So, you think you can ride?

Being an ex motorcycle policeman (1993-1996 on a KZ1000P) I thought I was good rider and better than some. My problem was I never competed in a Police Motorcycle Skills Rodeo. Holy crap....compared to the top riders (there were 99) I would have looked like a beginner. They needed judges for the competition held here at the Charleston Coliseum for the past three days. I had the opportunity to volunteer and it was great watching the fine motor skills of officers from Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana, US Army, and I think Kentucky (hope I didn’t leave anyone out). The things these officers can do with the Hondas, BMWs and Harleys was amazing. Additionally there were four female officers that rode better than quite a few of the men. If you ever get a chance to watch one of these rodeos, by all means, go! Here are the rules they used at this one: PPMSC Rules

Hey Death Wind, are there any videos of this competition?
That would be cool.
This subject reminds me of the "Motorman" DVD's which helped me a lot when I was learning to ride. Those techniques' that are taught to motorcycle police officers really work.

Nope....

Like an idiot I ran off and forgot to grab the camera, which has video capability. Hopefully they'll post some stuff on the website. Palmetto Police Motorcycle Skills Competition

This site also has some of the exercise diagrams listed.

The pylons are so close together that it must be hard tell where to go.
Yea, I really need something like this to practice on.

YouTube - Oakland, CA Police Motorcycle Competition

Oh and search youtube for Police Motorcycle Competiton Partner Run
Do you trust your buddy this much?

I dated a motorcycle cop for a while. We met at an accident (someone else's) - both on our bikes. He was in one of those competitions. I couldn't go because I was teaching a class that weekend. One time we went riding up in the mountains. He was on a Road King and was flying through some steep curves. He was testing me. I kept up. The thing was, I knew he'd scrape his floor boards long before I was going to hit anything, so I was cool. Afterwards he told me I rode better than most guys he knows. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have done those curves at that speed if I didn't see him doing them ahead of me. Well, I also knew I wasn't going to get busted. It was fun.

One thing that helps, when I get to the range before a class, or before I leave, I'll do some of the exercises on my bike - like the U-turn box that you'd normally do on a 250cc. If you have the opportunity to go to a range when they aren't teaching and do some of the exercises, you'll be surprised how much more comfortable you'll get on your bike.

I agree Abby, I go to the DMV a lot to practice and made it a point to be able to pass the NH endorsement on the bike I actually ride not a 250. I felt I owe it to the other drivers that I could potentially crash into

That's the good thing about NH. There are ranges all over the place. Do you go to the Concord DMV to practice? That's where I taught my last class. In fact it was while they were having the police rodeo down at Heritage. It's an interesting range with all the cruisers lined up at one end.

I think the discussion here is leading to the current DVD on sale by the former motorman Officer Jerry Paladino. FHP Officer and his website Welcome To Ride Like a Pro

By the way I don't even know officer Paladino, nor am I endosrsing him, but I wish I did, these guys ride this Road King cruiser like riding a Tri-cicle, they are amazing !!

I was riding with the Patriot Guard Riders one day and had the opportunity to talk to some of the officers that were riding that day here in NJ. They all attended the Maryland State Police motorcycle training, which is extremely strenous and not everyone in attendance will get through the course. That's how tough it is.

Anyway, every two years I take my privately taught safety course. Rider Education of New Jersey takes us to a range where we attend about 3 hrs of classroom training, followed the rest of the day by field training. I think it keeps me on my toes all the time when I am out there riding.

I have located a youtube video that shows lots of these videos on Motorcycle Rodeos, pretty cool.

YouTube - Ride Like a Pro Rider Skills Show


Safe riding everyone.

Regards,
German

Yes Abbey, I go to the one in Concord often. I like it cuz there's a lot of room and they have the test marked out in front. They run a lot of classes there but the front is usually empty.

I Saw a bike out today. It's the first I've seen since Christmas day. That one was a guy whose wife gave it to him as a gift, a custom painted Road King. He was putting gas in it

Now THAT'S a good woman...definitely a keeper!

Hell, my wife and kids bought me mine back in 04......I did however, receive the payment book with it. That's ok though!

Ride like a pro

Thanks for that link to the video. fireitup