To SIT or to STAND that is the ? But is standing LEGAL?!

[xr-nut]

Last night on the way home from work on my 530 is was stopped for standing on the pegs and not sitting on the seat. After running my tag and looking at my license he told me i shouldnt stand, even though "guys ride those things standing when off road, its not good in town". (or something real close to that!)

is that illegal to do? i am one who thinks standing puts me in more control of the motorcycle than sitting does: i can see better, especially on main street where cars back out in front of/ or into you; at intersections, because im higher i can see over the cars parked at the corner and see the cars sitting at the crossroads waiting to drill me; and i think im able to steer and stop quicker because i can use my bodys full weight to the bikes advantage much quicker standing.

so, anyone else have experience or maybe know what the kansas law says? post up, im ready to ride through town standing!

[ajayhawkfan]

I also stand while riding both in and out of town. I have ridden standing around a lot of police over the last few years. I have not had a problem in the KC area but was pulled over in Arkansas.

The policeman in Arkansas did not give me a ticket stated the law says you should be sitting astride the motorcycle.

A friend of mine is a Capt. in the KCPD and I asked him about standing. He said most of the KC police have better things to do then pull someone over for standing however it will cause them to watch you closely to see if you do anything else.

[troy]

I don't have the quote or reference handy, but I recall reading that KS law states "sittting" on the seat facing forward. So I do believe it is technically illegal to stand while riding on the road.

A few years back, I rode in Wichita's Toys for Tots ride--thousands of bikes do the ride delivering their toys to the KS Coliseum North of Wichita. Lots of police involved blocking the intersections as we ride through. I had an officer give me severe head shaking and hand movements to sit down. Obviously he figured I was a show-boating stunt rider or something!

I disagree with one thing Joe said--when it comes to stopping quickly, standing is a terrible position to be in---for me at least.

I typically sit around town because I don't want to be hassled. When I'm on a long dualsport ride that involves 60+ MPH pavement, it's nice to stand through the small towns where you slow down under 40....but that's where you are likely to get busted, too.

It's just the man keeping us down.

[katbeanz]

A friend of mine is a Capt. in the KCPD and I asked him about standing. He said most of the KC police have better things to do then pull someone over for standing however it will cause them to watch you closely to see if you do anything else.

When you were briefly lit up by the unmarked popo after leaving Edwardsville bbq last summer, I think he was expecting a 100mph plus standing wheelie, ala sportbike. So, you got the pohleece and table nazis on you, eh?

[ajayhawkfan]

It's just the man keeping us down.

I'm still on a high for sticking it to the man while we at Devil's Well.

[Harvey Mushman]

If standing up is illegal it shouldn't be. Mr. Copperhead is used to riding around all day long in the lap of luxury called a Crown Victoria. When was the last time he spent a long day on a KTM seat that has the consistency of Portland cement? I don't like it when "man-land" goes to sleep on me so I stand up sometimes. The LEO should focus more on the teenage girl that is driving, texting, putting on makeup and driving left-of-center than a dirtbiker riding highboy. Truth be known though, XR-Nut has a rep up there in beautiful Brown county as a "ner-do-well" when he gets on two wheels. It was probably the "stand up" wheelie you were doing that gave Barney Fife the boner for ya. You'd think you would ride a bit more responsible at your age......

-Harvey
#713
Colt MarkIV Series 80 Government Model

[MacWildcat]

Years ago a friend of mine was actually ticketed and fined for "excessive standing". The law stated something like "legal to stand to avoid obstacles (potholes, railroad tracks, etc.) otherwise the rider must be seated"

Of course at the time we got caught, he was standing up, waving his hands above his head, yelling. Cop was so furious he kept us for 45 minutes while he tried to figure out what he could ticket us for. For some reason we found it hilarious and got into giggle fits. Only made Mister small town Fife even more angry.

Thank God he hadn't seen us a block earlier when we were standing on the seats!

[Hank Moody]

Okay, I have admit I don't have an "M" on my license. There, I got that off my chest.

