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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Gliderjohn on March 02, 2015, 09:26:12 PM
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At dinner tonight there were two Kansas highway patrol officers also eating dinner. We both finished up about the same time so I approached them and asked if I could ask a few questions about being stopped on a motorcycle and what there procedures were. One was a rider himself, knew about Moto Guzzies and both were very nice. I explained that I had read threads about being stopped with quite a few different comments on how to react. Here is what they told me.
First they said obviously turn off your ignition and be feet down. In most instances it made no difference to them if you staid on the bike or not or whether or not you removed your helmet. If wearing a full face at least move the face part up so they can see your face. The most important thing to them was that your hands are always in sight and not to put them in your pocket, tank bag, etc. until told you can do so. Do not reach for license, insurance, etc until asked for.
A couple things sort of surprised me however. First they said all the above is up to the individual officer, no set policies. I then asked about if one was carrying a concealed handgun legally. They said to please inform them first thing but if it was just appearing to be a routine stop they can ask you to remove the gun and turn it over but if you politely refuse they can not force the issue if no other justification. I found that surprising. Just thought some here would want to know keeping in mind it may be different in other jurisdictions.
GliderJohn
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John: Thank you for the very relevant information.
A few years ago, I was stopped by CHP for "getting on the gas" on my Suzuki 1000 sport bike (which I still have and ride often). The officer looked at my age on my driver license and started laughing. Told me to "hold it down" and handed back my license. To this day I do "hold it down", out of respect for his not giving me a ticket. My Marine Corps license plate frame has come in handy in the past, also, but a courteous and truthful attitude works best.
Ralph
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I tend to follow the above advice. Didn't know that about the gun tho. I was busted, for speeding, on my ST2 some years ago. Went to court and the arresting officer told the judge that when I removed my helmet he was expecting "some kid". I asked the "court" to dismiss the charges when the officer agreed and that was that. :BEER:
Matt
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Not sure how I feel about this "Oh, it's just an old guy, I thought it was some kid."
I'd feel a little insulted that he'd think that, just because I'm old and gray-headed, I can't still cause just as much trouble as anyone around ... !
The Marine Corps thing is real. My son should have gotten into more tickets than he did in his turbo WRX but for that little round sticker!
Lannis
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A traffic stop while on a bike is no different than any other police dealing. , admit to nothing and make eye contact. If the cop has shark eyes you're dealing with Robo cop. If he has friendly eyes things may go ok... To be truthful in 40 years I only got pulled over twice and got one overdue inspection ticket.
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One other thing I forgot to mention that I had not thought about. The patrolman said that if he has concerns with the stop he will request that the rider stays on the bike so that if the rider becomes a threat in some way he can kick or push the bike over with the rider on it so that the rider should then be pinned down by the bike being on top of him giving the officer more time to react.
GliderJohn
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I tend to follow the above advice. Didn't know that about the gun tho. I was busted, for speeding, on my ST2 some years ago. Went to court and the arresting officer told the judge that when I removed my helmet he was expecting "some kid". I asked the "court" to dismiss the charges when the officer agreed and that was that. :BEER:
Matt
Last time I was pulled over on a bike was 1999 and I was on a ST2 as well. The officer took a step back when I took my helmet off - surprised I wasn't some "kid". He gave me a verbal warning and told me to be careful out there...
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Quote from Bill929:
Last time I was pulled over on a bike was 1999 and I was on a ST2 as well. The officer took a step back when I took my helmet off - surprised I wasn't some "kid". He gave me a verbal warning and told me to be careful out there...
With full face helmets the bike is the only clue the officer may have as to the age of the rider, especially if you are in good shape. Kind of fun to check reactions. KHP and sheriff officers have always gave me slack on my T-3 for some reason. There has been quite a few times I have met them at 15-20 over and not been stopped, just light blips or slow down hand signals or a friendly wave. However this is usually occurs in rural areas with little traffic wearing helmet and leather jacket. Hope my luck continues!
GliderJohn
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I've been stopped a few times and have been in groups where another rider was stopped.
