Do cops cut Harley riders more slack?

[screwtop]

I ride with a guy, who just so happens to wrench on my HD as well. As most would expect and true to the sterotype, we usually stop for a :drink at the end of our rides (followed by a 2.5 mile ride home). I accept the risks associated with this behavior, and even though I limit my consumption (in the interest of metabolizing the alcohol) I realize that there could be consequences, and I'm responsible. Anyway, my friend does not seem to be as concerned about the DWI thing as I am. He says "Dude, cops don't pull over Harleys" and offers the following rationale to support his position:

1) Many cops are bikers themselves, and a large proportion of them ride Harleys.
2) Harley Davidson is involved in many charity events (toy runs, march of dimes, etc.) often in partnership with local law enforcement. This makes them more inclined to cut HD riders a break.

I have to admit, in 20 years of riding, I've never seen a Harley pulled over. I've been pulled over on my Duc and the BMW twice (speeding). Some may contend that HD's are too slow to speed, but mine does 100 mph with no problem. Maybe cops have bigger fish to fry in general, and just cut all bikers more slack?:dunno

Anyway, do any of think the cops cut HD riders more slack? Inquiring minds want to know.

[MCMXCIVRS]

Personally, I really don't care what bikes cops choose to pull over or not. An impared rider is a hazard on the road to him or herself and others. I too like to enjoy a beverage at the end of the days ride, but I choose to do so once the bike is safely parked where it will remain so. The laws of physics are more strictly enforced than the laws of the nation.

[bubbagazoo]

Personally, I really don't care what bikes cops choose to pull over or not. An impared rider is a hazard on the road to him or herself and others. I too like to enjoy a beverage at the end of the days ride, but I choose to do so once the bike is safely parked where it will remain so. The laws of physics are more strictly enforced than the laws of the nation.

+1

The guys I work with have motorcycles and we often talk about taking an afternoon and doing a "team building" ride. I think one of the reasons it hasn't happened yet is my hard stance on not combining wobbly-pops with riding. I really like the taste of beer. At the same time, I like walking, talking, breathing and all those other things that you need a whole, complete body to enjoy.

[Motor31]

Screwtop,

Short answer is no, at least in my old jurisdiction and experiance. There wasn't a large interest in Harleys anyhow off duty as we rode Kaw's for work and tried Harley out multiple times before. Now that Kawasaki is no longer making the standard PD bike they are shifting to Harley. The only way Harley could get in the door was simply after the Kaws were no longer available. The Harley's compared favorably to the Kaws. Other than the fact that the Kaws were cheaper, lasted longer, ran better, were smoother, went faster, started more reliably, stopped faster, turned tighter and required far less maintenance, the Harleys did OK. :nyah

BMW was an option but too pricey for the bean counters.

[widebmw]

I talked to a guy who said that a BMW shop went to a City PD dept. with a report about "Down time".
He had information about Motors revenue, $1000. - $1,500 per day for each bike. Then he had reports from agencies listing the Down time by brand of bike. BMW,s made up for any price difference with the lack of Down time.
That why the bean counters bought the BMW's.

[Callmethebreeze]

I don't think so either. In fact, a favorite hiding place for the local Leos is near the Red Dog Saloon, a famous HD watering hole. I've seen quite a few HD riders fishing for their licenses in their chaps.....:D

Breeze

[AZ-J]

I talked to a guy who said that a BMW shop went to a City PD dept. with a report about "Down time".
He had information about Motors revenue, $1000. - $1,500 per day for each bike. Then he had reports from agencies listing the Down time by brand of bike. BMW,s made up for any price difference with the lack of Down time.
That why the bean counters bought the BMW's.


Here in central AZ, the cities of Scottsdale and Avondale switched from Kaws to BMWs before the Kaws were discontinued. Now that the Kaws are gone the AZ Hwy patrol and some Phoenix police are riding BMWs too. I have heard it all has to do with the lack of down time.

Meanwhile, I had a 600 mile service done on my 7 week old F800S a few weeks ago, thinking it would be pricey. At $114.95 (with tax and disposable fees included) it was about 1/3 less than a Suzuki dealer used to charge me for a comparable "fancy" or "enhanced" oil change (i.e., belt check, etc.).

The BMWs have a "get what you pay for" reputation, and while I was looking at a Honda Interceptor, the ABS F800S was less expensive (not by much though). In the end, it was the 20 lbs less weight that led me to the BMW instead. The near 400 lb weight fits me well. YMMV.

