coppers
 

Does anyone know if pc plod are out in force this bank holiday picking on bikers again ?

They were easter bank holiday, pulling every biker for a routine check, exhausts, small plates etc in Matlock Bath.

Would not suprise me... they normally do this at the start of the season to keep everyone on their toes...bugger it...:ninja:



Ant

yeah, they came along to our local easter egg run and took down all the small number plates in the nake of safety then ignored the guy who had metal showing through his rear tyre but still took his small plate details, money raising or what, theres absoultely on intention safety or awareness in these clampdowns :flame::flame::flame:

:sniff: yawn.....:yawn:

does any one know if the dangerous tsspot riders are out this weekend to spoil it for the rest of us?

Dunno mate, you got any shifts? :D

No unfortunately.........got to have 4 days off.......:(;)

from a coppers point of view then andy where is the safety awareness in taking soemones number plate and not pointing out how dangerous hisbold illegal life threatening tyre was. this guy isnt a mate of mine we just happened to park up next to him, he was about 55 ona triumph 955i and he knew better but wanted to do his bit for charity, he didnt have a ridicilousy small plate, he'd only cut the dealers name off the bottom as he wasnt happy with the customer service from them



p.s yes we are out this weekend :bouncy::bouncy::bouncy:

On the theme of 'smaller' number plates Andy, do you know if its an old wife's tale that if you're number plate is only 6 rather than 7 digits, as long as the number size and number spacing is legal can the plate be slightly less than standard 9 x 7.

Or is this complete boll ocks?

WHY oh WHY do bikers have this MASSIVE thing about small plates?

And then WHINGE when the police stop them?

It's a bit like walking up to the biggest scumbag in a pub and calling him a w****r and complaining afterwards because you've no teeth left.

Everybody knows where the police will congregate so why don't you go somewhere else?

Mind you, on second thoughts you carry on and then I can enjoy my ride in peace on the roads I've found simply by looking for the twistiest roads on a map.

My God I'm getting old......I'll be buying a b*w next:lol::lol:

good point phil but would you expect 2 coppers to turn up at the start of a charity run quoting "safety and awareness " issues and then not deal with the safety issues right under their fat noses. i dont have a small plate so im not whinging about it but i am complaining about the ******** these two fat TAX men were talking about when there was far more serious safety matters they should have been looking at, all they were interested in was £30 please sir

did the guy doing a wheelie up the estate were we met get done NO
did the guy doing a burnout get done NO
did the guy who turned up with practically no silencer get done NO
did the guy who cut off the logo off the dealer he didnt like get done YES YES YES

please explain which is the worst offence or why they all werent done ???

I think there is only one talking bollox here...............We all know the rules, and probably more pertenant, the interpretation of the rules..........go beyond that and you put yourself on offer quite frankly!

How do you know these others wernt investigated? perhaps they couldnt identify the bloke doing the wheelie as he had an illegal number plate on...............good job he didnt kill one of our loved ones.................!:D

[Edited on 29-4-2006 by andyb]

Someone i know got pulled up for speeding last year, ( radar gun) the copper had a few words with him, then let him off.............................
why you mite ask ?..........pretty obvious really.......he was a copper himself !!! just produced his action man badge.

In this last week on the roads I do most of my riding on there has been 3 bike fatalities that I know of. With this kind of thing going on you really cannot expect the police to not be out in force. They have to do something or at least be seen to be doing something. The area of Devils Bridge, Settle, Hawes etc is full of bikes at the weekend and some of the behaviour from a good proportion of these bikers is dodgy to say the least.

Recently at weekends I have had groups of bikes overtaking me through 30 and 40 limits with their noisy cans blaring away etc. Also almost had a bloke on a Mille R hit me head on, in fact if I had not slowed to half the speed I normally do that bit of road on to let a friend catch up I would not be writing this now. I am fortunate in that working for myself I can get out pretty much when I want during the week and this is what I have been doing. I come across people I know on my mid week runs out that I would never see at the weekend as they just will not venture out when the idiots are on the road.

I agree that doing people for small plates etc is hardly a safety issue in the same way people with race cans on are not any more dangerous. But what can you expect the police to do? They must get a fair few complaints from the residents on many biking routes about the noise and anti social riding from many of the bikers during the summer months. Also the police are in the unenviable position of having to attend the scenes of fatalities and such.

