Why do motor cops ride side by side?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 826
From: Toronto Canada
reason #1 = safer because oncoming car drivers can figure out if you're too close for them to turn
studies have shown that many of the classic 'left turn in front of motorcycle' car vs bike accidents are caused by the car driver not being able to judge the distance to the motorcycle because it is a single point of light instead of the 2 points of a cars headlights . this assumes lights on , day or night . no lights on = car driver didn't even see motorcycle
reason #2 = it's easier to communicate quickly if you're side by side . pretty hard for the rear guy of a staggered pair to point to something that may flash by in a fraction of a second . remember , cops are used to sitting next to each other in a cruiser
reason #3 = two harleys running side by side sing to each other and the song changes as the engine revs go up and down , it's a beautiful sound and you don't get it so much if you ride staggered . try it !
studies have shown that many of the classic 'left turn in front of motorcycle' car vs bike accidents are caused by the car driver not being able to judge the distance to the motorcycle because it is a single point of light instead of the 2 points of a cars headlights . this assumes lights on , day or night . no lights on = car driver didn't even see motorcycle
reason #2 = it's easier to communicate quickly if you're side by side . pretty hard for the rear guy of a staggered pair to point to something that may flash by in a fraction of a second . remember , cops are used to sitting next to each other in a cruiser
reason #3 = two harleys running side by side sing to each other and the song changes as the engine revs go up and down , it's a beautiful sound and you don't get it so much if you ride staggered . try it !
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 406
Likes: 14
I ride SxS with a select few riders, people I know and have ridden with for years. If we ride in some charity run we ride together because we know how to handle the unexperienced and just plain bad riders. I don't know how many people have come up to Dan or myself and commented that we ride like we know what the others thinking. We have a system that the inside rider, whom ever it is, always leads into corners and takes the lead when turning.
Anytime you can be familiar with another rider and anticipate their actions will you will be much safer and alert. It helps that 4-5 of us have been riding together for over 30 years.
I'm sure those cops know what they are doing and the consequences of their actions if they make a mistake.
WUZFUZ
Anytime you can be familiar with another rider and anticipate their actions will you will be much safer and alert. It helps that 4-5 of us have been riding together for over 30 years.
I'm sure those cops know what they are doing and the consequences of their actions if they make a mistake.
WUZFUZ
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 3
From: NorCal - Land of Pinkos and Prix
They do it - BECAUSE THEY CAN!
Everyone who's so worried about it here will never understand. You are the same people who go on and on shaming anybody who chooses not to wear a helmet. It amazes me that you even ride a Harley.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 25
From: se michigan
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
Except it's not their property they are riding, and not just themselves they may be affecting.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 3
From: NorCal - Land of Pinkos and Prix
Well now we get down to the real issue you have with it. So I guess you need to schedule an appointment with the chief and tell him how you don't appreciate his motorcops doing things that you don't approve of.