Tweety1

[rgvilla]

when I was a motor cop on a harley I could write as many tickets as I wanted and it didn't really matter what a person was riding or driving:nyah

[2bikemike]

+1

The guys I work with have motorcycles and we often talk about taking an afternoon and doing a "team building" ride. I think one of the reasons it hasn't happened yet is my hard stance on not combining wobbly-pops with riding. I really like the taste of beer. At the same time, I like walking, talking, breathing and all those other things that you need a whole, complete body to enjoy.

I take it that a "wobbly pop" is Canadian for beer, eh':beer

[screwtop]

+1

The guys I work with have motorcycles and we often talk about taking an afternoon and doing a "team building" ride. I think one of the reasons it hasn't happened yet is my hard stance on not combining wobbly-pops with riding. I really like the taste of beer. At the same time, I like walking, talking, breathing and all those other things that you need a whole, complete body to enjoy.

Well, good for you for tellin' those hosers to take off:thumb Perhaps I'll think of doing the same.

[bubbagazoo]

I take it that a "wobbly pop" is Canadian for beer, eh':beer

Yep.:drink

[henzilla]

I have to admit, in 20 years of riding, I've never seen a Harley pulled over. I've been pulled over on my Duc and the BMW twice (speeding). Some may contend that HD's are too slow to speed, but mine does 100 mph with no problem. Maybe cops have bigger fish to fry in general, and just cut all bikers more slack?:dunno

Anyway, do any of think the cops cut HD riders more slack? Inquiring minds want to know.


I have the opposite opinion, I have been pulled over several times on the HD's ( never for speeding!)and ignored on the BMW's...except for a stop in a small town outside of San Antonio and I missed the 70 to 30 MPH sign:bluduh
Our Motor LEO's are shifting to Beemers, but a lot ride personal HD's on the side. I commute the same route on different bikes...get a head turning look on the HD, a nod on the Beemers. I pass a Motor LEO for the city at least twice weekly as he exits his home location while still out in the county, he waves or chases me on the Beemer...I hang behind him on the Hog. I took Helen's new 650 to work Friday and he passed me at 20 MPH over and shook his head. I followed at his speed!

[rinty]

My buddy and I were stopped by the RCMP last year in the local scrumming area (119 in a 100 zone), and the guy said we were too old to write up (I'm 58) and that BMW drivers usually ride pretty responsibly. He said they were looking for young guys on crotch rockets, who have been a nuisance in the area.

So we were lucky that they he did not see us as part of the local problem.

Regardless of that however, I think, like all people, police officers are all different, and you don't know what you're going to get when you get pulled over, if you get pulled over.

Rinty

[AllanCook]

Knock wood, I've never gotten a ticket on any bike, even though I'm consistently somewhat over the speed limit. The cops here ride Beemers, and I've gotten to know many of them. My sense of it is that if you are what they would consider to be a responsible rider -- wearing gear, a real helmet, using a reasonable amount of common sense -- they will overlook a little excessive speed. But if you ride like a knob, they'll chase you down pretty quickly.

[rinty]

I think it's helpful to get the helmet off as soon as you can after they pull you over, so they can get a better sense of who they are dealing with.

Rinty

[Holly]

When they realize I'm a little old lady, I usually just get the lecture. Being small and blonde I have always wanted to try the "Gosh officer, my speedometer is only in kilometers. Did I get the conversion factor wrong?" ploy, but haven't had to use it yet. Usually, when they realize I'm over 60 and riding a 250cc bike, they think they got the reading wrong. :laugh

[henzilla]

I think it's helpful to get the helmet off as soon as you can after they pull you over, so they can get a better sense of who they are dealing with.

Rinty

Sorry Rinty...:laugh :laugh made me laugh...

Who ARE we dealing with?:stick :dunno

I always wonder what they think of Ardys K when she gets her helmet off? She has a few stories!

[MCMXCIVRS]

When they realize I'm a little old lady, I usually just get the lecture. Being small and blonde I have always wanted to try the "Gosh officer, my speedometer is only in kilometers. Did I get the conversion factor wrong?" ploy, but haven't had to use it yet. Usually, when they realize I'm over 60 and riding a 250cc bike, they think they got the reading wrong. :laugh

I used that conversion error excuse a couple years ago in Idaho. No ticket, but a stern math lesson. :brow :thumb At least I was at a plausible speed to use it as a defence. :evil :evil

[osbornk]

I think it's helpful to get the helmet off as soon as you can after they pull you over, so they can get a better sense of who they are dealing with. Rinty

My 71 year old riding buddy says the same thing except he wants them to see the gray hair. The police don't really want to give someone that reminds them of the grandfather a ticket unless someone is a jerk.

