Earlier today, Saturday, January 17 (freezing my ass off, even in FL as of late, coming home to get to work on time on wide open section of road, not a vehicle or intersection in sight...figured I would make some quick time (freezing cold w/ the wind and the sun starting to go down) and opened her up for maybe 1/4-1/2 mile.
Well, I just start to slow down as I'm coming over a rise in the road (being safe not knowing what is on the other side) and, "Holy S**t!" A FL Trooper coming the other way. I pulled over immediately (sorry, don't want to be looking at a felony evade), I was very courteous praying for some compassion. He wrote me the ticket for 152 in a 55 and said I had to appear before the county judge on anything over 30 mph. Oh boy, was I just a hair over that!
With new, stringent FL laws against motorcyclists specifically, I wasn't sure if I was going to get arrested, bike impounded or what. He said it's common to get about a $500 fine. Of course I know of a guy who got busted doing a wheelie from a stop light and got handed a $1,150 fine! FTR, I don't wheelie or any of that crap...I'm a two wheel rider.
I know some of you see 152 (as written?) and flip out. Honestly, I don't believe I was even going close to that fast and that he likely didn't even have the radar gun ON just cruising north that time of day (he mentioned he was driving with it in his lap?). My firm belief is that he completely guesstimated, which leaves my speed up to a matter of opinion and debate for a good traffic lawyer.
From my understanding, based on hearsay at this point, is that all of a Trooper's actions including speed on the gun is recorded. If he can't provide the speed on record (which I should have asked to see...doh!) then it's an argument to be had.
I had a gentleman tonight tell me that a judge in that county (a very popular motorcycle county, btw) would tell defendants caught travelling at high rates of speed (100+) to shutp up, sit down and "not to plead guilty and get a lawyer" otherwise he would be "forced to impose THE LAW!" Kinda' giving them an out to a more reasonable fine upon their return with a lawyer.
In my own defense, for what it's worth, it's not like I was hauling the mail down an everyday, populated road. And it's not as if I don't understand some of the backlash I may receive. It was a very calculated, quick acceleration of speed with no cars in sight, no intersections in sight and with nothing but trees on either side. The biggest threat would have been to a deer that crossed the road at that particular time.
Some of you may say keep running, but possible felony evade is not what I possibily (even remotely) want to be facing. He was turning around before I even reached him.
I'm sure there are those here that have never been over 100 and that's good because some people freak out approaching that speed. If I was ever given a chance on the Salt Lake flats (right place for it), heck I'd be curious as to how fast I would go. I have jumped out of planes and repelled off cliffs, but don't tag me as the guy doing a wheelie down the freeway in traffic.
I've been riding 25 years and have yet to go down..blah, blah, I know. But, it's because I am very calculated when I ride, look at any potential problems way ahead of my ride and have my head on a swivel. Those who have really ridden with me know I am not a fool on a bike. It just happened to be the wrong time for a quick burst of throttle in a stretch that was harmful to no one but the pavement and my tires. Otherwise I never would have been "at speed."
Thanks for "any" input. Good or bad.
Well, I just start to slow down as I'm coming over a rise in the road (being safe not knowing what is on the other side) and, "Holy S**t!" A FL Trooper coming the other way. I pulled over immediately (sorry, don't want to be looking at a felony evade), I was very courteous praying for some compassion. He wrote me the ticket for 152 in a 55 and said I had to appear before the county judge on anything over 30 mph. Oh boy, was I just a hair over that!
With new, stringent FL laws against motorcyclists specifically, I wasn't sure if I was going to get arrested, bike impounded or what. He said it's common to get about a $500 fine. Of course I know of a guy who got busted doing a wheelie from a stop light and got handed a $1,150 fine! FTR, I don't wheelie or any of that crap...I'm a two wheel rider.
I know some of you see 152 (as written?) and flip out. Honestly, I don't believe I was even going close to that fast and that he likely didn't even have the radar gun ON just cruising north that time of day (he mentioned he was driving with it in his lap?). My firm belief is that he completely guesstimated, which leaves my speed up to a matter of opinion and debate for a good traffic lawyer.
From my understanding, based on hearsay at this point, is that all of a Trooper's actions including speed on the gun is recorded. If he can't provide the speed on record (which I should have asked to see...doh!) then it's an argument to be had.
I had a gentleman tonight tell me that a judge in that county (a very popular motorcycle county, btw) would tell defendants caught travelling at high rates of speed (100+) to shutp up, sit down and "not to plead guilty and get a lawyer" otherwise he would be "forced to impose THE LAW!" Kinda' giving them an out to a more reasonable fine upon their return with a lawyer.
In my own defense, for what it's worth, it's not like I was hauling the mail down an everyday, populated road. And it's not as if I don't understand some of the backlash I may receive. It was a very calculated, quick acceleration of speed with no cars in sight, no intersections in sight and with nothing but trees on either side. The biggest threat would have been to a deer that crossed the road at that particular time.
Some of you may say keep running, but possible felony evade is not what I possibily (even remotely) want to be facing. He was turning around before I even reached him.
I'm sure there are those here that have never been over 100 and that's good because some people freak out approaching that speed. If I was ever given a chance on the Salt Lake flats (right place for it), heck I'd be curious as to how fast I would go. I have jumped out of planes and repelled off cliffs, but don't tag me as the guy doing a wheelie down the freeway in traffic.
I've been riding 25 years and have yet to go down..blah, blah, I know. But, it's because I am very calculated when I ride, look at any potential problems way ahead of my ride and have my head on a swivel. Those who have really ridden with me know I am not a fool on a bike. It just happened to be the wrong time for a quick burst of throttle in a stretch that was harmful to no one but the pavement and my tires. Otherwise I never would have been "at speed."
Thanks for "any" input. Good or bad.
Last edited: