Caught ridin' dirty......

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:26 am

ooooook guys.... So I was on my way home from class yesterday at Texas State, in San Marcos. Cruising along at a modest 30 mph, not wearing a helmet.

I look up, and see a motorcycle cop in the turning lane going the opposite direction as me. As soon as he saw me, he busted a U-turn and proceeded to pull me over.
***Being the punk a$$ that I am, I have taken the written portion of the motorcycle test, but never got around to the driving part. Therefore I do not have a MC license.

So the cop hops off his bike, robust mustache and aviators. Trying to play the "fellow motorcycle enthusiast" card. Leading me to believe that he wouldnt write me a ticket....

Yada yada yada I got 3 tickets:
-No Helmet
-No MC license
-No proof of insurance (which I have, just not in my bike)

Pretttttty weak......
Oh and the best part is, as i was being written the ticket, 3 scooterists sped by, not wearing helmets.

Below is a picture of this fine gentleman , which I found on the San marcos PD website.....enjoy

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:44 am

dude that sucks. jonny law has nice stash though.

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:18 pm

I to ride the dirty way but i don't do anything to draw attention like not wearing the helmet.
road test july 22nd

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:55 pm

Its legal to ride without a helmet if you are over the age of 21. Also if you HAVE A MC LICENSE, it is legal.......Why did this prick pull me over? He just got lucky that I actually dont have a license yet.
I have a reputation to uphold here.

...scooter is goofy enough, I cant rock a helmet around all these fine college girls

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:57 pm

ahhh, i live in NY, we can't think for ourselves here so the state likes to keep us safe with helmets

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:59 pm

denskies wrote: I cant rock a helmet around all these fine college girls

oh really??

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:07 pm

Ray Knobs wrote:
denskies wrote: I cant rock a helmet around all these fine college girls
oh really??

my point exactly.....the stigma of scooterists.....is.......nerdy

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:09 pm

would you F with a guy with a giant spike? I wouldn't

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:12 pm

hahahahaha, well said sir

MacJac · Post by **MacJac** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:47 pm

You just reminded me - I'm on a permit, and need my MC license by end of next month. I hope Johnny Law at least complimented your ride.

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:02 pm

it is legal in TX to ride without a helmet IF (and only IF) you have a special endorsement on your license. That endorsement shows that you have either finished the MSF course and/or have life insurance of a specific amount (i can't remember what that amount is).

But it has to be endorsed on your license in the state of tx to be able to ride legally without a helmet.

laxer · Post by **laxer** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:32 pm

Ray Knobs wrote:
denskies wrote: I cant rock a helmet around all these fine college girls
oh really??

Nice legs there Ray

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:57 pm

Thanks, but that's just a google image.
I do have nice legs though

dmwarren · Post by **dmwarren** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:46 pm

Denskies,
Cristy is correct. It is illegal to ride in TX without a helmet, unless you are exempt:

"Effective September 1, 1997, persons at least 21 years old are exempt from wearing a motorcycle helmet if they:

* have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course, or
* are covered by a health insurance plan providing the person with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or riding upon a motorcycle"

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/helmet.htm

Sorry to hear you got popped! A word of advice? Take the Motorcycle Safety Class(www.motofun.net $195.00). I took this class. You will get a lot of training, and you don't have to take the riding skills test to get your license. Classes are readily available.
Another bit of advise: Do not ride your scooter to take the skills test at the DMV(If you don't take the class). You will get another ticket, and you wont be able to take the test. Being unlicensed and trying to take the skills test at the DMV will be a hassle unless you know someone who has a license and can get your scooter there.
IMHO it is better to fork over the 200.00 for the class, and go to court for the ticket. The Prosecutor will(most likely) see that you did diligence by taking the safety class and cut you slack. They might even DISMISS the charges!! You do want this removed from your record, cause it can cost $$ later. You will get a 10% discount on insurance by taking the class(I think)

Good luck!!!

