MOPED ARMY

I've been hammered (once) for speeding...but for the most part cops don't even notice mopeds, any more than the other cagepushers do, especially when we got right of way.

The only time yer really gonna catch hassle from a cop is if he thinks you stole it, look too young, or is really bored - that's if yer behavin, mind.

You happen to ride a wheelie past the 7-11 while giving them the bird, they're obviously gonna notice...that's on you.

Most states set the limit for a moped somewhere between 30-35mph, and as long as one is reasonably discreet, simply showing up in court with the moped manual will get the ticket chucked, once his honor stops laughing too hard to do so.

I've used the spec manual for the Tomos Golden Bullet TTLX in my defense more than once.

Rated Top Speed - 30mph

(radar said WHAT ? are you nuts?)

Rated Stopping Distance from 30mph - 100 Feet

(and it was HOW far to that yellow light, officer ? wouldn't have done me much good to stop in the middle of the intersection, now would it...hmmm?)

Just keep all yer paperwork and your specs/owners manual on you, and be reasonably discreet, and it's all good.

-R

not to mention it is very hard for a damn radar gun to pick up such a little bike so any "radar" mesurment they have is freaking bullshit! fight all speeding tickets you get on a motorcylce or moped because radars CAN NOT get an accurate reading. all radars pick up the biggest object. i drove past a radar trap once and i was doing 20(bike speedo)and somone was coming on my ass fast and it said i was doing 35 so it picked up the car. so in conclusion cops are dumb. lol some are cool. but if you keep your head down and ur ped isnt that loud you will be perfectly fine.

-mike

Miguel,

Pedestrian, 3.5 mph, either side of the pavement regardless of direction, no turn signals, no brake lights, no rear view mirrors, no restrictions on trailers (strollers, shopping carts etc.).

We're safer on the road! : )

Ron

I've had quite a few conversations with cops in Missouri. Most I've encountered are only vaguely familiar with the law, so I carry a copy of the MO Drivers' Guide and the state statutes defining motorized bicycles. I've found them to be good to me and they don't really mind as long as I ride within reason. I've also found that the existence of pedals (although not required) really causes them to ignore me. My best experience was when I got pulled over so the cop could ask where he could get one! The law here states:

30 mph max. on flat ground

3 hp max brake horsepower

50 cc or less

automatic transmission

your brakes must be able to stop you within 25 feet when traveling 10 mph

you must have a normal drivers' license (no motorcycle endorsement needed)

no registration necessary

you need lights/reflectors for after dark

no helmet required

Ree, I wonder if the item about braking distance would have been a problem in your defense angle? Needless to say, I agree with you and that is why I carry the owner's manual and other documents.

Chris

Well, my old manual listed the braking distance from 30mph at 100feet, which was an unusually conservative estimate given that it would come to a dead stop in maybe 30feet stock, and after upgrading...in an emergency 45-slide "crash-stop" - it could be stopped in EIGHT feet.

The reason I ran a yellow light that day was that I had a rather large car tailgating me, and the LAST time I had stopped for a yellow in that situation, the bastard slid into the back of my 'ped and punted me out into the intersection like a soccer ball...other than scrapes and bruising, no real damage done, but I was pissed enough to chase him (on foot) with the intent of doing not-nice things to his vehicle....he took off, of course, and I decided to grab my 'ped afore someone ran it over.

But the mere fact that a cop would DARE try to ticket me for running a yellow, less than a week after that happened, really pissed me off, and I was going to make an ass out of him in court....I likely woulda got a warning, but he came all attitude over me and sure, I gave him a lil bit of verbosity on the matter and he whipped out citation book.....not that it did any good given that I had the owners manual AND the accident report from the previous incident.

I hate cops, really I do.

-R

You should be able to find out exactly what your state requires over the net. You also here about people being pulled from their cars and being beaten for no good reason but it hasn't happened to anyone I know. If you want to carry your manual with you, print a copy of the state laws pertaining to mopeds and carry it as well.

Most folks really don't know the law verbatum. If you have it with you, you can show it to the officer just don't act smart about it (like "yes hell I can, it says so right here. So you can go suck an egg officer") Police officers are into ego's. Even if you get off, if they want, they'll follow you and pull you for some small pinny anny thing just to write you a ticket or wait until they see you again.

If you get pulled, you just happened to of put it in with your manual when you were making sure that you were studying the state law because all ya want to do is be a model citizen. You don't have to suck up to them but it does help to at least be polite. If they are looking for a fight, you really don't want to be the one that gives it to them.

Jamie

I should say that the State Police, here in Maine, are tough, reasonable, fair and have a good record of being safe and honest.

They've had some problems, but nothing I consider 'bad'.

My experience with city cops is much different, much less tact, higher job turnover etc. etc.

Has anyone ever been to a "Beach Town" during a period of low unemployment....?

Around here, it's "O.O.B", the Oob. Old Orchard Beach, where all the tourists come down to ride the wimpy amusement rides and walk the pier-- guys with loud stereos on their moped, fat cars, etc.

Anyway, when the Fast Food places are desperate, and start paying you 8.50 to flip a burger, the Townships have a lot of trouble beating the bigger chains. McDonalds can write it off as a loss, but a Town has to raise taxes or do in deficit to the State funds...

The point is, that they hire people who have no brain, or no experience....at low pay, in an area where there are numerous bars and a ton of late night traffic.....

When you think about it, a really crafty criminal would make a lot of contacts by being a cop for a summer season.... Confiscate, get names and information-- let everyone go, and tell them you won't be a cop for long----by the time you get fired you'll have a little black book with all the names of the people in the local underground criminal scene,,,,

I haven't setttled, yet, and we had to use the money from the moped for other bills. I will get one though.. perhaps even a scooter too..

.

I hope you get a decent settlement quickly,Wayne.That's a bummer for sure! I know where you live the weather's probably getting a little bleak,but think about the runnin' you're gonna be doin' on that new `ped and POSSIBLY scooter and you should cheer up.Cheer up,Gadget Man!!