[Kidder]

WHY, WHY, WHY do motorcycle police officers ride side by side?

[Pete]

Why, why, why do you care?

[TGZ13]

Originally Posted by Pete

Why, why, why do you care?

Curiosity killed the cat

[figment]

http://news.motorcycle.com/article.motml?sid=2696

[Mojave954]

Prolly to appear as a bigger target.

[Chain]

I didn't know the answer to this Kidder, so I called an OPD Motor Unit supervisor I know and here's the answer I got: they do this almost purely out of tradition.

These guys drill. And drill. And drill. And drill some more. I'm not saying it makes alot of sense, but they actually train tandem lane riding in the motor certification classes here at my agency (a two week school, 10 days of eight hours a day of riding drills, and you have to be a licensed M/C operator just to apply for the school).

The "solos" as we call 'em (our motorcycle cops) suggest that since they're partners with the guy next to them, they can communicate back and forth without using the radio and all that, but primarily it's a way to show off their riding skills to the motoring public. A foot apart running down the slab in town at 60 mph, no weaving around, bikes turning together, etc.

I have to admit it looks cool and, well, they don't crash around into one another, at least not here, so...

[dB]

I encountered a group of motor cops on a training drill a while back...must have been 20 of them riding in pairs and tight formation on my normal canyon commute. I was just a hair over the speed limit and rounding a blind right hander when I met them coming the other way. The few who's faces I saw were giving me the hairy eyeball.

I've lost touch with him but I once knew one of the CHP's motor trainers. I have a lot of respect for their riding skills.

[Serial Thriller]

Originally Posted by Kidder

WHY, WHY, WHY do motorcycle police officers ride side by side?

Probably the same reason they don't wear proper gear.

Originally Posted by figment

http://news.motorcycle.com/article.motml?sid=2696

"Gasga was catapulted onto Dickens’ motorcycle and rode it for about a quarter mile before losing control and crashing."
I bet that was a sight!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Serial Thriller

"Gasga was catapulted onto Dickens’ motorcycle and rode it for about a quarter mile before losing control and crashing."
I bet that was a sight!

You took the words right out of my fingertips! I wonder if he really got ahold of the grips, or if he was just body surfing on top of it.

[asiliat]

bike cops have mad skillz, fo sho'.

[soon2b954]

Originally Posted by Pete

You took the words right out of my fingertips! I wonder if he really got ahold of the grips, or if he was just body surfing on top of it.

Just another mad stupid stunner who wanted ta stunt on uh hog!!
Jus' like Orenthawl James.

[ND4SPD]

Originally Posted by Kidder

WHY, WHY, WHY do motorcycle police officers ride side by side?

Easy...it's their sense.

[Hamburgler]

They should be ticketed for racing.

[bubba]

Originally Posted by Hamburgler

They should be ticketed for racing.

hell yeah

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by Hamburgler

They should be ticketed for racing.

LOL!

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by Pete

Why, why, why do you care?

Well, I saw two officers riding side by side this morning (one on his BMW RT and one on his Harley) and I was wondering why the hell they ride like this.

Chain, thanks for the research. Tradition is a stupid reason. And yeah, it's tradition for them to ride with 3/4 helmets, short sleeve shirt (in the summer) and tall boots. I don't know why they don't make those bright yellow Aerostitch suits with full-face helmets (there's got to be a way for them to use comm systems with a full-face).

I will give them props for their riding skills, though.

[Serial Thriller]

Originally Posted by Hamburgler

They should be ticketed for racing.

[CBR929RE]

Originally Posted by figment

http://news.motorcycle.com/article.motml?sid=2696

wait a sec. he went over to what I will call the "perp" first then to his partner. I probably woulda went over to the partner first. screw the perp laying in traffic. he just hit a cop if he gets hit I don't have much sympathy.

[NinerPilot]

I think the reason for the 3/4 helmets is not the radio, but so that they dont appear "Menacing" to the public. I was talking to a couple of Deputies on Cannery row at Laguna last year about their new Bimmers, and we talked about helmets. He said that his dept requires him to even remove his sunglasses when approaching a car... Its all about how they look to the public...
Chris

[KJ's RR]

Originally Posted by TGZ13

Curiosity killed the cat

AHH But The Answer Brought HIM BACK!!!

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by NinerPilot

I think the reason for the 3/4 helmets is not the radio, but so that they dont appear "Menacing" to the public. I was talking to a couple of Deputies on Cannery row at Laguna last year about their new Bimmers, and we talked about helmets. He said that his dept requires him to even remove his sunglasses when approaching a car... Its all about how they look to the public...
Chris

To be able to talk. Think of someone that needs a hollered order to stop freeze etc. Now muffle that in a full face helmet, not good. Of course you could remove your helmet, and the delay could be a problem...

[Chain]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

To be able to talk. Think of someone that needs a hollered order to stop freeze etc. Now muffle that in a full face helmet, not good. Of course you could remove your helmet, and the delay could be a problem...

To say nothing of the fact your field of view and hearing are both diminished to a degree when wearing a full face lid with chin bar. The 'officer safety' implication is pretty clear.

[Chain]

Originally Posted by Kidder

And yeah, it's tradition for them to ride with 3/4 helmets, short sleeve shirt (in the summer) and tall boots. I don't know why they don't make those bright yellow Aerostitch suits...

Honestly, our guys (and I suspect most others) spend significantly more time off the bike than they do on it. They're basically riding from one traffic control or radar enforcement assigment to the next, then getting off the motorcycle and standing around in the glaring summer sun.

I don't have to wear the helmet or the tall leather footgear, but my equipment (utility belt and weapon; ballistic vest; tac boots) and uniform shirt/pants weighs in at 23 pounds. So I immediately go from 220 to over 240 when I dress for work. It's extra ballast to lug around, just as if I were 23 pounds overweight.

I cannot fathom the heat, restriction and discomfort that would result in my donning a 'stich atop the stuff we already wear.

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by Chain

Honestly, our guys (and I suspect most others) spend significantly more time off the bike than they do on it. They're basically riding from one traffic control or radar enforcement assigment to the next, then getting off the motorcycle and standing around in the glaring summer sun.

I don't have to wear the helmet or the tall leather footgear, but my equipment (utility belt and weapon; ballistic vest; tac boots) and uniform shirt/pants weighs in at 23 pounds. So I immediately go from 220 to over 240 when I dress for work. It's extra ballast to lug around, just as if I were 23 pounds overweight.

I cannot fathom the heat, restriction and discomfort that would result in my donning a 'stich atop the stuff we already wear.

Mesh the hide you save may be your own.

[rocket]

Sort of on topic... I saw this a few months ago. The two cops were in front of me on a hill and they both stopped inches away from the car in front of them. If the person had a stick they'd be SOL.