Can Cops do that?

[Zuma88]

I had a police officer take the side panels off my honda elite he was so sure i have a huge motor in it. he busted 1 of my panels! :mad:
i was running a stock 49.3cc motor with the ports opend up and a racing cylinder head. and a exhuast i made my self with a KRS Variator and KOSO Racing Clutch.

did he have the right to screw up my moped? :confused:
ther is no law agest motor mods here isn't that herasment? :confused:
all i did is drive on a round with a 45 mph speed limt and the pulled over in to a parking lot and the cop followed me and ripped the panels off and then after finding the little plate on the motor that says 49mm.3
he said sorry and have a good day. :mad:

[mrklaw]

I don't think the police can just randomly pull people over and search their vehicles, but if they have probable cause (they have some indicator that makes them think that you are breaking the law) then I think that they can legally search your vehicle. The fact that you were able to keep up with traffic on a 45 mph road would probably be enough probable cause to check out your scoot.

In a lot of states, for a scooter to be unlicensed and considered a moped it has to have a limited horsepower also so performance mods change the status of the scoot from a moped to a motorcycle.

[Zuma88]

i didn't think about that.
but still they screwed up my panel :mad:
next time i will take off they have no right to damage my stuff unless tthey tell me why

[Lennox]

.....just one more reason....... nevermind......

[Zuma88]

what?

[isoscelesjones]

<cough> <cough> spell check (http://iespell.com/) <cough>

[marylandmark]

LOL-

I LOVE THAT LINK!

I just started using ispell and love it

[King Vino]

From how you have described your past riding habits, I'm not surprised. Typically state law personnel can pull your plates if you have them on the road and impound a vehicle pending a DMV inspection. Typically they do not remove panels on the road on site like that, but then again I've seen some pretty far flung laws pasted. I'd think that from how you have talked about the manner in which you ride that the 5.0's said enoguh is enough.

[Zuma88]

i drive like that on my zuma, not the honda wtich he screwed up.
i dont have as good of brakes on the honda so i dont do a whole lot i dont even wheelie on it

[XPS1210]

ho hum...

Still depending on your local laws, 45 for a 50 and under cc engine... Could be illegal... Could be the same issue as if you were to have a big bore kit and all hopped up...

Either way if the law says there is a top speed for unlicensed or non-drivers licensed vehicle... Then you could get busted... I'd have been pissed if they broke something and sure would file a claim with the police department! However it could and might be justified depending on the local laws.

[Zuma88]

law here is must be 15 years old and own a state id, must have a helmet at all times till the age of 18, must have no more then 2.0horse power, and must at all times be on the right side of the white line and must not go over 20mph. must have working turn signels. you may by any means have more then two person(s) on the moped at one time.

[Zuma88]

ther are no legal mopeds sold here in indiana unless the motor is blowin lol
even a metro 2 has 3.5 horse power and can do 22

[King Vino]

Some states the cop can wait for a rollback to haul a suspect vehicle to either a police inspection station of a DMV facility for inspection leaving you to walk or take a cab home.

Either way if the law says there is a top speed for unlicensed or non-drivers licensed vehicle... Then you could get busted... I'd have been pissed if they broke something and sure would file a claim with the police department! However it could and might be justified depending on the local laws.

Even then you may still have little recourse, the federal laws permit a great deal of leeway on the such matters. Let's be realistic, you're not going to get very far after the police rip apart a home if they were looking for something in one's home with a search warrants, not would anyone get very far if the cops with out a warrant operating under probable cause rips apart a car, and it's upholstery looking for hidden drugs. Just be grateful you're in the US and not the EU, Asia or any developing nation. I've seen police powers in the UK, and Asia that make the US police department powers look non-existent.

Elise note: (She's fixing breakfast and had this to say, "Singapore not extremely bad, worse than here. Next door in Malaysia, cops can take vehicle for improper driving and sell it as restitution to pay fine if driving fee is high enough."

[Vino A Go Go]

I'm a new member out of Tacoma, WA. The idea of a cop pulling me over and ripping my scoot apart and/or getting a ticket really upsets me. I have been debating the idea of modding my Vino 50cc by adding a Stage 1 kit but an NextR/RS pipe is obvious to anyone that mods are happening. The added speed with a new pipe (and stage 1) would also bring me well above the "allowed" 30mph. If I got a motorcycle endorsement, added the pipes (and such), did 45mph in a 45mph zone would a cop have a legal right to ticket? What if I didn't bother with the endosement? Same results? My thread searches haven't found anything here other that what defines a scoot, who can ride,and what license is needed. In short, does an endorsement allow for mods? Thanks, and sorry to hear about the damaged panel..nobody likes abuse of power.

[Dennis]

From how you have described your past riding habits, I'm not surprised. Typically state law personnel can pull your plates if you have them on the road and impound a vehicle pending a DMV inspection. Typically they do not remove panels on the road on site like that, but then again I've seen some pretty far flung laws pasted. I'd think that from how you have talked about the manner in which you ride that the 5.0's said enoguh is enough.

Yep, sounds like you might be known to "the man". Replacing a panel might be cheaper than pushing for the pd to replace it. That is, unless you're standing firmly on principle and have a fat wallet and plenty of free time.

Dennis

[speedy_scooter]

Wow, gotta say, this is about the oldest thread I've seen dug up on here. Almost 3 years old...

[Vino A Go Go]

It's an old thread but a still a valid senario that I have searched all over here for answers but nothing. Like I said before... I know about the 50cc endorsement limit, don't care about age limits, just would like to gain some insight to WA state laws regarding modding a 50cc scoot/moped legally. Does having the endorsement suddenly make you legal to ride with the stage 1 on the 50cc? I suspect that if your registration says 50cc your out of luck regardless of the endorsement. If I hear NO then I plan to try a "stock" looking pipe that I've seen around and do the internal stage 1 parts, shoot for a new top end of 45-50mph and just behave myself on the road. Does everyone just take their chances out there and just ride till it hurts $$? How bout you WA riders..appreciate your input. Thanks.