From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Jul 20 13:52:01 1997 Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 12:38:36 +0000 From: Alex Jomarron To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Cc: jammarNoSpam@NoSpamerols.com Subject: BMW: Re: tix in National Parks Reply-To: Alex Jomarron Jim Martin wrote: >Cut over to the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way home and promptly got nailed with a speeding ticket! 22 mph over the limit ( fortunately I was slowing when he got me on radar). Also, do the fed's (it was in the national park portion of the parkway) typically report the summons to the state, thus affecting insurance rates?< Jim, In '93 I got caught doing 85 in a 55 in MT, just inside Yellowstone NP's western boundary. The patrolman lowered it to 70. At the next town, I sent a check for $50 to the feds. It didn't go on my record (the cop also told me this). Hopefully, the rules did not change. Alex Jomarron Oak Park, IL From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Jul 20 15:10:44 1997 Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 13:51:39 -0400 From: Alan & Karen Browne Organization: Alan Browne Contracting To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: Re: BMW: Busted on Blue Ridge Reply-To: Alan & Karen Browne James Martin wrote:> ------------------------------ > ... promptly got nailed with a speeding ticket! > 22 mph over the limit ( fortunately I was slowing when he got me on > radar). The question to all of you...Is there any point to taking a day > off work, and going to federal court to fight the ticket; are they > likely to dismiss, or at least reduce it? Also, do the fed's (it was in > the national park portion of the parkway) typically report the summons > to the state, thus affecting insurance rates? TIA for any info. IMHO...always fight any ticket. Even without points, your record will be reflected in your insurance rates. If you rate went up $50 per vehicle, per year, for three years what would be the damage? Also let's say your luck is real bad and you get another fast driving award? How much more? Between my SO and myself we have 7 vehicles on the road! When I got nailed in Ohio 78 in a 65 (going to Pure Stodge), I fought it. I found a lawyer on the net, on the same street, same town as the court. My call to him resulted in 69 in a 65, fine reduced $70 to $55, $200 to the lawyer. I didn't even have to return to Ohio. Expensive? Yes! But much cheaper that raised rates here in the former"Free State". Ride fast, Take chances. Al Browne Given the rotten litigious nature of our society, all disclaimers apply. From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Jul 20 20:00:48 1997 From: Bmwbobs2NoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 19:48:36 -0400 (EDT) To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com, jammarNoSpam@NoSpamerols.com Subject: BMW: Busted on Blue Ridge Reply-To: Bmwbobs2NoSpam@NoSpamaol.com In a message dated 97-07-20 01:09:52 EDT, James Martin writes: << Cut over to the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way home and promptly got nailed with a speeding ticket! 22 mph over the limit...The question to all of you...Is there any point to taking a day off work, and going to federal court to fight the ticket... Jim, Frankly, I think you'er lucky that you were "only" issued a speeding ticket, instead of being charged for reckless driving (most jurisdictions recognize 20mph over the posted speed limit as reckless, which REQUIRES the operator to appear in court). Being a former police officer, here are my recommendations: 1. Show up for court at the appointed date and time, but arrive early. Find the officer before court, and politely re-explain the circumstances surrounding issuance of the ticket. Ask the officer is he/she would consider reducing the charge to "Failure to Obey a Highway Sign" (or some other lesser charge) advising him that it was not your intent (key word) to violate the posted speed limit, that you were driving within your limits, and you enjoying the Parkway itself. Explain that the speeding ticket would blemish an otherwise perfect (near perfect) driving record...BTW, don't lie here since the he/she will have your driving record and will know. You might want to add that being found guilty of speeding will also significantly increase your insurance premiums (or some other plausable explanation)...what you'er attempting to do here is appeal to the officer's sense of fairness. If this fails... 2. Plead not guilty when the judge asks for your plea. Explain it was not your intent (again, the important word here) to violate the posted speed limit. If you had just overtaken a car, or he nabbed you at the bottom of a hill, or a big gust of wind from Hurricane David gave you an extra push, this would be the time to advise the judge. Tell the judge that you are unfamiliar with the Parkway, that this was your first (second, third, whatever) time on the Parkway, and of your exemplary driving record (providing its unblemished). Also let the judge know how long you've been riding a motorcycle, and how many courses you've successfully completed (MSF, Experience Riders Course, Keith Code School, etc)...this shows your competence, and hope for the best. But to answer your question, it's been my experience that most judges appreciate it when people take the time from work to appear in court. Even if he/she finds you guilty, you usually only have to pay the nominal court costs, and the fine is oftentimes waived. There are other defenses surrounding the radar detector itself (Was it tested beforehand? If so, how (tuning fork, car)? What's the history of the specific device (how many times has it been repaired, etc)? Does the police officer have log sheet?), but if you decide to pursue this course of action, don't try option 1 above. Hope this helps. Toodles, Bill Shaw SoD #18 (the Golden Dickhead) Oak Hill, VA ArmoredVehNoSpam@NoSpamAOL.Com From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Jul 20 23:00:30 1997 Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 22:42:13 -0400 To: mike spradlin From: Jon Zurell Subject: Re: BMW: Busted on Blue Ridge Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: Jon Zurell At 08:09 AM 7/20/97 -0400, you wrote: > >James Martin wrote: >> >> Went to Morton's BMW (Spotsylvania, VA) to pick up some parts and >> browse. Nice place with nice people. Cut over to the Blue Ridge >> Parkway on the way home and promptly got nailed with a speeding ticket! >> 22 mph over the limit ( fortunately I was slowing when he got me on >> radar). The question to all of you...Is there any point to taking a day >> off work, and going to federal court to fight the ticket; are they >> likely to dismiss, or at least reduce it? Also, do the fed's (it was in >> the national park portion of the parkway) typically report the summons >> to the state, thus affecting insurance rates? TIA for any info. >> >> Jim Martin >> R1100GS >> Fairfax, VA >Jim, > As a former Parkway violator, I would say cut your losses, pay the >fine, and get a days pay. When I was ticketed for travel in a restricted >area they taught me the meaning of "Make a federal case out of it". > I don't know about info sharing with the state. >Best, >Mike >Mike Spradlin Stewartsville Va. > > Speeding tickets are the curse of our legal system. You are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. And, in court, (after your 2nd or 3rd trip to get to a judge), the judge is, of course, going to believe the officer. Without question, he's, in the sight of the judge, better trained and a professional radar expert. The only hope you have is that the officer will not show up in court. Only then will the judge possible let you off with only court costs, which, around here are about $50 and cannot be forgiven. So, you've lost the court costs, the cost to make two or three trips to the court...like I said, you're guilty... The best answer to the problem is detection. Check out: http://www.transarc.com/afs/transarc.com/public/fpb/bmw-7er/Digests/3/30/4.h tml It contains a very interesting report about the meeting Mike Valentine had with the BMW CCA Chapter in Rochester, New York. I have not been able to get into the site to confirm the report I printed. If it is still unavailable by Wed., I'll type it out for all to read>>>:) Jon Zurell 96R11RT, BANG#4(Thank you Dana) The man who goes out alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. --Henry David Thoreau From BMW 7 Series Digest [http://www.transarc.com/afs/transarc.com/public/fpb/bmw-7er/Digests/3/30/4.h tml] Volume 3 Issue 30 Article 4 Mike Valentine |From: "Christopher P. Koch" Subject: Mike Valentine Dear Seveners, Our local BMW CCA Chapter (Genesee Valley Chapter or GVC for short) had their monthly gathering last Saturday in Rochester, New York and guess who the guest speaker was??? Mike Valentine talked from 8:00 to 10:40 and was VERY entertaining. He is the Electrical Engineer behind the Escort (cincinatti microwave) who, after a mega buyout and after his non-compete agreement expired, went on to found the company that produces the Valentine One radar detector. He has a black 750iL as his daily driver, a 325i convertible and many exotic Porsches... He is also a HAM Radio nut (like me). He has quite a droll sense of humor - I found him (as most did) very funny. He also was passionate about radar and laser detection - what an expert! He brought along all of the latest Radar and Laser Police guns and showed us how they work and their faults. He said something very interesting: His detector, the (best) in the business, will catch the trap 3 out of ten times. The next best competitor will do 2 out of ten. He highly recommends scanners that detect the Police Officer's shoulder transceiver such as the Bearcat to catch the other 6 out of ten traps. Notice there is one left... Some of you long time readers will remember that I have a BEL 645STi and have argued against the V-One. My primary reason was that I assumed that V-One was static in design (where was V-Two, Three, etc.). BEL has been steadily releasing new units to keep up with the Police - currently they are on 745STi. Well, I was wrong. Although his unit has remained the Valentine One, the internals have been constantly upgraded. When you buy one today, it is the latest revision. Furthermore, for $75 to $105, you can send in your V-One and have it updated. Some have to be completely "gutted". He even explained how they have to go down a mini assembly line to be first evaluated as to the rev level and then appropriately upgraded. He mounts his on the windshield above his mirror. I had thought I read several times that the best place was just above the dash to catch hood bounce. I didn't have the opportunity to ask him to clarify this. One significant problem is heat - he uses special plastic resins to tolerate 130 degrees - but still some units melt down (which are cheerfully fixed after a followup phone call). Usually the problem is in a furnace state where the owner places a foil sun shield behind the windshield without removing the detector... But the most interesting was the wonderful lessons we learned about how traps really work, techniques used, combating aircraft, tricks, etc. C.P. Koch Tel: (716) 856-5245 Fax: (716) 854-1184 From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Mon Jul 21 10:41:26 1997 From: EsquireTedNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Date: Mon, 21 