I don’t get pulled over often, but when it does happen, I know why it did and I say so. If in my car, the conversation starts like this:
Officer Friendly: Do you know why I pulled you over?
Me: Yes, because I wasn’t paying attention.
This is actually a very honest answer. If I had been paying proper attention, I would have seen OF and I wouldn’t have done whatever it was that got his attention.
If I’m on my 97 Sportster, it goes more like this:
OF: Do you know why I pulled you over?
Me: Oh heck, what fell off this time? Starts looking down at the bike for missing parts.
Again, a very honest answer. Its well known that parts often fall off older Sportsters. Parts don’t fall off of my bike because I do regular maintenance, but its a non-confrontational way to try to start a conversation instead of getting a scolding.
I also hand OF my CCW permit along with my driver’s license. Of course, the first question asked then is if I’m carrying. With my hands still on the steering wheel or handlebars, I say yes and tell OF where it is and ask how to remove it from the holster without being a threat.
Its been 17 years since my last ticket.