I have been done myself in the past for small plates and termis etc and had to take it on the chin because its the law. However I was almost arrested one time as I was getting a ticket for the termis as a couple of nights earlier I had disturbed two intruders in my house and chased them away (I was well prepared lets just leave it at that!) The police took an hour to come and phoned back for directions twice! I only live less than a mile from the police station. I argued with the 5! police men stopping bikes for small plates etc about where were you when I had 2 men breaking into my house etc etc and was warned I would be arrested if I continued in such a manner. Not good public relations?

Except for the termis on the 996r I keep both my bikes as standard as possible these days as I can do without any unwanted attention.

Small Number Plates
 

I don't have a lot of sympathy with those of us who choose to ride bikes fitted with small number plates. Having said that I believe the police are more pedantic in their treatment of bikers than motorists.
Let me give you an example. Count up how many motorists with personalised number plates alter the spacing between digits and letters to such an extent that you can't see what the real registration identity is. 5's are often changed to S and sometimes the spacing is so wide the plate makes you think the vehicle was registered in Holland!
Now I believe this is a far greater bending of the rules than a small plate on a bike but the Police either don't seem to notice or choose to ignore this offence.
The DVLA warn personalised Reg. owners that if they mess about with the spacing etc. the personalised number will be consficated.

Perhaps this is where the problem is. The police have these stupid targets to achieve and it seems to be all in the name of money these days, instead of going out and catching the people that pull wheelies or do handbrake turns in crowded areas and at some point end up hurting someone and people who drive without tax/insurance, end up knocking a child down and then can't be traced..that must be so frustrating for the officers investigating and awful for the families who can't get justice for losing a loved one.


Im all for a bit of stunt work but there is a time and a place, theres to much emphasis on loud cans/small plates because joe public complains about it (its like moving to a village near an airport and then asking them to keep the noise down coz they can't hear the telly) instead of doing the right thing and locking up aholes that think they can get away with murder coz theres no one to stop them, which consequently makes life harder for the rest of us.

I don't mind the police being out on a weekend as long as they pull people for something serious..the government and the police authorities have they're priorities all wrong.

:mad::flame:

There are a lot of things in this world that i love to look at or listen to, a luscious sounding bike is one of them, its one of the reasons why i ride a bike and one of the things that reminds me im alive.:bouncy:

Ant

[Edited on 29-4-2006 by Chief R.B.]

I don't mind the police being out on a weekend as long as they pull people for something serious..the government and the police authorities have they're priorities all wrong.

THATS THE POINT IM TRYING TO MAKE !!!

i dont have a small plate so im not whinging about it just saying why i have no respect for the people talking bollox about small plates being a safety issue whens its all down to fines and targets. if it was safety why didnt the guy get done for his tyre, andy i know he didnt as he was parked next to me, he found it amusing but sad at the same time, he would have understood a ticket for the tyre but not his plate :(:(

" I have been done myself in the past for small plates and termis etc and had to take it on the chin because its the law. However I was almost arrested one time as I was getting a ticket for the termis as a couple of nights earlier I had disturbed two intruders in my house and chased them away (I was well prepared lets just leave it at that!) The police took an hour to come and phoned back for directions twice! I only live less than a mile from the police station. I argued with the 5! police men stopping bikes for small plates etc about where were you when I had 2 men breaking into my house etc etc and was warned I would be arrested if I continued in such a manner. Not good public relations? "

another fine example of the great police force we have to rely on. my bike got stolen a few years ago,i reported it then 3 weeks later someone turned upto take the details. makes it worth while paying my taxes :(

I probably was talking bo*****s ( I have a standard to keep up you know ) but not in the context of a safety issue. I suppose one reason people fit small plates ( Other than to look good ) is so there is less likelyhood of a witness being able to get the registration number when the rider is in hooligan mode.

That's probably where the police come from. BUT as ariel said, why don't the police stop the car owners with truly blatant alterations to their plates. That has become one of my pet hates. I'm sometimes tempted to photograph the plates and send the photo to the DVLA as some are almost unrecognisable. God, how sad is that?:lol::lol:

I forgot to mention that when I was having my details taken by the police for the Termis a whole gaggle of TVRs Caterham etc came through the same village (must have been an owners club run out) and it was LOUD! I remember having to pause my conversation with the police for a couple of minutes till they passed. Did they pull a single car to check over? What do you think!

Quite possibly. Stay off the A6 and head in to Matlock then on to Matlock bath ... just watch the speed camera between the 2.

