Police pulling me over.........

[Dec66]

I'd prefer they stop people if they're unsure and check. If stopping riders who are operating outside the terms of their license is an "easy collar" then good on them.

The more unlicensed road users caught, the better.

And there's that "IF" again..!

Are the people they pull operating outside the terms of their licence? And by what ratio?

You don't know. I don't know.

 

[Dec66]

If you had a harley you wouldn't have much of a choice but be stopped. As they tend to struggle with the whole moving bit

How many times have you been stopped on your PX125?

I haven't. I said that in the post.

My local plod are demonstrably intolerant of a whole heap of things, so perhaps I should be grateful that they have the good sense to realise that 125cc or less is not necessarily indicative of criminal activity.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

I haven't. I said that in the post.

My local plod are demonstrably intolerant of a whole heap of things, so perhaps I should be grateful that they have the good sense to realise that 125cc or less is not necessarily indicative of criminal activity.

Apologies, I must have missed that.

The point I was going to come onto. Is that maybe in your area, there isn't a large number of 125 riders without l-plates.

It will of course vary from region to region. I can't imagine even the Police wanting to waste their time checking a license that is more often than not, fine.

 

[Dec66]

Apologies, I must have missed that.

The point I was going to come onto. Is that maybe in your area, there isn't a large number of 125 riders without l-plates.

It will of course vary from region to region. I can't imagine even the Police wanting to waste their time checking a license that is more often than not, fine.

Well, I live in South East London.

What do you reckon?

 

[Drago]

Maybe I should get a Harley.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

No idea, I am over 200 miles away.

However, if I was going to make assumptions I would say that 125 usage in London is extremely popular amongst full license holders. Considering their price, and cost to run in comparison to alternative transport methods around the city.

The infrastructure is entirely different to where I am, or in Yorkshire. Where I'd say 125 usage amongst full license holders is far less common.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

You can ride a moped with L plates after completing your CBT, or if you want you could opt for the new AM licence by taking your theory test and then a practical test. This will allow you to ride a moped (either scooter or motorcycle style) up to 50cc with a top speed of 45 km/h (around 28mph) without L plates, and to carry a passenger.

At 17 you can take a 2-stage practical test, after passing your CBT and theory tests, to get an A1 licence. This category will allow you to ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc (with maximum power of 11 KW) without L plates, and to carry a passenger.

At 19 can get an A2 Motorcycle Licence allowing you to ride a motorcycle or scooter with power up to 35KW (46.6 bhp) which will typically mean up to 500cc engine size, or a restricted version of a bigger more powerful model.

There are two ways to qualify for an A2 licence:

First if you have held an A1 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test.

Or second if you are 19 or older you can take the Direct Access route by completing your CBT and passing your Theory Test and Practical Tests.

You are then allowed to ride any A2 category motorbike or scooter without L plates and to carry a passenger.

After holding an A2 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test and get an unrestricted A Motorcycle licence

At 21 you can get an A Motorcycle Licence, allowing you to ride any motorcycle or scooter of any size or power. There are two ways to qualify for an A Motorcycle Licence:

One, if you have held an A2 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test.

If you haven’t held an A2 licence for two years and if you are aged 24 or over, you can take the Direct Access route by completing CBT, Theory tests and a practical test.

You are then allowed to ride any motorbike or scooter without L plates and to carry a passenger.

It depends which end of the license spectrum you are. The A2 basically means you can restrict a BMW S1000RR and ride that for two years, or buy something like a Yamaha MT-03 which is within power limits standard spec, or something like the MT07 which is not power spec but restrictable. To me, at least locally the typical 125cc L plated bike has all but disappeared..


I must also correct myself, I possess a full category A license since 24/10/05, waaay before CBT and the current licence system was introduced.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

The A2 basically means you can restrict a BMW S1000RR and ride that for two years

If you restrict a bike, I think it cannot be restricted to less than HALF of it's original power. Which means the S1000RR would be out for A2. Also, the license still doesn't auto upgrade.

 

[Cubist]

Can I just throw in a point or two?

Police officers don't need any suspicion of "malfeasance" to stop a motor vehicle being used on a road.

Police officers do not boost stats through easy pickings in these sort of circumstances.

 

[Dec66]

Can I just throw in a point or two?

Police officers don't need any suspicion of "malfeasance" to stop a motor vehicle being used on a road.

Police officers do not boost stats through easy pickings in these sort of circumstances.

Point 1: so people are stopped for sh!ts and giggles, then?

Point 2: no, of course not.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...ice-force-tricks-to-fiddle-crime-figures.html

 

[Profpointy]

I'd prefer they stop people if they're unsure and check. If stopping riders who are operating outside the terms of their license is an "easy collar" then good on them.

The more unlicensed road users caught, the better.

That's all fine and dandy, but how many times should a law-abiding person reasonably expect to be stopped for a "routine check" before it becomes, well, harassment ? Weekly, daily, morning and evening ? I used to drive an old car, and I was stopped at least once a week and it got very irksome to be honest. One rather rude PC actually said "well what do you expect driving an old car ?" Really not good enough

 

[PhilDawson8270]

I'd say it only really becomes harassment if it is the same officer making the stops.

If various officers are making the same assumptions. It obviously becomes irritating but if each only does the stop once there's been no harassment.

 

[Cubist]

Point 1: so people are stopped for shoots and giggles, then?

Point 2: no, of course not.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...ice-force-tricks-to-fiddle-crime-figures.html

As you are absolutely determined to argue that black is white , can I point to google and suggest search terms for "police authority to stop and check motor vehicles"?

Forgive me if I choose an entire working life's worth of first hand knowledge over a Telegraph article.

 

[Cubist]

Yebbut.... you would say that....

There are more insightful answers available but to be honest I've been struck by a massive attack of ennui!

 

[Dec66]

As you are absolutely determined to argue that black is white , can I point to google and suggest search terms for "police authority to stop and check motor vehicles"?

Forgive me if I choose an entire working life's worth of first hand knowledge over a Telegraph article.

Yes, the police can stop a vehicle for any reason.

But not for no reason.

Which is why, when stopped, I always ascertain as to why.