Almost universally, the police have preferred the rider remain on the motorcycle. Turn it off, remove gloves and helmet. The police get kind of agitated if you jump off the motorcycle and begin to approach them (same if you get out of your car and walk back towards them). I never dismount unless asked to.
What I do:
-Pull over at a safe place. Turn off ignition.
-Remove helmet and gloves, placing them on the fuel tank in front me, and wait for the officer. Hands on helmet or fuel tank.
-Provide license and insurance documents once the police officer walks up and asks for them. Keep them in a convenient place so you don't have to dig.
-Smile and act in a positive and polite manner, no matter how pissy the officer happens to be. Some cops just don't like motorcycles. Some do.
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A traffic stop while on a bike is no different than any other police dealing. , admit to nothing and make eye contact.
Exactly.
Last time I was pulled over on the bike the cop asked, "Do you know how fast you were going?" Trick question as I guessed he couldn't nail me with the radar gun, so it was an easy answer. No ticket. He was a pretty animated kid with lots of arm waving,etc. until I took off my helmet.
I got off the bike, told him I was getting my wallet and pointed to where I was going then waited to let him do a check and or look at his email. He came back, did his act and I left. I said as little as possible with no attitude, because if there was a problem I'd rather have my lawyer do the talking.
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I was stopped a few years back, while riding my Aprilia with my wife on the back, for weaving in my lane while waiting for traffic to move ahead. When I pulled off my helmet he said "aren't you a little old for this" handed back my papers and drove off. My wife enjoyed that way too much!
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Last time I was pulled over on the bike the cop asked, "Do you know how fast you were going?" Trick question as I guessed he couldn't nail me with the radar gun, so it was an easy answer. No ticket. He was a pretty animated kid with lots of arm waving,etc. until I took off my helmet.
It is a trick question. So what was your "easy answer" ?
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It is a trick question. So what was your "easy answer" ?
"I don't know officer"
It was one of those big sweepers that you take all the time and don't think too much about, but now I look before I sweep. 8)
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While heading home last weekend with my wife on my Victory Vision I was pulled over and the conversation went like this:
Police : Good afternoon
Me: Good after noon sir.
Police: Do you know why I pulled you over?
Me: Yes sir.
Police: My that's a nice bike
Me: Thank you.
Shows me the radar gun.
Police: 57 in a 40.
Me: Yes sir.
Police: Do you have your Driver License?
Me: Yes Sir, Reaching in my pocket.
Police: Oh heck why don't you just slow down and we will call it good.
Me: Yes sir. Have a nice day.
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It is a trick question. So what was your "easy answer" ?
My entire attention was focussed on the road at that point Officer.
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my son and I were stopped for doing 80 in a 65 while merging at a very dangerous intersection, go slower and get rear ended.
we pulled over , got off the bikes, stepped to the grass, limited access highway, and removed our helmets.
when the trooper saw my grey hair he thanked me for stopping.
he then asked if I ws carrying a firearm, i was not and told him no, that was the end of that.
he asked me to slow down but gave my son a $75 ticket. I asked why as he was directly behind me so he must have been going the same speed; he was, but on one wheel
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my son and I were stopped for doing 80 in a 65 while merging at a very dangerous intersection, go slower and get rear ended.
we pulled over , got off the bikes, stepped to the grass, limited access highway, and removed our helmets.
when the trooper saw my grey hair he thanked me for stopping.
he then asked if I ws carrying a firearm, i was not and told him no, that was the end of that.
he asked me to slow down but gave my son a $75 ticket. I asked why as he was directly behind me so he must have been going the same speed; he was, but on one wheel
There have been some really funny stories in this thread, but yours is, IMO, "Best in Show" so far. ;D
Bill
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I've never had any problems. I have begun to rethink the "immediately volunteer that you have a firearm" though. I have a license but i do not carry. If it is a routine stop and I remain on the bike- I don't see any reason to tell the officer that i might have a firearm if not asked. If i volunteer that i do- they then can demand to hold it...and may not give it back. At that point, there's no use arguing.
