The Speeding Game
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now that i have read it; there are a couple of things that lesser moraled speeders might do. By loosening the screws holding on your licence a touch, the licence tends to vibrate as you approach warp factor 9 foiling the attempts to photograph said plate. however when stopped the plate is perfectly normal. you have to be prepared not to stop for the cops though. a helpful rider behind you will tell you if your screw loosening has the plate vibrating at the optimum rate 
looking at your piece if you are generally only doing 70mph in a 55 zone thats not really speeding. the cops over here wouldnt look at you here til at least 85..bless them.. but europe generally has a higher ratio of sports bikes so they dont stand out and the weather and laws would mean we are all generally helmeted and well amoured so you dont tend to look like a total clown or danger to everyone
looking at your piece if you are generally only doing 70mph in a 55 zone thats not really speeding. the cops over here wouldnt look at you here til at least 85..bless them.. but europe generally has a higher ratio of sports bikes so they dont stand out and the weather and laws would mean we are all generally helmeted and well amoured so you dont tend to look like a total clown or danger to everyone
Amen on the deer comment! They are an absolute menace on the roads here! In fact only short while ago if you recall, that "Stay'n safe" fellow from rider magazine was killed in a deer collision.
I recommend that everyone take a tip from Ted Nugent, kill'm & Grill'm. Then repeat.
I recommend that everyone take a tip from Ted Nugent, kill'm & Grill'm. Then repeat.
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112 Posts
Well, nobody gets ticketed for speed down here regularly(So Cal) unless you're on surface streets doing 80. You really have to be standing out, and since everyone speeds here(PCH in the early am hours is usually 75+ in a 50 mph zone), it's not too tough to avoid a ticket.
That said, if you ARE going substantially faster than the cages, you're likely to pull down a pair of awards: one for speeding, and the other for reckless.
I've been able to hold my speed down by riding a bike that can't get there....
That said, if you ARE going substantially faster than the cages, you're likely to pull down a pair of awards: one for speeding, and the other for reckless.
I've been able to hold my speed down by riding a bike that can't get there....
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6 Posts
Many cops I have spoken to said that often the first thing that attracts their attention is noise: and a car or bike with a loud exhaust is guaranteed to draw their attention, even if they are just crusing around not looking for speeders. Same thing with people screaming through the revs: it just makes them look. Especially relevant when they are just crusing the suburbs.
Of course this is a little different if they are perched on a freeway doing nothing but looking for speeders, but its worth noting: whack the bike in a gear so the engine is pulling the fewest revs, to minimise noise.
One could also try another hypothesis I have thought up (but not tried): if one keeps the bike in 1st or 2nd and pulls a near vertical wheelie past the cops, the exhaust will be aiming at the ground, perhaps creating a bike with the audio version of stealth
A few other things:
- The obvious: if you are coming near bridges, hills, crests in the road etc behind which they can hide, slow down.
- if you are in a car and its busy traffic, change your rear profile: ie they see you whiz past in the traffic, and by the time they catch up they may not be able to determine which car was yours...doing things like turning on your headlights (in many cars this will turn on the rear lights too) etc can make them not be 100% sure if it was you as the car they saw speed past didnt have rear lights on etc. All adds an element of doubt. Not sure how well this woudl work in a pack of cars with only you on a bike in the middle of it though!
- Dont weave in and out too much. They tend to be trained to look for that as its a sign of people going faster than the traffic flow - which they are trained to recognise as a dangerous activity. If you minimise weaving you minimise the attention drawn to you from a distance. If they are looking down a long stretch of oncoming road, a car or bike changing lanes frequently sticks out like a sore thumb.
Perhaps ride right on the line between lanes and you can then ride in a straight line at whatever speed you want..... (See Ghostrider for an example!)
- If its a regular road you travel, its usually not hard to find the spots they always sit. They tend to have a certain number of spots they rotate. In general in country areas they are often more interested in catching people who arent locals, so they dont tend to mind that locals know all the spots. (Im sure some locals would disagree).
- They often tend to look for speeders at the same time regularly. Ie the morning or afternoon rush, etc etc. If you know things like what time their shift changes, that can help too....out my way (Australia) they change at 7am, so any time from about 6.45 to 7.15am is a very safe time! Even if they see you do something unless they are new cops they will tend to ignore it rather than risk the paperwork meaning they clock off late.
