FJR LEO magnet?

[87Doodle]

I'm out on my new to me 05 FJR 2-up today and something new happens to me that never happened in over 20,000 miles on my old Honda cruiser.

I'm riding the speed limit 35 mph in a rural area (New Marlborough, MA.) and my Escort 8500 starts pinging for K-band, and around the corner comes the local constable, so far so good.

I continue riding and about 1 mile later I start pinging K-band again, now's he coming up behind me, I'm going the speed limit and he's reading me steady. I pull over and let him pass, which he does.

About another mile later I start pinging again he's reading me coming over a hill. As I approach he turns off on a side street and that's the end of it.

I've got all my Gear on, tank bag, look like an MSF poster child, as does my girl, and I'm riding like an old guy, wasn't speeding in the town previous or doing anthing to draw unwanted attention.

Is there a chance I'm getting profiled as a 'sportbike rider', suspect of exceeding the speed limit at any given time?

I also have my Escort 8500 mounted in plain site, and I'm wondering if the site of one might antagonize some LEO, even though it's legal in MA?

I'm thinkng about putting the Escort in my tankbag. I've read it will read just as well except it won't pick up laser, which is a moot point anyway. Is it true the detector will work as well inside the bag as out ?

I'm wondering in general, if I'm going 5-10 miles over the speed limit and I get 'read' by radar, and scrub off the extra speed in a heartbeat am I home safe? What about instant on, if I get read by instant on and scrub off the extra speed in a second is it quick enough to avoid a reading sufficient to prove speeding?

I have the radar because I tend to ride 5-10 miles over the speed limit when it is safe to do so and prudent. To be honest, if I rode the speed limit I would be tailgated all day long by cagers, and this is indeed what happens when I do ride the speed limit through areas I've seen radar traps.

I really love my FJR, and I really love to twist the throttle, and I've gone felony speeds a few( ok, maybe more than a few) times running up the gears because I'm so busy looking ahead I don't see the speed , and them I'm like "oh S---", and scrub off the speed.

I really don't want to get a speeding ticket, I've only had 1 in 10 years, and it jacked all my premiums for years.

I really want to be able to enjoy the FJR and it's abilities, and there aren't a lot of trackdays around here.

So, any advice is welcome..on how to get the most from the FJR and still be prudent enought to avoid tickets.

I think I do speed in safe, controlled, bursts, on well know roads, when it is safe to do so, and use common sense, but those felony speeds come real fast going up through the gears, and a visual would be enough for an LEO in a case like that.

Am I making any sense to anyone? What's the most rational, reasoned strategy to enjoy the FJR and avoid unwanted attention? Yes, I know...go the speed limit. all the time Okay, talking real world...

 

[rogerc]

In Northern Calif where I do most of my riding, I view the "bags" as a sign to cops that I am not a super sport rider.

There are a ton of 1 litre bikes on most of the roads I ride and I believe the cops watch them a little closer that say a goldwing or another type of bike that has bags. But..... I also believe most cops watch ALL motorcycles a little closer.

You may have run into a cop who was looking for a guy on a blue motorcycle and you just happen to fit the description that day.

I also have a radar detector and it saves me a lot. I do not speed but generally run about 5 to 10 + but like to know when the cops are hitting a certain area and I slow down. I believe that if there are 5 cars and 1 motorcycle all traveling 13 over the posted speed the cop will generally pick out the motorcycle to ticket. Not that I can blame them with the antics I see lately around here by some of the motorcycle crowd.

Roger

 

[FJR_pig]

Move real slow to the window, don't make any sudden movements...I think that officer is down the street, watching you right now... :shiftyph34r:

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I think it's your tinted visor

 

[odot]

.............just a bored cop, dude........let it go.

 

[Bike Effects]

Move real slow to the window, don't make any sudden movements...I think that officer is down the street, watching you right now... :shiftyph34r:

:yahoo:

 

[GunMD]

I'm gonna guess that this was just an isolated incident.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Doodle,

I am assuming your are in Massachusetts, do they have to register/calibrate their speed trap areas in your state?

They do here and I know them well. Secondly, this is one reason I always leave the Bags on...the bike looks to fast and sexy with them off. My 8500 is on my brake reservoir and has never brought any special attention....except when it pings it gets my attention fast.

Good possibility he was wanting another look at your bike or quota was coming up...that's why I keep 'dem bags on...how can that be?

 

[07FJRMADMAN]

As a LEO, I can tell you most COPS/Deputies are not going to pull you over for 5 over. As a biker myself I know I can get carried away with the thrill of riding a bike on a nice day. The problem in Florida is a significant percentage of the Sport Bike crowd are drawing allot of negative attention. The average cop doesn’t know the difference between an FJR and a Hyabusa

 

[madmike2]

As a general rule, anywhere near or IN city limits, I ride the speed limit. Too many little towns in the CA Gold Country use speeding tickets as revenue generators. That and the fact that some "stoopid" bikers like to speed through the towns @ 10 over.

Out in the country I will stretch the FJR legs a bit (as on the freeways here in NorCal), however, one must territory in which one is riding. For instance, some of the "fun" roads that parallel Hwy 49 in NorCal are known to be sport-bike destinations so the CHP will be patrolling them. There are a couple of mountain passes (Ebbett's on Hwy 4) where there have been some fatalities this year so the police are keeping a closer eye on those roadways....with reason!

I use my radar detector as a signalling device, i.e., if it signals I then know they are looking, I become "Mr. Law Abiding Citizen" for the next 10-20 miles.

YMMV

 

[87Doodle]

As a LEO, I can tell you most COPS/Deputies are not going to pull you over for 5 over. As a biker myself I know I can get carried away with the thrill of riding a bike on a nice day. The problem in Florida is a significant percentage of the Sport Bike crowd are drawing allot of negative attention. The average cop doesn’t know the difference between an FJR and a Hyabusa

Thanks,

I guess I don't really understand what kind of liability I put myself in when I crack the throttle, because I know there are a bunch of other charges that can come into play when your going more than just a little fast, and it's beyond easy to go there.

I really don't want a ticket, but I like to ride the FJR.

If I got a ticket or two , it would unscrew my head and take a giant dump on my ability to ride the FJR in any way resembling the way it deserves to be ridden, and I might as well just get a Vespa for what it's worth to ride at that point.

So, maybe I sound like I'm paranoid about tickets, but it don't take much to get one on the FJR.

 

[garauld]

Speeding tix were the primary reason why I moved out of Taxachusetts a long while ago... :angry:

 

[Charlie Hoss]

Your Escort will work fine hidden inside the tank bag for detecting radar, as long as there is no metal in front of it. The laser alert will not work in that location.

In my experience, 39 years on the road in sales, the LEO's generally will not bother you for under 10 over the limit, UNLESS you nail the brakes about the time they activate their radar. I have developed a real ability to STAY OFF THE BRAKES when my V1 lights up from a close blast of instant on radar. I just let off the gas, the cop thinks I spotted him and isn't tipped off about the V1. I think that radar detectors do piss off LEOs and they just might pull you over for less than 10 over. I also think that with all the crap (farkles) on many bikes, they probably don't often notice the Escort sitting there as they or you go by.

 

[87Doodle]

Your Escort will work fine hidden inside the tank bag for detecting radar, as long as there is no metal in front of it. The laser alert will not work in that location.
In my experience, 39 years on the road in sales, the LEO's generally will not bother you for under 10 over the limit, UNLESS you nail the brakes about the time they activate their radar. I have developed a real ability to STAY OFF THE BRAKES when my V1 lights up from a close blast of instant on radar. I just let off the gas, the cop thinks I spotted him and isn't tipped off about the V1. I think that radar detectors do piss off LEOs and they just might pull you over for less than 10 over. I also think that with all the crap (farkles) on many bikes, they probably don't often notice the Escort sitting there as they or you go by.

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like another good reason to keep the revs up ( like I need one ) , because the engine compression will scrub off the speed without brakes.

How does this one work:

Observed speed...

As in " I observed you to be going 60 in a 45 mph zone... " Does that happen, or do it have to be supported by radar data?

 

[87Doodle]

As a LEO, I can tell you most COPS/Deputies are not going to pull you over for 5 over. As a biker myself I know I can get carried away with the thrill of riding a bike on a nice day. The problem in Florida is a significant percentage of the Sport Bike crowd are drawing allot of negative attention. The average cop doesn’t know the difference between an FJR and a Hyabusa

Thanks,

I guess I don't really understand what kind of liability I put myself in when I crack the throttle, because I know there are a bunch of other charges that can come into play when your going more than just a little fast, and it's beyond easy to go there.

I really don't want a ticket, but I like to ride the FJR.

If I got a ticket or two , it would unscrew my head and take a giant dump on my ability to ride the FJR in any way resembling the way it deserves to be ridden, and I might as well just get a Vespa for what it's worth to ride at that point.

So, maybe I sound like I'm paranoid about tickets, but it don't take much to get one on the FJR.

I envy you blasting around that track in seattle...you really know how to ride an FJR.

 

[RsvlFeej]

I really don't want a ticket, but I like to ride the FJR.

