radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judge

DonOR

DonOR

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There's another thread here on traffic fines... I just got this one tuesday night; 70 in a 55 = $132. Kinda cheap compared to some of the numbers posted from the more civilized world, hehe

radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judge


So here's my question; Anybody out there run a radar detector? I almost never ride at less than 65 (on the highway) and would consider it an essential, after my $132 joy ride.

And here's just one more, how about a list of top 10 excuses for speeding? the one I'm working on right now goes something like this: " I had a couple of bad tamales for dinner, your honor, and needed to get to some indoor plumbing as soon as possible"
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

Yeh, and your luck would be that the judge is a Harley rider, and reads this forum, especially the signatures.
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

How fast were you really going? Just how many miles of freeway are there on the island? Didn't you tell the cop to go find some tourists to harass?
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

swooshdave said:
How fast were you really going? Just how many miles of freeway are there on the island? Didn't you tell the cop to go find some tourists to harass?
Click to expand...

Well Swoosh, about 70mph, its a wide two lane, with sweeping curves that goes from sea level to 4200 ft in then back down again, then up again, all around the rock, about 400 miles. from my work to home, about 24 miles, can be a good run.

After 5 fatalities this year (natural selection=no helmets), the local PD just issued a press release saying they're cracking down on bikes... the young cops who pulled me over were cool, really liked the Norton and surprised to see an old man riding it fast. One of 'em started talking up his CBR, all the while I'm thinking "yea yea yea, just write the fukin ticket and let me get home"

I'm thinking of a $30 chinese radar detector from ebay. Couldn't hurt.
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

Well at least one does not have to speed to test their range and sensitivity or false alarms.
At the sane speed of 20-30 mph over limit detectors should help ya slow up in time to minimize the over speed or avoid it by the point your speed is actually measured. Fancy expensive devices even jam the signals and in civilized settled areas they have units that talk to each other reporting hot spots before you are in range to detect and report to other units. CB radio's in their hey day were great, truckers and others telling whats ahead. Now mostly just foul mouth bantering I gave up on.
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

hobot said:
CB radio's in their hey day were great, truckers and others telling whats ahead. Now mostly just foul mouth bantering I gave up on.
Click to expand...


Get a VHF radio, cheap online
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

DonOR said:
swooshdave said:
How fast were you really going? Just how many miles of freeway are there on the island? Didn't you tell the cop to go find some tourists to harass?
Click to expand...

Well Swoosh, about 70mph, its a wide two lane, with sweeping curves that goes from sea level to 4200 ft in then back down again, then up again, all around the rock, about 400 miles. from my work to home, about 24 miles, can be a good run.

After 5 fatalities this year (natural selection=no helmets), the local PD just issued a press release saying they're cracking down on bikes... the young cops who pulled me over were cool, really liked the Norton and surprised to see an old man riding it fast. One of 'em started talking up his CBR, all the while I'm thinking "yea yea yea, just write the fukin ticket and let me get home"

I'm thinking of a $30 chinese radar detector from ebay. Couldn't hurt.
Click to expand...

But you had a helmet, right?
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

swooshdave said:
DonOR said:
swooshdave said:
How fast were you really going? Just how many miles of freeway are there on the island? Didn't you tell the cop to go find some tourists to harass?
Click to expand...

Well Swoosh, about 70mph, its a wide two lane, with sweeping curves that goes from sea level to 4200 ft in then back down again, then up again, all around the rock, about 400 miles. from my work to home, about 24 miles, can be a good run.

After 5 fatalities this year (natural selection=no helmets), the local PD just issued a press release saying they're cracking down on bikes... the young cops who pulled me over were cool, really liked the Norton and surprised to see an old man riding it fast. One of 'em started talking up his CBR, all the while I'm thinking "yea yea yea, just write the fukin ticket and let me get home"

I'm thinking of a $30 chinese radar detector from ebay. Couldn't hurt.
Click to expand...

