Rain in the forecast again providing good excuse to leave the bike at home and take the Jeep for a stroll onto post. Idaho requires a VIN inspection for title transfer and the MP station on post provides just such a service. New battery provided lots of amps to fire the engine at a touch of the key, old xmas tree strapped to the rack for delivery to the local recycling center, and bluetooth speaker on the dash providing some Tom Petty for the commute.
All was well until I see the motorcycle cop coming on in the opposite lane paying too much attention to the black beast. Usually when I see this guy I'm on the GS and we exchange a biker wave - guess he didn't recognize me in a cage. Or he did and wanted to say 'hi'? Either way the blue lights came on and I quickly navigated to the nearest parking lot to have a chat. Turns out the TX registration sticker is expired (I knew this) and because it is so prominently displayed provides an easy target for the boys in blue.
Now I know the guy is just doing his job so I'm not complaining. And when life hands you lemons... I explain my situation and how I'm just trying to get a VIN inspection in order to facilitate the Idaho registration process. He gets it an says I'm just getting a warning. Cool. And BTW, since we're on speaking terms here, would he be so kind as to sign this little document (ID VIN inspection form) since he already ran my VIN through dispatch to make sure the rig wasn't hot or something. He waffles a bit so I sweeten the pot by suggesting that if he signs it I can turn right around an park my illegal rig back at the house until the new registration is received. I'm not trying to be a PITA, just looking for an assist :)
Fancy little handheld device he had printed out a warning that I'll cherish for years to come I'm sure.
So yeah I got pulled over for the first time in a very long time. But it worked out in the end as I ended up with a VIN inspection 15 miles closer to the house than if I'd have had to go all the way to the MP station.
Now what personalized plates for the XJ? MTNCRLR? SLWCRLR? BIOMAN2? MTNGOAT is already taken :(
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