Law Enforcement Experience

[dustyxbla]

Hey guys! Been poking around the forum and love that everybody participates.

I wanted to hear people experiences, if any, with the police. Good, neutral, bad.

I'm new to riding this year and just want to hear what everybody has to say. I've had people tell me that cops leave you alone for the most part, but I've also seen local cops pull bikes over for running through an intersection at a yellow light.

I work with law enforcement most every day ( I'm loss prevention/asset protection) so I don't have anything bad to say about cops.

My past two rides I've been followed though. The first I was followed from one end of the town to the other by local cops, he pulled out when he saw me coming and followed me out of city limits, just to turn around again. It was uneventful, but he followed me a little closer than I was comfortable with.

The second was similar, but it was a sheriff. Busted a U turn at a gas station just to follow me out the other end of Lodi.

They just make me nervous, I'm sure there are cops who want to get bikers, and I'm sure there are cops who just want a closer look at what your riding.

I have six points on my license from a short stint of misguided youth. I've been playing it safe for years now. I ride the speed limit (except for back roads) and just try and keep my head low. Having fun transportation is only that way if you have a license.

Please chime in though. Do's and Don'ts. Things to watch for. Tickets you may have gotten on a bike. How Law Enforcement has treated you. So on, so forth.

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[Bad324]

Haven't been pulled over yet but a great experience was when a group of probably 10 of us were riding and a spot shower hit and we took refuge under the drive through of a bank that was closed that day.

He pulled up and bs'd with us a bit and then had radar up checking out other spots and actually took lead in his cruiser of a couple local roads that we should hit. Unfortunately my buddy wrecked on a freshly paved road that was still wet. The cop was awesome and felt bad since he took us down that road and we all went back to the station and my buddy got cleaned up and we made some temp repairs to get him to make the hour plus ride home

[vf1000ride]

Personally I have been lucky with my conversations with police while on my Ducati.  I have had 2 occasions were officers approched me while I was already stopped.  Both times just wanted to check out my bike and say hello.  Friendly chitchat and to find out exactly what it was. 

One time that I have actually gotten pulled over while riding was on the Dragon.  He was sitting on the north side by the lakes and we were obviously over the limit.  He lit us up from a good distance in front of us so we just pulled over right in front of him.  Our group just got warnings as we were curtious and he didn't need to chase us or even move his car.  Quick compliance and being non-confrontational goes a long way towards an easy afternoon.

[r6Brent71]

Only got stopped once. Was on my '82 Yamaha Vision when I lived in Circleville in '97. Was stupid and went around a car who was turning left at a light and I went straight, Cop was right behind me. Officer let me off with a warning and only had Temps and wasn't wearing a Helmet. Thought I was a had Lad.... Ran once on my '89 Ninja 250 back in '92 on a group ride near UC in Clifton . Didn't have any incidents on my r6. If you want to do wheelies save it for back country roads.

[dustyxbla]

Dig it. I agree wholeheartedly with the compliance comment. Yes sir, no sir can be the difference between going to jail and driving home.

Not sure I'd ever really run. My buddy outran the cops once last season. Turns out they're pretty good at reading license plates and remembering them. He had a knock on his door at 3 am and was politely invited to a sleepover downtown.

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[dustyxbla]

Haven't been pulled over yet but a great experience was when a group of probably 10 of us were riding and a spot shower hit and we took refuge under the drive through of a bank that was closed that day.

He pulled up and bs'd with us a bit and then had radar up checking out other spots and actually took lead in his cruiser of a couple local roads that we should hit. Unfortunately my buddy wrecked on a freshly paved road that was still wet. The cop was awesome and felt bad since he took us down that road and we all went back to the station and my buddy got cleaned up and we made some temp repairs to get him to make the hour plus ride home

Sounds like a cool cop! The fall definitely sucks though, at least he didn't add any pain to it with a citation.

I live in a village with an Officer Paine. His schedule is predictable and so are his parking spots. He's a great guy though, I love the small town cops. As a kid my friend had a skateboard stolen from him and Paine responded with "I'll drive around town and wave my 9 and take every skateboard I see and throw em in my cruiser. If I don't find yours you can just choose the one you like" at 12-13 this had me in stitches.

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[zx3vfr]

I avoid all interactions with indiscriminate revenue collectors.

[Steve Butters]

Dig it. I agree wholeheartedly with the compliance comment. Yes sir, no sir can be the difference between going to jail and driving home.

Agreed. I've been pulled over more than I can remember.. Some times justified, some times bullshit... You never win on the side of the road, best thing is to comply and then make your case in court... I can think of several occasions where jail was imminent and somehow I didn't end up going because I wasn't being a pos to the cop

[2talltim]

Never recived a ticket on a bike. Been pulled over plenty, every time I deserved it but never a citation. Ive probably been pulled over 10 times on my bike in thr last 6 years and always get a warning. Usually the conversation turns to th e bike or riding in general because a lot of LEO's ride also and they understand. The worst was in NC during the OR Gap trip.They had a speed trap set up and me and another member we trying to get caught up the group at a 4 lane, after we got stuck behind a truck. They clocked him at 70 somthing and me at 94. They pulled over the entire group and checked out endorsements and told him and I to slow it down.

Lucky maybe, but I think cops gets it, and give people that are fully geared up a little slack.

Edited April 26, 2015 by 2talltim

[dustyxbla]

I avoid all interactions with indiscriminate revenue collectors.

Always a good course of action. Think I spilled +$500 on my 3 citations.

Agreed. I've been pulled over more than I can remember.. Some times justified, some times bullshit... You never win on the side of the road, best thing is to comply and then make your case in court... I can think of several occasions where jail was imminent and somehow I didn't end up going because I wasn't being a pos to the cop

Playing devils advocate for the cops:

You have to look at the other side of it. They get shit talked all day for a public service they feel strongly enough about to wake up every day and strap a gun on for their 12 hr shift. If you disrespect them your pretty much disrespecting the one thing they feel most strongly about in the whole world--their service. Regardless of how you feel about cops; if your the 5th guy that day to roll down your window and say f*** you they're going to give you the stick, right or wrong. I think an easy transaction for them makes it easy for you.

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[dustyxbla]

Never recived a ticket on a bike. Been pulled over plenty, every time I deserved it but never a citation. Ive probably been pulled over 10 times on my bike in thr last 6 years and always get a warning. Usually the conversation turns to th e bike or riding in general because a lot of LEO's ride also and they understand. The worst was in NC during the OR Gap trip.They had a speed trap set up and me and another member we trying to get caught up the group at a 4 lane, after we got stuck behind a truck. They clocked him at 70 somthing and me at 94. They pulled over the entire group and checked out endorsements and told him and I to slow it down.

Lucky maybe, but I think cops gets it, and let people that are fully geared up a little slack.

I've heard things like this the most. Its incredible to me that they just have a conversation and let you go provided your bike and you are in acceptable condition. 94 in a car would be a serious ticket.

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[2talltim]

Also another thing I think helps is, get your Concealed Carry License. I can't even count how many times I've been followed or even pulled over and deserved to be and they turn around or just give me a quick verbal because I have mine. It's not that cops are freaked out or worry about my weapon but I think it's just a situation th ey would rather not fuck with. Or maybe they look at it as "hey this guy is a legal carrier with a permit and wearing all his riding gear, he must not be much of a trouble maker I'll give him a break" I swear my CHL has gotten me out of several tickets.

Edited April 26, 2015 by 2talltim

[magley64]

I've had good experiences and bad. One occasion I was barely outpacing traffic on the way out of the valley into Chester on 322. Pulled over, and the first thing out of his mouth was "if you'd have run, I wasn't gonna chase you" then proceeded to write me a ticket, once I signed my ticket, I politely informed him that was a shitty thing to say.

Another incident I was really really moving (easily 120+), to eliminate a tailgater on route 11 north, and I saw a blue flash of light off to my right, and see a state police officer in my mirrors passing my former tailgater. I pull over and get my helmet off before he catches up. He walks up and asks me. "Do you know the speed you were traveling when you crossed route 90 back there?" I replied "not exactly, I was paying attention to traffic more than my speedometer at the time" he says "you were going FAST!! but here is the deal, I didn't have my radar on, and you pulled over before I could clock you, so the way I see it I can either let you go with a warning, or I can write you up for reckless op." I politely agreed, and he walked back to his cruiser. He comes back with a yellow slip and we chit chat about him wanting to get a fast bike, and what my bike was actually capable of. After another reminder to please slow down, he sends me on my way.

[dustyxbla]

I've often felt that a CHL would be a nice way to kind of "appeal" to cops. I think it simply let's them know your a legal, safe, and conscientious adult.

The cop who said he wouldn't have chased you if you ran sounds like an asshole.