I've found it best to head in to Matlock via A615 ... Wessington / Tansley etc. Not many police along this route and not many places they can set up a spot check pull in area.

I know youve caught me..............but i want to come up with some cock and bull story to get away with it!...........and in any case, instead of getting me, why dont you go and get them instead!!!:lol::lol::lol::pig:

:D:D:D at leats its all in good humour andy

how do you stand on it as a biker and not a policeman :puzzled::puzzled:

Not really the case with me mate. Copper asks if cans have bs stamp, dont think so says I, are they road legal? he asks, dont know I say he then writes out the ticket. I know there are not legal so its a fair cop etc. As for the TVRs etc that came by sounding as if armageddon was upon us I only needed to raise an eybrow to the officer to make my point.

I certainly have not got it in for the police, its a difficult job etc etc. But it does wind Joe public up a bit to see 5 coppers pulling every bike up when short of a murder being commited you cannot get the police to attend to other crimes.

A couple of weeks ago during a torrential downpour I saw a man sprinting past my house carrying a massive sack which looked very dodgy to me. As my house is of the beaten track I watched where he went which was the woods at the bottom of my garden. I went to look over the fence at the bottom of my land and just the other side of it he was sorting through the bag of clothes and household items and for some reason stuffing items down his trousers! Seemed dodgy to me all he needed was swag written on the bag to make it more apparent that it was stolen property. I walked back up the garden and called the police and was told they would get someone out. Went back and watched him through a small hole in the fence for about 20 minutes and then as I was getting wet I walked back up to the house for my coat. On arriving back to observe the man I looked over the fence and he turned round but I ducked down but he must have had a glimpse of me as he legged it still carrying the large bag. Still no sign of the police (am 1 mile from the station) I went back up to house and took the car round to the other side of the woods but could not see the bloke. The police never turned up at all. Not the first incident like it and wont be the last. A year ago a saw a couple of lads hanging round very late at night where I live. Its very dark and quiet down here at night as its a dead end lane to my house. After a while I sneaked up to where these lads were now hiding behind my wall and asked them waht they were up to. They give me a cock and bull story about having broken down and walked off over the fields. I waited a while and then followed them only to witness them breaking into a empty house. I called the police and waited and waited and waited. Nothing! by now I was only 1/4 of a mile from my local police station. Eventually after about 30 minutes I went round the back of the house and they were by the back door with various items piled up to take with them. Fortunatley they legged it over a fence and were gone. I rephoned the police and waited another 30 minutes and gave up and went home.

3am the other morning there was 2 lads stealing stone from a new build near to my house. You know what I didnt even phone the police. Just went home and went to bed.

martin your too damn good, you should apply to be a special at your local station

nice comment mate.

I would but I'm unsure whether the place is operational or not.

Doesnt seem to be much sign of life down there!

or even as a police biker!....................

With the number plate thing i say theres the law, theres acceptable and then there taking the pi**! Do the 3rd your gunna get a ticket i would suggest!

On cans, you have to look at it a bit further than just cop out to get biker. I know there aqre several places around the country where bikes meet..........can you image living near by? Having this every wednesday or whatever........
There are more people to try to please than just the bikers!

true but ive never seen a car with a wholesale sized baked bean can for a exhaust get stopped :D:D:D

i know the laws the law but theres ways around policing it, i guess everyones got a different idea of whats right and wrong

Selective policing springs to mind,summers day spent stopping bikes and handing out tickets in the name of road safety,much better than chasing round catching criminals,risking being hurt,having to claim compensation if you see anything nasty.The law might be the law,but clever lawyers know that theres a difference between the law and police prodedure,ask a premiership footballer.Difficult to be positive about policing nowadays,if your unfortunate enough to need them,you know they wont be there,well not for several days anyway,busy attending other calls,probably bikes with small plates.

Sorry but this is getting boring... can someone at least come up with a new variation on this whinge???
We all know the rules, if we choose to flout them we pay for it.
Endex!

