A tale of speeding. Told by an idiot. Signifying nothing.
Discussion
I'm on the A85. I've just seen my sixth copper in ten miles as they're out for the bikers today. Most are in villages where I religiously adhere to speed limits anyway so it's not an issue. The coppers point their guns at me, and I nod and smile from behind the iridium visor I just bought and instantly regret wearing. Most ignore me, some wave back.
The road opens up and conditions are perfect. Behind traffic, I pull out in the right, then proceed to overtake about seven or so cars as the GSXR rasps, goading me on. I glance at the speedo and I last see it hit about 130mph, I concentrate on more important matters and continue to accelerate, then pull back in comfortably. I check the parking bays for more police, and I carry on in this fashion for about seven or eight miles, enjoying the new S21s I've just had fitted. A parking bay ahead is obscured, so I check my mirrors to slow down, only now there's a Battenburg FJR1300 in each of them. Rather than wait for the lights and sirens, I pull over.
Before asked I turn the bike off, place down my helmet, then throw my jacket on top to obscure the illegal visor. My mind wanders to worst, if they followed me from the last village one possible, but unlikely, outcome here is prison. Given the general hysteria about bikers, especially in Scotland, losing my licence seems highly likely at this point. My mind races further and I remember a condition of my employment is a licence, so I'm filled with a sense of self-loathing. In any instance I'm not riding home, so I get comfortable.
"You don't know how long we've been following you do you?", says the first copper. I say nothing but acknowledge him. I don't, but if he calls a recovery wagon I should have a good idea...
We beging to "chat". There's some attempt to "scare me straight", but under the circumstances I actually take it as a positive. If they were just out to f
k me, they wouldn't take the time. This is a "hearts and minds" style booking, not a "you're off to jail sonny", which means I might be in luck.
There's a degree of pleading, and I'm not ashamed to say, groveling, I make a few attempts at humour which initially don't land but eventually crack a laugh or two. Most of this peaks when I am asked to describe myself for the official record, and I describe myself as some sort of Adonis. How disappointing any manhunt would be. By the end of chat the leading copper discusses his bike briefly. I wonder if he is the only S1000RR owner in the world to never knowingly break the speed limit as not to be a hypocrite.
On the strength of my people skills and allegedly "good riding", my average speed suddenly appears to be inconsistent, and I'm now let off with 3 points and a £100 fine. I am beyond lucky, and fully aware I don't deserve it. The self loathing and embarrassment kicks in again and I'm on the A82 home. I make little attempt at progress and instead watch the Loch shimmer from behind a campervan. It would have been a lovely day.
When home, I launch my bike in the garage in record time, bugs and all, and I tell myself I won't ride the bike until April. That I will join ROSPA. That I am a changed man...
But now 48 hours after the fact, and I'm just being honest, I'm not so sure. My thoughts already turn to Spring and how much more relaxed I can be about speeds once I'm back down to 6 points. I think of quieter roads which are not regulated, I wonder which van the coppers were hiding behind, and I think of how great the bike was running up until that point. I still don't think speeding is evil in itself in certain circumstances, I still think there is a time and a place, and I'm not sure if I'm more embarrassed about getting caught than actually speeding.
The system works.
The road opens up and conditions are perfect. Behind traffic, I pull out in the right, then proceed to overtake about seven or so cars as the GSXR rasps, goading me on. I glance at the speedo and I last see it hit about 130mph, I concentrate on more important matters and continue to accelerate, then pull back in comfortably. I check the parking bays for more police, and I carry on in this fashion for about seven or eight miles, enjoying the new S21s I've just had fitted. A parking bay ahead is obscured, so I check my mirrors to slow down, only now there's a Battenburg FJR1300 in each of them. Rather than wait for the lights and sirens, I pull over.
Before asked I turn the bike off, place down my helmet, then throw my jacket on top to obscure the illegal visor. My mind wanders to worst, if they followed me from the last village one possible, but unlikely, outcome here is prison. Given the general hysteria about bikers, especially in Scotland, losing my licence seems highly likely at this point. My mind races further and I remember a condition of my employment is a licence, so I'm filled with a sense of self-loathing. In any instance I'm not riding home, so I get comfortable.
"You don't know how long we've been following you do you?", says the first copper. I say nothing but acknowledge him. I don't, but if he calls a recovery wagon I should have a good idea...