My dad is the mayor of our village and when I was sixteen I was leaving town in a dodge ram 250 van, god I miss that thing. I left town going 75-80 in a 35 in a van with mini blinds. I was happy as could be, jamming to Led Zeppelin's "how the west was won" on cassette tape. The village police followed me 6 miles lit up and I did t even realize it because, well, because led zeppelin I guess. They finally pulled up next to my car in oncoming Lane and I had a mini heart attack. I pulled over and one cop interrogated me while the other searched my van. I was a good kid, so I had nothing stowed away. I pulled out my ID to show the cop with shaking hands and he goes "Oh, I'm sorry. Have a nice day" and signals the other cop off. No warning, nothing. They just left like the wind with no other words. That is the one and only time my pops being mayor has saved me from anything. I felt like a prick, but I probably would have lost my license till I was a legal adult

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[drc32-0]

I've been pulled over 5 or 6 times while on the bike...never ticketed.Three things probably helped...1)I have a CDL,2)insurance,registration and drivers license are up to date and easily located and 3)I show the officer respect.

[Pokey]

Never had a bad experience with a LEO, I also rarely give them a reason to pull me over either. Last time I got pulled over for speeding, I got busted by a Sheriff and we talked for like 15 minutes.....he let me go.

[bloodninja420]

They only times I've ever been let out of a speeding ticket by highway patrol was when on 2 wheels. One of which was a 40 mph over the limit situation..

Being over 25, with gear and registration, and actually pulling over on a sportbike actually seems like a near-lock for avoiding fines.

Unless you run into a bitch-cop, then all bets are off.

[dustyxbla]

Staties ????

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[dustyxbla]

Not a fan of Staties.

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[Tonik]

Except for Staties I have no issues. And only one with the State. Today I ran about twenty red lights with the cops blocking for me. You take the good with the bad, that's life.

[dustyxbla]

Except for Staties I have no issues. And only one with the State. Today I ran about twenty red lights with the cops blocking for me. You take the good with the bad, that's life.

That's perfect! I've always dreamt of the "my wife is having a baby" situation where you get to fly down the road with a cop on lead. I don't even want to be in the cruiser, I want everybody to know I'm important enough at the moment to have a cop escort me at mach 5 lol

1979 CB750 Limited Edition

[DerekClouser]

Had quite a few interactions with officers on the bike.  2 times last year, once for the crash & once for speeding - was going 63 in a 50, coming into a town from country roads.... it was coming into Bellville and still felt country'ish.  The Bellville cop was going the opposite direction and pulled a u-turn on both of us.  We both quickly stopped, was very polite but still both got a ticket.  

 

Second time was my crash last year.  Both wolfman1 and myself crashed in the corner.  I received a ticket, he did not.  He ended up in the hospital so I believe the cop was a bit more lenient in his case because of that.  Was a statie and I think he thought we were racing or something.  I explained that we weren't, but I feel like he had this pre-disposition and wasn't changing his mind.   

Outside of getting tickets, the cops were both courteous and polite and didn't give me any sort of hard time.   Probably because I was professional to them. 

[ItzaME]

My buddy was being haggled by a cop who spotted his bike in his garage and then was trying to make him confess to fleeing from him a few days ago. Keep in mind my buddys bike has wires showing and expired tags so he tried scaring him by telling him he will open a full investigation by using neighborhood cameras. He got nowhere talking to the neighbors and had a smirk while walk of shame to his car lol.

[Wolfman1]

Never been pulled over on my bike. Probably just jinxed myself. Lol! Only deal with the state hwy patrol was when I wrecked last year like Derek stated above. Statie was really cool. He saw all the dirt and gravel in the corner like I had stated and saw that I was in full gear and never been pulled over on the bike. He called after I got released from the hospital and genuinely said he was happy to hear I was ok and home. He said he didn't want to add insult to injury by giving me a ticket for failure to control. I was very thankful. There are a few good guys out there.

[Gixxus Christ!]

I've been pulled over a few times on bikes. Once by a female sheriff that used to date my older brother. I had earphones in and was doing maybe 20-25 over on a 4 lane city street weaving and shooting gaps. Apparently she was behind me for over a mile with lights and sirens. I did finally notice her and pulled over. There was a brief conversation about the legality of headphones on a bike, she ran my license, asked if I was Larry's brother, I said yeah, she told me to say hi for her and have a nice day.

Caught racing a harley (and winning) on my old cb750. Cops ticketed me and him but were cool about it.

Caught doing 75 in a 35, same bike, same city. Cop wrote the ticket for 55 and told me to have a nice day.

Been pulled over other times by township cops, sheriffs, never ohp tho and let go. I've found that having a ccw permit makes a huge difference. Since I've had it cops have let me go way more than they used to.