That jailed 122mph biker.

[The Moan Ranger]

Yeah...you all moan and whinge about the police yet when you want assistance...Oh, never mind...

I have lots of friends who are police. And they will all tell you that when you want assistance, "It's a lottery!" They don't like this fact either. 

[GROWLER]

Yeah...you all moan and whinge about the police yet when you want assistance...Oh, never mind...

...yea, you either chance ringing 999 and end up getting a bollocking because in 'their' opinion, hoodies using threatening behaviour and abusive language on your front path is not classed as an emergency, and would you mind ringing the 0845 number in future please...if you can find it and if you can actually get through to it, or once again you can ring 999 and get told they'll get someone to you asap, but it could be an hour or so, even though you're fence has just been kicked down and you are currently being threatened to be beaten up by 5 drunken louts.

All the above has happened to me over the last 9 years.

Plod are really only interested in one thing, and that is running the force as a profitable business, hence the constant purge on the tired and weary easy meat motorist.

[The Moan Ranger]

Yeah...you all moan and whinge about the police yet when you want assistance...Oh, never mind...

...yea, you either chance ringing 999 and end up getting a bollocking because in 'their' opinion, hoodies using threatening behaviour and abusive language on your front path is not classed as an emergency, and would you mind ringing the 0845 number in future please...if you can find it and if you can actually get through to it, or once again you can ring 999 and get told they'll get someone to you asap, but it could be an hour or so, even though you're fence has just been kicked down and you are currently being threatened to be beaten up by 5 drunken louts.

All the above has happened to me over the last 9 years.

Plod are really only interested in one thing, and that is running the force as a profitable business, hence the constant purge on the tired and weary easy meat motorist.

Motorist/rider, Growler?

[GROWLER]

Yeah...you all moan and whinge about the police yet when you want assistance...Oh, never mind...

...yea, you either chance ringing 999 and end up getting a bollocking because in 'their' opinion, hoodies using threatening behaviour and abusive language on your front path is not classed as an emergency, and would you mind ringing the 0845 number in future please...if you can find it and if you can actually get through to it, or once again you can ring 999 and get told they'll get someone to you asap, but it could be an hour or so, even though you're fence has just been kicked down and you are currently being threatened to be beaten up by 5 drunken louts.

All the above has happened to me over the last 9 years.

Plod are really only interested in one thing, and that is running the force as a profitable business, hence the constant purge on the tired and weary easy meat motorist.

Motorist/rider, Growler?

Same thing in'it?
Lets not fall out over the bikers thing. I'm sure you're in the 5% (still large) minority of excellent safe and considerate riders.

[The Moan Ranger]

Growler, if you saw me a few years ago launching a heeeooooge wheelie outside my local, then coming back and doing a long rolling stoppie and then burning the rear tyre out (prior to going a few yards to ge a new one fitted), I doubt you would have thought I was "safe". However, it was all done ONLY when conditions allowed.

Now, on the old Triumph, no such foolery is possible, nor do I wish to do it any more. My mad Suzuki sits in the garage, unloved, unused and will only be brought back to life for the odd track-day if I can be arsed.

Chugging along on a 1955 twin is far more fun and even it is more than fast enough to get you in trouble if you don't ride within the bike's limits - i.e. no "knee-down" on corners and add 50 yard to your braking distance. And also be wary that the leaking oil might get on your rear tyre 

Back to the original moan, my main point was that this bloke was riding well within the limits of himself and the bike - it's just that the bike in question has a lot higher limits than the headlines would lead you to believe. This wsn't some old crate that was only fit for the scrap yard.

In Motorcyle News today, it reports clearly that this was no newbie speed-freak. He is described as a "47 year-old gentleman". He did not deserve jail IMHO. Soft target but he was naive enough to apologise and let "justice" take its perverted course in this instance.

[GROWLER]

Doing bike 'antics' in a safe environment is no problem to me. It's the crazed nutters that have to drive like loonies all the bloody time on the roads that does my head in, and I can assure you that 'round here that is the vast majority of them.
The main drag leading out to N.Wales just up the road from here on a Sunday morning, sounds like the bloody TT races are taking place.

I could reel off several instances of absolutely insane biking incidents I've witnessed over the past 6 months but won't bore you with the details.

I agree, this guy should not have been thrown into jail. A total waste of time and money.

A 6 month weekend compulsary accompaniement with the ambulances that have to visit the accidents of bikers might have been a better idea, to show him just how dreadfully gory, limb losing and waste of life these biking accidents can be.
Lets face it Moany, most of these planks are 'born again' bikers in their 40/50's who simply buy these powerful bikes as a weekend toy to have flirtatious encounters with danger, causing general mayhem and anger amongst the majority of the motoring public.
Just my observation, NOT bias.

Aside the bikers problem, I personally don't like bikes due to the total lack of protection if it all goes tits up. I know of several that have come to low speed grief, even around town, and have the scars and limps to show for it.

I do like watching the biking GP's btw.

[GROWLER]

We'll have to arrange a 'meet' at the Nurburgring some time. You on your bike, and me in me little track racer.

[The Moan Ranger]

My brother worked in an insurance claims office and would regularly show me the photos of injuries to bikers - or the piles of raspberry jam on the road that were once bikers - in a bid to show me what can happen.

Gruesome stuff.  

Oddly, he has now passed his test and rides a GSXR600 - leaving his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 at home - when he wants a bit of a thrill. The funny thing is he can't even keep up with me on the old Triumph, but he realises his newbie limits and that even a quick car is nowhere near as fast a even a half-quick bike. He's probably even think Barman's hairdryer is fast!

Bikes can be dangerous and lack of protection will normally leave you worse off than in a car. Mr bruv' has, however, shown me photos of other accidents where car occupants would have been better off not being trapped inside; these incidents are of course a lot rarer.

If you value your life, you ride accordingly. A lot of these born-again chaps are probably bored with work/wife etc. and may take to the two wheeled route as a cry for attention.

[The Moan Ranger]

We'll have to arrange a 'meet' at the Nurburgring some time. You on your bike, and me in me little track racer.

Already done the Nurburgring. In 8 mins 28 on the GSXR750. Still fancy it 

[Snoopy]

Yeah...you all moan and whinge about the police yet when you want assistance...Oh, never mind...

Nothing personal me old shipmate ~ but all the cops of my acquaintance feel the same as most of the public. Your hands are tied by targets and the idiots who lead you ~ which is why recruitment is down and early retirement is being taken in droves. I have spent almost 20 years working in the manned security industry, often in very close co-operation with Police Officers from The Met, West Midlands, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley forces and whilst I am aware that every nick has at least one twat working out of it most cops do a good job within the limits they are allowed ~ they would like those limiting factors removed. They would LOVE to be able to be policemen again instead of pawns in a political game.