Richmond Va chatter

[ddlewis]

Originally Posted by bastardbiker

...I went out for a short ride downtown to enjoy the air and a VCU cop wrote me a ticket for standing up on the footpegs. Reckless driving of all things!

We've been round this before. The law in Va says something about riding only on a seat attached to the bike..

However MSF instruction and the dmv motorcycle handbook advise standing when riding over rough surfaces. So there's some wiggle room.

I'd look up the laws and what is said word for word in the manual and in the MSF instruction and argue it in front of the judge. Clearly the roads are rough around VCU.

Jerky cop for giving you a ticket.. I've only heard of warnings, never a ticket until now. lucky you!

[OldnoGPS]

SST is actually Super Slow Tard (Bob. C.) ADV'er in Charlottesville since '04 or so.
Funny, I know both SST's
Hey SST Ric in Richmond!

[ddlewis]

http://law.justia.com/codes/virginia...ter8/46-2-909/

says:

2011 Code of Virginia
Title 46.2 MOTOR VEHICLES.
Chapter 8 Regulation of Traffic (46.2-800 thru 46.2-947)
46.2-909 Riding on motorcycles, generally

Universal Citation: VA Code § 46.2-909 (2001 through Reg Session)

46.2-909. Riding on motorcycles, generally.
Every person operating a motorcycle, as defined in 46.2-100 excluding three-wheeled vehicles, *shall ride only upon the permanent seat attached to the motorcycle, and such operator shall not carry any other person. No other person shall ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride on the permanent seat if designed for two persons, or on another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the seat for the operator. If the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, it shall also be equipped with a footrest for the use of such passenger.


*emphasis added by me..

[bwalsh]

Originally Posted by Sic Semper Tyrannis

If you ever wanted to play bluegrass at all and are learning, new, played a long time ago, getting back into it, whatever. PM me and we can set time to pick out a few basic BG tunes. My instructor can set me up with tab for whatever you play.

I'd love to but I live in Front Royal.

[btblueskies]

Originally Posted by ddlewis

http://law.justia.com/codes/virginia...ter8/46-2-909/

says:

2011 Code of Virginia
Title 46.2 MOTOR VEHICLES.
Chapter 8 Regulation of Traffic (46.2-800 thru 46.2-947)
46.2-909 Riding on motorcycles, generally

Universal Citation: VA Code § 46.2-909 (2001 through Reg Session)

46.2-909. Riding on motorcycles, generally.
Every person operating a motorcycle, as defined in 46.2-100 excluding three-wheeled vehicles, *shall ride only upon the permanent seat attached to the motorcycle, and such operator shall not carry any other person. No other person shall ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride on the permanent seat if designed for two persons, or on another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the seat for the operator. If the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, it shall also be equipped with a footrest for the use of such passenger.


*emphasis added by me..

I read a post not long ago on this forum about someone alerting us to a 'Motorcycle Advocacy Group' here in Virginia that was trying to get some helmet laws changed.... I wonder if this is something we can ping them about as a possible issue to formally consider. Does anyone remember what that group is... it's hard to search through pages and pages on this forum... at least for me until I get better at it I suppose.

[bwalsh]

Originally Posted by btblueskies

I just took the the MSF course this summer and several of the exercises were to stand up and use your knees as shock absorbers on rough roads or when encountering obstacles.

In addition, it was taught in the Adv Riding Course to 'STAND UP' as it increases ability and visibility and stability.

The MSF course teaches you to stand while crossing over an obstacle(2x4, etc) in one exercise and it's just to get across the obstacle, not continue to stand.
(ADV riding, as in off road?) yes, you may want to stand in that situation but it's off road...

Originally Posted by ddlewis

We've been round this before. The law in Va says something about riding only on a seat attached to the bike..

However MSF instruction and the dmv motorcycle handbook advise standing when riding over rough surfaces. So there's some wiggle room.

I'd look up the laws and what is said word for word in the manual and in the MSF instruction and argue it in front of the judge. Clearly the roads are rough around VCU.

Jerky cop for giving you a ticket.. I've only heard of warnings, never a ticket until now. lucky you!

From the VA. DMV handbook...

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv2.pdf

Body Position
To control a motorcycle well, your body must be in the proper
position.
Seat – Sit far enough forward so that your arms are
slightly bent when you hold the handle grips. Bending
your arms lets you turn the handlebars without having
to stretch.

Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles
Watch for uneven surfaces such as bumps, broken pavement,
potholes, or railroad tracks. If you have to ride over them, or
obstacles such as a piece of tire tread or tailpipe, here’s what
you should do:
If time permits, slow down to reduce the jolt.
Make sure the motorcycle is straight up.
Rise slightly off the seat with your weight on the foot
pegs so you can absorb the shock with your knees and
elbows.

Unfortunately it is illegal to stand on the pegs...

[jgiacobbe]

Originally Posted by ddlewis

http://law.justia.com/codes/virginia...ter8/46-2-909/

says:

2011 Code of Virginia
Title 46.2 MOTOR VEHICLES.
Chapter 8 Regulation of Traffic (46.2-800 thru 46.2-947)
46.2-909 Riding on motorcycles, generally

Universal Citation: VA Code § 46.2-909 (2001 through Reg Session)

46.2-909. Riding on motorcycles, generally.
Every person operating a motorcycle, as defined in 46.2-100 excluding three-wheeled vehicles, *shall ride only upon the permanent seat attached to the motorcycle, and such operator shall not carry any other person. No other person shall ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride on the permanent seat if designed for two persons, or on another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the seat for the operator. If the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, it shall also be equipped with a footrest for the use of such passenger.


*emphasis added by me..

So the day I rode around with my seat not bolted down I was illegal

[Sic Semper Tyrannis]

Originally Posted by OldnoGPS

SST is actually Super Slow Tard (Bob. C.) ADV'er in Charlottesville since '04 or so.
Funny, I know both SST's
Hey SST Ric in Richmond!

Just call me Sic.....

[Guy Young]

Originally Posted by jgiacobbe

So the day I rode around with my seat not bolted down I was illegal

Faulty equipment too, Ref.: missing rear brake caliper pin.

.

[ddlewis]

Originally Posted by jgiacobbe

So the day I rode around with my seat not bolted down I was illegal

It doesn't say bolted down, just "attached". Yours was firmly attached by the law
(of gravity )

I found the same thing bwalsh just posted.. DMV motorcycle handbook and the MSF basic rider course use exact same language re: obstacles or rough uneven surfaces.. "rise slightly off the seat". Not super helpful for bb's case.

Guess it comes down to: The judge, how rough was the road and how long were you standing on the pegs.

[Boon Booni]

Originally Posted by ddlewis

It doesn't say bolted down, just "attached". Yours was firmly attached by the law
(of gravity )

I found the same thing bwalsh just posted.. DMV motorcycle handbook and the MSF basic rider course use exact same language re: obstacles or rough uneven surfaces.. "rise slightly off the seat". Not super helpful for bb's case.

Guess it comes down to: The judge, how rough was the road and how long were you standing on the pegs.

He's not the first I've heard of getting a ticket in VA for standing. I've read about 1 or 2 others, think they were reduced from reckless to improper operation or some such.

[Guy Young]

Originally Posted by Boon Booni

He's not the first I've heard of getting a ticket in VA for standing. I've read about 1 or 2 others, think they were reduced from reckless to improper operation or some such.

Ditto that.

And I'm just as guilty (on occasion) for not "having full control of my vehicle."

I have a "bad" habit of taking both hands off the bars (on occasion) when I have the cruise engaged and.I feel it's safe. One particular day I had them off for a nice stretch of 4-lane Rte. 15 north of Williamsport, PA on my way to a rally in Wellsboro, PA. Early evening, slight drizzle, no traffic in my lanes, and I was happy as poo just booking along singing(?) in my helmet. Probably rode that way for 10+ miles. It was just one of those moments.

.

[jgiacobbe]

I wonder if perhaps we all missed the real point.

Don't go around town especially VCU standing on the pegs. I've seen most of us do it for extended periods of time out on the back roads. I'm just as guilty as everyone else of stretching my legs going down the road. Truthfully, I figured if I was ever stopped I'd just have to politely explain that I was stretching my legs and giving the rear a break.

It really sucks that it is rated as such a bad offense, but I assume it is written that way so they can go after stunters. I guess it also rules out there ever being a street legal trials bike in VA.

[toddzacker]

So Skychs said he was at training for the last for days in St Louis & sent me a pic...


I thought was a cool pic, and i felt a little jealous. I started reflecting on my training trip to Mexico last week...






I decided I wasn't that jealous any more. But if that prick starts sending pics of his trip to Australia that he went on for 4 weeks, then I'd be a little jealous...

Let have a drink when you get back...

[pplassm]

Originally Posted by bastardbiker

The officer seemed to have a chip on his shoulder and a very bad attitude. Makes me appreciate the good guys out there on the beat that much more.

Well. It WAS a VCU cop. I've heard a thing or two about them from other riders. None complimentary.