ChCh trialling police bikes currently.

**onearmedbandit** · 2nd March 2005, 14:20

This I know from first hand experience this morning. Crossing Bealy Ave on Durham St from a stop, the front got light over a bump (substantial) in the middle of the intersection. I thought nothing of it and continued on my way, only to stop at the next intersection, about 300 metres away, to hear sirens and see flashing lights a distance away approaching. Cop on a bike and two in a mufti car. Got the lecture from m/c cop about how he's been riding for 30yrs and that it was an intentenial wheelie, how I leaned forward to counter-act it, etc etc. Young cop gets out of the car and informs me there is no way I'm leaving without a ticket, which upon viewing my licence (ahem) he decides to charge me with breaching my licence conditions.

Until that is the Senior Sargent decides I should be done for Careless use, onearmed pulling a wheelie was his story. Damn it. I don't have to go court, but it will mean a hefty fine. I should say the younger cop (early 30's?) took my cell phone number and said he would make enquiries as to how I can get on the right class of licence.

Had a good chat with the biker cop (older guy) and the younger cop about my bike, riding in general, my clutch setup etc etc. The younger cop apologised and said he had to do as his senior told him. Chucked my helmet back on, gloved up and got a pat on the shoulder from both of the cops I was talking to, and carried on my way.

No bad feelings on my part, maybe the older cop was a little heavy giving me careless but such is life. I'll write in explaining my actions and see how it goes.

**onearmedbandit** · 2nd March 2005, 14:22

Oh yeah, the main point. Christchurch is doing a trial run on reintroducing biker cops, so becareful guys. (As he pulled up to me I was leathered up, tinted visor etc and he yelled to me 'I don't want a race!'. No point in doing the runner, would've had my reg already and it was close to the centre of town.)

**vifferman** · 2nd March 2005, 14:32

So was it an intentional wheelie?
Edit: Phark it. This is dumb; obviously it wasn't really a safety issue (given that the cop noted you were well in control "leaned forward to counteract it", etc.) so what's the point?:spudwhat:
If you'd popped a wheelie and looked like you narrowly saved it from crashing, yeah, fair enough.

Ah, whatever...

**Oakie** · 2nd March 2005, 14:40

More importantly ... what sort of bike do we need to watch out for? (...it's not as if my FXR150 could do a wheelie ... but it has been known to advance down the road rather rapidly)

**jrandom** · 2nd March 2005, 14:43

Originally Posted by Oakie

it's not as if my FXR150 could do a wheelie ...

Eh wot? Wot wot wot?

You know not that of which you speak, grasshopper.

**White trash** · 2nd March 2005, 14:43

When I did a pathetic wheelie, I was arrested and then charged with dangerous driving. You got lucky son.

**jrandom** · 2nd March 2005, 14:46

Originally Posted by White trash

When I did a pathetic wheelie, I was arrested and then charged.

Too right. No room on the road for sad wannabe wheeliers like you. Glad to see the cops enforcing some standards for once.

**bear** · 2nd March 2005, 14:47

Originally Posted by Oakie

More importantly ... what sort of bike do we need to watch out for? (...it's not as if my FXR150 could do a wheelie ... but it has been known to advance down the road rather rapidly)

Probably a big white one with a flashing light on the back.

**jrandom** · 2nd March 2005, 14:49

Originally Posted by bear

Probably a big white one with a flashing light on the back.

... that says 'POLICE' on the side.

Always something to watch out for, that sign on the side saying 'POLICE'. I find that more often than not, those bikes are being ridden by coppers. YMMV.

**vifferman** · 2nd March 2005, 14:50

Originally Posted by Oakie

...it's not as if my FXR150 could do a wheelie ...

Originally Posted by The randomj

Eh wot? Wot wot wot?

You know not that of which you speak, grasshopper.

Perhaps you could lend him your heavy posterior... :spudwhat:

**Sniper** · 2nd March 2005, 14:50

Haha, thats a bit harsh isnt it JR.

OAB, I personally would have congratulated you on how you set the bike up, asked you not to do it again and then tried to race you. Best of luck with charge though, hope it gets dismissed

**jrandom** · 2nd March 2005, 14:52

Originally Posted by vifferman

Perhaps you could lend him your heavy posterior... :spudwhat:

Tut. That particular nugget of gettin'-it-up goodness ain't got nuffin to do with me arse. It's all in the left-hand technique.

**onearmedbandit** · 2nd March 2005, 14:59

Yeah the bikes a big white BMW with a light on the back and POLICE on the side. If I was going to pull a wheelie on purpose I would've seen the bike and mufti (late model commodore with two uniforms in it) and ridden super slow. I didn't, I took off not slow but not quick either and the front wheel rose off the deck, according to the bike cop, 200mm. I felt it, and yes I leant forward to counter it as I had no intention of pulling a mono (no girls to show off to, you know! PT) in town at that point and time. But they saw it differently. I'll present my side of the case when I write in.

**vifferman** · 2nd March 2005, 15:03

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

I took off not slow but not quick either and the front wheel rose off the deck, according to the bike cop, 200mm. I felt it, and yes I leant forward to counter it as I had no intention of pulling a mono .

Sounds like it would be easy to get off, especially given the difficulty of co-ordinating clutch and throttle with one hand.