Staggered or side by side

[bajakirch]

OK, for those of you who ride a MC and don't know who Ponch and Jon are, you must immediately stop what you're doing, get to Hulu, Nick at Night or your local TV station late at night and watch at least 3 consecutive episodes of ChiPs. That should cover you for the plot lines on over 90% of the other episodes.

I work with several officers that are motor cops and have attended the HD training academy for motorcycle officers. But I honestly don't know if they're trained to ride that way or not. If I see one of them over the weekend, I'll ask and post whatever response I get.

As for the protective gear, most motor cops I know wear boots (some wear the knee-highs), a leather riding jacket (unsure about armor) and a 3/4 helmet. The helmet choice I can address. A police officer has to be able to respond to his radio. For those (like me) that have tried to talk into a cell phone while wearing a FF helmet (no, not while I was riding -- sheesh), you know it's almost impossible. Plus, when you're talking to people (the public, on traffic stops, etc.), you don't want to have to take your helmet off for every conversation. One guy I know requisitioned and received a modular helmet, but he had to do some fast talking to get the department to pay for one that had an internal radio speaker and mike.

[bajakirch]

Update.

I rode in a group ride today with several motor officers, and had lunch with some of them. All had been through the HD motorcycle officer training school in Milwaukee. I posed this question to them and this is what they had to say.

The training does not specifically recommend or deter officers from side by side, or as they call it, 'Team Riding'. Most of the training course is focused on the individual officer and bike. After the officer pases the testing at the end of the basic instructional period, they have the opportunity to work on some additional skills. In those sessions, they do get some time to work on Team Riding. According to the officers I spoke with, the training is cursory and treated more like 'you can do this if you want to'.

Interestingly, the officers' opinions on Team Riding were very similar to those posted in earlier comments. If they trust their riding partner, they like riding SxS. If it's someone new or someone they're not comfortable with, they will use a staggered formation.

[RustyFairmount]

In SE Michigan, Side by Side is a recipe for disaster.  Cops from other states would probably think most Michigan riders are drunk riding...when in fact we're just drifting around in our lane to avoid the potholes.  No kidding.  Detroit area roads are in fact that bad.

[cjbear11]

Ok ok, I know the tv show ChiPs. I've maybe seen it once or twice. With that said, I still would have had no clue who Ponch and Jon were.   

[Snoopy]

9 times out of 10, I only do staggered. Tho my cousin and I have been riding a lot together and we have the same riding style and are able to determine where the other may go or what may happen. We havn't discussed it much but we do ride side by side a lot.  I guess it would be a good idea to discuss where to go just to make sure our intentions are the same....

[natehawk750]

Cmon guys, no idea who ponch and jon were?!?!  I guess I'm the only kid who grew up with three channels...

Thanks Ari I was beginning to think I was the only poor kid. lol

[Snoopy]

Cmon guys, no idea who ponch and jon were?!?!  I guess I'm the only kid who grew up with three channels...

Thanks Ari I was beginning to think I was the only poor kid. lol

never heard of em myself...but havnt read thru the entire thread either..too lazy to...or just too busy at work

[rwilli1228]

My experience with cops is that most are idiots.  My experience with bikers who do not use space for safety is that they're idiots as well.  Training or no training... potholes or other sudden obstacles, such as wildlife, in your direct path don't discriminate.  If there's no space to swerve around a hazard then you're f*****.  

Cops also wear 3/4 shells and where I'm from they never wear protective jackets.  The argument against full face helmets is that they can't use their radios and they can't take their helmets off constantly.  They do make modular helmets though and the price of installing a radio system into one would be far less expensive than the medical bills associated with your jaw being ripped off by road rash. 

[tcoop]

Seems to be standard for cops 3/4 helmet no protective gear (except maybe bullit prof vest) gloves and boots

[fishmeister]

Seems to be standard for cops 3/4 helmet no protective gear (except maybe bullit prof vest) gloves and boots

They wear those steel mesh shark diving suits underneath. Last one I seen go down for a slide was throwing sparks everywhere...smelled like a pork roast.

[Soupskin]

Holy crap my sister and I LOVED watching CHiPs as kids.

Thanks, now I have the theme song stuck in my head.

I'll only ride staggered, even with my own dad.