Running from the Law

[Paul in NZ]

I can't be arsed finding ALL the previous threads on this... (hey I did try - honest)

If you still think this is a cool idea, go buy the latest BIKE magazine. The one with the 2005 'New Metal' feature.

They took a couple of sports bikes, a Police ST 1300 and a Police car to the testing track and let them have at it. The results were surprising! A bit of a worry actually!

It's a reasonably balanced article (IMHO).

I would not try it myself as just imagine running from the law on my Guzzi! Ha Ha! The tension would cause me to do somma daft and I would end up in a hospital bed and be banned!

Mind you. The long arm of the law might laugh so hard they could forget to give me a ticket!

Paul N

[Deano]

They took a couple of sports bikes, a Police ST 1300 and a Police car to the testing track and let them have at it. The results were surprising! A bit of a worry actually!
Paul N

Is it really comparable though ? Factor in traffic, alleyways and the attitude of the runner and it could be a whole different ballgame.

So what were the results anyway ?

[Paul in NZ]

Is it really comparable though ? Factor in traffic, alleyways and the attitude of the runner and it could be a whole different ballgame.

So what were the results anyway ?

Well the point the Police made was the opposite! They pointed out that the track was not really fair because it is relatively one dimensional. Traffic, road conditions, stress etc etc all add up in their favour on the road. Add in the training and the experience (one guy a veteran of 60 chases)and the odds are stacked in their favour.

As for the results... I'll have to look it up tonight but the police riders were faster on the ST than the run of the mill joe public on CBR600's and an Aprilia (I think) and only 0.1 of a sec off the fastest time when riding the magazines Fireblade.

The big shock to all was how fast the Opel Omega (3.2V6) patrol car was. Only a couple of sec's off the pace.

You should read the whole piece but the conclusion basically was the longer the chase the more likely you are to get nailed! Once the chopper has you! Phht!

Paul N

[**R1**]

Is it really comparable though ? Factor in traffic, alleyways and the attitude of the runner and it could be a whole different ballgame.

So what were the results anyway ?

yeah when you factor in that a bike is less than a meter wide and a car is over 2m, 0-100 on a bike is around 3sec's and a fast car is ???? guessing here but i would say 6-7sec's i think i will still take my chances doing a runner

[**R1**]

Well the point the Police made was the opposite! They pointed out that the track was not really fair because it is relatively one dimensional. Traffic, road conditions, stress etc etc all add up in their favour on the road. Add in the training and the experience (one guy a veteran of 60 chases)and the odds are stacked in their favour.

As for the results... I'll have to look it up tonight but the police riders were faster on the ST than the run of the mill joe public on CBR600's and an Aprilia (I think) and only 0.1 of a sec off the fastest time when riding the magazines Fireblade.

The big shock to all was how fast the Opel Omega (3.2V6) patrol car was. Only a couple of sec's off the pace.

You should read the whole piece but the conclusion basically was the longer the chase the more likely you are to get nailed! Once the chopper has you! Phht!

Paul N

I have seen a GSXRthou on TV 2up out run a chopper, very impresive , but here i dont think our roads are long enough

[Coldkiwi]

Well the point the Police made was the opposite! They pointed out that the track was not really fair because it is relatively one dimensional. Traffic, road conditions, stress etc etc all add up in their favour on the road. Add in the training and the experience (one guy a veteran of 60 chases)and the odds are stacked in their favour.

One COULD argue that habitual lane splitters (quite possibly those most likely to do a runner in traffic) train every day! How often do our police biking cops get to go mad crazy through the traffic without getting in trouble? I imagine the average cage driver would get all bent out of shape if the constabulary took to lane splitting like some of us do (i'm innocent really), given that they're supposed to be model citizens right?

And I guess motovation has to come into it. Does the runner want to get away more than the bike cop wants to really risk his life getting him?

Stress is a good point though. I've never had to try (may that remain so) but stories from others here indicates that the adrenaline can certainly cause the normal skill and judgement levels to go AWOL

[Paul in NZ]

One COULD argue that habitual lane splitters (quite possibly those most likely to do a runner in traffic) train every day! How often do our police biking cops get to go mad crazy through the traffic without getting in trouble? I imagine the average cage driver would get all bent out of shape if the constabulary took to lane splitting like some of us do (i'm innocent really), given that they're supposed to be model citizens right?

And I guess motovation has to come into it. Does the runner want to get away more than the bike cop wants to really risk his life getting him?