We all know the rules about number plates, exhausts, speeding etc. you know if you're breaking them so why whinge about getting caught!?!
Also, if your bike gets stolen and it can't be "recognised" by Mr Vigilant Police Officer on Patrol or on the National database from a roadside camera because the number plate is too small then it's less likely to be returned to you :P

Ah here we go small plates again.
I cant see the problem, its not as if the ducati looks dreadfull with a full size plate (or do many bikes in fact) and they hardly slow us down, so i really dont think its worth the hassle. at the end of the day the law states we must have a plate a certain size, fair enough. we have gotten away with it for years and years in the past and now unless you have a barn door fitted to the back expect to get your collar felt.
The black visor law is just stupid and i think the majority of police would agree and only a few jobsworths would bother anyone for a visor (esp if you keep a clear with you incase you are out later than expected etc etc)
Ducati's also seem to get away with far more in terms or pipes too, IMO there is nothing more invading that the sound of a IL4 wailing down a race can at speed, ducati's are often just as noisy with the std systems but far less obtrusive and offensive.
Anyway back to the plate thing, i have gone to the other extreme, on the little YSR80 gag bike i went for a larger than legal plate - about 4 inches larger actually just to take the ****, its not often you can hear anyone say that they got thier plate down is it ? not only does the bike look comical on the road with a 5'11 rider who weighs a healthy 15 stone, but a massive plate bigger than the bike really makes the bike look smaller and even the local police can see the funny side.
Northwales police have a bad rap, most are actually ok and live in the real world and are carrying out that divvys instructions under duress, however look at it from thier point of view, weekends are full of bikers from all over getting creamed on thier roads, making too much noise upsetting people and sheep and pushing up the accident stats, so something has to be done.
Avoid the usual IL4 brigade routes (aften not the best roads anyway) and you will have no problems.

Anyway back to the plates, i blame suzuki esp the srad era, as the owners almost have tail tidys and small plates and loud cans as std, as it attempts to mask the seriously ugly arse end. that is the john prescot of bikes IMO

[Edited on 30-4-2006 by crm250]

We all know the rules, we all know the rules blah, blah, blah!!
That's not what we're discussing here though is it. It is selective policing and the fact that certain police chiefs and certain police forces within this country, deliberately choose that their priority will not be ensuring the safety and security of the general public, it'll be to make a quick bust (and a fast buck) by harrassing, because that's what it is, a section of the motoring public that choose to use a particular form of transport as their leisure interest.
How do they do this, by pretending that noisy exhausts and undersize number plates deserve more police attention than your house being burgled or your children being mugged of their mobile phone.
Their obviously is a section of the biking fraternity that are a nuisance to themselves and others, but this doesn't justify the masses of police presence and their sometimes heavy handed and over zealous approach to "public safety".
Until policing in this country is 'seen' to be effective and fair, by concentrating on issues that are really at the forefront of the general publics concerns such as street crime, violent crime and drug abuse etc, then the authorities in charge have only themselves to blame for the very low esteem that the police are now held in.

When was the last time anyone saw one of those!!

On the subject of noisy cans and bikes, when was the last time you saw a Harley pulled for loud exhausts, them mothers run straight thru pipes .But go on any Harley site and youll see no bitchin about getting pulled.

Double standards or the fact Harleys ride at 20 mph everywhere :puzzled:

perhaps ther s no bitch's?:D

when i had my gixxer 1000 last year i had an inline plate .on my way back from stratford upon avon i was pulled over the copper gave me a telling off and sent me on my way but never fined me .There are some decent coppers out there.and before you all ask i did change the plate:P

Most of whats been said here is shite............i, and i would know, do not know of any selective policing, to do with number plates, dark visors, or exhausts!

I dont know of anyone ever being done, or anyone doing any one for these offences!

FWIW, i caught a burglar in a stolen car today!..........and i was off duty!:pig::sing:

Did you stop him for a dodgy plate :lol:


Only joking well done mate, i got stopped yesterday for a small plate on my moto by plod on a dr 350, the bloke said ill not do you today its too sunny, top bloke and we had a good chat...nice one :D

You've got to be kidding me, then we're all making it up then!!
Boxhill, Alton station, Lords Derby, all meets where I've personally seen police pulling and doing people for the above. A friend was pulled on easter sunday in the ****ing rain on the M3 for a major 'public safety' infringement (small plate), the copper forced him into the hard shoulder, and then almost got runover by a passing truck as he got out of the car, what an example to set.
I do appreciate that it's your job and that you're probably very proud of it, but burying your head in the sand doesn't mean that there isn't a problem with policing today and that politics plays a large part of it that problem. I too work for a civil service (albeit slightly less public) but would welcome some one coming into my branch and sorting out the wheat from the chaff.

Which civil service do you work for?:puzzled: