Andy from Areostich fail

[Scot]

I have supreme control over my right hand. It's what I'm best at. I choose to ignore speeding limits because they have been set to the lowest common denominator on the road.

Then you also choose to take the chance of losing your driving priveleges.

The conspicuity . . . or lack thereof . . . of your riding gear has no bearing on how a radar beam returns from your bike to its source.



"I choose to ignore speeding limits because they have been set to the lowest common denominator on the road."

Try reciting that sentence to an officer who has stopped you for speeding, and see how well that works for ya.

[Zombie Master]

I have supreme control over my right hand. It's what I'm best at. I choose to ignore speeding limits because they have been set to the lowest common denominator on the road.

Then you also choose to take the chance of losing your driving priveleges.

I could stay in bed and never risk anything. I don't live like that.

The conspicuity . . . or lack thereof . . . of your riding gear has no bearing on how a radar beam returns from your bike to its source.

I have a state of the art Radar Laser detector on my machine. Jammer coming. As far as laser goes, and other speed enforcement, they have to spot you. If they don't see you, you aren't there.

"I choose to ignore speeding limits because they have been set to the lowest common denominator on the road."

Try reciting that sentence to an officer who has stopped you for speeding, and see how well that works for ya.

I wouldn't do that. I am aware that traffic police are the lowest rung of the enforcement ladder. Those cops are the least talented and are easiest to fool. I'm nice to them until they give me a nuisance ticket. Then I attempt to educate them on wasting tax dollars, I chide them for revenue gathering. I fight all tickets. I win 50%.

I was a senior instuctor, and program director for motorcycle training for a decade. I qualified for a racing license on the track. So as far as I'm concerned the law doesn't apply to me, because I ride for safety and not compliance. I will not remain in a position in traffic where other road users have any chance of hurting me. I am simply not there. Having a machine with warp drive makes leaving a dangerous situation very easy. That is about survival. That is about doing the right thing regardless of foolish regulations.

[Major Softie]

I wouldn't do that. I am aware that traffic police are the lowest rung of the enforcement ladder. Those cops are the least talented and are easiest to fool. I'm nice to them until they give me a nuisance ticket. Then I attempt to educate them on wasting tax dollars, I chide them for revenue gathering. I fight all tickets. I win 50%.

First, your representation of traffic police is entirely false. They are not even close to the lowest rung of the enforcement ladder, which would be, in my estimation: parking enforcement. Making traffic stops is, in fact, generally considered to be the most dangerous thing officers have to do. Enforcement of speed limits, drunk driving laws, and people running stop lights all have a very important impact on keeping people alive; it is in no way merely revenue gathering. Parking enforcement, on the other hand, is 100% revenue gathering.

Second, it is a "nuisance ticket" because? The fact that you find the law a nuisance does not make the officer's enforcement of the law a "nuisance ticket." If they are giving you a ticket for going 3 - 4 kph over the limit, I would certainly consider that a nuisance ticket. If you merely find it a nuisance that you are expected to follow the law, that does not make the ticket a nuisance, it makes you a nuisance to the roads and the courts.

So as far as I'm concerned the law doesn't apply to me, because I ride for safety and not compliance.

This is a complete lie, apparently one you are making to yourself. You do not ignore speed limits for safety, you ignore them because you don't want to go that slow. It could certainly be true in the occasional situation, but, as a argument for speeding as a general behavior, it is completely bogus. I only describe it as a lie because the only other option is you are a complete idiot, and I do not believe this is the case, even if the "logic" you are using to defend your position may argue that it is.

[Zombie Master]

First, your representation of traffic police is entirely false. They are not even close to the lowest rung of the enforcement ladder, which would be, in my estimation: parking enforcement. Making traffic stops is, in fact, generally considered to be the most dangerous thing officers have to do. Enforcement of speed limits, drunk driving laws, and people running stop lights all have a very important impact on keeping people alive; it is in no way merely revenue gathering. Parking enforcement, on the other hand, is 100% revenue gathering.

You estimation is erroneous as parking enforcement is not carried out by the police where I live. My information about the skill level of traffic enforcement comes from a judge who is a friend of mine. Police traffic stops being dangerous, does not speak to the relative skill of police duty assignments.

Second, it is a "nuisance ticket" because? The fact that you find the law a nuisance does not make the officer's enforcement of the law a "nuisance ticket." If they are giving you a ticket for going 3 - 4 kph over the limit, I would certainly consider that a nuisance ticket. If you merely find it a nuisance that you are expected to follow the law, that does not make the ticket a nuisance, it makes you a nuisance to the roads and the courts.

If I am operating a motorcycle with skilled control at a higher rate of speed than is posted then any ticket I might get is a nuisance because I have not done anything unsafe. In this case the law in wrong because it does not recognize the capability of the operator and machine. This is an infringement of my pursuit of happiness and is not acceptable.

So as far as I'm concerned the law doesn't apply to me, because I ride for safety and not compliance.