I’m actually heading out the door for the 1st class of my basic motorcycle safety course in a few minutes. I will get the opinion of the instructor on standing and report back to the group.

Shane Watts says that you should be standing all the time, except for hard braking and corners because it gives you better control. XR-Nut is right about better vision and visibility. The guy must have been bored…

[reddof]

I’m actually heading out the door for the 1st class of my basic motorcycle safety course in a few minutes.

Daryl, you headed to Maple Woods for this class? My wife is taking the class this weekend. I told her to keep an eye out for you.

[Hank Moody]

I’m actually heading out the door for the 1st class of my basic motorcycle safety course in a few minutes.

Daryl, you headed to Maple Woods for this class? My wife is taking the class this weekend. I told her to keep an eye out for you.

Yes your better half is in my class and I mean better half! What a nice person and a good rider. I wish my wife was more interested in motorcycles. Now you will have a garage full of bikes.

I asked the instructor XRless-Nut's question and she said "great question and you would have to ask a police officer because I don't know".

Think about us today, being out there on an asphalt parking lot going through the remaining 13 exercises. It was painful for me during the first few exercises because it is set-up for the person who has never ridden a motorcycle before. I’m riding a little 250 Kawasaki Sherpa and having a blast with it, hey at least I’m out ridding

[reddof]

Yes your better half is in my class and I mean better half!

Hmm, I get that a lot. Not sure whether it is a compliment for her or an insult for me.

I wish my wife was more interested in motorcycles. Now you will have a garage full of bikes.

Yeah, but she wants a Harley. I'll probably go broke from buying chrome polish. I'm trying to talk her into something like a F650GS instead.

Think about us today, being out there on an asphalt parking lot going through the remaining 13 exercises. It was painful for me during the first few exercises because it is set-up for the person who has never ridden a motorcycle before. I’m riding a little 250 Kawasaki Sherpa and having a blast with it, hey at least I’m out ridding

Yeah, I'm stuck at home with the kids while my wife is out riding. Something is DEFINITELY not right here!

Hopefully the class got more interesting for you today. What I want to know though is whether this instructor or Wattsy is better. I heard that wheelies are "frowned upon" in this class. At least tell me that you got to do some good log grinding or rut crossings.

[safiri]

The internet is your friend ...

KS statutes can be looked up and searched at http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/index.do

" 8-1594. Operation of motorcycles. (a) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator 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 (1) person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two (2) persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.

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

(c) No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents such person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

(d) No operator shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride, in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.

[xr-nut]

thanks safiri, that is the post i was waiting for-from you. i admit in my limited google search of the topic i probably gave up too soon, having this vast wealth of knowledge(you) only a few clicks away can make one quite lazy!

so to summarize, i guess i dont have a leg to STAND on, so to speak~!

LET ALL BE WARNED, IF IN SABETHA KANSAS, MAKE SURE TO SIT ON YOUR SEAT! And hey TF, im in Nemeha county~!


on a side note, next week while on my route, im stopping in at my elected state Representative and putting this bug in his ear!

[Hank Moody]

Did I get anything from this class so far???? The only thing I got is how to turn, to go to the right "push right, lean right"; to go to the left "push left, lean left".

There were many things that were the same, CLUTCH CONTROL and CLUTCH CONTROL were the two top items. Now the Watt's class took clutch control to a higher level than this course, but it was a point of emphasis. Braking was another thing that was worked on several times, but only stopping from 12-15 mph; not the 40-50 mph of a Watt's class. Another point is body position on the bike, looking ahead and not 5 feet in front of your front tire.

I kept getting corrected for not using 4 finger on the clutch and front brake; the habit of two fingers on each is very hard to break.

You need to buy your wife what she wants first, then get her what you want her to ride I pointed out an F650GS in one of the videos and she said hmmm. She seemed to really like the litte Kawaski crusier she was riding. If you are interested in a HD sportster there is a guy I work with that is trying to sell his wife's.....