Oh, and guys be thankful: in Victoria Australia we have a Nazi state government (I dont use that term lightly)....they book you for 4kmh+ over the limit: yes you read that right: if you do 2.5mph over the limit and the speed cameras will snap you.
And its not like the fines are small either: 2.5mph over the limit = AU$131 fine (thats US$96).
Automatic license loss for a month at 15.5mph over the limit.
And so on!
Of course this is a little different if they are perched on a freeway doing nothing but looking for speeders, but its worth noting: whack the bike in a gear so the engine is pulling the fewest revs, to minimise noise.
One could also try another hypothesis I have thought up (but not tried): if one keeps the bike in 1st or 2nd and pulls a near vertical wheelie past the cops, the exhaust will be aiming at the ground, perhaps creating a bike with the audio version of stealth
A few other things:
- The obvious: if you are coming near bridges, hills, crests in the road etc behind which they can hide, slow down.
- if you are in a car and its busy traffic, change your rear profile: ie they see you whiz past in the traffic, and by the time they catch up they may not be able to determine which car was yours...doing things like turning on your headlights (in many cars this will turn on the rear lights too) etc can make them not be 100% sure if it was you as the car they saw speed past didnt have rear lights on etc. All adds an element of doubt. Not sure how well this woudl work in a pack of cars with only you on a bike in the middle of it though!
- Dont weave in and out too much. They tend to be trained to look for that as its a sign of people going faster than the traffic flow - which they are trained to recognise as a dangerous activity. If you minimise weaving you minimise the attention drawn to you from a distance. If they are looking down a long stretch of oncoming road, a car or bike changing lanes frequently sticks out like a sore thumb.
Perhaps ride right on the line between lanes and you can then ride in a straight line at whatever speed you want..... (See Ghostrider for an example!)
- If its a regular road you travel, its usually not hard to find the spots they always sit. They tend to have a certain number of spots they rotate. In general in country areas they are often more interested in catching people who arent locals, so they dont tend to mind that locals know all the spots. (Im sure some locals would disagree).
- They often tend to look for speeders at the same time regularly. Ie the morning or afternoon rush, etc etc. If you know things like what time their shift changes, that can help too....out my way (Australia) they change at 7am, so any time from about 6.45 to 7.15am is a very safe time! Even if they see you do something unless they are new cops they will tend to ignore it rather than risk the paperwork meaning they clock off late.
Oh, and guys be thankful: in Victoria Australia we have a Nazi state government (I dont use that term lightly)....they book you for 4kmh+ over the limit: yes you read that right: if you do 2.5mph over the limit and the speed cameras will snap you.
And its not like the fines are small either: 2.5mph over the limit = AU$131 fine (thats US$96).
Automatic license loss for a month at 15.5mph over the limit.
And so on!
Something I am truly grateful for is the fact that traffic cameras haven't caught on here yet. Between us, I'll bet when they do they won't last long. I'm betting our local rednecked bubbaphytes will make short work of them.
I'm surprised local governments can keep the things standing anywhere?
I'm surprised local governments can keep the things standing anywhere?
Get on over to Radar Busters, say hi to Radar Roy and get you that little cordless radar/laser detector.. Used one for 2 years now. No tickets...
I've been riding for almost 45 years and have one speeding ticket (1964). I was schooled by some very experienced riders.
1) Stealth. Stay away from loud pipes.
2) Appearance. If you dress like a serious commuter you really do attract less attention. Saddle bags, utilitarian clothing, no T-shirt or flip flops or shorts. Oddly enough, a high-visibility yellow or orange jacket is a stealth garment. Safety, you know. Solid color helmet.
3) Knowing the road. As mentioned above, knowing the hiding places is the best insurance. With instant-on radar, detectors are not reliable. Yes, you can go to court, but not getting the ticket to begin with is easier. Beware of unfamiliar territory.
I ride a quiet naked bike with bags and a small windshield. I always wear gear. It does indeed seem that the LEOs don't even look at me.
1) Stealth. Stay away from loud pipes.
