Anyone ever cited for standing on the pegs in NH?

[stoinkythepig]

I often stand up to stretch my legs and/or cause "adjustments" to my wedding tackle, while riding. I know it's technically illegal but I doubt most cops would write me a ticket for it because I'm very selective about where/when I will do it.

Here's the RSA:

265:120 Riding Upon Motorcycles. –
I. A person driving a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto. Such driver shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which case a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designated for 2 persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the driver, or in a sidecar firmly attached to the side of the motorcycle.
II. A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.
III. No person shall drive a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents him from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
IV. No driver shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride in a position which will interfere with the driving or control of the motorcycle or with the view of the driver.
V. Any person who violates the provisions of paragraph I, II, or III of this section shall be subject to a fine of $75.

Anyone here ever cited for this because you were standing on the pegs (and not stunting, otherwise)?

[nhbubba]

I didn't even know about that law. Actually, I'm not clear how standing on the pegs violates that. There's a "permanent and regular" seat under my ass there somewhere. What's the problem?!

I have definitely violated paragraph III though. Gotta get that tasty sub-sammitch home somehow.

Bottom line is I am 110% more concerned about getting a speeding ticket instead.

[stoinkythepig]

I didn't even know about that law. Actually, I'm not clear how standing on the pegs violates that. There's a "permanent and regular" seat under my ass there somewhere. What's the problem?!

II. A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.

[Imbeek]

This might be a good situation to argue "legislative intent" to a judge, supported by some text from a (probably off road but so what) riding technique book about how it is imperative to get all the weight on the pegs for safety when rough terrain is expected.

"Your honor, the intent of this law is to prevent people from standing on the seat, or riding while facing backwards, etc; it wasn't intended to insure I get thrown over the bars when I hit a pothole, because I wasn't allowed to use the shock absorption qualities of my legs"

[stoinkythepig]

This might be a good situation to argue "legislative intent" to a judge, supported by some text from a (probably off road but so what) riding technique book about how it is imperative to get all the weight on the pegs for safety when rough terrain is expected.

"Your honor, the intent of this law is to prevent people from standing on the seat, or riding while facing backwards, etc; it wasn't intended to insure I get thrown over the bars when I hit a pothole, because I wasn't allowed to use the shock absorption qualities of my legs"

That's pretty much the argument I'd use. That said, if I was pulled over for it, I suspect my white hair would be enough to convince the cop I am no hooligan and get me out of a ticket regardless.

[jasnmar]

I've never heard of anyone being cited for it. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

Good point on intent Imbeek. It would be a good argument, but one shouldn't have the hassle of having to deal with the court for something that wasn't the intent of the law to start with. This is a case where a one word change to the RSA could make a difference in application of the RSA. Remove the word sitting and the RSA still complies with the "intent" but doesn't force one to have their ass in contact with the plether.

Need a reference to the technique... Page 30 of http://msf-usa.org/downloads/mom_v16_GS_low_res.pdf

Rise slightly off the seat with your weight on the footrests to absorb the shock with your knees and elbows, and avoid being thrown off the motorcycle.

[nhbubba]

That strict of an interpretation is, in my opinion, absurd.

I know some people have really low opinions of LEOs. I don't share that opinion. I maintain that there isn't an officer on any force in this state that would ball bust to that degree. Maybe they would make hollow threats in conjunction with other infractions (ie speeding, hooliganism, etc). But never a real citation over this alone.

Maybe I'm naive.

This discussion will have zero impact on my behavior. I will continue to stretch my legs by standing on the pegs. I will continue to get off the saddle when the road gets rough. I will continue to try to see over and through traffic. Etc.

[e30addict]

Didn't the guy on the last Seacoast ride with the motard get stopped for standing and lectured before the cop got a real call?

[ZX-12R]

According to the NH Drivers manual, it's listed as an expected behavior when negotiating a railroad crossing.

RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS may be rough or cross the road at an angle. The rider may slow down or change direction so that the tracks can be crossed head on. The cyclist may rise up off the seat to help cushion the shock of a rough crossing.

[jasnmar]

reks95, yes, but in MA, not NH (if I understood his post correctly) http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...=1#post1361436

[ZX-12R]

I found the NH Motorcycle Operators Manual and it condones getting off the seat when necessary to help when riding over any obstacle:

Rise slightly off the seat with your weight on the footrests to absorb the shock with your knees and elbows, and avoid being thrown off the motorcycle.

[reks95]

Didn't the guy on the last Seacoast ride with the motard get stopped for standing and lectured before the cop got a real call?

Yup, that was me. I've been stopped twice now both times in MA. So far no citation, just a safety lecture. I got the impression from both officers that they felt it was a safety issue - that you didn't have full control of the bike while standing. I didn't necessarily get the impression they pulled me over because they thought I was a hooligan (unlike most people I have not yet learned to do teh whoolies), but it's certainly possible.

In my personal experience, standing vs. sitting is a trade off and I needed a bit of practice to develop riding-while-standing skills & judgement for when I could get away with standing (an ongoing process). But my ass tells me there's no way this should be illegal provided that the bike you're riding supports the position.

[BostonSVkid]

What happens to one legged motorcycle riders?? And if you think I am joking about asking this questions I am not. I know a guy who rode a bike with one leg and even had an attachment for his crutches.

[jasnmar]

He goes by the handle "Wheels".

[backinthesaddle]

I sometimes stand before the crest of hills on narrow roads to be sure a vehicle isn't coming towards me head on. They are doing construction outside my office these days and I usually stand on the pegs over all the rough pavement where the detail officer is, but this is RI and haven't heard of anyone getting in trouble for standing.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

First off I doubt many, if any, cop knows this rsa. It could easily be argued that you full control over the bike even while standing and it would be impossible to prove otherwise.

[Garandman]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434297

Cited for Reckless in VA: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=978834.

VA traffic enforcement makes the Northeast look like the Wild West.....

Might want to inform "the court" that the MSF Basic Rider Course actually instructs riders to come off the saddle when encountering a potential road hazard (pg. 37). If it's part of their curriculum can it be considered unsafe?

Just a thought....

[RandyO]

III. No person shall drive a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents him from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

I routinely bring pizzas home by balancing them on my tank, I do keep both hands on the handlebars but keep the pizzas from sliding off the tank with my forearms

several times the LEOs were at the pizza shop when I loaded up, never a comment

[xrocket21]

I routinely bring pizzas home by balancing them on my tank, I do keep both hands on the handlebars but keep the pizzas from sliding off the tank with my forearms

several times the LEOs were at the pizza shop when I loaded up, never a comment

Ive sat a 30 pack on the rc51 tank more than once....

[Garandman]

Pizza or beer, OK. Live duck, not OK....

[Ducrappy]

I stand on the pegs all the time to stretch my legs and have passed quite a few LEOs in NH and VT while doing so and have never been pulled over.

[jasnmar]

Dead duck?

[South of Heaven]

This is a good thread. I actually had this argument with another guy before. He insisted that riding while standing is legal (in MA) and I told him that it's not. Obviously it depends on the individual LEO immensely too.......most will not care about it but some other bored cop might. Unfortunately it depends on the crowd too. If you're in a crowd of touring bikes with full luggage and Hi Viz gear then you'll be fine. If you do it in full race leathers on a 1199 and the others in your group think they're riding at NHMS too then your LEO interaction percentage goes up!

[nhbubba]

Dead duck?

Depends, in season?

[Falko]

Rabbit season!