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Speed
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:34 am
by Klem
Guys: Don't know if this email is true or not, but it might not hurt to believe it.
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> FYI...New speed limit enforcement:
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> New directive in Kansas is that you will be ticketed if going 4 miles
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> over speed limit.
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> They are beginning to enforce this immediately.
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> You might want to pass this on to friends and family to save
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> them the expense of getting a speeding ticket.
Also it was explained to me by a person of authority one day that in Kansas you are not considered stopped on a two wheel vehicle until a foot touches the ground. They don't seem to be impressed with what your riding ability is, or what you think it is either.
Don
Re: Speed
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 6:01 pm
by JerryM100
What's your source for this, Don? Is the program just targeting motorcycles, or everyone? Something as big as a statewide program that drastically increased enforcement like this would surely be announced by the state and covered by the major local media outlets.
Inquiring minds want to know...
Jerry
Re: Speed
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 6:53 pm
by Klem
Actually nothing to verify it. It makes sense that with the state needing money they could get it by simply enforcing the law. I don't think there have ever been set procedures on how much to allow. I have known people that have gotten tickets for 3mph at highway speeds. The last I read that manufactures are allowed 6% error on speedometers, something I don't think is enforced. However it makes traffic tickets with only minor over speed easier to beat in court. Then there is the thing that they seem to think you should check the accuracy of your speedometer. I have seen few motorcycles that record slower than actual speed, most Asian bikes I have had are about 10% faster than actual speed. The three HD products I have had the speedometers were very accurate. I have never checked either of the Beemers to see how they are. Both the Triumph and Suzuki register faster than actual speed.
To answer your question. NO verification, but why would they need to declare that they were going to enforce the law. There are at least three of us in this group that can testify there is a very polite gentleman that checks Highway 4 in Morris County. He is neither tolerate or generous in his interpretation of speed limits.
The thing about stopping, I did a stop and go without putting my foot down and was pulled over. The officer did give me a warning but explained that the instructions that he had was that a motorcyclist had to put his foot down to stop. He did not care about my personal abilities or what I thought they were. I have heard of a guy that took a bike to court and beat the ticket, don't know if it is a ghost story or the truth. I do know several that have gotten tickets for slow roll through stop signs and that is no ghost story. Just like with anything else, bad habits are easy to form and hard to break. I'm guilty of most of them. Just need to try harder.
Maybe the answer is to by small bikes so it feels like you are going faster.
Re: Speed
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 9:12 am
by Shannon
Thanks for this post on speed and stopping. I was talking with someone in training to be a LEO (Law Enforcement Officer), and I was informed that speed radar instrumentation is much more precise than the previous post suggests. I know someone who was pulled over going 2 mph over on Highway 7 (yes, it was a Ducati; no, it wasn't me!). I think police were out in force that weekend, and they may have pulled that motorcyclist over to make a point. Being that he was on a red sport bike, I can see how he might have raised their interest.
I would be interested to know what others' experience is with getting pulled over for speeding or for "stopping" without putting a foot down.
Re: Speed
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:58 pm
by Klem
The 6% allowance was my understanding of the auto or motorcycle manufactures legal tolerance for speedometers. Radar units that we used on the railroad could be set for different speed ranges and had better accuracy at the slower speed ranges and registered in the tenth of a mph. Many motorcycles record close to 10% fast, if you are traveling 60 mph your speedometer will read 65 or more. This is good as it keeps more of us from getting tickets. Nearly every manufacture makes a police model bike and therefor have certified speedometers. It is unknown why they choose to manufacture bikes with fast speedometers. A magazine article many years ago said that this was done to get the bikes off warranty sooner. I think it is to feed the riders ego a little.
Changing final gear ratios (sprockets) on most bikes have no effect on the speedometer as the sensor is at a wheel. However Harley and maybe some of the others have the sensor in the transmission so a final drive change throws your speedometer off and can put you at a higher risk.
GPS units are a good way to check your speedometer, or just use the readout on the unit instead of the one on the bike. Which in a case like mine would work a lot better if I would mount the GPS. This might also improve my knowing where I was and going, but then since I never know what time it is, it seems less important to know where I am and where I'm going just doesn't seem as important as it used to.
I still believe that the "allowed over speed" is at the discretion of the officer. That brings all kinds of things into play like the kind of day he is having etc. The thing that I have found that seems to hold true is you get the light turned on you, you also get the ticket. I hear of very few warnings. So ride safe and use good judgment.
Re: Speed
Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:41 am
by JerryM100
I have been thru over a dozen radar setups around the Kansas City area and not been stopped. I usually travel about 5 to 8 over the limit, usually in the left lane (reduces exposure, prevents surprises). I'm not sure I would use my experience in other places since I think most traffic around a large city travels faster and the police are looking for truly dangerous speeders or aggressive drivers. In smaller towns or highways you may stand out more and the towns aren't looking for dangerous speeders - they are looking for revenue. So I am always careful about my speed there. Besides, it is just more respectful to the locals.
Jerry in KC
Re: Speed
Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:20 am
by Shannon
Jerry,
I agree that adhering to low speed limits in smaller towns is important for demonstrating respect to residents. Also, good point about riding in the left lane to reduce exposure. I have ridden with a Harley rider who used the throttle effectively to make his presence known in the midst of traffic. It was disturbing to see what a difference that made (meaning: cage drivers were often oblivious to us until he revved)!
-- Shannon