Posted: 6/27/2009 3:16:37 PM EDT
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Just successfully completed this 2 week course, put on by Northwestern University and Harley-Davidson. Had to be one of the hardest, most physical and mentally challenging schools I have ever been to. For 8 of the 10 training days I felt like the first day of boot camp, mentally. The Skills Test (riding test on day 8) was rather intense, mostly mentally but also physically since you have so much to do in such a short time. Every day of the riding training you feel more beat and exhausted than the previous day. I dropped my motors at least 30 some times during the slow cones manuevering training. Some guys probably dropped them around 100 times. Good thing H-D Road King Police bikes are so damn tough. Harley-Davidson provides all the bikes and maintains them on site.
But passing the Skills Test and written test and getting your Motor Officer certificate and some Motor Officer only items that Harley gives you for passing makes it all worthwhile. It is a somewhat elite fraternity being a certified Motor Officer. If anyone is considering this field, be forewarned that the school is a real bitch and should NOT be gone into lightly. Of the 18 Officers who came into the class, 2 dropped due to injuries (broken ankle on one, severe foot injury on another) and 4 did not pass the Skills Test, making them ineligible to be certified. Just because you have ridden bikes for years and think you know all there is about riding, you will quickly find that Motor Officer training is 180 degrees opposite of ANYTHING you have done or thought motorcycle riding was. Operator training teaches you the right way to ride a police motorcyle and by far the safest and easiest way to manuever that beast in tight, unsafe situations. But it is no picnic taking the training, not by a LONG shot. I in no way regret going to the school and am quite proud to have accomplished it. But be assured, you will be physically and mentally thrashed going through it. Good luck to anyone going to any of these Motor Officer training schools. |
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I have a 2002 RK and a nasty stroker 98 softail, and I can tell you, I respect the Fuck outa the Motor cops. Day in, day out, they are on patrol, while most drive a truck in the same weather.!!!!!
They put on a show at the home depot here yearly, some dude surfs the saddle, ride formation, front brakes Howling. Its a sure way to gets some broken bones and good memories!!!!!!!!!!!! Trust yer Tires!!!!!!!!! I bet you got a Copy of "Ride Like A Motor Cop" , Right?! Lotta guys say if you can ride in the Kansas wind, you can ride anywhere!!! ( 25-35 mph gusts,,,, put you ditch to ditch at 70+++++++++++)!!!!!!!!!! |
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Quoted:
Welcome to the family. Use the skills that you were taught and take at least 30 minutes a shift to practice the maneuvers. Ride it like it is a tool for the job! Haha... I thought your last sentence was going to end ride it like you stole it. 
But that is what squad cars are for. 
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