71-45=26=460 - Ducati.ms

AXE · Jul 27th, 2008, 10:00 pm

Those are my stats from my ride to Yarnell/Prescott. I got busted going up Yarnell Hill on my second trip up. The Gostopo was in his usual spot when he gunned me, but he was ultra sneaky in his approach. I did the normal casual first run up the hill to knock off the rust and scout the area. As it turns out, he was up top watching me come up the hill, when I got to the top he followed me back down. He said he had me using his VASCAR in a couple of spots and knew I was speeding. Unfortunately, I never knew he was behind me coming down. When I got to the bottom I turned to make another run up thinking it was all clear.

Of course, the second run is usually much more brisk. You can imagine my surprise, when I rounded the corner and my detector went off about the same time I got a visual. He POPed me, before I could haul the Hyper down.

Overall, he was a very courteous and professional DPS officer and he spared no details in describing my runs up and down the hill. Funny, after he introduced himself, he stated "that is an interesting looking and sounding motorcycle, it reminds me of a 4-stroke dirt bike". I gave him the low down on the bike, hoping it would buy me some luck. He then asked me if I usually run up and down the hill. I said not really, but maybe a time or two each trip. He then asked if my first trip up was a warm up lap. I laughed and said no.

He then proceeded to tell me that DPS had really been cracking down (not news to me) on this road due to the number of bike accidents and excessive speed. He told me that the corner where he sits it one of the most dangerous on the hill and that 4 people have been decapitated or nearly decapitated after hitting the guard rail. He said that he has clocked bikes around that corner in excess of 100 mph (I figure I would be comfortable at no more than about 80 mph). I can see it happening (who am I to argue with the results).

He cautioned me on the rest of the trip and stated there would likely be more DPS officers on the Spars. Went so far as to say that getting two tickets in a day does happen. That was just enough to get me thinking.......what if?

For the most part, the rest of the trip from Yarnell to Prescott was pretty reserved. However, I decided to run a section of the Spars a couple times. In doing so, I passed the only other bike I seen heading towards Prescott when I was doubling back. Fortunately for me, when I turned around to head to town, he had the other DPS officer tied up just before you start heading back into Prescott otherwise it could have been me. Again, my detector when off just before I got a visual. This DPS officer damn near broke his neck eyeing me as I came through the turns. I guess the Zards garner some attention in the woods.

Well, I suppose I was due for a ticket. This was the first one I have ever had on a bike, but I got lucky plenty of times. Anyway, here are some observations!

Gas it expensive these days, but speeding tickets are more expensive. Going the speed limit, the Hyper gets much better fuel mileage. You see alot more speed limit signs just after you get busted for $460. I never knew that the speed limit was so slow! Traffic school always presents a good opportunity to hang out with a bunch of dirt bags. Hanging out with dirt bags this time will save me enough $ to get my header and cat eliminator.

Out!

GMP · Jul 27th, 2008, 10:23 pm

Bummer. I had a close one today too. A guy in a 5.0 Mustang actually wanted to have a go on a small winding highway, so I oblidged. Well, after a few sweepers he was history and I was looking at just about 100 MPH. Chopped the throttle and got it down to about 65 ish when what do you think was sitting around the next curve. I got real lucky.

AXE · Jul 27th, 2008, 10:54 pm

Funny you should mention a Mustang. I decided that I should take the Interstate home, since it would be a lot less likely that I would be speeding. When I got onto the Interstate, I merged with a Mustang. He too figured I must want to race and punched it when I got even with him. I decided to run with him around 85 mph, where this stretch of freeway might have been 65 or 75 mph, I am not sure. Over the second hill, there is an unmarked Gostopo driving slowly on the shoulder with his lights rolling. I figured for damn sure that either a plane or a stationary cop had been timing us and I was in for another. Luckily it wasn't the case.

Out!

AZ_Scott · Jul 28th, 2008, 12:09 am

Heh. Yarnell Hill. Been there, crashed that.

Sorry to hear about the ticket, but it's gonna happen sooner or later. They're going to let you do traffic school for 26-over?! I thought more than 20 was considered criminal, so no school eligibility... This changes my whole approach to driving, if true! [Rubs hands together and snickers...]

AXE · Jul 28th, 2008, 12:25 am

Yeah, the officer said I was eligble and the slip included with my ticket shows that I am eligible for DDS course. I am going to check into taking it online, but not all courts allow this.

Criminal speeding does not allow for the DDS course. According to the slip included with my ticket, criminal speeding is anything over 85 mph. However, if you are doing 86 in a 65 mph zone, you can take the DDS.

Hurts either way. I now enter my 2 year probation period.

Out!

AXE · Jul 28th, 2008, 12:28 am

Check this video out! About 0:47 seconds in is where he pegged me, sitting just below that little hill just before the curve.

These guys are hauling ass. Check out the slide at about 2:25. I guess these are the guys getting hauled off on in the meat wagon or in a paddy wagon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McjWb...eature=related

Out!

gossa · Jul 28th, 2008, 3:49 pm

Looks like a nice road Axe, you got the great roads but crappy laws and coppers, we get policemen on bicycles who will wag a finger at you and tut but tight potholed roads and too much rain!

Koop · Jul 28th, 2008, 4:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_Scott

Heh. Yarnell Hill. Been there, crashed that.

Sorry to hear about the ticket, but it's gonna happen sooner or later. They're going to let you do traffic school for 26-over?! I thought more than 20 was considered criminal, so no school eligibility... This changes my whole approach to driving, if true! [Rubs hands together and snickers...]

>26mph over in Arizona can be written as criminal (which means the bike can be impounded and no traffic school option) or as an infraction like any other ticket. Officers discretion - DPS don't hand out to many favors. Maricopa County Deputies are much more accomodating IMHO.

dietrichpfeifer · Jul 28th, 2008, 4:27 pm

I was just up there this past Sunday. I saw a Hyper fueling up in Prescott around 11am- was that you?

Saw the two cops at the usuall overlook in the Whit Spars. And an SUV in Yarnell. But I guess my timing was good, no trouble for me.

I can tell you that they have been impounding bikes and hauling people off to jail every weekend on Yarnell Hill. The last guy I know of was told that they are particularly pissed at bikes that do laps. I've also been told the story of a decapitation by someone who knew the guy. Sucks, it's such an awesome road! I think the limit is 35 or 45. 90 is no problem on a motorcycle.

Guess we need to collectively buy a mountain somewhere and pave the sucker.

euromotoaz · Jul 28th, 2008, 4:52 pm

Sorry to hear of a spoiled day. I'm fairly certain I know who wrote you, and he actually is a heck of a nice guy. I regularly have morning coffee with two DPS officers who live locally and work Yarnell hill. In the end, it is riders who banzai the hill way beyond their safety margin and end up on their head that caused the crack down. I should add that they scrape up a lot of Harley types, also. Continuously worrying about getting zapped does take the fun out of riding.

I really need to dust off the 748 and book a track day...

Tom