I used to think it was just me that got unnecessarily nervous when I saw a member of the constabulary parked in his jam sandwich, watching me ride past. Even when I?m doing absolutely nothing wrong. And if locking eyes with PC Plod whilst he?s parked up is bad, being tailed by him is even scarier. But I?ve learnt over the years I?m not the only one that suffers from Capiophobia (the fear of being arrested). And for some unknown reason, the condition seems particularly prevalent in sportsbike riders. But what?s to blame" Is it the guilty conscience of the sportsbike rider" Or is there something else at play"

The illusion of speed

Most modern sportsbikes look fast, even if they aren?t. And because we know they do, it?s never that big a surprise when we?re pulled over by the feds; whether we?re speeding or not. I don?t think I ride sportsbikes faster than, say adventure bikes (on the road) but I?ve definitely been pulled over more when I?ve been on sportsbikes. An adventure bike or a big touring bike just doesn?t have the same ?illusion of speed?.
I?m sure that?s one of the reasons policemen and women scare me more when I?m on a sportsbike.

Who?s a naughty boy then"

Ever since the dawn of time, it?s been fairly rare to see a sportsbike on the road that?s completely bog-stock. If it?s not race tyres or a noisy exhaust, it?s carbon fibre bling (aka tat) and aftermarket indicators. Of course, not all non-standard parts are illegal bu...