OH_NO_THE_5-0
08-05-2009, 09:19 PM
Ok, first let me start off by saying that I went to college for Criminal Justice, moved here to Texas to try and get on San Antonio PD. So, generally I side with LE on most cases. I'm biased to there side. And also, I generally admitt to something when in the wrong..So I'm stating that because this is truely not a "I GO SCREWED BY A COP!...even though he was right" thread. Of course there is the "2 sides to every story", and I completely understand, so if Officer _______ is on here, go ahead and comment.
Here we go...
The other night on my way to work on Southbound 281 I was riding 63 in a 65 side by side with a unmarked cop car (i knew it was an unmarked thats why I wasn't going 66mph nor pass him).
He slows way down, and starts to move in behind me...AS SOON and I mean AS SOON as his Passenger side got into my lane (he was on the left I was in the right lane) the RED and BLUES come on...So, I, being respectful/responsible and not thinking I did anything wrong pulled over, took my helmet off, took my keys out of the ignition and put them on my gas tank...
He gets out...
Officer: "I can't see your license plate..."
ME: "Sorry sir, I just got this bike a month ago and have shown plenty of Officers and they never mentioned it, I'll get it fixed"
Officer: " That means, you've had a month to fix it."
ME: "Sorry sir, I actually moved down here to get on the PD, so I'm really not trying to do anything illegal and if I would have known I would have fixed it." (not pulling the BS, this is true, I really am trying to get into the PD)
Officer: **Starts walking around the bike for the 1st time** "You also don't have any turn signals (I HAVE FRONT AND REAR HOTBODIES FLUSH MOUNTS)"
ME: "Yes, I do they are right here **pointed to both front and back"
Officer:"Well the back ones are pointed down and I can't see them!"
ME:**Thinking WTF? You can see them clear as day!!!!** "Ok"
Officer: **Walk around of bike #2** "You also don't have reflectors in the front of rear, you need 2 in the front and 3 in the rear"
ME: "Ok, I have 4 on the license plate"
Officer:"There needs to be one on each side and one in the center"
ME: "OK"
Officer: **Starts walk around of bike #3**Then goes into SUV**
ME: **Leaning up against the side barrier of the road helmet, keys on bike**
Officer: "You need to get that stuff fixed and if you do then they will dismiss this ticket but you need to show up to court"
Sure there aren't any side reflectors on there other than the ones on my LP. But as far as I could find on LP location it says in the "rear" and be seen from 60'. 60' isn't very far and the plate is noticeable and clear.
My question, what needs to be on my bike other than the reflectors of course. Should I move the plate or some how prove that its clear from 60'? Personally, this sucks, because this should have been a warning..."Get this stuff fixed, if I see it again, it will be a ticket" type deal. Not a $486 for first time offense, and waste my time to go to court to have it dismissed anyways! Why not just give a warning? I didn't run from him, or ignore him and act like I couldn't see him in my mirrors, I pulled over ASAP. I told one of the Officers downtown and he said it was BS.
And it really turns me off on trying to get into this department. The guys downtown are really cool, but this guy, was something else from the moment he got out of the cruiser.
Also, I'm not one of these "sportbikers" who ride without gear. I had helmet, gloves, and jacket on, and have my Motorcycle license and have taken the MSF course.
Sorry for the long rant guys/gals! I hope sometime in the near future I'm working with you some of you guys! Stay safe!
Here we go...
The other night on my way to work on Southbound 281 I was riding 63 in a 65 side by side with a unmarked cop car (i knew it was an unmarked thats why I wasn't going 66mph nor pass him).
He slows way down, and starts to move in behind me...AS SOON and I mean AS SOON as his Passenger side got into my lane (he was on the left I was in the right lane) the RED and BLUES come on...So, I, being respectful/responsible and not thinking I did anything wrong pulled over, took my helmet off, took my keys out of the ignition and put them on my gas tank...
He gets out...
Officer: "I can't see your license plate..."
ME: "Sorry sir, I just got this bike a month ago and have shown plenty of Officers and they never mentioned it, I'll get it fixed"
Officer: " That means, you've had a month to fix it."
ME: "Sorry sir, I actually moved down here to get on the PD, so I'm really not trying to do anything illegal and if I would have known I would have fixed it." (not pulling the BS, this is true, I really am trying to get into the PD)
Officer: **Starts walking around the bike for the 1st time** "You also don't have any turn signals (I HAVE FRONT AND REAR HOTBODIES FLUSH MOUNTS)"
ME: "Yes, I do they are right here **pointed to both front and back"
Officer:"Well the back ones are pointed down and I can't see them!"
ME:**Thinking WTF? You can see them clear as day!!!!** "Ok"
Officer: **Walk around of bike #2** "You also don't have reflectors in the front of rear, you need 2 in the front and 3 in the rear"
ME: "Ok, I have 4 on the license plate"
Officer:"There needs to be one on each side and one in the center"
ME: "OK"
Officer: **Starts walk around of bike #3**Then goes into SUV**
ME: **Leaning up against the side barrier of the road helmet, keys on bike**
Officer: "You need to get that stuff fixed and if you do then they will dismiss this ticket but you need to show up to court"
Sure there aren't any side reflectors on there other than the ones on my LP. But as far as I could find on LP location it says in the "rear" and be seen from 60'. 60' isn't very far and the plate is noticeable and clear.
My question, what needs to be on my bike other than the reflectors of course. Should I move the plate or some how prove that its clear from 60'? Personally, this sucks, because this should have been a warning..."Get this stuff fixed, if I see it again, it will be a ticket" type deal. Not a $486 for first time offense, and waste my time to go to court to have it dismissed anyways! Why not just give a warning? I didn't run from him, or ignore him and act like I couldn't see him in my mirrors, I pulled over ASAP. I told one of the Officers downtown and he said it was BS.
And it really turns me off on trying to get into this department. The guys downtown are really cool, but this guy, was something else from the moment he got out of the cruiser.
Also, I'm not one of these "sportbikers" who ride without gear. I had helmet, gloves, and jacket on, and have my Motorcycle license and have taken the MSF course.
Sorry for the long rant guys/gals! I hope sometime in the near future I'm working with you some of you guys! Stay safe!