Stress is a good point though. I've never had to try (may that remain so) but stories from others here indicates that the adrenaline can certainly cause the normal skill and judgement levels to go AWOL

Look I did not really want to launch into this but given the airing the topic had I though people might like to go look at the article for some hard data.

I think most HP effectively train every day by doing the job plus they are far more used to moving through traffic in a stressfull condition faster than the other traffic. (plus the traffic tends to get out of their way) Factor in that they have nothing to lose as it's not their car and it matters not to them if they get you or not and i think they have a decided advantage!

Paul N

[madboy]

The outcome of a pursuit is based as much on luck as it is on the pursuer or pursuee. Each pursuit is based on a set of variables that are 20 pages long and swing in either parties favour. Some goodie good gets your plate, some dropkick cuts you off, you get too cocky and headbutt the road, the 5-0 can't drive, oh shit - you strike the one in 100 5-0 that can drive!!! Variables a mile long.

In general I think it's fair to say the bike has a performance advantage (good point about width!!) but get a good wind blowing or a wet road, who's gonna be split then?

The bike mag was from UK? I understand the UK cops, particularly the specialist traffic guys, have a much much higher standard of training than our guys. No disrespect to the NZ guys, but many of them just aren't up to the mark to be engaging in high speed pursuits. And their cars aren't necessarily that hot either.

I heard there was going to be some training and rating system put in place to rate both the officer and the vehicle. Like the highway patrol (and their cars) would be rated to chase, but the out of practice prison escort guy in his van wouldn't, etc etc... Don't know what came of that.

[Coldkiwi]

I think most HP effectively train every day by doing the job plus they are far more used to moving through traffic in a stressfull condition faster than the other traffic. (plus the traffic tends to get out of their way) Factor in that they have nothing to lose as it's not their car and it matters not to them if they get you or not and i think they have a decided advantage!

Paul N

you reckon? when was the last time you sat on the motorway and saw a cop on a bike come flying past so fast you thought 'crazy bastard!' Now I'm sure we've all seen a sports bike (or hells angel harley) doing that at least once.
Given the weapon of choice for flying through traffic, I'd certainly be chosing a light weight high performance sports bike over a and heavy BMW1150 or ST1300 and in all honesty, who wouldn't??

[scumdog]

yeah when you factor in that a bike is less than a meter wide and a car is over 2m, 0-100 on a bike is around 3sec's and a fast car is ???? guessing here but i would say 6-7sec's i think i will still take my chances doing a runner

Keep taking your chances pal, one day the chance will take you!!

And it takes a whole lot less to arse up a scoot when things go wrong.

[Blakamin]

yeah when you factor in that a bike is less than a meter wide and a car is over 2m, 0-100 on a bike is around 3sec's and a fast car is ???? guessing here but i would say 6-7sec's i think i will still take my chances doing a runner

So you do those speeds around corners in full traffic?? FUCK OFF!!!! you can lane split ... where in NZ???... how many roads are full of 2 lane traffic??? there's still something that was told to me in the '80s... you can't outrun motorola.... think about it....
I'd love to see you ride from wellington to levin and back at 5 pm friday with a cop car chasing you....
I take back what I said... you're still a dick


sorry for the hijack Paul!

[NC]

I've done it...
Got away with it...
The last time I did it, I didn't even know that I was being chased until I got told wayyyyyy down the road :sly: :unsure:



Blakamin....
That's some crazy shit if you can do that, at those times

[Blakamin]

Blakamin....
That's some crazy shit if you can do that, at those times

crazy shit if you can do 100 at that time... on a bike or in a cage... and the trucks would soon fuck him if he thought he could "lane split" in manakau or ohau or even the bends after otaki.... glad I dont have to wipe bikers up for a living...

(having a bitch coz I nearly ran some stupid c*nt over in barbie van at 9.30 lastnight thinking he could overtake me at 130 on a bend.... missed the dick by inches when he pulled in front to avoid Kenworth comning the other way)

[mangell6]

How fast do radio waves travel at???

Running from the law is like gambling at the casino, the odds are always in favour of the house.

[Coldkiwi]

I'd love to see you ride from wellington to levin and back at 5 pm friday with a cop car chasing you....

hey, the heavier the traffic, the more advantage the bike has! Have you not tried following an emergency vehicle through rush hour? I feel bad about overtaking them but sometimes they really go so slow waiting for people to pull over!

besides, you only need to outrun the motorola for as long as they know where you are as soon as he's put 500m of motorway in between them, what are the odds of figuring out which off ramp, which arterial route and which side street you've dissappeared down?