We beging to "chat". There's some attempt to "scare me straight", but under the circumstances I actually take it as a positive. If they were just out to f
k me, they wouldn't take the time. This is a "hearts and minds" style booking, not a "you're off to jail sonny", which means I might be in luck. There's a degree of pleading, and I'm not ashamed to say, groveling, I make a few attempts at humour which initially don't land but eventually crack a laugh or two. Most of this peaks when I am asked to describe myself for the official record, and I describe myself as some sort of Adonis. How disappointing any manhunt would be. By the end of chat the leading copper discusses his bike briefly. I wonder if he is the only S1000RR owner in the world to never knowingly break the speed limit as not to be a hypocrite.
On the strength of my people skills and allegedly "good riding", my average speed suddenly appears to be inconsistent, and I'm now let off with 3 points and a £100 fine. I am beyond lucky, and fully aware I don't deserve it. The self loathing and embarrassment kicks in again and I'm on the A82 home. I make little attempt at progress and instead watch the Loch shimmer from behind a campervan. It would have been a lovely day.
When home, I launch my bike in the garage in record time, bugs and all, and I tell myself I won't ride the bike until April. That I will join ROSPA. That I am a changed man...
But now 48 hours after the fact, and I'm just being honest, I'm not so sure. My thoughts already turn to Spring and how much more relaxed I can be about speeds once I'm back down to 6 points. I think of quieter roads which are not regulated, I wonder which van the coppers were hiding behind, and I think of how great the bike was running up until that point. I still don't think speeding is evil in itself in certain circumstances, I still think there is a time and a place, and I'm not sure if I'm more embarrassed about getting caught than actually speeding.
The system works.
It is a funny feeling when you ride off, thinking what could have happened in the worst case scenario isn't it? Lucky? Fortunate? Stupid? All those thoughts going through your head. I know as has happened to me a couple of times.
1) I got caught doing (according to Old Bill) 143. I think it was faster. That one they left me with a no paperwork, but telling me a summons would be in the post - so I rode away stting it, and thinking the worst. I found out they had 6 months to serve the summons. It dropped on my doormat 1 day before the 6 months was up. Fortunately he had the speed in the summons as 105 - and a morning in court left me with 6 points.
2) I then managed to get caught doing approx. 100, in a 50 limit. That one was left with me getting a warning about my speed, and let on my way.
Scenario 2 made me think more than Scenario 1. Actually probably taught me more of a lesson. Scenario 1 I could do nothing about after they left me, so I just put it to the back of my mind, and forgot about it.
I think there are a few people on here have possibly had some close calls. I am thinking of one Wheelie-Kid that did one in front of a policeman!
1) I got caught doing (according to Old Bill) 143. I think it was faster. That one they left me with a no paperwork, but telling me a summons would be in the post - so I rode away s
tting it, and thinking the worst. I found out they had 6 months to serve the summons. It dropped on my doormat 1 day before the 6 months was up. Fortunately he had the speed in the summons as 105 - and a morning in court left me with 6 points.2) I then managed to get caught doing approx. 100, in a 50 limit. That one was left with me getting a warning about my speed, and let on my way.
Scenario 2 made me think more than Scenario 1. Actually probably taught me more of a lesson. Scenario 1 I could do nothing about after they left me, so I just put it to the back of my mind, and forgot about it.
I think there are a few people on here have possibly had some close calls. I am thinking of one Wheelie-Kid that did one in front of a policeman!
FJR s on the A85, surely you could have lost them on a GSXR? 
But seriously, a great telling of your story, really felt like I was there, felt the heat of the sun on my shoulders and even felt the sinking thump to my stomach when you saw the bikes in your mirrors. It was almost like getting stopped myself, a reminder to myself to reign it in a bit without the pain. Thank you.
But seriously, a great telling of your story, really felt like I was there, felt the heat of the sun on my shoulders and even felt the sinking thump to my stomach when you saw the bikes in your mirrors. It was almost like getting stopped myself, a reminder to myself to reign it in a bit without the pain. Thank you.
black-k1 said:
A lucky boy! We’re all going to get caught eventually. Good to hear about sensible policing rather than some van parked in a layby sending an unwelcome letter through the post.