Now- if I have to go rummaging in a bag or compartment for my license and there also is a firearm in there- I would inform the LEO beforehand. That's just basic survival. However, if license and reg are on my person and the firearm is in the tank bag- I don't know why I need to say anything.
More and more, I believe in following the letter of the law and not offering anything else.
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he asked me to slow down but gave my son a $75 ticket. I asked why as he was directly behind me so he must have been going the same speed; he was, but on one wheel
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THAT is funny! :D
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I don't see any reason to tell the officer that i might have a firearm if not asked. If i volunteer that i do- they then can demand to hold it...and may not give it back. At that point, there's no use arguing.
Now- if I have to go rummaging in a bag or compartment for my license and there also is a firearm in there- I would inform the LEO beforehand. That's just basic survival. However, if license and reg are on my person and the firearm is in the tank bag- I don't know why I need to say anything.
If he can "take your gun and not give it back", then he can do the same with your wallet, your phone, your watch, anything he wants. The police already know that anyone with a CCW permit is going to be the cleanest, least-likely-to-cause-harm guy on the street that he'll see today; why would he risk disciplinary measures and lawsuits by taking your property?
I just answer the questions he asks. Why should I say "By the way officer, I got up over 110 a few miles back making a hard pass on the two-lane with someone who wouldn't let me around, what do you think about that?" or "Yeah, I've got a .45 auto in a shoulder rig under my jacket, and if anyone screws with me they're a dead man ... " or some other useless information?
Lannis
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The procedure where I live is, whatever you do, don't speak english. Cops here are francais.
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Carry permit is noted at top of license in Texas.
Dave
Galveston
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Boat & Lannis both have some good points, but if you're going to carry while travelling you had better be familiar with the laws of any jurisdiction through which you will pass, first and foremost is if they will even recognize your permit (for example, stay the hell out of NY, NJ, and MD). I believe that some places require immediate notification if you are armed. If the LEO is surprised by seeing something he doesn't already know about, neither one of you will have a very good day.
Howard
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Boat & Lannis both have some good points, but if you're going to carry while travelling you had better be familiar with the laws of any jurisdiction through which you will pass, first and foremost is if they will even recognize your permit (for example, stay the hell out of NY, NJ, and MD). I believe that some places require immediate notification if you are armed. If the LEO is surprised by seeing something he doesn't already know about, neither one of you will have a very good day.
Howard
True that.....
In Ohio you gotta tell if your armed!
Mark
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I just get out my licence and start looking through all the stash of crap to find my insurance papers.
Then hold up my hands and say "don't shoot!"
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In Alaska you must inform the occifer that you're packing. I always add that I'm not a threat. I've been asked where it is, and I tell. The response has always been something to the effect of "Well, leave it there, will ya?" and then we go on to the performance strategy discussion or whatever is on his mind.
On my coast-to-coast trip with the EV'l Twin I was seeing if I could pull the ton for an entire tank of gas in Kansas, on one of those toll freeways. There was a cop in the median pointed my way. I waved, he waved back, and in my mirror I saw him start to roll. A few minutes later he lit me up. I pulled over near a street sign and waited on the bike, helmet off.
"Do you know why I stopped you?"
I looked up at the 'click-it or ticket' sign and said "Seatbelt violation?"
He honestly didn't know how to respond. After a pause he looked at me as though I was hopeless and said "Slow it down. Slow it WAY down." Then he turned around and left.
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Boat & Lannis both have some good points, but if you're going to carry while travelling you had better be familiar with the laws of any jurisdiction through which you will pass, first and foremost is if they will even recognize your permit (for example, stay the hell out of NY, NJ, and MD). I believe that some places require immediate notification if you are armed. If the LEO is surprised by seeing something he doesn't already know about, neither one of you will have a very good day.
Howard
No requirement to tell the officer that you're armed if you are stopped in Virginia, unlike many states. Of course, you have to be aware of the laws of the states through which you will be passing ....
Lannis