But you had a helmet, right?
Click to expand...

Of course, Arai.... I'm already half deaf from motorcycles, rock and roll, and printing machines. besides, I've been riding for almost 40 years, and have had a few spills. I'm not stupid, just bored at 55mph (and bored at 55 years old too)
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

swooshdave said:
Are you going to fight the ticket?
Click to expand...

Considering it... printed on the back it says that I may contest, in person or writing, due to "extenuating circumstances". All I have to do is craft some blarney, put a stamp on it, and see what happens. I like the tamale defense; got any other ideas?
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

DonOR said:
swooshdave said:
Are you going to fight the ticket?
Click to expand...

Considering it... printed on the back it says that I may contest, in person or writing, due to "extenuating circumstances". All I have to do is craft some blarney, put a stamp on it, and see what happens. I like the tamale defense; got any other ideas?
Click to expand...

Just bring in a picture of the bike (remember to ask before approaching the judge) and explain that while the 40 year old speedometer is working the needle tends to vibrate so occasionally it's a challenge to get an accurate reading. Unless this isn't your only ticket in recent memory the judge may decide to be lenient.
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

swooshdave said:
DonOR said:
swooshdave said:
Are you going to fight the ticket?
Click to expand...

Considering it... printed on the back it says that I may contest, in person or writing, due to "extenuating circumstances". All I have to do is craft some blarney, put a stamp on it, and see what happens. I like the tamale defense; got any other ideas?
Click to expand...

Just bring in a picture of the bike (remember to ask before approaching the judge) and explain that while the 40 year old speedometer is working the needle tends to vibrate so occasionally it's a challenge to get an accurate reading. Unless this isn't your only ticket in recent memory the judge may decide to be lenient.
Click to expand...

hey Swoosh, that might work a little better than the the tamale story.... MANY THANKS!
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

I think I would just casually ask the judge how much the fine would have been if you had shifted into 3rd!!
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

Get a VHF radio, cheap online
Click to expand...

Hm, Dave, at first I ignored this but then sunk in might be good to talk to my ride buddy on the fly.
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

Good luck in court but I don't think your tamale defense, or anything else you can think of, is going to help. They caught you speeding and now they get to collect some money from you. That's what it's all about.

I've been running a radar detector in my car. It can help about half the time. If the cop is using laser, or instant-on radar, all the detector does is tell you that you've just gotten another ticket. Sometimes you can get a little warning if there is a car ahead of you that gets clocked. That doesn't always work though.

Here in Colorado, +20 is a very expensive fine. Even +10 is good for $170 or more these days. In many jurisdictions there is no set fine. A prosecutor pulls your driving record and decides how much to charge. The more tickets you've had, the more the next one will cost you. Slow speed limits + instant on radar everywhere has really taken the fun out of street riding here. :(

Oh, and watch out for "work zone fines doubled"...
 
Re: radar, laser, the cost of having fun, + how to BS a judg

Ive run a Valentine detector in my car since the dawn of time. I would not
go to the corner store without it. Im old and my days of hauling ass are long
gone. However, in the Northeast, any non Interstate type highway is 55 mph
tops lesser roads are very likely 45 or 40. Most towns or smaller go to 30 or 25.
The detector is most useful as it is a constant reminder that they are out there
and it saves you from all the other bothersome tickets too (not a complete
stop in the middle of nowhere for example).
Laser and instand on , you are dead. But the majority of cops just leave
it on and you can dump the brakes at the first warning and win.
One ticket avoided pays for the detector. Remember too, that the cost of
the ticket is small change compared to the cost of the annual hike on your
insurance payment for 39 months.
The whole system has become just another way to fleece the citizen.
As for the ticket, show up, locate the officer BEFORE court and see if
he will let you plead to a big fine with no license points. They do this all
the time around here. Excuses are a pretty long shot in front of the judge.
Please pay the clerk....
 
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