Motorcycle Traffic Stops (pulling over bikes)

[ET109]

Hi, I ride a motorcycle and I'm wondering about procedure if I were to be pulled over. I would feel pretty vulnerable to traffic sitting there with a stopped engine, unable to jump out of the way of a vehicle that I probably couldn't even see coming up behind me (not as big of an issue if I am in a car). Maybe I've just seen too many 'wildest police videos' at 2 in the morning.

My hope would be that I could turn off the engine, get off the bike, and be able to face traffic. I have read contradictory bits of info, however. One stated that this was the best practice so that the officer would not have to worry about the rider zooming off.

Another 'source' I read (taking all of this with a grain of salt) indicated that getting off of the bike could make police very nervous, and that the rider should stay on and not even remove his or her helmet as it could be used as a weapon.

So what do you all look for when you pull over a bike? Would someone getting off and \or removing his helmet put you on edge, or is it a normal scenario? Keeping in mind that a smart rider would be keeping his hands in view in either case. Just trying to get a sense of what officers\troopers would think.

Thanks!

[scott715us]

Officers have their own preferences when dealing with bike riders. Overall, I would suggest to turn the bike off and remove your helmet. That lets the officer know you don't have intentions of fleeing. Leave the rest of the stop up to them.

[Switchback]

Officers have their own preferences when dealing with bike riders. Overall, I would suggest to turn the bike off and remove your helmet. That lets the officer know you don't have intentions of fleeing. Leave the rest of the stop up to them.

First let me say that I have never done traffic. With that said, I will agree with Scott above. I would even take it one step further. I would wait to drop your-kick stand until you ask the officer. I have stopped a few bikers for other-than-traffic reasons. With the bike off, they are not taking off that quickly. With the stand up, most are not looking to drop their bike to engage with me and I get a warning in the time it takes them to lower it.

Edited to add:
I have been pulled over a time or 2 on my bike. Just like in your car, find as safe a place as possible to pull over. Then I turn my bike off, remove my helmet (if wearing it) and wait for the officer.

[retdetsgt]

If I'm in a patrol car, I'll be parked behind you and the odds of you being able to "jump out of the way" of a car coming up behind you would be nil anyway.

If you're that concerned, asked the officer if it's okay if you dismount from the bike and stand on the shoulder of the road or the sidewalk, if available.

[Safety Steve]

A person riding a motorcycle is just like a person driving a car. I want you away from the vehicle and in my office!



Be Safe.

[ET109]

If you're that concerned, asked the officer if it's okay if you dismount from the bike and stand on the shoulder of the road or the sidewalk, if available.

OK, I'll do this ^. I would probably have to get up anyway if the officer wanted my insurance info or to get my wallet out of my back pocket. Thanks for the input, everyone.

With regards to the kickstand... well, I just bet I'd end up forgetting that I had it up and would probably drop the bike (and me) on the officer's toes.

[Switchback]

Generally, if you put the kickstand down, I'll tell you to put it up before I approach. When I am happy with things, I will let you put it down.

[ChaosXIW]

As a guy who does traffic a lot on the highway, I can honestly say that I prefer the biker to take off his helmet, turn off the bike, and dismount. Dismounting isn't entirely necessary, but I ask every biker I stop(which isn't a lot) to turn the bike off anyway when I get up there. If you turned it off and dismounted, thats fine by me, helps me be assured you wont try and run. Just don't walk back to my car or go for your cargo area/side satchel until I tell you to get your papers out. I want to be able to see what you're reaching for when you are off your bike in a position to manuever easily so I still have the drop on you if you get stupid.

[ET109]

So I guess the answer is: "it varies'. I should have known that.

I'll just have to see what the particular officer or trooper says. Then again, maybe I'll never get stopped anyway- most scofflaws (that might be mistaken for me) have a much nicer bike. The helmet I'll probably have to take off to get my hearing protection out, but I can always put it back on...