Jul 1997 10:07:48 -0400 (EDT) To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Cc: lgfcoNoSpam@NoSpamerols.com, ArmoredVehNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Subject: Re: BMW: Busted on Blue Ridge Reply-To: EsquireTedNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com >>James Martin: >>(snip)Cut over to the Blue Ridge >>Parkway on the way home and promptly got nailed with a speeding ticket! >>22 mph over the limit ( fortunately I was slowing when he got me on >>radar). >Mike Spradlin: >As a former Parkway violator, I would say cut your losses, pay the >fine, and get a days pay. When I was ticketed for travel in a restricted >area they taught me the meaning of "Make a federal case out of it". >I don't know about info sharing with the state. Hello All, Well, as I was headed down Skyline Drive (on my way to Rt. 33 and over to Seneca Rocks for an overnight) on Saturday I was nailed at 58 in a 35. I was last in a line of 4 cars and the police officer was last in an oncoming line of 4 cars. I saw him, hit the pads, but knew he got me going too fast. I looked in my side mirror and saw him do the "police-180" and I knew that I had a good chance of getting pulled, though I hoped he would go after the first in the line of cars in which I was "rafting." Sure enough, at the first rest stop the lights go on :( All the traffic on the list about being pulled over began to flow and I stopped the bike, put it on the side stand, got off, removed my helmet, and had license & registration waiting by the time he had finished calling my tag and got out of his car. Remembering what Bill Shaw told me about how police officers HATE being bs'd, the first thing he said was, "You were going a bit fast weren't you?" "Yes, I sure was." "I got you at 58...that is 23 over...Reckless Driving." "I am sorry, it is a new motorcycle and I am still getting used to it." At this point he sees my National Park Passport (shares the inner pocket with the zip-loc of my registration & Insurance.) "You visit many parks?" "About 60 so far this year" "You always drive so fast? "Nope." He asked for and received my L&R, and went back to his car. 10 minutes later he comes back with a white sheet of paper in his hand. "I'm giving you a warning. Normally we always give a ticket for reckless. This will stay on file for 5 years and if you get another ticket they'll know not to give you another warning." "Thanks, I'd hate to have seen what that would have done to my insurance." "Well, if I had gotten you above 60 I would have had to have ticketed you. Good thing you hit the brakes before I got you." He then told me that 4 or 5 cyclists are killed every year on Skyline, and to keep the speed down. All in all, I think I was pretty damn lucky none of the cars I had recently passed pulled over to commend the officer for writing me a ticket, though one did honk and give him a thumbs up. Personally, I think I'll stick to some of the 55mph twisty roads Dana and I found in West Virginia on Sunday. ~~~~~~~~~ http://users.aol.com/esquireted/moto.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ted Verrill - EsquireTedNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com - TedVNoSpam@NoSpamFool.com - K1100RS (Zephyr) Georgetown, Washington DC, USA - HOYA JD '94 - Joe's Toadies IBMWR - BMWBMW - BMWMOA - BMWRA - GG#3 - SoD#7 BMWBMW Newsletter Editor, "Between The Spokes" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit http://www.bmwbmw.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Mon Jul 21 10:51:23 1997 Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 07:50:28 -0700 From: Mark Gensman Organization: Business Resource Group, Inc. To: BMWMC mailing list Subject: BMW: Tickets and higher rates Reply-To: Mark Gensman Once again a reminder to all. Geico insurance gives free lazer guns to the police in areas where they have large numbers of insurance holders. Three tickets and your rates double. Also, in Oregon, you can get an energy conservation ticket that costs you some money, but does not affect your record. We got three tickets for 75 in a 55 and they cost $150.00 each but a nice letter to the judge reduced two of the three (Not mine!) to $75. Geico sucks. -- Mark Gensman MgensmanNoSpam@NoSpamix.netcom.com 95 K1100LT "You're never too old to rock and roll" K-Whiner #51 "The Green Hornet" From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Mon Jul 21 12:43:06 1997 From: Hosmann95NoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Date: Mon, 21 Jul 1997 12:20:46 -0400 (EDT) To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: BMW: Re: Speeding Ticket on Blue Ridge... Reply-To: Hosmann95NoSpam@NoSpamaol.com I agree that speeding tickets are a curse of our legal system. Basically its a means of tax collection with the insurance companies pushing so they can raise your premiums. I have a feeling that the points will find their way to your insurance company one way or another, and I don't have to tell you what that means. There's an organization called the National Motorists Association (www.nma.com, I believe). This is the lobbying organization that was mostly responsible for the repeal of the national 55 mph law. I recommend joining, they send you a lot of good information including an audio tape outlining strategies for fighting traffic tickets. Their advice is to ALWAYS fight a ticket. Worst case, you end up paying the fine anyway, but you show the court system that you're not going to lay down for the fund raising. This might be tough if you need to travel out of state to fight the ticket, however. One thing you can do if you want to fight, though, is ASAP send a letter to the court asking for a continuance of your case, just to postpone it to a later date, even if it's only a few days later than your original date. Usually, the courts should not have a problem with this the first time. Reason: as you can guess, the original court date is set for the officer's convenience, so he/she can take care of a bunch of their tickets on the same date. By rescheduling, you increase your chances that he/she won't be there. Of course, this means that you should ask to have the case dismissed immediately. I gave this advice to a friend recently and he got the case dismissed just like that. Ride safely! Steve Sacramento R1100R From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Mon Jul 21 13:18:00 1997 Date: Mon, 21 Jul 1997 11:35:41 -0500 (CDT) From: viper655NoSpam@NoSpamix.netcom.com (Dr.Robert A. Harms) Subject: Re: BMW: Tickets and higher rates To: Mark Gensman Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: viper655NoSpam@NoSpamix.netcom.com (Dr.Robert A. Harms) You wrote: > > >Once again a reminder to all. Geico insurance gives free lazer guns to >the police in areas where they have large numbers of insurance holders. >Three tickets and your rates double. Also, in Oregon, you can get an >energy conservation ticket that costs you some money, but does not >affect your record. We got three tickets for 75 in a 55 and they cost >$150.00 each but a nice letter to the judge reduced two of the three >(Not mine!) to $75. Geico sucks. >-- >Mark Gensman MgensmanNoSpam@NoSpamix.netcom.com >95 K1100LT "You're never too old to rock and roll" >K-Whiner #51 "The Green Hornet" > Very very true. If you want the answer to many many questions just trace the money. If insurance companies equip police forces with radar equipment and this equipment is used for revenue generating rather than any realistic safety related purposes the municipalities and the insurance companies both prosper greatly. If an experimental design was constructed to compare 2 equal groups (age, ses, sex, vehicle type previous records, etc) with the control being receipt or not of nuisence speeding tickets and dependent variable being accidents what does anyone think the results would be ? PS doesn't take a Ph D in statistics to figure that one out. Trace the money. PS do you have any idea of the incredible sweetheart deal that Harley gives the municipalities on speed law enforcement FXRS's....and what they get for these at auction 3 years later ??? TTM (trace the money...again). Goddamn it I hate this ridiculous speed enforcement hypocracy. Doc Driver: 93 RT10 and ticketless From peterkrNoSpam@NoSpamms.com Wed Jul 23 16:39:31 1997 Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 16:27:49 -0400 From: peterkrNoSpam@NoSpamms.com (Peter Krynicki) Organization: CyLogix To: Thomas Hundt CC: bmwmc Subject: Re: BMW: Busted on Blue Ridge Thomas Hundt wrote: > > > [DeVern Gerber:] > |Ssoooo, what other parts of the Constitution has Washington State > |decided to do away with?? The right to face one's accusor, and the > |right to cross-examine at trial, are basic to what used to be the > |American judicial system. Apparently, such things must be getting in > |the way of the revenue generation process; are the Washington > |populace going to let the state get away with this?? Remember. Every law is 'constitutional' until challenged and decided upon by the Supreme Court. Women couldn't legally vote until the unconstitutionallity of the law was challenged. It was legal in New Jersey for the coppers to wait outside of the inspection station and give tickets to people who failed because they didn't have registration until the state Supreme Court ruled it entrapment. Pjk From gerberdNoSpam@NoSpammail.mtwest.net Wed Jul 23 15:50:48 1997 From: "DeVern Gerber" To: thundtNoSpam@NoSpamslack.net Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 13:03:42 -0700 Subject: Re: BMW: Busted on Blue Ridge Reply-to: gerberdNoSpam@NoSpammtwest.net Priority: normal On 23 Jul 97 at 13:47, Thomas Hundt wrote: > Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 13:47:36 -0400 > From: Thomas Hundt > To: gerberdNoSpam@NoSpammtwest.net > Subject: Re: BMW: Busted on Blue Ridge > Reply-to: thundtNoSpam@NoSpamslack.net > > Oh, BTW: Once I went to court to fight a ticket, and the cop > > didn't show up, so they simply rescheduled. (I think this was in > > New Brunswick, NJ.) :-( > > > > |At which point you should file a strong objection, particularly if > |you have traveled some distance or taken time off work to make your > |appearance. Judges will try to pull this, especially on citizens who > |are representing themselves in court. If you are being represented > |by a lawyer they'll call the judge cold on this one. Grrrrr.... > > > Objection on what grounds? > > (Legal grounds, not what is right or wrong morally.) Aaahhhhhhh, essence of the problem with the American judicial system... > > -Tom > Delay of proceeding, denial of due process (speedy trial), etc. At the very least, I'd want to make enough of a stink so that everyone in the court room gets to see the basic unfairness of the situation. I'm not a lawyer, just a guy who's gotten into the habit of taking to court every single ticket I get. The state should be forced, as I am, to work for its income and to justify its actions. My last trip to court my case was listed early on the docket. When it was called, officer friendly wasn't there and the judge, who was really a decent fellow, asked if it would be alright if he took a couple of other cases ahead of mine while we waited to see if O.F. would show. Naturally, the clerk was meanwhile busy on the phone/radio rounding up O.F. In the end it turned out alright, as the judge proved to someone I could work with (and vice versa) While I was found guilty of speeding I successfully petitioned the judge for a