This is a complete lie, apparently one you are making to yourself. You do not ignore speed limits for safety, you ignore them because you don't want to go that slow. It could certainly be true in the occasional situation, but, as a argument for speeding as a general behavior, it is completely bogus. I only describe it as a lie because the only other option is you are a complete idiot, and I do not believe this is the case, even if the "logic" you are using to defend your position may argue that it is.

Ahhh the L word, awkwardly applied. When speed limits are too low for a well equipped motorcycle and skilled rider it becomes dangerous as focus on the riding task becomes more difficult. The rider becomes easily distracted due to boredom. He may start checking out young women or architecture when sharp focus should be maintained. I know when I am riding swiftly, my focus is sharper, ergo I am riding more safely. This from a rider who has been riding consistently without a break for nearly 50 years, and 40 bikes. If I don't know anything about this subject after living this particular life then my life has indeed been a lie.

[Ridercam]

ZM - there is no doubt you like to ride fast and have for a long time. And there is even less doubt you do not yield to a stop sign and signals over the years. I know for a fact that cars, trucks and other bikes will ride up on you sitting at idle or motoring off a start. If/when you pull over to the side to change your glasses or or attempts to make yourself comfortable - visibility counts. So please do not discount wearing dark suit as not making your riding safer - it is not the case.

Over the 50 years of riding... how many times have you been down? And when you do again, i hope you wear a brighter suit as i like your input here.

[Scot]

Ya know ZM, if you ride with the wreckless disregard for your and others' safety that you claim to, it's simply amazing that you haven't become a large grease spot on some road, somewhere, long ago. Yeah, I know . . . you're gonna say that you don't claim to ride with wreckless disregard for your and others' safety . . . Blah, blah, blah . . .

There is no way in hell that you, or anyone else is going to convince me that faster (than the speed limit) is safer on a public road. Why? Because there is absolutely no way you can know what the other meathead is gonna do. So, faster just gets you in trouble . . . faster.

Nobody is skilled enough, focused enough, experienced enough, or even lucky enough to avoid a potential disaster 100% of the time. Not even you. As a matter of fact, I would suggest that your self-described riding style and attitude puts you squarely in the dangerous category.

[Steve in Golden]

Are you telling me you have a new GS1200 and you ride within the law?
Who needs 110 hp to go 60?

In general, I don't speed by all that much. Depending on where I am, I usually try not to go any more than 10 MPH over the limit, sometimes no more than five over if my "cop sense" is active. I don't want to lose my license or see my insurance rates go up. Even one ticket is ridiculously expensive. You never know when a LEO with a speed gun is hiding around that next curve. In these days of totalitarian police state living you don't want to give them any excuse to arrest you, impound your vehicle, and make your life a living hell. Which they will do at the slightest provocation.

Hell if the LEO is having a bad day, 20 over might be enough for you to be declared an enemy combatant and shipped off to Gitmo. All perfectly legal under NDAA of course.

I am less of a hooligan when on the GS than when on the R1200R. The R1200R is like a mustang: a little bit temperamental but high performance machine that invites one to hammer it hard and break the law often. The GS is more stately, more dignified. It doesn't have as much acceleration, and when I'm riding it, I don't feel like I need to go as fast. Still want to go faster than most cagers though, especially through curves.

So no, I guess I don't need 110 HP to go 60 MPH. I guess I should start shopping for a scooter.

[bbelk]

I guess I should start shopping for a scooter.

My neighbor just bought a scooter. At 50 HP it is a little more than the R65 and a little less than the R90 yet it seems to be faster of the line than both. We haven't tested that yet.

Its pretty cool, but I wouldn't have it. So unlike some of what ZM has said in this rambling thread, I have to agree with him on scooters. Why?

Now the rational me says - because why learn to use a clutch if you don't have to and the thing has more storage than anything I own. It would be a fine commuter for a wuss.

My neighbor is anything but a wuss, he is 67, currently one of the top five paddlers in the state and can lift a 70 canoe over his head. Just not super coordinated. I am worried for his health and well being.

Honda Silverwing

[richard t]

I guess I should start shopping for a scooter.

My neighbor just bought a scooter. At 50 HP it is a little more than the R65 and a little less than the R90 yet it seems to be faster of the line than both. We haven't tested that yet.

Its pretty cool, but I wouldn't have it. So unlike some of what ZM has said in this rambling thread, I have to agree with him on scooters. Why?

Now the rational me says - because why learn to use a clutch if you don't have to and the thing has more storage than anything I own. It would be a fine commuter for a wuss.

My neighbor is anything but a wuss, he is 67, currently one of the top five paddlers in the state and can lift a 70 canoe over his head. Just not super coordinated. I am worried for his health and well being.

Honda Silverwing

Brad! I got a RED 250 Honda Helix in the barn at the farm I'd make you a deal on. You arn't talking about the guy with the clean 70's Honda?

[bbelk]

You arn't talking about the guy with the clean 70's Honda?

No. I think that would be Jack, with the fleet of Honda's. His good one is a 99 Nighthawk 750. The guy with the new Silverwing is Bob and he is pretty much new to two wheels.

I had to google the Helix. It looks pretty cool. How much?