a ticket for loud exhaust.......they are nothing new. I have gotten tickets for that same thing, but that was in 1977. i got the ticket, changed back to stock, went to the inspection, passed, put the loud exhaust back on , all in less than a hour. Getting tickets for loud exhast is nothing new, all it is going to do is allow the cops to pull us over and run our names in the puters. it was happening in the 70's ,80's and 90's, Just a excuse to profile and check us out.some cops are fine and some are............hmmm cant really state that opinion out loud......

 

This would seem like the big issue to me: In many states there are laws which address moving left or changing lanes away from stationary emergency vehicles. The guy gave you a choice between a moving violation ticket verses a non-moving violation ticket; if he wanted to be an ***, he would have written you for both.

As a thirteen year state trooper, I usually stay out of these discussions on the message board because it is a losing battle; there are people who will never have an open enough mind to objectively see both sides of the coin. The only thing that I would ask is: that if a vehicle is parked on the side of the road, please change lanes and move away from it. Most laws address emergency vehicles, but it should be common courtesy for all vehicles.

 

Sounds to me like you asked for it, who in there right mind buzzes a LEO with his motorcycle like that..Sorry, if I was the LEO you and I would really have a nice long chat. where i live you have to get as far to the left or right of the officer as possible when he is out of his car..consider yourself lucky he gave you a choice..Hope you learned something.[sm=biker.gif]

 

Kansas law states that upon approaching emergency vehicles on the side of the road, if lanes are available for you, you MUST move over and give the emergency workers one clear lane in which to work. Giving him "at least two feet" more than likely directly resulted in his decision to stop you.

 

I couldn’t agree more with the need to give officers, tow vehicles, and anyone else on the shoulder as wide a berth as possible, always changing a full lane over if your fellow motorists will let you. We now have such an ordinance where I live.
I don’t however condone officers playing games with offenses just so they can issue some kind of ticket. If he broke a law then ticket that offense.
If there is law to cover what was done then warn and educate. It’s supposed to be the law, not “Deal or no Deal”.

 

I am sure the Officer is thinking "Bet he won't pull THAT chit again".......and he is probably right.

 

He gave you a choice, and that is rare (you just can't argue a speeding ticket very well...the LEO wins). But, what is the law in your state or area? If there is none, or there is no objective method of determining dB level, I'd argue it! Why have anything at all on your record if you can avoid it?

Had the same happen here...a pack of 10 or so running the main drag legally (coming back from a canyon run day ride and heading to late lunch) were funneled into a parking lot. The LEO said my exhaust (Python IIIs on an FXSTC) were "too loud". I asked why he thought that and by how much did they exceed the ordinance...he could not answer. I had a copy of the ordinance with my registration and insurance card and used it!

Here, the dB level must be measured three feet from the rearward exhaust, at idle and at cruise RPM and must be done using a specific dB meter and set up. I told him I didn't think I was too loud, but that I'd be happy to wait for the equipment to be brought out (on a Sunday afternoon!).

We got a warning and rode off.

Not to be a smart ***, but if there is a law, LE should be required to employ it objectively, not at wem and whimsy.

 

If I was forced to pass within a "couple" of feet of anyone near the roadway, let alone a LEO, I would be going much less than the limit and backing off the throttle. Common courtesy.

 

You got stuck with an azzhole. If he doesnt have a decibel reading, fight it, get it thrown out if you can, and he loses his little grudge match. Hopefully he will get a real bike someday.........

 

You could beat it in court since the officer doesn't have a decibel reading. You could also beat a speeding ticket without a pace or reading taken from measuring device. The question you have to ask yourself is IS IT WORTH IT? Chalk it up as a learning experience so next time change lanes or coast by him.