suspended imposition of sentence, with subsequent dismissal of all charges contingent upon completion of community service hours in our state motorcycle safety program. No fine, no points, no report to insurance company. OFficer Friendly went ballistic (quietly) when the D.A. and the judge, whom I'd had 30 minutes to observe and converse with while waiting, bought into the motion. A civilian in a courtroom is like a non-swimmer in the water. Sometimes you just have to keep flailing around until it adds up to forward motion... Cheers! DeVern DeVern Gerber gerberdNoSpam@NoSpammtwest.net '83 R80ST '95 R1100RSL "Das Amsdel" (Fliegen Sie Hoch Und Schnell!) :^) From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Thu Jul 24 04:27:09 1997 Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 18:14:39 +1000 To: "Sitarz, Bruce BH" From: Graham Smith Subject: Re: BMW: FW: [Melb] Lane splitting Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: Graham Smith Hi Bruce, In ACT, lane splitting is illegal, and I have been "officially cautioned" for it once in, oh, what, say, 10 years ;-) (I'm just a young-un!) I was cautioned by a cop on a K100TLC. I was on my Honda 250. I think this means if they can catch you, they might talk to you, and in rare circumstances when you really were doing something STUPID, they might book you. Obviously, a police car in a bumper-ta-bumper traffic jam aint ever gonna catch you. Regards, Graham. =========== gsmithNoSpam@NoSpamdynamite.com.au ===================== / (?) \ Graham Smith (0) (0) PO Box 851 Canberra Australia 2601 \ \ / BELDIVERS SCUBA CLUB %\-/% ACT BMW MCC - '90 K1 (Blue & Yellow) %%% '88 Lotus Esprit Turbo (Pearl) ======== http://www.dynamite.com.au/~gsmith/ =========== From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Thu Jul 24 07:11:03 1997 X-Priority: 3 To: "Mick Hancock" , "'bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com'" From: "Mike Barnett" Subject: Re: BMW: Personal Import Germany -> UK . Any experiences anyone ? Date: Thu, 24 Jul 97 11:53:54 +0100 (BST) Reply-To: "Mike Barnett" Mick Hancock writes: > Hi, > I am looking to acquire a K75RT or similar for commuting > into London in the UK. I will buy from a recognised BMW dealer,but > I realise that I will pay a premium for this.... > > As the Pound is quite strong at the moment,I wondered if I would > get better value buying in Germany and re-registering in the UK,a > so-called Personal Import.Does anyone have experience of this,and > can you think of any obvious pitfalls,either technical ones to do with > the bike (like speedo in kph instead of mph,or headlamp wrongly > aligned) ,.or administrative ones like paperwork,permits etc... > > Thanks Mick Hancock > Make sure that you don't get caught out by Type Approval. I don't know = what the exact position is since the laws changed a little while back but I have = read more than one tale of woe when people found that their imported vehicle (all = cages but same should go for bikes) was not covered by their insurer because of fai= lure to comply with TA regs and/or NOTIFY THE INSURER that it was an import. Regards MGB From gerberdNoSpam@NoSpammail.mtwest.net Thu Jul 24 09:03:40 1997 From: "DeVern Gerber" To: thundtNoSpam@NoSpamslack.net Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 06:16:37 -0700 Subject: Re: BMW: Busted on Blue Ridge Reply-to: gerberdNoSpam@NoSpammtwest.net Priority: normal On 23 Jul 97 at 20:11, Thomas Hundt wrote: > Yeah, I joined that the other day. So like, what "community > service" did you do? Didn't the judge want to know what you had > in mind? > No, he just wanted documentation from the program director that i had indeed done the hours. I did some bike maintenance and acted as assistant instructor on a course. The director sent a letter indicating same to the judge, and the matter was finished! Cheers! DeVern DeVern Gerber gerberdNoSpam@NoSpammtwest.net '83 R80ST '95 R1100RSL "Das Amsdel" (Fliegen Sie Hoch Und Schnell!) :^) From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Thu Jul 24 09:43:05 1997 Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 06:31:41 -0800 To: Graham Smith From: haysNoSpam@NoSpamznet.com (Butch Hays) Subject: Re: BMW: Lane splitting Cc: "Sitarz, Bruce BH" , bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: haysNoSpam@NoSpamznet.com (Butch Hays) At 6:14 PM 7/24/97, Graham Smith wrote: >Hi Bruce, > >In ACT, lane splitting is illegal, and I have been "officially cautioned" >for it once in, oh, what, say, 10 years ;-) (I'm just a young-un!) > In San Diego lane-splitting is allowed whenever the flow of traffic is 35 MPH or below. Also you may only split between lanes of traffic, you can't *pass on the right* or left for that matter. This topic was covered in detail in my Traffic School class earlier this month. Butch R1100RS BTW, I consider Traffic School a ... *Continuing Education Course* :-) From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Thu Jul 24 09:40:01 1997 From: WARUSZEWSKNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 09:27:36 -0400 (EDT) To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: BMW: Speeding tickets, fines and court Reply-To: WARUSZEWSKNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com If you got busted you ARE going to pay the money so get past that and get on with it. I was excused from one $75 ticket and was then subject of $85 court cost. The important part is that you request that points be taken under advisement for some period of time. Usually try to request 6 months or a year. Basically what happens is the points are put on hold and not applied to your record for that period of time. If you can behave, the points go away and your insurance company is not the wiser. If you screw up again, you get the points. Then, bend over and let your insurance company have their way with you. VIC WARUSZEWSKI, SoD # 21 VI #1 MOA 85K100RS BMW Touring Club of Detroit #1 Motor City Beemers Team K-Basa http://pages.prodigy.com/bmwtcd My opinions are my own. They'll hunt you down like, ... well like the dog you are. From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Fri Aug 1 23:46:07 1997 From: "Pat Roddy" To: "BMW List" Cc: "Georgia Club-The LINE" , "GS List" Subject: BMW: Dodged a 'police' bullet today-whew! Date: Fri, 1 Aug 1997 23:35:41 -0400 Reply-To: "Pat Roddy" I had just been to Blue Moon Cycles to pick up a few parts, and instead of heading back up the freeway, it was so beautiful today (read that COOL) I opted to take Peachtree Industrial Blvd, a major 4 laner north out of Norcross. I had this pickup truck that was following me closer than I like-not right on my tail, but close. I changed lanes to the right to let him by, but he changed too, hanging off my rear about a car length back at 50 mph. I stopped for a light, and decided when it went green to put some space between myself and Mr. Tailgaiter. I accelerated away, not slamming the LT, but winding it tightly. As I shifted from second into third, I thoughtfully gave a wave to a biker coming the other way. I didn't see what type of bike it was, but I saw a small 'sport bike' wave returned. About two minutes later, I saw the 'sport bike' coming up behind me, and he was hauling proverbial ass. I also noticed he had blue strobes flashing all over the front of his bike. "Oh, no!", I thought to myself, as I reached up to flick on my hazard lights. I decelerated, found a turnout in the road about a quarter mile down, and pulled over. As I dismounted and began removing my helmet, all I could think of was "Dammit, Pat. Here goes the insurance rates out the roof. But I guess it's about my time for this". As I removed my earplugs, the officer, dressed in knee high riding boots, gloves, full face Shoei and white shirt, walked up. "Sir, is everything all right?", he asked. "Yessir, it is", I said. "OK, then. Do you know why I pulled you over?", he asked. "Yessir, I believe I do", I answered glumly. "Nice suit-they are the best from what I hear. C'mon back to my bike". I thought to myself-I've never had an officer compliment me on my 'Stich before. Maybe, just maybe........ I walked back to his bike, leaving my helmet on the seat. "I clocked you at 64 miles per hour in a 45 zone. May I see your license and insurance card please?" "Sure, it's in my saddlebags". I walked briskly back to the bike, not wanting to waste this officers' time. I handed him my license and insurance card. He looked at them for about 3 seconds, handed them back to me, and said" Thank you Mr. Roddy. That is all. Please ride safely", and began to mount his bike. The look on my face certainly reflected what was in my mind. He looked at me and smiled, "I suppose you are wondering why I am not going to ticket you", he said. "Uhhh, yessir, I am." I uttered in amazement. "Look, Mr. Roddy. I could see you were getting out in front of that pack of cars. I ride to work every day, have been for 15 years. I know how it works out here. You are suited, booted, gloved and helmeted to the max. You were only 19 over, and in my opinion, I do not have a problem with that considering the circumstances. But my fellow officers in patrol cars don't see things my way, and this is just a friendly tip-when driving through Duluth, please watch your speed. They won't cut you the slack I will". Again, he smiled. As he started up his bike, a Buell (a beautiful dark gray with blue trim) I asked him how he liked riding the Buell all day. "Well, he said.....and our conversation lasted nearly 40 minutes! He was proud of that bike, had personally met Eric Buell and had him autograph the bike on the tailpiece with an engraver, and then spent the rest of the time telling me everything good and bad about the Buell. Most of it was good, believe it or not. "You know something'? he asked. "What's that, officer?". "This bike is not the slug most people think it is. Now, against your K11, I'd match you mile per hour to mile per hour, maybe even be able to pass you, up to a hundred or so. Then, you'd toast me. But up to that speed, I'd be all over you. This bike is torquey as hell". We talked and laughed for about 20 minutes, when another officer pulled up behind him and flipped on her lights. He turned around, gave her a chopping motion across his throat, and her lights went out. She joined us, and the 3 of us stood on the side of the road, talking motorcycles. After a total of about 40 minutes, he looked at his watch, said he had to go qualify on the pistol range today, grabbed my shoulder , shook my hand and said, "Pleasure meeting you, Mr. Roddy. Please ride safely". I said 'thank you, officer. For everything. I will not forget this. And I promise, I will monitor my speedometer more carefully from here on out". He smiled, waved, cranked up his Buell and took off. As I donned my helmet, I was very thankful; not only for not receiving a ticket, but was I was able to have a long sustained talk with an officer of the law about something we obviously love very much...motorcycles. As I headed north, to home, keeping my bike right on the speed limit, the air was just as fresh, the sun was just as bright and I was just as happy as I would be doing 10-20 over. pr pr Buford, GA. USA 93K1100LT & 95 R100GS N 34 04.757' W 83 58.863' Elev-1400+ From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sat Aug 2 22:31:34 1997 To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com (IBMWR List) From: Jeff Dunkle Subject: BMW: My Recent Cop Stops - was Roddy dodges a bullet-whew! Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 02:21:27 +0000 Reply-To: Jeff Dunkle As has been reported where Pat Roddy got stopped by a motorcycle riding police: >works out here. You are suited, booted, gloved and helmeted to the max. You >were only 19 over, and in my opinion, I do not have a problem with that >considering the circumstances. I've been stopped twice in the last three months by state police. In the first case I was west-bound on the PA turnpike....I didn't have any bear bate out ahead, and crested a gentle rise doing an indicated 82. A radar car was just beyod the crest and he had a straight shot at me alone. He pulled out...lights...and I immediately signaled and pulled over. The officer was polite but assertive..."I had you doing 78 in a 65 zone..." and did a full walk-around of my bike noting inspection sticker etc. After 5 minutes in his car he returned. "This is your lucky day. I'm going to cut you a break and write you up for 71 in a 65 zone...the lowest speed I can cite you for....it'll save you a few dollars...." The ticket was still nearly $100....but I think it saved me a point on my record. Just last week I rode to Washington state last week, comng across the US on I 90/94 once past Chicago. Coming thru Wisconsin at sunrise after just pulling onto the highway from a few hours nap on a rest stop bench and still not into my morning rythm....one of the Dairy state's finest signaled me over.....I'd never even seen him. He was polite, noting my PA plate...etc. and wrote me a warning ticket only, wishing me a safe trip...with a "just slow it down a bit.." as he walked away. While I have no proof, I got the feeling that the overall impressing convayed by my full Stitch gear.....using flashers and turn signals during my stop, and a civil attitude on my part, "may" have contributed to relatively decent treatment in each case, but, of couirse I could be totally wrong. Any state/local police out there care to comment? Jeff Dunkle Monroeville, PA 412-374-1231 BOOF #17, K-whiner #41, SoD #8 Pres. Four Winds BMW Riders '81BMW R100 "The Black" Pittsburgh, PA '86 BMW K75 "Shadow" ABC, MOA, RA, BMWBMW, RBR From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Aug 3 03:29:24 1997 From: "Pat Roddy" To: "Jeff Dunkle" , "IBMWR List" Subject: BMW: Re: My Recent Cop Stops - was Roddy dodges a bullet-whew! Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 03:00:19 -0400 Reply-To: "Pat Roddy" > While I have no proof, I got the feeling that the overall impressing > convayed by my full Stitch gear.....using flashers and turn signals during > my stop, and a civil attitude on my part, "may" have contributed to > relatively decent treatment in each case, but, of couirse I could be totally > wrong. Any state/local police out there care to comment? Jeff: One thing I can say of the officers that have stopped me while on a bike (3 times in the last 4 years, 2 for exceeding the speed limit, one for standing up on my pegs, stretching), is that I showed respect for them and I, in turn was treated fairly and squarely by them. First, I ALWAYS use my emergency blinkers, slow down carefully and pull off as the road as far as I safely can. Second, I always dismount, stand at the side of my bike, and await his approach while unbuckling my helmet. No sudden moves. Third, I always greet them with a smile. Always. Fourth, when asked "Do you know why I stopped you"?, I look them directly in the eyes and say, "Yes sir, I do". They have heard it all, and the last thing they want to hear is "I don't have any idea, officer". Fifth, I always have all my documentation in one place and produce it without being asked. Yes sir, No sir (or 'officer', esp. with a female because I do not know if they want to hear Ma'am) is always the way to talk with them. It shows a basic respect of them, and I believe that a good attitude can help you out of a situation like this, or at least possibly get it 'reduced'. This is what has always worked for me, in my limited experience dealing with officers of the law. pr pr Buford, GA. USA 93K1100LT & 95 R100GS N 34 04.757' W 83 58.863' Elev-1400+ From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Aug 3 09:31:01 1997 Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 06:22:17 -0700 (PDT) To: "Pat Roddy" , "Jeff Dunkle" , "IBMWR List" From: roozbehNoSpam@NoSpamwco.com (Roozbeh Chubak) Subject: Re: BMW: Re: My Recent Cop Stops - was Roddy dodges a bullet-whew! Reply-To: roozbehNoSpam@NoSpamwco.com (Roozbeh Chubak) At 7:00 AM 8/3/97, Pat Roddy wrote: > One thing I can say of the officers that have stopped me while on a bike >(3 times in the last 4 years, 2 for exceeding the speed limit, one for >standing up on my pegs, stretching), is that I showed respect for them and >I, in turn was treated fairly and squarely by them. > > First, I ALWAYS use my emergency blinkers, slow down carefully and pull >off as the road as far as I safely can. > > Second, I always dismount, stand at the side of my bike, and await his >approach while unbuckling my helmet. No sudden moves. > > Third, I always greet them with a smile. Always. > > Fourth, when asked "Do you know why I stopped you"?, I look them directly >in the eyes and say, "Yes sir, I do". They have heard it all, and the last >thing they want to hear is "I don't have any idea, officer". > > Fifth, I always have all my documentation in one place and produce it >without being asked. > > Yes sir, No sir (or 'officer', esp. with a female because I do not know if >they want to hear Ma'am) is always the way to talk with them. It shows a >basic respect of them, and I believe that a good attitude can help you out >of a situation like this, or at least possibly get it 'reduced'. I have had quite a few experiences being pulled over for speeding violations, and I am in full agreement with most of what you say. However, I can only partially agree with > Fourth, when asked "Do you know why I stopped you"?, I look them directly >in the eyes and say, "Yes sir, I do". They have heard it all, and the last >thing they want to hear is "I don't have any idea, officer". The reason is that to respond this way, you are basically admitting to whatever it is they pulled you over for (speeding, crossing the double yellow, etc.) and then later if you decide to fight it in court you have a weakened case. (I tend to respond to the question of "Do you know why I stopped you"? with another question "Was I exceeding the posted speed limits?" or words to that effect. The key to dealing with cops in such situations is not to treat them like idiots. They HATE any insinauation that they are morons. If you have been doing 45 in a 25 and when pulled over you ask "Is anything wrong, officer?" you are screwed. There is no way they will let you get away with it. I remember the last time I was pulled over: It was just a few months ago I overtook a semi on a double yellow in section of Coast Highway 1, doing about 55 in a 35 zone. After my documaents were checked, the cop said: "I am letting you go because you did not try to lie to me." :-) Regards, Roozbeh _______________________________________________________________________ Roozbeh Chubak AMA #552002 BOOF #1 BMWOA #38643 Village Idiot Idiologue Berkeley, CA BMWRA #21280 98 K1200RS: "Blue By You" DoD #6666 96 R1100GS: "Beau Geste" ======================================================================= From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Aug 3 11:02:18 1997 From: "Cliff Barnhouse" To: "Roozbeh Chubak" , "Pat Roddy" , "Jeff Dunkle" , "IBMWR List" Subject: Re: BMW: Re: My Recent Cop Stops - was Roddy dodges a bullet-whew! Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 19:48:52 -0700 Reply-To: "Cliff Barnhouse" I pulled a young lady over for speeding a week or so ago. When I explained the reason for the traffic stop, the young lady told me, "I have my contacts in my mouth." She then stuck her tongue out to show me. When I asked what that had to do with speeding she explained she couldn't see the speedometer. =8-0 I thought I had heard most excusses for speeding but that was a new one. I let her go with a warning, after she replaced her eyeballs.................. Cliff ---------- Rooz wrote > I remember the last time I was pulled over: It was just a few months ago I > overtook a semi on a double yellow in section of Coast Highway 1, doing > about 55 in a 35 zone. After my documaents were checked, the cop said: "I > am letting you go because you did not try to lie to me." :-) > From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Aug 3 11:56:01 1997 X-Sent-Via: StarNet http://www.azstarnet.com/ From: "Rob Lentini" To: "Jeff Dunkle" , "IBMWR" Subject: BMW: re: My Recent Cop Stops - was Roddy dodges a bullet-whew! Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 08:41:22 -0700 Reply-To: "Rob Lentini" Jeff adds: ==== Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 02:21:27 +0000 From: Jeff Dunkle Subject: BMW: My Recent Cop Stops - was Roddy dodges a bullet-whew! As has been reported where Pat Roddy got stopped by a motorcycle riding police: >works out here. You are suited, booted, gloved and helmeted to the max. You >were only 19 over, and in my opinion, I do not have a problem with that >considering the circumstances. While I have no proof, I got the feeling that the overall impressing convayed by my full Stitch gear.....using flashers and turn signals during my stop, and a civil attitude on my part, "may" have contributed to relatively decent treatment in each case, but, of couirse I could be totally wrong. Any state/local police out there care to comment? ==== It's almost always worked for me, Jeff. Here's something similar: Getting closer to Frederickburg, it had been a long day. I had left Tucson at 0045 and had had a nice trip to the hill country as I approached Mason, TX. My Solo 5 had been giving me low battery audibles for three hours but I pressed on thinking all was fine. I was doing about 85-90 in the hills when I crested a hummock and saw a light bar on top of the cruiser on the next hill. "No problem" I say to my self, I didn't hear anything. So I rolled off to slow down and coming over the next hill there he was on the side of the road, lights flashing at me. I though he must have not liked my headlight modulator so I signaled, carefully slowed down, and pulled over in a very safe spot on the side of the road. In my usual full BMW leathers, I flipped up the System 2 bar and met officer Miller. "What's the problem officer, it's 70 here, isn't it?" "It is, but I got you on radar doing 84. License and registration please." He went back to his Crown Vic and pulled out his clipboard. "Here comes my first ticket in three years" I said to myself (though I was due, I admit). "What did you get me with" I asked. "Stalker KA band" he replied. "Best technology out there" he claimed. "Boy, I didn't hear you. Guess it's time for me to upgrade" as I smiled. It was then I began to suspect the batteries were toast in my Solo. We chatted for awhile and noted we both had friends at the Texas Air National Guard at Kelly AFB in San Antonio. Then he asked me, "Is there an emergency you were responding to?" "No sir, not unless being late to the BMW rally in Fredericksburg qualifies." "Well, that won't due" he said, "but you've been so pleasant and respectful that I'm going to write you up for the least I can: 76 in a 70." "Thanks a lot. I appreciate the break!" He departed and I immediately self-tested the Solo. Lo and behold it would self test but then immediately shut down from low power. Lesson learned again. The last ticket received in Texas was from a detector failure, too. But the Bracketville officer marked down that ticket too (again, full gear and advance, safe pullover). So in summary, looking well decked out, pulling over quickly and safely before being chased down, and making his/her life as easy as possible can't help but encourage just a warning or reduced fine. Fresh batteries were purchased in Mason, and... :))) regards, Rob Lentini '94 R 1100 RS Tucson AZ H 520-790-8865 W 520-295-6411 Director, BMWMOA I WILL RIDE MORE AND POLITIC LESS From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Aug 3 13:25:09 1997 To: ynotfixNoSpam@NoSpamwgn.net Cc: proddyNoSpam@NoSpamworldnet.att.net, bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: BMW: Re: My Recent Cop Stops - was Roddy dodges a bullet-whew! X-Juno-Line-Breaks: 0-7,9-16,18-22 From: markcrowderNoSpam@NoSpamjuno.com (Mark A Crowder) Date: Sun, 03 Aug 1997 13:10:31 EDT Reply-To: markcrowderNoSpam@NoSpamjuno.com (Mark A Crowder) On Sun, 3 Aug 1997 06:02:54 -0700 "ynotfix" writes: > >Pat; > I'm sure the clothing had a part in the scene as played. It is our >"Uniform" and it generates their respect. It tells them that we are >aware of what we are doing and not as likely to be attitude-heavy. First >impressions are the lasting ones. I have found that a humble and >submissive attitude earns a lot of points in these situations. The last thing the >officer wants is trouble, and if he/she feels un-threatened then they >are much more likely to be lenient. Tony, You've hit it right on the money. There's a highly informative book on this subject called "The Speeder's Guide to Avoiding Tickets". The author (a former trooper), says simply that cops are equal parts of fear and ego. Minimize the first, stroke the second, and you'll likely get off ... Mark Crowder Garland, TX markcrowderNoSpam@NoSpamjuno.com We're the ones your mother warned you about From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Aug 3 13:36:39 1997 Date: Sun, 03 Aug 1997 12:21:42 -0600 From: "Jack L. Casner" To: Cliff Barnhouse Cc: Roozbeh Chubak , Pat Roddy , Jeff Dunkle , IBMWR List Subject: Re: BMW: Re: My Recent Cop Stops - was Roddy dodges a bullet-whew! Reply-To: "Jack L. Casner" Cliff Barnhouse wrote: > > I pulled a young lady over for speeding a week or so ago. When I explained > the reason for the traffic stop, the young lady told me, "I have my > contacts in my mouth." She then stuck her tongue out to show me. When I > asked what that had to do with speeding she explained she couldn't see the > speedometer. =8-0 > I thought I had heard most excusses for speeding but that was a new one. > > I let her go with a warning, after she replaced her > eyeballs.................. > > Cliff > ---------- > Rooz wrote > > > I remember the last time I was pulled over: It was just a few months ago > I > > overtook a semi on a double yellow in section of Coast Highway 1, doing > > about 55 in a 35 zone. After my documaents were checked, the cop said: > "I > > am letting you go because you did not try to lie to me." :-) > > A friend of mine was stopped for excessive (EXCESSIVE!!!!) on South Metcalf, here in the KC Metro area. The officer said: "I've been waiting for you all day." Robbie said: "I got here as fast as I could." The officer turned red and then started laughing. He told Robbie that he had never heard anything like that. He told him to get the hell out of there and to ride carefully. From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Aug 3 21:19:31 1997 Date: Sun, 03 Aug 1997 18:03:06 -0700 From: Mark Parker To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: Re: BMW: re: My Recent Cop Stops Reply-To: Mark Parker This was referred to earlier, but in addition to a "professional" demeanor (Aerostich, flashers, courtesy, etc.) you need to keep your hands in full sight at all times. Don't be too eager to reach for your registration, wallet, or anything else. Tell the officer what you are going to do. e.g., "my registration/driver's license is in my wallet, which is right here in my pocket". Also, keep your paperwork together. I prefer to keep it all in my wallet so I don't have to open the sidebags. Make it easier for them and they *might* make it easier for you. The officer who stopped me last September remarked on my Aerostich, but my impression is that he was sizing me up to determine whether or not I might have had anything to drink (or whatever). Don't assume that you know why they are asking you questions -- just provide the minimum amount of information, be polite ... and keep your fingers crossed. From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Mon Aug 4 13:48:13 1997 Date: Mon, 4 Aug 1997 12:21:31 -0500 To: Suzuki mc list , BMW mc list From: Ed Grant Subject: BMW: 8/2/97 m/c accident in L.A. (Ca) Reply-To: Ed Grant Saturday night I was watching the 10 o'clock news on KTLA and there was a brief newser about a group of ten sports bikers that ran from the local police. One of the riders (on a blue/white GSX-R) managed to get killed by running into a tree or pole. One of the other riders stopped to help and was arrested. Anyone else heard about this???? I believe this happened in the Los Angeles area. Ed Grant Ed Grant -- Abilene, Texas bikes 1981 BMW R100RT / 1994 Suzuki RF900R cages 1995 VW VR6 GTI / 1974 Lotus Europa TC From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Wed Aug 6 20:33:55 1997 Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 20:20:08 -0400 From: Thomas Hundt To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: BMW: "What To Do If You're Stopped By The Police" Reply-To: Thomas Hundt X-No-Archive: yes Article in this month's (8/97) CityBike, available here in the Bay Area. Written by a former officer and MC rider, Jim Thurber. I'm going to quote some of the interesting bits. (And please, no flames about copyright violations, did I mention this newspaper is given out for free, and only in this area? If you really can't help yourself, send 'em direct. Thanks.) Jim expresses astonishment that, "almost 90% of all major crimes in this country are willingly confessed to by the perpetrator, as if coming clean would make things easier." Sound familiar? "Do you know why I pulled you over?" "I was going too fast?" was usually the sheepish, occasionally fearful, reply. "Yes, and do you know how fast you were going?" "About 45, I think. Sorry officer." I may have had no idea how fast that person was going, but I would write the ticket for speeding anyway and note on the back of my copy of the citation: "Defendent admitted to travelling 45 mph in a 25mph zone." Case closed. But when he pulled over a lawyer or ex-con... The driver's expression would be one of quiet exasperation and complete denial. "Do you know why I pulled you over?" "No, sir," followed by absolute silence. "You were driving too fast." "No, sir." (more silence). "I was travelling at the speed limit, 25 mph." Essentially, the driver was calling my bluff, but legally I could not write a citation unless I had clocked his speed using a method approved by the courts [...] San Jose P.D. really frowned on issuing tickets "in error," so I never did. City liability for false "arrest" is substantial and the revenue from one traffic ticket isn't worth it. A little known fact is that it is generally legal to lie to the police. [... Exceptions:] You must correctly identify yourself to a sworn police officer when asked. [...] You cannot lie to a police officer who is investigating a crime where you are not a suspect. But if you're the suspect [...] say what you like. Later he touches on the "right equipment" (aka '$tich) issue: My personal feeling as an officer was that enforcement was _strictly_ a safety issue. If I stopped a vehicle going 90mph on a deserted road and the car was safely equipped to go that fast, I didn't write the ticket. Likewise, if a car was equipped with bald tires [...] etc., I was likely to write multiple violations. What if you do get caught? This echoes advice given here: So what if you just get caught "red handed?" Well, never admit that you were doing it but smile, be pleasant, and don't ever hesitate to ask for a break. And there is one final bit of advice for those of us who consider the speed limit in open spaces "merely a guide." (This is the part that really made me grin. :-) When I find myself exceeding the speed limit (by, perhaps, 40 or 50 mph) and see a CHP coming the other way, do I slam on my brakes, downshift drastically in a heart-stopping attempt to slow down? Never. I stay on the throttle and give the cop a big wave, followed by a salute. I have done this more than a dozen times, then watched (in my rear view mirror) the brake lights come on momentarily, then go off as the car accelerates and disappears. I can tell what's going through the officer's mind... "Hmmm, he didn't even begin to slow down -- he's gotta know he's really speeding. Why did he wave and salute? I'll bet he's a cop..." [...] Off he goes. One of these days, it's not going to work, but so far, it's had a 100% success rate. (I expect Mr. Thurber will get a break from "professional courtesy" even in that event.) Any Prezzes who try this, let me know how it works out. :-) NoSpam@NoSpam Tom Hundt http://www.slack.net/~thundt/ -_/L> '86 K100RS San Francisco CA USA W=+1-510/873-5440 ()7=() Saved IBMWR articles --> http://slack.net/~thundt/Bmw/index.htm From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Wed Aug 6 23:02:37 1997 Date: Wed, 06 Aug 1997 22:36:01 -0400 From: Tom Hazzard To: Pat Roddy Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: Re: BMW: Dodged a 'police' bullet today-whew! Reply-To: Tom Hazzard X-No-Archive: yes Pat Roddy wrote: > = > I had just been to Blue Moon Cycles to pick up a few parts, and = Pat Damn your speeding thread. After reading your speeding experience and others with the law. I know that I=92m dead meat if the law ever happens to check me out. Well it happened. I=92m going up to Pittsfield Maine to join Patty, her mother and aunt for a trip to Campobello the great socialist Roosevelt museum. Just about 15 miles from Pittsfield on route 220 which was in wicked good shape, it had just been resurfaced:-) My right hand got carried away. What do you know coming in my direction one of our State of Maine Highway Patrol. This was just after I read 85 on my speedo. His lights came on immediately and I quickly came to a stop. I got off my bike and didn=92t have to wait long for him to make a U turn. I took off my helmet to show the officer my gray hair or what I have left of it . He looked at me with a smile on his face and asked to see my papers which I quickly gave him. He went back to his car and checked me out and found that I had a clean record except for going through a stop sign a few years back. Was it my funny looking old man outfit that made him just give me a warning? He said he liked the look of the bike and the half helmet that I was wearing. His only questions were, was I in a hurry or wasn=92t I paying attention. My reply, not paying attention.. I know one thing for sure I don=92t like blue lights. Tom in the great State of Maine going slower From "James M. Dodmead" Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1997 20:28:04 -0400 (EDT) Subject: BMW: State Police During the Ride For Kids (TM) I had a chance to talk to a couple of Maryland State Troopers that ride Harleys on the Beltway. They keep their bikes pretty spiffy looking! The Corporal was using Meguairs Quik Detail (TM) on the bike while I talked to him. They ride their bikes year round. He told me that as soon as the roads are clear they are out again. 20 degrees and up. They also have to recertify every 3 months on the bikes. It consists of a closed course with cones, a high speed pursuit, a pursuit through the boondocks, and a 125 mile ride. Said the Sargeant is grading everything. I mentioned to him that I hate the beltway as I am always getting cutoff. I asked him if he got cutoff. He got a little grin and said yes, but he had a way to obtain revenge for all motorcyclists;-). All in all, while I like to ride I don't think that I would want to do that for a living. They were quite interested in a R1100 Police Special that the BMW district manager rode in, complete with sirens. Mr. Bob had invited the manager to try and get BMW support for the ride next year. Anyway, pretty cool cops and they like bikes as much as we do (their's is way cleaner than mine!). Best, Jim James M. Dodmead (Jim) Network Engineering and dodmeadNoSpam@NoSpamnetsww.com Technical Services (NETS), Inc. V 301.854.4945 14825 Burntwoods Road F 410.489.7508 Glenwood, MD 21738 USA Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 16:31:18 -0400 From: Phil Space Subject: BMW: RE: All the Nazis aren't in Fontana!!!!! I ride up there all the time, it's beautiful, and have not had a problem. However, I know of Mt. Weather, the security requirements there and have seen many conspicuous U. S. Government No Trespassing Signs on most of the chain link fences and the entrance to the facility. The Federal security police have never given me even a second look, very strange. Phil Space DINA, Inc., 2070 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 370, Vienna, VA 22182 (703) 734-6844, FAX (703) 734-6850 - -----Original Message----- From: BenByronNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com [SMTP:BenByronNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 1997 3:33 PM To: mflynnNoSpam@NoSpamshentel.net Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: BMW: All the Nazis aren't in Fontana!!!!! ...don't ever try going north on Rt 601 from where Rt 50 and Rt 17 split at Ashby Gap Pass in Virginia. I just tried it this morning and without warning was theatened with jail if I didn't move from in front of a place called Mount Weather EAC. It wasn't marked 'private,' or 'no trespassing' or anything. When I asked why? I was told the area was 'secured.' I said from what, it's a public road. That is when he called his supervisor and the fun began. Absolutely beautiful road to ride though. Date: Thu, 25 Sep 1997 19:34:21 -0400 From: Brian Curry Subject: Re: BMW: Re: Re: No Nazis in the Savannah River Nuclear Plant At 08:31 PM 9/24/97 -0400, Ron Beckley wrote: > >> From: Ian Schmeisser >> If you would like to take a "heat-free" 100mph+ run someday, just tour >> through the Savannah River Nuclear Plant area, located east of >Augusta, >GA. > >I worked in Augusta, Ga. for 22 years. I would be careful of speeding on >the Savannah River Plant. There is law enforcement there; they use radar >and they do give out tickets. But is a Federal offense!!! And they do not seem to report back to the states. Hehehe!!! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | "We cannot tolerate the proliferation of this paperwork any longer. | | We must kill the people producing it." | | - Vladimir Kabaidze 1936 | | | | Brian Curry, 1990 Blue K75RTs both coasts, Chester Springs, PA, USA | | SoD #23 | | | | KGN- Improving Lives Around The World | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 13:45:57 -0500 From: Keith Carr Subject: RE: BMW: Re: Fontana and the law Frank, You probably don't remember me, but I was one of a group of guys that = were looking at your bike at the Vicksburg rally this year. Anyway, not to be picky but an officer does not have to have probable = cause to make a traffic stop. Only "reasonable suspicion" needs to be = established. THis is a lower lever of proof than probable cause. The other way that a stop can legally be made is through an impartial = checkpoint. In order to run a checkpoint correctly, though, there must = be some sort of criteria for what vehicles get stopped. THis could be = something like "every third vehicle", but not "every motorcycle" or even = "every vehicle with out-of-state-plates". Once you are legally stopped, officers can check the area around your = bike, but no closed areas, with a dog. If the dog alerts on an odor, = then probable cause has been established. The trouble with FOntana, as I understand it, is that the roadblocks = were not operated in an impartial manner. This means anything that = followed was illegal. But then, I wasn't there. Keith Carr Chief of Police Chaffee, MO. 1988 K100LT 1972 R75/5=20 From "Phil Rupp" Date: 29 Sep 1997 05:52:35 -0400 Subject: BMW: BMW's for Oregon State's Tr NPR had a small piece on this morning indicating OR was evaluating BMW's and may be purchasing those rather than Kaw's. The gentleman interviewed indicated better electrics, better weather protection, better handling, and better weather protection, besides decreased maintainance for BMW over Kaw's. Heck, we could have told'em that. Date: Thu, 02 Oct 1997 08:51:38 -0400 From: Rick Cecil Subject: BMW: My Bug is Missing! As I walked up the street to where my R850R was parked last night, I noticed something missing - my bike. The vendor on the corner said she had seen a couple of guys, a black & a hispanic, fiddling with it then drive it away about half an hour earlier. She knew me, had seen me every day for a couple of years, but of course she couldn't get involved or even give me her name as a witness because she 'has no papers.' (If you're from NY I'm sure you're familiar with this any time you try to get assistance form somebody - whether it's true or not). So anyway, the details - From the corner of Park Avenue & 27th Street, NYC, at about 4:30 on October 1st. Green 1996 R850R with cylinder guards, a Reynolds rack & backrest, plate #F528F. If you see it around town, please contact the police immediately. It's the only one I've seen in the city with the backrest, so it really stands out. ______________________________________________________________ Rick Cecil 96 R850R - "Bug" 3Rensho Katana Track Brooklyn Cinelli Super Corsa USCF# 107401 - BVF BMWMOA #74555 Bianchi Ti They've all got two wheels - some are just a little harder to bring up to speed Date: Sun, 05 Oct 1997 12:14:49 From: h-figueroaNoSpam@NoSpamusa.net Subject: BMW: Stolen K75 from Parking Lot At 10:30 this Sunday morning, heading towards a BMW club gathering in Long Island NY, I went to warm up my K75 at the underground parking lot in my residence complex, when I noticed my usual parking space empty without my bike. I was in total shock, in conjunction with an immediate frustration of not having the bike to go out for the Sunday run. I took immediate action and reported it to my nearest New York City precinct office. My K75 was in grahite color (black), with a "C" headlight fairing that I put on a few months ago - everything else is the usual stock frame. If you see such bike around in your neighborhood, please don't hessitate to reach me immediately - cash reward will be granted if found in good shape. The vehicle number on the frame is: WB1057104S0135510. Thanks ahead. Henry Figueroa '95 K75 (recently stolen) Queens, NY Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 15:14:34 -0400 (EDT) From: GWBDMBNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Subject: Re: BMW: Laser Toast In a message dated 97-10-17 13:23:26 EDT, bigjamesNoSpam@NoSpamix.netcom.com writes: << ) The Police were not using them correctly, they are supposed to be mounted on a solid object, not hand held. LOTS of tickets beat that way. >> James, could this be old technology as I see MC police using hand held lasers all the time? Thanks Gately bartlett Acworth, GA Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 23:34:04 -0700 From: Mark Gensman Subject: Re: BMW: Laser Toast GWBDMBNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 97-10-17 13:23:26 EDT, bigjamesNoSpam@NoSpamix.netcom.com writes: > > << ) The Police were not using them correctly, they are supposed to be > mounted > on a solid object, not hand held. LOTS of tickets beat that way. >> > James, could this be old technology as I see MC police using hand held lasers > all the time? > > Thanks > > Gately bartlett > Acworth, GA Lasers are almost always hand held. They are like using a rifle scope and they have to be pointed directly at the object vehicle. A hard mount laser is only good for vehicles directly ahead or behind if the cop was moving. Every laser I have encountered was hand held. - -- Mark Gensman MgensmanNoSpam@NoSpamix.netcom.com Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 21:36:59 -0400 From: "Shamieh, Greg" Subject: BMW: "...may god have mercy on my license..." (was "lean up top...") never was truer word spoke i'm afraid. after nearly nine months of electrical and carburation troubleshooting, the r90(100)s finally hit its long legged stride yesterday. the full throttle fuel delivery gremlins that had plagued me for months were gone after thoroughly cleaning the tank, replacing some filter screens and the main jets, and making some float height adjustments. thanks to everybody that helped me to bring this project home. the sweet spot on this motor is at 5000 rpm, which equates to about 81 mph road speed. (keep that number in mind) after months of frustration, i'm afraid the temptation to just let that motor sing was more than i could bear, so i just let that motor sing ;-) and sing it did, right up to the time i saw the snoot of that maryland state trooper sticking out from behind some strategic bushes on I-70. =8-o i wasn't going significantly faster than the surrounding traffic, so i kept an eye on my mirrors and slowed to 2-3 over the 65 limit. sure enough, our man appeared shortly thereafter with lights on. at this point, i replayed what i remember to be pat roddy's checklist procedure for being pulled over. 1) use turn signals to indicate leaving the roadway 2) show plenty of brake light and downshift though the gears as if this were your cycle license road test. 3) kill engine using kill switch and dismount. 