2) Appearance. If you dress like a serious commuter you really do attract less attention. Saddle bags, utilitarian clothing, no T-shirt or flip flops or shorts. Oddly enough, a high-visibility yellow or orange jacket is a stealth garment. Safety, you know. Solid color helmet.
3) Knowing the road. As mentioned above, knowing the hiding places is the best insurance. With instant-on radar, detectors are not reliable. Yes, you can go to court, but not getting the ticket to begin with is easier. Beware of unfamiliar territory.
I ride a quiet naked bike with bags and a small windshield. I always wear gear. It does indeed seem that the LEOs don't even look at me.
I've been riding for almost 45 years and have one speeding ticket (1964). I was schooled by some very experienced riders.
1) Stealth. Stay away from loud pipes.
2) Appearance. If you dress like a serious commuter you really do attract less attention. Saddle bags, utilitarian clothing, no T-shirt or flip flops or shorts. Oddly enough, a high-visibility yellow or orange jacket is a stealth garment. Safety, you know. Solid color helmet.
3) Knowing the road. As mentioned above, knowing the hiding places is the best insurance. With instant-on radar, detectors are not reliable. Yes, you can go to court, but not getting the ticket to begin with is easier. Beware of unfamiliar territory.
I ride a quiet naked bike with bags and a small windshield. I always wear gear. It does indeed seem that the LEOs don't even look at me.
1) Stealth. Stay away from loud pipes.
2) Appearance. If you dress like a serious commuter you really do attract less attention. Saddle bags, utilitarian clothing, no T-shirt or flip flops or shorts. Oddly enough, a high-visibility yellow or orange jacket is a stealth garment. Safety, you know. Solid color helmet.
3) Knowing the road. As mentioned above, knowing the hiding places is the best insurance. With instant-on radar, detectors are not reliable. Yes, you can go to court, but not getting the ticket to begin with is easier. Beware of unfamiliar territory.
I ride a quiet naked bike with bags and a small windshield. I always wear gear. It does indeed seem that the LEOs don't even look at me.
I looked at the detector called a solo that looked pretty good.
Without buying a bunch of gizmos, what's the best way to mount the things so they can be easily seen/heard. (for some of us "heard" is a moot question...)
Also, has anyone had exeperience with a cheaper cordless detector?
Without buying a bunch of gizmos, what's the best way to mount the things so they can be easily seen/heard. (for some of us "heard" is a moot question...)
Also, has anyone had exeperience with a cheaper cordless detector?
Kick in a few hun to the Sheriff's Reelection Committee, join the Sheriff's Auxiliary Homeland Security Citizen's Task Force Against Drunk Driving For the Children, and get the special license plate frame which proclaims your good citizenship. Then drive as fast as you want. No worries.
My personal game plan is a traffic lawyer. $300 and any ticket I've ever received just goes away. Of course, this can get expensive, but it's cheaper than insurance premium increases, and a whole lot more fun!
I even got a ticket once (in my car, actually) for doing 84mph in a 40 zone, up hill. It was a beautifully and newly paved hill, very wide and with high visibility, all except for that forest green KZ1000 county bike that was hiding in the trees on the other side of the road. She was lauging at me, said that she didn't think anybody could even go that fast up that hill. But the ticket was $284, and at that time I paid $250 to make it disappear, so it was cheaper to pay the lawyer than the fine!
I even got a ticket once (in my car, actually) for doing 84mph in a 40 zone, up hill. It was a beautifully and newly paved hill, very wide and with high visibility, all except for that forest green KZ1000 county bike that was hiding in the trees on the other side of the road. She was lauging at me, said that she didn't think anybody could even go that fast up that hill. But the ticket was $284, and at that time I paid $250 to make it disappear, so it was cheaper to pay the lawyer than the fine!
You are very lucky to run the roads in WV - I head out that way when I can. Nice and twisty, and the 55 mph speed limit on some of those roads are like dares (see if you can hold 55mph). I was reminded of this as I ran out to WV yesterday to do the track day at Summit Point Main. Anyway, count yourself blessed to be on those roads. Try having fun around Rockville, MD or Great Falls, VA and you'll find way too much traffic, way too many cops, and the cops are all about their "don't terrorize the people who want to be extra safe and run 5 mph below the already ridiculously low speed limit..."
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