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:20 pm

dmwarren wrote:Denskies,
Cristy is correct. It is illegal to ride in TX without a helmet, unless you are exempt:

"Effective September 1, 1997, persons at least 21 years old are exempt from wearing a motorcycle helmet if they:

* have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course, or
* are covered by a health insurance plan providing the person with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or riding upon a motorcycle"

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/helmet.htm

Sorry to hear you got popped! A word of advice? Take the Motorcycle Safety Class(www.motofun.net $195.00). I took this class. You will get a lot of training, and you don't have to take the riding skills test to get your license. Classes are readily available.
Another bit of advise: Do not ride your scooter to take the skills test at the DMV(If you don't take the class). You will get another ticket, and you wont be able to take the test. Being unlicensed and trying to take the skills test at the DMV will be a hassle unless you know someone who has a license and can get your scooter there.
IMHO it is better to fork over the 200.00 for the class, and go to court for the ticket. The Prosecutor will(most likely) see that you did diligence by taking the safety class and cut you slack. They might even DISMISS the charges!! You do want this removed from your record, cause it can cost $$ later. You will get a 10% discount on insurance by taking the class(I think)

Good luck!!!

Thanks for the info sir. Texas state actually offers a mc class that is 3 days long and only costs around $50! Im doing it on july 10!
Is that you in your profile picture?

dmwarren · Post by **dmwarren** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:37 pm

looking over that dudes shoulder? wearing black and white? yes that is me!! Have you seen me riding around the ATX?

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:07 pm

Hahaha very funny. No I meant the dude in the overalls. I know someone who looks like tht and lives in Warren tx

dmwarren · Post by **dmwarren** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:19 pm

Sorry for being a smart a$$, but yea that is me in the overalls. Good old UC Davis days...

Frankie 2 Tone · Post by **Frankie 2 Tone** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:38 am

I hate to be a party pooper, and I totally respect ones rights but.............I am a paramedic, and I have seen the ill effects of motorcycle accidents first hand. Even if it is a brain bowl, at least give me something to work with to try and save you....please.

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:16 am

I mean no harm and im just poking fun... but maybe you need a new tatoo...

yes that is a real tatoo...

dmwarren · Post by **dmwarren** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:11 am

Denskies,
I hope I did not come across as condoning your lack of using a helmet(cause I don't). I was simply telling you what the law was here in TX. I always wear my helmet, but that said the choice is yours once you complete the course, or get/have the required insurance.
As mentioned in earlier posts, wear the helmet for gods sake man!!

Duval

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:59 am

soooo Im done with day two of my 3 day motorcycle safety course, and they taught me how to drive a standard bike, and it was a blast. Im scared that my scooter will be boring after I get through with this......I might have to get real motorcycle.

dmwarren · Post by **dmwarren** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:58 pm

The exact same thing happened to me! My wife says "No motorcycles..." so I don't have to worry about wanting a big boy bike

B02S4 · Post by **B02S4** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:29 pm

If my wife said that, I would be getting more than 1 new ride

I wear a face shield on the Rat. It just so happens that it is attached to a helmet

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:27 am

what about a Stella? shifty scooters are fun too!

dmwarren · Post by **dmwarren** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:51 am

B02S4 wrote:If my wife said that, I would be getting more than 1 new ride

I wear a face shield on the Rat. It just so happens that it is attached to a helmet

Naw... very little to concede for peace. I have a very good car(and scooter), and we are about to have a child. As the saying goes "happy wife, happy life".
I saw a 2 stroke 198x Yamaha RD400 I want to get and restore. My best friends dad had one when we were kids and I still like this bike. I was told I could get "that small bike" to wrench on and play with...

I would be a happy camper with that bike

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:17 am

got my MC license!!!!!!!! woooooooooooooooo!
Looks like I need to get a big boy bike before some girl tries to marry me and ruin my fun

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:07 am

oh snap!