4) remove your helmet before turning around and wait by the side of the cycle. "sir, i clocked you at 81 in a 65" "yes sir." "may i see your license and registration, please" i addressed the trooper as "sir" at all times, informing him which of the many pockets on my 'stich contained the documents we wanted before i produced them. he went back to the car with my documents and i considered how i would manage to schedule traffic court in between my new baby, selling two houses and buying one, the wisdom teeth i need to have extracted and the clean out of a trash filled rental property i recently regained possession of, and, oh, yeah, work. at this point, the trooper was discovering that i had no prior speeding convictions on my MD license over 16 years. this is because i do all my speeding in virginia --- ;-) --- which, amazingly, does not have full reciprocity with maryland on changes which are settled in virginia courts. he wrote me up and reappeared at the side of the bike. "sir, i don't exactly know why, but i have issued you a warning. ( yeeeeeeeessssss! ) one reason is that you are the first motorcyclist i have pulled over who has not tried to run from me (!!!) please watch your speed." we then had a little chat about vintage motorcycles, oversize tires and speedometer calibration. he then gave me detailed information about the effects of the position of his car and the radar vector on what my actual speed probably was, so i could accurately judge my speedometer error and take appropriate action. the warning he issued even wrote me up for only 75. trooper cooper was professional, (relatively) friendly, and you can bet your dupa i will slow down when i'm around that bush in the future ;-) so pat, if it was you that went over how to interact effectively with the trooper, my hat's off to you, man. your advise, along with my full safety gear and 100k badge in full view helped me to duck a bullet. ...anybody wanna go to montana next summer? ;-) g. ***** > greg shamieh boof # 93 > gregsNoSpam@NoSpamparadigms.com > jefferson, md > 75r90s --- der essssssssss > 73r90/5 --- der toastmeister (verrrrry light toast only) > > > Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 12:01:46 -0700 (MST) From: D&J Subject: Re: BMW: 150 MPH >On Thu, 23 Oct 1997, Timothy Graichen wrote: > >> It is my feeling that as a officer of the law, it is my(and every cop's) >> responsibility to set an example of obeying the law. If some of your >> fellow crazy riders are cops, then you ride with "bad cops" and I for one, >> hope they loose there badge some day. There is a reason for speed >> limits...to save lives, and you don't have to be a cop to figure it out. I dunno Tim. You kinda give yourself and your attitude away by choosing "topgun" as your login name. Personally I hope I never have to so much as say "hello" to a cop who thinks of him/herself as "topgun." That being said, breaking the law and running away from cops can have really bad results, for somebody. See the news item below, from today's news. Dick Taylor - Classy Guy hetchinsNoSpam@NoSpammontana.com SoD #27 Live and lean. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Roadblock Runner Gets $1.5M Payment PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The city has agreed to pay $1.5 million to a motorcyclist injured 18 years ago when he ran into a roadblock while fleeing police. Henry F. Jodzis Jr. lost part of his leg after police chased him for running a stop sign. When Jodzis did not pull over, officers used a car as a roadblock on a narrow street. Two juries, one in 1987 and one in 1995, found police violated a rule against using deadly force by setting up the roadblock without providing an escape route. If the city had agreed to the original jury award, it would have paid Jodzis just $60,000. But a string of appeals ordered by the City Council led to heavy interest and higher award. City Solicitor Jacqueline Morrow said she decided not to appeal to the state Supreme Court because chances were slim the court would hear the case. Jodzis will receive his first payment of $250,000 on Nov. 30, said his lawyer, Edward Friedman. Copyright 1997 Associated Press. into undercover mode, e-mail detector on. Now popular with many agencies - going after the "aggressive driver", as they probably should have before - hyperspeeds, tailgaters, irratic lane surfers, left lane hogs, are more likely to get "picked off" than before. I have investigated many accidents, some on the highway - and this applies to controlled highways only -what I think causes crashes these days is NOT just pure speed, as the national highway bozos keep pushing, but large differences in speeds among close proximity vehicles, combined with another violation. These unrealistic 55 MPH speeds are causing some of this. Everyone scoffs the law but most importantly we have a big disparity of speeds- very unsafe. The Feds are really stupid. Example: speed limit 65, but road, on/off ramps are engineered for much higher, everyone does 75 and theres no problems. Everything flows without conflict. Example2: Speed limit 55, one guy is doing 50 (legal to go as low as 40-45 most states!) and Mr. truck or motorcycle is going 80-85. The difference in speed is 35MPH! Its like one guy is parked and the other is doing 35MPH, only muc worse (both are moving) . Mr. 50MPH suddenly commits a violation - lets say he changes lanes without signaling or looking and Mr. motorcycle, closing in along side at a much fasster rate, is airborn..... Ride safe, Howard "Don't ride faster than your guardian angel can fly." Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 10:24:16 -0800 From: Greg Hutchinson Subject: Re: BMW: More Cop Talk (San Fran) FakeTreeNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com wrote: > > Here's a nice police tale. I rented a car in San Fran, was putzing around > downtown area, looking at a Hertz street map, ran a 1/2 yellow/1/2 red light > and almost side swiped a motorcycle. Two seconds later, a San Fran street > cop lighted up behind me, and I pulled over immediately. > Me: "Hi, Officer." > Policeman: "License and registration, please. You know, you almost hit that > motorcycle back at the intersection?" > Me: "You're right, and I feel terrible about it. I was looking at my map, > and all of a sudden, I was in the intersection." > Policeman: "You know, if you had hit that motorcycle, all the motorcycle > clubs and interest groups would raise hell because they say we never try to > protect them." > Me: "Yes, I could imagine. I ride, too." > Policeman (after looking at the wonderful M on my license): "Okay, just be > more careful next time." > Me: "Thank you, officer." > > This police officer had the opportunity to ding me pretty hard. Out of state > license, easy target for a fine. > > Kudos to San Fran's finest. > > J.B. Haller > 1997 R850R One of San Francisco's finest!! You actually were lucking as there is a very loud campaign going on to ticket red light runners. Someone getting killed all the time by people trying to beat the light. Some intersections now have the picture setup to nab red light runners..and they just raised the fine to something like $275. Another thing to notice when downtown is all the motorcycle parking spots. Whole blocks of "bike only" parking. 25 CENTS for about 10 hours in the Financial District. Never take the car downtown - 25 BUCKS for all day. Now there's talk of banning cars on Market Street - main drag east/west - - and only allowing bicycles, buses, and street cars. Hope to have that include bikes as well. Did you get a chance to get to BCW, CAL BMW, San Jose BMW, or Alices while you were here? Date: Sun, 07 Dec 1997 17:10:18 -0700 From: Steve Aikens Subject: Re: BMW: Traffic ticket Keith Buczak wrote: > > Spike, re: > > > Last Sunday one of our mobile revenue enhancement units presented me with a > > bill for services rendered in the form of a citation for careless driving. > > > > > Does anyone know if the Oregon traffic codes are on the web anywhere? > > If you were pulled over by a state trooper, you might want to try > this address: gopher://gopher.leg.state.or.us:70/11/ors95.dir > > Here you'll find an online edition of the Oregon Revised Statutes - > 1995 edition (the last year they were revised, I suppose). You can > do a keyword search of the statutes, it works pretty good. > > If you can't find it there, try the Oregon State Legislature at: > http://www.leg.state.or.us/index.html > > Good luck! > > Keith Buczak > Eagle River, Alaska > '95 R1100GS Or you can contact your States' Law Library in your capitol. Ask them what the internet address to the library is. I was told about a month ago, that all State Law Libraries are now on-line. - -- I don't suffer from insanity.....I enjoy every minute of it! Steve Aikens, Clovis, New Mexico steve.aikensNoSpam@NoSpam3lefties.com My BMW URL is http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/4323/ Don't drop by very often, it never changes. Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 13:40:00 -0500 From: Buster Moldenhauer Subject: BMW: Come to Georgia; the Natives are Friendly Noting some renewed interest amongst the presidents on the subject of = police harassment at motorcycle rallies, my experience on last Saturday = may be of interest to those of you making plans for rally attendance = next year. I'll confess up front that I'm a member of the BMWOGA, which = hosts the Georgia Mountain Rally (GMR), and so I have an interest in = promoting that rally, but I'm told it's pretty popular anyway. Despite the sub-freezing temperatures last Saturday, I took a ride from = my home south of Atlanta up to the Georgia Mountains near the North = Carolina border. I had a great buffet lunch at the Brasstown Valley = Resort, which is just a few miles west of the town of Hiawassee on US76. = Hiawassee is the town closest to the Bald Mountain Campground where the = Georgia Mountain Rally is held each spring. I'm sure some of you have = attended. This particular neck of the woods is located in Towns County, = which is the jurisdiction of Sheriff Rudy Eller. Rudy is a nice guy! My first encounter with Rudy was riding along Highway 76 on Saturday = morning, a little lost at the moment, looking for the entrance to the = Resort where I was to meet a friend. Rudy was stopped directing traffic = for a charity foot race (The Jingle Jog) that was being held that = morning, and he waved me through his checkpoint with a smile. I didn't = know who he was at the time, and he was in an unmarked Ford Sedan. Rudy = runs a charity there in Towns County called the Sheriff's Christmas = Fund. If you live in Towns county and you're too poor to buy your kids = a Christmas present, Rudy's fund will help you out. If you're elderly = and don't have proper heat for your home, Rudy's fund will help out. = It's that kind of small-town people-to-people type operation. Just good = local folks helping each other out.=20 Whenever the BMWOGA has a few bucks left over from putting on the GMR = and our other activities during the year, we make a donation to Rudy's = Christmas Fund. This year our gift was $1,000 and we've been the fund's = largest contributor in several previous years. Rudy appreciates these = contributions and the editor of the local newspaper thinks it's a pretty = newsworthy thing for us to do. Last year we made the front page when we = made the contribution, along with a nice long article about how these = BMW bikers (who visit each spring) were generously helping out the local = folks. The guy I was to meet at the resort was a runner in the foot race, and = he'll be the President of BMWOGA next year. He's also the club's = rallymaster-for-life in charge of the Georgia Mountain Rally. Mac = McEnheimer is his name and he rides a blue boxer with dayglow pink = wheels. "Loud Wheels Save Lives" is Mac's motto. My riding companion = and I found Mac and a couple of other BMWOGA members who had braved the = cold that day. We were there to help "show the flag" as Mac presented a = $1,000 check to Rudy, and we got a chance to chat with Sheriff Eller and = the editor of the local newspaper. Here's the point of all = this......... Unlike the local folks around Fontana, the locals around Hiawassee = APPRECIATE having our group in town every year. They know that we're = bringing in lots of much needed revenue and that we're not there to rape = and pillage. Sheriff Eller was incredulous when Mac told him about the = obnoxious escapades of Deputy Crisp and his Graham County storm troopers = at Fontana. Rudy didn't criticize his fellow LEO's out loud (I would = have been disappointed in him if he did) but I could tell by the = expression on his face that he had no intention of allowing anything = like that to go on in his County. I met several of the local folks that day also, and I came away with the = impression that they know about BMW bikers and they like us. I got the = impression that Rudy ain't gonna put up with no shit from us, but he = won't give us any either. I'd say that's a fair exchange and I'm = willing to play the game under those rules. Now, if you need to run = Deal's Gap or the Cherohala, you'll have to go on up to North Carolina = to do that, but there are lots of really nice roads in Towns County (I'm = sure many of you know that better than I do) and Towns County has = Sheriff Rudy, whereas Graham County has............... well, need I say = more. For your planning purposes, the Georgia Mountain Rally will be held next = spring on the weekend of May 1. I'm gonna be helping Dennis make the = pancakes and I hope to see you there. "Drug sniffin' dogs? Heeliocoptors? We don't need no steenkin drug = dogs or heeliocoptors!" ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ Never ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly! Eilert H. "Buster" Moldenhauer Tyrone, GA, USA BusterNoSpam@NoSpamMoldenhauer.com FAX 770/487-5625 When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty=20 ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ Date: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 09:36:44 -0500 To: thundtNoSpam@NoSpamslack.net From: Subject: Revenue Removal Sucks!! I had a speeding ticket and did not agree with it. Cop never showed me the display on his radar although I asked to see it.I was informed that he had just reset it.... As well, from where he says he was, there is no way he could have clocked me. Anyways. 1St get your facts together. Write everything down while fresh in your mind. Take some pictures of the site, etc. Another thing to do is renew or change insurance companies now as you can still honestly say you do not have moving violations. This way you'll have a year before the insurance boys/girls know what happened. In Georgia you will be scheduled for a 1st court date if you do not pay the ticket. An hour before court starts everyone lines up before a solicitor and he/she asks how you intend to plead. You can plead guilty, not-guilty or no lo. no Lo means you are not saying you did it and your not saying you didn't do it.You can only use this if you have a good driving record and have not used it in the last 3 years. You will still have to pay the fine, but it doesn't go against your record.This is the quote "plea bargain" time mentioned by another person responding with advice. I explained why I thought the ticket (79 in 45 mph) was wrong. The solicitor was a nice guy. He explained that I could go "no lo", but he also offered to reduce the speed to 59 mph. In Georgia, tickets are not submitted to DOT(whom ever) if they are 14mph or less over the speed limit, thus your friendly neighbourhood insurance agent will never see it. :-) He said to save my no-lo for future (hopefully not) use. My ticket was for over $200. The judge asked if I understood what a great opportunity had been given. I said yes Ma'am, thank you. She reduced the fine to $50, which is what 14 over the speed limit would cost. She didn't have to do that. There is lots of info on the net. Start surfing. Check and find out if there is no-lo. Good Luck. One other point. Wear a suit and if ya got one, bring your significant other. I was one of at least 100 people there. Only me and a couple of lawyers had suits on. It is a very good sign of respect to the courts. The S.O. gives a family oriented appearance, and the solicitor may want to help keep your insurance costs down. Anyways, hope this helps, and good luck. Let me know what happens if you get the chance. Regards, Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 21:41:29 -0500 From: Brian Curry Subject: Re: BMW: Traffic Light Sensors At 07:52 PM 12/28/97 -0800, Henry Meyerding wrote: > >There is one traffic light in particular that regularly burns me. It just >will NOT change for a bike. Sometimes, when overly cautious cager won't >pull up withint 10 feet of my rear tire, I've spent 10 minutes at this >light, with 30-40 cars behind me. In the end, I just run the light when >there is no traffic coming either way. Report it as a traffic hazard!!! (With a Return Receipt of course.) Then if you get a ticket you have a a record that it was due to an uncorrected hazard. Helps the insurance don't ya know. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | To infuse moral concepts into a political discussion is simply to | | confuse the issue.... Morality is not involved in achieving policy. | | - William Fulbright 1959 | | | | Brian Curry, 1990 Blue K75RTs both coasts, Chester Springs, PA, USA | | SoD #23 10% #3 | | | | KGN- Improving Lives Around The World | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 21:41:25 -0500 From: Brian Curry Subject: Re: BMW: Re: Sliding (continued...) At 08:23 PM 12/28/97 -0500, Ted Hall wrote: > >Hey Syeve, >Good luck in finding someone to look out for motorcyclists. They have been >applying that crap on our Vermont roads and they are not hearing us AT ALL. >Studies, meetings and conferences yield nothing. The state is in the back >pocket with these bandits about this plastic coating stuff. Go to a meeting >and the plastic dudes say these skidding incidences are alleged.Right! You >bastards. All they want to do is line their own pockets and to hell with >motorcycle and bicycle safety. Its an uphill battle with these creeps, and >we are the losers!! Do some testing. Chunk of car tire. Some bags of lead shot. (~20#) A fish scale. A 5 gallon bucket of water. Cut tire about 12" long. Attach line. Put lead shot in tire. (Leave in bags for convience.) Use fish scale to measure drag on "normal pavement.". Record fish scale reading. Drag over plastic shit. Record reading. Water regular pavement and plastic shit. Drag over wet paving. Record reading. Drag over wet plastic shit record reading. Should be apparent to any dummy what is going on. And get a Professional Engineer to check your method, witness the testing, and sign off on the results. And seal them that they are correct. Then send it in as a "hazard warning". And find some PI lawyers that are interested. (Ya might get them first. They like to find new areas to work on. They might even pay for a PE, rather than you haveing to find one for free. But a free one might have more credibility.) Have fun. :):) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | To infuse moral concepts into a political discussion is simply to | | confuse the issue.... Morality is not involved in achieving policy. | | - William Fulbright 1959 | | | | Brian Curry, 1990 Blue K75RTs both coasts, Chester Springs, PA, USA | | SoD #23 10% #3 | | | | KGN- Improving Lives Around The World | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ X-Sender: inandaNoSpam@NoSpamtig.com.au X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.1 (32) Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1998 16:01:03 +0000 To: "bmw" From: Inanda Associates Pty Ltd Subject: Re: BMW: Drop in bike numbers - Funny you should mention that Sender: ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: Inanda Associates Pty Ltd X-No-Archive: yes X-Bmw-List: Majordomo 1.94.3 X-Web-Page: http://www.ibmwr.org/ X-Copyright: (c) IBMWR and the original author(s). Interesting point about the increase in Australia. Maybe it is due to the serious efforts the government (particuarly NSW) are putting into saving biker's lives. A new biker has to do a 9 hour course over 2 days pass two tests, one skills, one written. Then after three to six months they have to do another 9 hour course over 1 day and pass another skills test. The instructors are motorcycling professionals who spend alot of time focusing on good instruction. During this preliminary period you must ride a 250 cc or under bike (no RGVs or NSRs allowed), stay under 80 kph (50 mph), not allowed to carry a pillion, blood alcohol must be 0 and are only allowed 1 ticket. After passing the second test under 30s have another year on 250s and all riders must wait a year for pillions. Helmets are compulsory. Last year the stats showed death rates for the last ten years the under 25s (who have done the training) has reduced over 50% and the death rates for the over 50s (majority who haven't done the training) have gone up by the same margins. Biking is become a safe(r) proposition for new riders - is it like that in the US? and if not maybe it should and the bike numbers would surge again? Alan Sydney, Australia At 08:57 10/03/98 +1100, Michael Furchert wrote: > >>Anyone care to offer theory as to where all the bikers are going? Oz >>maybe? > >Funny you should mention that, but Oz is having a resurgence in bikes, >with BMW, HD and Triumph of the non-Japs as the biggest sellers. Most >are older type bikers who are joining the Ulysess club. A lot are also >weekend warriors, their nice shinny new toys sitting in the garage, till >Sunday afternoon. The suprising part is motorcycling is not a cheap form >of transport in Oz any more, as my wife likes to remind me every now >and again, when a service is due or the poor K needs new shoes. > >Registration is about the same as a car. Comparing prices a R11 or K12 >are over the $20,ooo mark, and the Hyundai, Ford Festiva and Dahiatsu >Charade are selling for $13,990. A lot of kids are going straight to cars >and bypassing the erratic motorcycle stage of their life. > >When you lay the cards on the table, a average new motorcycle =$18,ooo, >the Helmet, gloves, boots, Jacket, Lessons plus extras like thingies to >carry your lunch. > >Suddenly $13,990 dosen't seem a bad propisition. > >So now motorcycling is becoming a thing for the well to dos, which is >great for motorcycling, but what about the poor little guy that supported >and still does support motorcycles every day of his life, through thick and >thin and rain hail or shine........ Whinge, bitch ,Moan Groan, Gripe, >Snivel > >CHEERS, MICK >OZ >86 K100RS >CENTRAL COAST N.S.W >Rat For >STAY HARD, STAY HUNGRY, STAY ALIVE >AND MEET ME IN THE DREAM OF THIS HARD LAND > >THIS HARD LAND-BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN > > Date: Sun, 1 Mar 1998 16:28:53 -0500 From: CLIFTON R DIAMOND Subject: BMW: Friendly LEO Experience To: BMW Mailing List Sender: ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: CLIFTON R DIAMOND X-No-Archive: yes X-Bmw-List: Majordomo 1.94.3 X-Web-Page: http://www.ibmwr.org/ X-Copyright: (c) IBMWR and the original author(s). X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by brooklyn.slack.net id QAA07947 Hi all, Went for a small pre-Daytona ride today (leaving Tuesay), weather was absolutely perfect. We left meeting spot and was heading out of town at about 8am. We took a small industrial road which by passes a heavily congested McDonald/BurgerKing area. Due to red ligths, I had gotten slightly separated from others and went blasting down the little 35 mph road at about 65. Rounded a curve and there sat an LEO with radar blazing. He smiled at me and motioned for me to slow it down, but not to stop. I felt such a flood of relief, I turned around and went back to thank him. We had a nice, brief conversation after which I sped away to catch up to my riding buddies. We had a great day. Johnny Diamond R1100GSA