Sportbikes vs. The Long Arm Of The Law

[lawdog]

Here is my take on the speed issue. Yes it is hard to go the limit when a quick twist of the wrist and you are way above the limit. But think about this. Say you are cruising at 100 mph along a country road or interstate. A deer, wild animal, cargo falls off a truck, blind lane change, pothole or any other dangerous theme comes up. At 100 mph you have no time to react, brake, swerve, or accelerate. You go splat, skid, or crunch. Now imagine putting along at 50 or 60. That gives you more time to analyze the situation and determine the best route to save your butt. Boring at 50, life saver, absolutely. I have swerved or braked around deer, small animals, people pulling out in front of me, you name it and I have experienced it. I think the difference between me going splat and going fu is the fact I had time to decide what my out was and had time to maneuver to my out. I always have an out. I look at every vehicle on the road and think if they would pull out in front of me, cut me off, turn, etc what would I do to stay alive. Its worked so far!

From a cop point of view, 10-15 over on a secluded road whoop-de-do if you are safe. Now in my neighborhood while kids are out, I will hammer you.

 

[strmvt]

5 over for me be it city or hwy I like my skin to much having been an EMT/Firefighter and having responded to Motorcycle accidents and seeing the injuries sustained is enough to remind me to keep the speeds down on the streets That being said I love me some track days of which I do a few with the guys I ride with here Grattan Mid-Ohio going to Gingerman next Month

 

[BigRedonBlack]

well here is another LEO to add to your list

 

[Ronin1]

GPS is usually more accurate than radar.

Jim

 

[redliner172]

We all know speed limits/traffic laws are in place for a reason. To protect life and property. I agree with all of these laws completely. I am always willing to accept the risks I put on myself.

I love the twisties, and it is by far the best thing about owning my Buell BUT I will ride them as hard as I can which is MOST LIKELY how I will go down in the future. While in city limits NOT INCLUDING highways, I never exceed the speed limit cause there are hundreds of risks. On the highway is much different, and that is a risk I am willing to take. If I wanted to putt around I would have bought a cruiser, so with that being said, I open it up WOT on the highway every now and then. As I approach a car, I slow down just in case they decide to change their driving pattern suddenly, but, I never open it up for more than a mile. I dont do alot of weaving in traffic cause people WILL TRY to intentionally kill you. At least in Texas.

When I get out in the country, while aware of my surroundings, I will go ape **** on the backroads. I get cautious when there are driveways into the road or other intersections, blind curves, work trucks, gravel or mud..but for the most part I go for it. As long as I have been riding, I do realize that the odds are stacked against me. But that risk and the chance that a trooper is on the same road as I am is something I accept. If I am caught, I am caught. But I still enjoy my time out there.

Out of like the 10 or so times I have been stopped on the bike, I was given a ticket once...and I beat it cause the dashcam proved my innocence.

 

[anrkizm95]

it must be texas thing.ive been pulled over 4 times at tripple the speed limit and got warnings all four times.the last time was 125 in a 40 and ran a stop sighn.i thought for sure i was going to jail.he told me to slow down and leave for work earlier.

 

[BikerTrash]

Why do you think my bike is all black with no distinguishing badges, and I wear all black?
Yeah, I hammer the country roads. You just have to be smart about it, and know WHERE you can speed, and what roads the cops usually take.
There is one hill/curve I live by, that sometimes has a cop sitting at the bottom. The moment I crest the hill leading to it, and see he is not there, it's on!

 

[Xb9sXBUELLXb9sX]

I was the sme way, road safe on the public road, maybe 5-10 mph over, and just have fun on the county roads, just go with the road...

Well I was just reccently in a high speed wreck on a county road, was maybe going 60-70, that kinda changed that philosophy. Looking back its kinda stupid, just hit a grade change and the front end freaked out on my, bike went one direction, I the other...

I feel that just being able to ride is thrill enough. Everyone has there own choice... but I feel the limits there for a reason...

 

[Thaloc]

I just got back from a week in Tracy, CA for work. I had to fly down and rent a car, on the ride back up to Sacramento i was in a bit of rush hour on I-5, and oh man was I jealous of everyone lane splitting and leaving me suckin exhaust fumes =/

On topic tho. I cant speak on your experiences. The Washington State Patrol does "Motorcycle Patrols, with an emphasis on sportbikes..." So we're pretty much big neon signs going down the road that say "TICKET ME" Iv gotten a ridiculous amount of tickets all for less than 10 over. The WaStaPo are just revenue collectors these days, with very little "Protect and serve" Anywho thas just my $.02

 

[treyflee]

Usually don't even stop motorcycles (or cars)until 15+ on most roads. In residential areas or pedestrian heavy areas it is gonna be closer to the limit.

Most the time when I come across a bike going 100+ I don't even blink an eye. I assume If i'm going one way at 45 and he's going the other at 100 by the time I get turned around he's ghost, why bother.

Also in FL there is a 1000.00 add on fine for wheelies and 50+ over speed limit for motorcycle. Meaning you will get you a $1149.00 ticket.

 

[buelladdicted]

Here in LA,the speed limit on the freeways is 65 and the average speed is often 76,and thats everything,cars,trucks,bikes, everything.the larger percentage of the trafic is moving at 80 without a second thought.In these conditions,crusing at less than say,75 in any conditions short of gridlock will get you tailgators,the finger,or brights flashed at you by people driving like there in line at the bank and its running out of money.In these conditions who isnt going at least 10 if not 15 over the speed limit.

 

[IRULE]

Caution about the road ahead, making sure no one will be in danger, when allowed, roll on...hard!

Caption: left hand on the camera (not on the mount) - this was on a Z1000...

 

[IRULE]

Oh, by the way, I don't have a Ferrari, does my yellow Lambo count in the formula?

Just kidding!