Am I just unlucky or are Auckland cops arseholes?

[centaurus]

About a month ago I was passing through Auckland on my way to Northland, during my holiday. Knowing the chance of meeting cops on the motorway was high, I kept it below 100kph.

On the toll road north of Auckland, where the two lanes merge into one to go through the tunnel, I tried overtaking a car in front of me before the merge. The cop was at the bottom of the hill but I didn't see him. He saw me riding for 5 minutes at least, under 100kph and speed up for 2-3 secs, then (when I noticed him) brake and drop back to 95kph. He pulled me over and ticketed me for 127kph (I'm not even sure I went that fast).

This weekend I went to Auckland to pick up a new bike - xr650. After looking at it, I decided to do a short test-ride. Being in the suburbs, I didn't think twice - just jumped on it thinking I will ride it to the corner and back. By the time I was back (1 minute ride) I had a cop on my back. The bike's rego wasn't valid anymore and it had no wof either.

After explaining to him all this, and the fact that I've just driven all the way from Wellington, I was tired and I just forgot to grab my helmet, he still fined me for no helmet. I know technically he could have fined me for no rego, no wof, etc, etc, but it was obvious I wasn't going anywhere and I wasn't a danger to anybody - just a ride to the corner and back.

Am I just really unlucky, or all the cops in Aucks are arseholes. And being pulled over in less than a minute somewhere in suburbs really freaked me out - it felt like they had been watching me all the way, waiting for me to do something illegal. All the way back (650kms) I've been watching my car's rearview mirrors expecting cops to pop up around every corner and from under any bush, pull me over and find something to fine me for.

[kermitt]

your not really paranoid they ARE watching you

[jellywrestler]

After explaining to him all this, and the fact that I've just driven all the way from Wellington, I was tired and I just forgot to grab my helmet, he still fined me for no helmet. I know technically he could have fined me for no rego, no wof, etc, etc, but it was obvious I wasn't going anywhere and I wasn't a danger to anybody - just a ride to the corner and back.

.

the other penalty for a no helmet is being a big red smear on a road somewhere!
You're a complete fool to get on a strange bike, in a strange area and ride without a brain bucket at the very least.
The fact that it was unwarranted and unregistered means it could've been sitting for a while. what sort of condition could the throttle brake cables be in? what sort of shit could be lurking in the carb and jam the throttle on?

I'd say you got off lightly

[Virago]

So you're riding a bike on a public road with no reg or Wof, while not wearing a helmet?

That's not bad luck mate, that's sheer stupidity.

[huff3r]

Havent you learnt? Don't bash the cops on KB else you'll get exposed as an egg-head

Happens in every thread, bashing people who bash cops had become more common than bashing on cops!! (And i totally support this change )

[p.dath]

That is pretty unlucky - but being a licenced rider you should know the rules and can't complain when they are enforced.

Chances are you could do that 999 times and not get caught.

[mattian]

yeah.... cops should just turn a blind eye and let everyone ride without a helmet. what WAS his problem!!!?????

[Jonno.]

Time to get a radar and put your helmet on

[Maha]

yeah.... cops should just turn a blind eye and let everyone ride without a helmet. what WAS his problem!!!?????

Yeah true that, I will never get a bigger laugh than form those that come on here a bleat about the unfairness of a Cops action.
Spoke to a biker the other day at a stop, yes it was about being ticketed, he said '' we all know the rules eh mate''?
Certainly do, suck it up and stfu who really cares.

[breakaway]

Slow down, rossi.

[CHAPLIN]

paranoid?, nah, but just remember they now have the power to track you on the internet [insert x files theme]

[PrincessBandit]

..... was back (1 minute ride) I had a cop on my back. The bike's rego wasn't valid anymore and it had no wof either.

After explaining to him all this, and the fact that I've just driven all the way from Wellington, I was tired and I just forgot to grab my helmet, he still fined me for no helmet. I know technically he could have fined me for no rego, no wof, etc, etc, but it was obvious I wasn't going anywhere and I wasn't a danger to anybody - just a ride to the corner and back.

Am I just really unlucky, .......... All the way back (650kms) I've been watching my car's rearview mirrors expecting cops to pop up around every corner and from under any bush, pull me over and find something to fine me for.

Yeah, but did it make any difference to your riding? If so for the better then maybe it's been a lesson well learnt. It not then I don't think you're gonna learn anytime soon.

[CookMySock]

You don't need a 130k burst of speed to pass cars - just slide past them at the speed you are cruising at.

Wear your helmet.

Whats hard about that?


Steve

[centaurus]

Oh, thanks a lot, you guys! You are a bunch of sweethearts!

There is such thing as the spirit of the law and the letter of the law and I truly believe I didn't break the spirit of the law.

I'm assuming none of you has ever ridden over 100kph or without a helmet in his/her life. in your eyes there's no room for error.

i'll remember your "kind thoughts" next time you come in here and winge about something.

[centaurus]

Yeah, but did it make any difference to your riding? If so for the better then maybe it's been a lesson well learnt. It not then I don't think you're gonna learn anytime soon.

You're wrong princessbandit. It was not a lesson well learned. It just made me jumpy and instead of watching the road and traffic I kept looking in my mirrors and watching the sides fo the road for cops. From Auck to Welly there are so many temporary speed restrictions (that nobody obeys but you can get burned for) that you have to keep your eyes on the speedo all the times. Between mirrors, road sides and speed I wasn't left with any time for watching the actual road and the other cars.