After having a couple of our finest blast past today with lights and sirens at full noise (one pulled over a Kia people-mover ) my mind started to wonder/wander (I was on a freeway)...
Many of us (including Mike and Mal, our very own Leyland brothers) have been pulled over recently and have had 'discussions' regarding the legality of modifications. "That's illegal". "No it isn't". "Yes it is". "OK, fair cop"... so I was wondering - what modifications are we most commonly pulled over for? Exhaust too loud (what about the Harleys)? Indicators too close together? Fender eliminators? Or are these things just used to nail us after we've been targeted by the latest safety push on the spurs/putty/chain of ponds/wherever?
I guess the long and short of it is that many mods do not comply with ADR, and discussions are had during the process of reminding us the dangers of riding on mountain roads. Although our inquisitor did not like to be argued with, they were not handing out fines, merely making us have the mods removed.
I dont like their tactics of catching people a couple of Ks over, nor do I like the look of the standard fender. But then I don't see the need to treat a windy gravel covered road as a race track. The results of such actions are the reasons for the presence, and is something we have to expect.
If we have modded our bikes in an illegal fashion, I would not expect the police to simply ignore it while they are there. However, if they have nothing better to do then chase minor discretions while far more serious crimes are being committed, then they have their priorities wrong.
All up, my fender eliminator was the only non ADR part of my bike and I got in trouble once in 36,000km
Just get used to it .... the minor infractions we get stopped for are purely for revenue. It's a soft option for pollies who are too scared to rock the boat for the majority ( ie cages ), by instituting real reform by way of SERIOUS driver/rider training.
I've spent over 40 years of my life riding bikes .... the rest of it, I wasted ..
If it's got wheels or tits, it's gonna give you trouble !
HCST #2
Team Black '09 ..... R.I.P. - 2011.
Back in Black....2011.
Thanks Mike. I wasn't suggesting any wrong-doing on your part, it really was an idle thought whilst riding down the Monash. A 'degrees of wrongdoing' thing I suppose. I've always assumed that once pulled over, something can be found (which is why I'm a big fan of being polite and courteous ).
DaveGPz wrote:Thanks Mike. I wasn't suggesting any wrong-doing on your part, it really was an idle thought whilst riding down the Monash. A 'degrees of wrongdoing' thing I suppose. I've always assumed that once pulled over, something can be found (which is why I'm a big fan of being polite and courteous ).
No issues here, I knew the fender eliminator was a bit wrong - but as the plate was visible I didn't see the harm. And I guess that is the point of the initial post - are some of these 'rules' just a bit pointless? Sure, if something is dangerous it should be corrected; bald tyres, red headlights etc. But for something minor it's just nit picking.
) my mind started to wonder/wander (I was on a freeway)...
