25
74-45
67-45

Just tickets all the way with the help of a couple of thousand attorney dollars.

[Tfrank59]

So a point of clarification, the first number was your speed, the second number the posted speed limit?  Ouch!

[..]

So a point of clarification, the first number was your speed, the second number the posted speed limit?  Ouch!

 

[bagelboy]

My son is a patrolman for our local county sheriff. I haven't ever been stopped before, but if I do, I'm going to try and call in a favor. Of course, with my luck, I probably won't be able to get him to answer his cell phone!

[Jess from VA]

I got nothing positive to add here.

82-35
58-25
74-45
67-45

Just tickets all the way with the help of a couple of thousand attorney dollars.

Now that is what I call great performance awards.   

If we were having a contest, I think we'd have a winner.

I've had exactly three moving violations on my bikes since 1970 (only 2 in VA in 25 years).  And I've been given a break a few times.  But I probably deserved one (or more) nearly every time I ever threw a leg over.  I've gotten pretty good at picking my spots to let the hooligan loose. 

Now with cars, I'm sure I had several moving violations before I hit 17.  And by the time I was 20, I had probably hit the circuit (one of every moving violation in the book, except no reckless or DWI ever). 

[Mr Whiskey]

Bet SmokinJoe wishes he could say that,
I think he jus' keeps a lawyer on retainer now

[..]

Oh I have more.  

Passing on double yellows. BRP and Cherohala (Twice). Vehicles ahead running at about 20mph for miles and miles and miles and miles.

Once again all recorded as a non penalty offence.

Passing done on a long straight. I could've got by them easily doing 25mph. Also no side turns or overlooks presenting a possible threat. Just a long straightaway. 

I'm trying to be more patient as I age gracefully  

[northernvalk]

You only get a ticket if you stop  ...................

[JimC]

You only get a ticket if you stop  ...................

Or they stop you !

Jim

[..]

You only get a ticket if you stop  ...................

Been tempted. Oops did once with Duffy
 Cop coming towards us didnt like us going past a car waiting to turn left across traffic. By the time he did a Uey we were off and away down some country roads.

[northernvalk]

If you can get them to lose sight of you and you can manage to pull a u turn, it will never stand up in court.....Especially the VERY weak Canadian court system, where criminals are always given the benefit of the doubt!!!!

[czuch]

I got stopped this morning.
I was in my '72 Suburban and got lighted for weaving.
The officer said he saw me weave into the rumble strips then across the line.
 As he came closer he asked if I was texting.
I told him, "No. I farted. Gave it the one cheek sneak".
He, at this time, apparently caught a whiff and wished me a nice day.
I could hear him laughing as he walked back to his car.