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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 11:40 PM
  #21  
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Default RE: Speeding

Yup, I've heard it from LEO's too. I'm pretty sure traveling slightly faster than surrounding traffic was advocated in the KS state motorcycle handbook when I first got my MC license 23 years ago as well.
ORIGINAL: R1Geezrglide

I generally run slightly above the surrounding traffic-even a LEO suggested that. Just keep it within reason. Now, if you are running one of the Houston highways, that could be anything up to 90....That traffic MOVES! Lookout though, certain areas will get you ticketed. [sm=bustedsign.gif]
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 12:25 AM
  #22  
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Default RE: Speeding

Just be smart and you'll never have a problem, and don't bother with dectectors or stealth gadgets. There mostly useless, or at best the idot light on them is just saying "gotca". They only worked properly way back when the police used continuous emission style radar systems.
The newer ones are limited range dopler radar or lidar systems. Unlike the older systems that needed to actually get a series of return signals to calculate your speed, that's how detectors could tell they were around.
The newer systems operate in standby mode until the officer wants to check somebody. He pulls the trigger and needs only one very short coded pulse to get you.
You'll only get a warning if he checks somebody less than a mile in front of you, and only if your on flat ground.
Now you know why they like to set up radar traps to hit you as you come over a hill. You get little or no chance for a warning and he only needs that one pulse to get you.
Laser or lidar (Laser Radar) systems are even worse, from a bikers point of view. Many if not most are well enough focused that they can aim at your headlight, hit you with one micro second pulse and have you. Meanwhile the detector mounted on the handlebars never had a clue you had been targeted.
Strange as it may seem you have a better chance of evading a lidar system if your bike has lots of chrome on it. Mirrored surfaces will deflect more of the lidar beam in directions other than back to the emitter, just like a stealth plane.
If the emitter can't get a decent return signal, it can't tell how fast your going.
So buy more chrome, not useless detectors.
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 12:30 AM
  #23  
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Default RE: Speeding

dynrdave,

I feel your pain, I got hit by the DC Speeding Camera about a year ago in my cage. I personally hate the idea of a camera issuing a speeding ticket. To me it screams "F YOUR SAFETY, WE JUST FOUND ANOTHER WAY TO TAKE YOUR MONEY". But then again, we are talking about the same city that tried to find a way to tax no residents that work in the city.... it's all about the revenue. Good news, if you pull up the city website and look a bit, they tell you where the cameras are located.

Personally, and I hope the LEO's on the site don't call me on this, I rely on my winning smile and fire department plates to get me out of those minor speeding indiscretions. "I know I should know better, but it's so hard to turn off that driving style.... and you wouldn't want me driving the speed limit if the ambulance was for your mother..."
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 12:31 AM
  #24  
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Default RE: Speeding

I just ride and worry about it when I get caught. I did get stopped one nite doing 74 in a 55, but I got lucky and talked my way out of it. It also helped that he knew me.
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 12:38 AM
  #25  
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Default RE: Speeding

just the other night, on my way home from work on the RK Police- i passed one of our Traffic cars..... i was rolling at about 100mph.

but- even when i ride my personal RKC, i can honestly say that- while i rarely ride the speed limit (and often push my luck at well above 75mph) i cant remember the last time i was pulled over.
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 12:43 AM
  #26  
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Default RE: Speeding

When I get pulled over, I just say, "What officer? How fast did you say I was going? I would never ride that fast after I drank that much!!"
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 12:55 AM
  #27  
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Default RE: Speeding


ORIGINAL: Citoriplus

Just be smart and you'll never have a problem, and don't bother with dectectors or stealth gadgets. There mostly useless, or at best the idot light on them is just saying "gotca". They only worked properly way back when the police used continuous emission style radar systems.
The newer ones are limited range dopler radar or lidar systems. Unlike the older systems that needed to actually get a series of return signals to calculate your speed, that's how detectors could tell they were around.
The newer systems operate in standby mode until the officer wants to check somebody. He pulls the trigger and needs only one very short coded pulse to get you.
You'll only get a warning if he checks somebody less than a mile in front of you, and only if your on flat ground.
Now you know why they like to set up radar traps to hit you as you come over a hill. You get little or no chance for a warning and he only needs that one pulse to get you.
Laser or lidar (Laser Radar) systems are even worse, from a bikers point of view. Many if not most are well enough focused that they can aim at your headlight, hit you with one micro second pulse and have you. Meanwhile the detector mounted on the handlebars never had a clue you had been targeted.
Strange as it may seem you have a better chance of evading a lidar system if your bike has lots of chrome on it. Mirrored surfaces will deflect more of the lidar beam in directions other than back to the emitter, just like a stealth plane.
If the emitter can't get a decent return signal, it can't tell how fast your going.
So buy more chrome, not useless detectors.
I always thought the baggers, with all the fiberglass around them, made it hard for a radar signal to return.
Tom.
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 01:00 AM
  #28  
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Default RE: Speeding

All my speeding stories are from my youthful days........now I just ride with the flow of traffic...but out in the rural areas I'm always over the limit by 10-15mph. Haven't been ticketed or pulled over yet. I'm must have that RUB Lawyer look.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2006 | 01:02 AM
  #29  
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Default RE: Speeding

ORIGINAL: tmitchellof PG
I always thought the baggers, with all the fiberglass around them, made it hard for a radar signal to return.
Tom.
Fibergalss is invisible/transparent to radar, so it still "see's" all the metal under it.

BTW most aircraft nose cones that have radars behind them are made/reinforced with fiberglass.
 
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 01:07 AM
  #30  
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Default RE: Speeding

Take the windshield off and you'll slow down some. Works for me - I put mine on sometimes in the winter, and find myself driving like you describe.
 



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