[bubbagazoo]

So dyeing my hair is not such a good idea. :nyah

[jdmetzger]

At the risk of reviving an old thread:

I think the police DO cut Harley riders slack; I still hear a lot of noise in the city, so they're apparently not writing tickets for the noise ordinance violations. :dunno

[BeemoKat]

do we worry so much on here about Harleys? Yipe, yipe yipe.

[Greenwald]

I spent 32+ years in law enforcement here in Sheboygan, WI - literally in the shadow of Milwaukee, where H-D was born and lives today. Last seven years on the job was spent as a Motor Officer on H-D Road Kings (new one every Spring).

However, when it came to enforcement, any biker acting stupid enough to get my attention got pulled over. As to whether or not I went the route of warning or citation had a lot to do with his (or her) attitude, driving record, and the nature of the violation.

A previous writer mentions prompt helmet removal - excellent point. A biker that keeps the helmet on gives me the impression they may chose to bug out as I am walking up to them. Take the helmet off and keep hands where they can be seen.

As for off-duty rides, I leave Thursday for a week of mountain riding in the TN / NC / GA area with four colleagues (still active-duty officers) - not a Harley in the bunch.

Ride Safe.

[jdmetzger]

do we worry so much on here about Harleys? Yipe, yipe yipe.

Don't worry Dave; I dislike all other brands equally; it's just the HD thing comes up more often. :p

If it will make you happy, I'll start a new thread complaining about the crotch rocket morons in town who like to remove the baffles from their mufflers and ride 100mph through the city. :D

:brad

[BeemoKat]

Don't worry Dave; I dislike all other brands equally; it's just the HD thing comes up more often. :p

If it will make you happy, I'll start a new thread complaining about the crotch rocket morons in town who like to remove the baffles from their mufflers and ride 100mph through the city. :D

:brad

Just do it in 5/4 time:laugh

[SheRidesABeemer]

Several times I've heard "You look like a serious rider" from the cop who is writting me yet another warning. I've also had cruisers pace me on the highway, like a warning; drive away and pull over a dew-rag-leather-tasseled biker down the road.
I think there is something to be said about looking like a serious rider with all the gear.

[BubbaZanetti]

I think there is something to be said about looking like a serious rider with all the gear.


i haven't made up my mind on this one. it seems to maybe be the case for a textile suit, but has not saved me with my vanson race lethers. maybe looking "fast" is not the best idea:laugh

[SheRidesABeemer]

i haven't made up my mind on this one. it seems to maybe be the case for a textile suit, but has not saved me with my vanson race lethers. maybe looking "fast" is not the best idea:laugh

Maybe looking seriously ready for track day is not the look you should be going for!

[BeemoKat]

Several times I've heard "You look like a serious rider" from the cop who is writting me yet another warning. I've also had cruisers pace me on the highway, like a warning; drive away and pull over a dew-rag-leather-tasseled biker down the road.
I think there is something to be said about looking like a serious rider with all the gear.

I got pulled over 3 times last season for speeding (dead to rights, all 3), with no tickets. I'm VERY polite to cops (even when thoroughly honked at being pulled over on an empty stretch of road), and I have a clean record, which is what I think got me off the hook.

[gbeemer]

I ride with a guy, who just so happens to wrench on my HD as well. As most would expect and true to the sterotype, we usually stop for a :drink at the end of our rides (followed by a 2.5 mile ride home). I accept the risks associated with this behavior, and even though I limit my consumption (in the interest of metabolizing the alcohol) I realize that there could be consequences, and I'm responsible.

Are you accepting the "risks associated with this behavior" and the "consequences" that will be applied to just you? Or are you willing to accept the risks and consequences of your actions if your actions include injury &/or death to someone else? Do the rest of us mean so little?

Accepting personal consequences is one thing, accepting the consequences to someone else is another.

[screwtop]

Are you accepting the "risks associated with this behavior" and the "consequences" that will be applied to just you? Or are you willing to accept the risks and consequences of your actions if your actions include injury &/or death to someone else? Do the rest of us mean so little?

Accepting personal consequences is one thing, accepting the consequences to someone else is another.