Slightly off topic, I went to the Wings & Wheels event at the weekend at the Top Gear track. The coppers had their safety stand there with 3 camera vans parked on it. I would say it was the least attended stand there. That I think, says it allLOL ...the RoSPA training would have you checking your mirrors a lot more often so you actually spot them sooner, even when you are "making progress" between villages 
To be fair to trafpol I have met, I have been let off more times than nicked over the years. I think ive only ever been nicked by machine or speed camera people, rather than the trafpol who have pulled me over for a chat.
Last time, in the car on way home from airport 11pm, country A roads for 20 miles. Averaging 85mph, but slowing down to 30/40/50mph in villages etc, I remember there was a lone set of headlights in rear view mirror keeping distance from me, joined at a roundabout. Just far enough back so I cant see its a marked car at night. (note to self bloody self dimming mirrors dont help at night)
I see him as we enter a well lit dual carriageway area (oh dear, im nicked) and slow from 80mph to 60mph (the limit) and he pulls me over. Sit in car for 10 mins, get a lecture, dont lie , just be honest about doing "about 80mph" for the last 15-20 miles, except in villages. Its a fair cop, Im expecting 3pts minimum. He gets something more important come in on the radio, says he will report me later and sends me on my way. 6 months later never heard anything.
I think if you pass the attitude test and were not going too crazy, especially not exceeding limits in non NSL areas, they can use their discretion. Which to me, is how Policing should be.
To be fair to trafpol I have met, I have been let off more times than nicked over the years. I think ive only ever been nicked by machine or speed camera people, rather than the trafpol who have pulled me over for a chat.
Last time, in the car on way home from airport 11pm, country A roads for 20 miles. Averaging 85mph, but slowing down to 30/40/50mph in villages etc, I remember there was a lone set of headlights in rear view mirror keeping distance from me, joined at a roundabout. Just far enough back so I cant see its a marked car at night. (note to self bloody self dimming mirrors dont help at night)
I see him as we enter a well lit dual carriageway area (oh dear, im nicked) and slow from 80mph to 60mph (the limit) and he pulls me over. Sit in car for 10 mins, get a lecture, dont lie , just be honest about doing "about 80mph" for the last 15-20 miles, except in villages. Its a fair cop, Im expecting 3pts minimum. He gets something more important come in on the radio, says he will report me later and sends me on my way. 6 months later never heard anything.
I think if you pass the attitude test and were not going too crazy, especially not exceeding limits in non NSL areas, they can use their discretion. Which to me, is how Policing should be.
bogie said:
I think if you pass the attitude test and were not going too crazy, especially not exceeding limits in non NSL areas, they can use their discretion. Which to me, is how Policing should be.
You think the law should be applied on whether or not one person likes or dislikes you?I've been let off with probably more than i should in the past but the whole concept of 'the attitude test' does depress me somewhat.
bogie said:
I think if you pass the attitude test and were not going too crazy, especially not exceeding limits in non NSL areas, they can use their discretion. Which to me, is how Policing should be.
If only. In return for me being polite and courteous the fat that nicked me decided to submit a statement that while it didn't lie, the tone in which is was written had me down as someone who couldn't care.I'm pleased that the magistrate was a not as much a
as the fat copper R8Steve said:
bogie said:
I think if you pass the attitude test and were not going too crazy, especially not exceeding limits in non NSL areas, they can use their discretion. Which to me, is how Policing should be.
You think the law should be applied on whether or not one person likes or dislikes you?I've been let off with probably more than i should in the past but the whole concept of 'the attitude test' does depress me somewhat.
Yazza54 said:
R8Steve said:
bogie said:
I think if you pass the attitude test and were not going too crazy, especially not exceeding limits in non NSL areas, they can use their discretion. Which to me, is how Policing should be.
You think the law should be applied on whether or not one person likes or dislikes you?I've been let off with probably more than i should in the past but the whole concept of 'the attitude test' does depress me somewhat.
To be fair 'the attitude test' has worked well for me in the past so i really shouldn't complain but the idea of it still grinds on me for some reason.
Yeh but the cops are there to uphold the law, not enforce it so deciding who does and doesn`t get nicked based on their personal impression is wrong.
I wouldn`t think this way if I hadn`t seen some shocking attitudes from cops. Why can`t I decide I don`t like the coppers attitude so I`ll just wait till the next one nicks me ?
I wouldn`t think this way if I hadn`t seen some shocking attitudes from cops. Why can`t I decide I don`t like the coppers attitude so I`ll just wait till the next one nicks me ?
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