If I got a ticket or two , it would unscrew my head and take a giant dump on my ability to ride the FJR in any way resembling the way it deserves to be ridden, and I might as well just get a Vespa for what it's worth to ride at that point.

My theory lately has been to ride at non-LEO-attracting speeds to really tight twisties - once there you can run within your safe limit without actually crossing the legal limit...(orange and black signs are "recommended speeds," not legal limits).

 

[twowheelnut]

Two things...

Thing one: Um, you're not posting under another name besides 87Doodle, are you?

Thing two: Read Forum Guideline #9. Your sig line is way over the top and annoying as hell.

(Yes, I'm in a bad, ******' mood.)

As for your encounter with Johnny Law; same thing happens everywhere. I followed a sheriff's truck for over 30 miles and 55 MPH. No faster, no slower and he had me lit up the whole time. When he did finally turn off at the end of his county, he rolled the window down and gave me a rather sarcastic wave. Ain't the first time, won't be the last.

 

[Last Chance]

All good advise. TWN must be off his meds.

I think the good RD is just a tool. The most important thing is to "know how your" local LEO's operate. Like MM said, here in NorCal I don't think one is in much danger of a ticket on the freeways at 10, maybe even 15 over as long as one keeps his eyes OPEN. Just don't make any radical moves, unsafe lane changes or triple digit "surges" before you inventory and identify EVERY vehicle in front, beside and BEHIND you. Stay out of the show-off lane and try to have few "high rollers" passing you for "better" targets. If you don't know what that fast mover coming up through traffic is, assume it's a COP. Blend in with the crowd. Here in CA the crowd is moving 10-20 over so it isn't hard to do.

In town, on surface streets, I keep it generally to 5 over and no more. Local LEO's generate revenue and patrol areas that have traffic "problems". (Besides, I consider surface streets, multi lane, divided or not, to be the most dangerous places to ride a motorcycle. I also consider ANY two lane highway as very dangerous for motorcycles. On a freeway access is limited and traffic is usually going the same direction at least.)

After a while I know their "favorite" spots to hang out for "revenue" enhancement. However, with moving radar they can show up anywhere. A lot of CHP cruisers have Ka band radar with front and rear radar heads. As far as instant-on that means just what it says, "Instant". When your RD goes off he already has your speed registered on his display. That's why you watch and listen for him "pinging" the cars ahead of you. So, as Mike says, if your RD pings, even momentarily and weakly, pay attention. Slow down, watch for signs he is approaching you or up ahead. He might also be coming up behind you. You can usually tell. As you come up over rises you may get "pings" several miles away. My rule of thumb, if someone isn't in front of me to draw fire, I don't speed. (much) Instant on is too good. Now, if I can see for miles and no one is coming then I let my eyes be my guide. (While I listen to my RD!) Lots of fun and gives you something to do on boring slab runs.

Oh, in NorCal, I imagine it's worse in LA now that when the following happened. True story.

Technically, a CHP officer is trained to accurately estimate your speed just by observation. I once received a ticket from an officer that "accurately estimated" my speed while standing beside his cruiser on the right shoulder. This while I was traveling, with the flow of traffic in the number one lane of a packed 4 lane freeway in LA. One thing I'm sure of, he definitely spotted my Idaho plates and said "out of state revenue" to himself. Of course, he didn't mention that to me, just my guess. When I approached :dribble: him (not a good idea in CA) and asked him how he determined my speed, since he was standing by his cruiser with his hands in his pockets. He REMOVED his hand from his holstered weapon as my 8 1/2 month pregnant wife got out of the car, and politely said to me, "Look at the bottom of the ticket, it says EST. speed. You can pay the bond by mail. Have a nice day."

Bottom line. I have been a commercial driver now for over 25 years. I put between 75k and 150k miles on the road for work. I spent five year commuting a 140 miles a day just getting to and from work. I averaged a ticket every 18 months while commuting. I have only had 2 tickets for speeding in 25 years of commercial driving. I used to be able to go to school to keep the tickets from affecting my insurance. That is no longer available to commercial drivers. I haven't had a "conviction" for a traffic ticket for more than 10 years. I guess I'm slowing down in my old age.

YMMV

Oh, I found out later that 2 CHP officers had been killed by a person or persons unknown on that freeway earlier in the day. This officer was NOT in a good mood.

LC

 

[Bounce]

As a LEO, I can tell you most COPS/Deputies are not going to pull you over for 5 over.

"most", of course, excluding the Tx DPS guy that pulled me over east of El Paso for going +3. at least he understood the lecture OR ticket rule and chose the lecture.