No gbeemer, I'm accepting the risk all the way around. That's why I manage it to an acceptable level (according to my own risk tolerance) by doing as I explained in my original post. Let's face it, any bar/restaurant you ride by is patronized by people who drove there and (believe it or not) may have had a drink or two and then drive home. Many of them (like me) will leave below the legal limit. Those who wish to push the envelope may leave above the legal limit, and you have accurately characterized them in your post. Don't lump me into the later category. You don't even know me.

Thanks.

[KGT1200]

No gbeemer, I'm accepting the risk all the way around. That's why I manage it to an acceptable level (according to my own risk tolerance) by doing as I explained in my original post. Let's face it, any bar/restaurant you ride by is patronized by people who drove there and (believe it or not) may have had a drink or two and then drive home. Many of them (like me) will leave below the legal limit. Those who wish to push the envelope may leave above the legal limit, and you have accurately characterized them in your post. Don't lump me into the later category. You don't even know me.

Thanks.

By the time they have you walk the line, your ass has been already been cooked...there is no passing the test, they just want more evidence that you had a buzz on over the limit..

ANY amount of wobbly beer affects your reaction time, and the legal limit was set based on behavior in a cage, not the degree it takes to wheel down the road on a600 pound two wheeler! Considering the consequences when a bike hits the pavement, I think anyone who even approaches the legal side of the limit and hops on a bike thinking he/she has taken reasonble care because they are somewhere below the legal limit is needs to really consider slowed reaction time, (since it most likely will be at night) and impaired night vision will afFect THE REST OF THEIR LIFE. In a cage, you most likely will walk away, get a ticket, and live on..On a bike, you may not see the next morning...are you willing to test "just under the limit" here? Just a thought!

Red

[The_Veg]

I think there is something to be said about looking like a serious rider with all the gear.
This hasn't helped me any (in my case a nice touring-style jacket and plain single-colour helmet, all on a pedestrian-looking airhead), nor has getting my helmet off right away (while mentioning also that I need to remove my earplugs to hear you Officer), being polite and courteous, and telling the cop in advance of motion that I'm going to dig out my wallet. In my neck of the woods, if you get pulled over YOU ARE GETTING A PERFORMANCE AWARD. Tell it to the judge. The judge can give you deferred adjudication/probation or allow you to take a driver safety course, but even with those options the state still gets your money. :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead

[Kayseventyfive]

At the risk of reviving an old thread:

I think the police DO cut Harley riders slack; I still hear a lot of noise in the city, so they're apparently not writing tickets for the noise ordinance violations. :dunno

Same here. In Southern California, almost all Harleys have way loud mufflers. In addition, their riders make extra effort to rap the throttle to make even more noise. Noise laws are not enforced. It has to be intentional.

[fparisi]

I bought a brand new BMW RT in California back in 2001. Three days later I got pulled over by a Cop riding a....yes, you guessed it, a BMW RTP.

I was out on a going nowhere in particular ride, so I was following him, but it was on a main road. Nothing too feaky or anything, but I guess he didn't like that.

[bobs98]

I got pulled over 3 times last season for speeding (dead to rights, all 3), with no tickets. I'm VERY polite to cops (even when thoroughly honked at being pulled over on an empty stretch of road), and I have a clean record, which is what I think got me off the hook.

So I guess I should be OK when I finally grow my hair and beard again? :thumb

[Troutluck]

ANY amount of wobbly beer affects your reaction time . . .

So does excess speed, in varying degrees, but absolutely. How you mitigate your responsibility to not speed is an in-duh-vidual choice, just like abortion, gun control, and the death penalty.

But I'm not trying to start anything.

:stick

[KGT1200]

So does excess speed, in varying degrees, but absolutely. How you mitigate your responsibility to not speed is an in-duh-vidual choice, just like abortion, gun control, and the death penalty.

But I'm not trying to start anything.

:stick

A few years back, I lived along side a busy county road, and my neighbor from the west lived back off the road on a private bi way. He always came by in his Mercedes cooking about 80 in this 45 zone, but I and my kid never thought too much because we were a long way from the road, his speed was his issue. Long and short of it, I went by his house one day on a bike to visit his neighbor on the other side, and since it too was a long drive way, I never thought to slow down to the "posted"sign (kmart vintage) of 15 mph!

Well he came ROARING after me in his mercedes thinking I was some "punk kid"
and started to yell at me at exceeding his stupid ass speed limit, but almost had a cow when he realized who it was, and when I reminded his ass he sped past MY house on a daily basis! Double standard! (and he had drank too much wobbly beer, that's why his face was so darn red!)