Motorcycle State Patrol
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,961
Likes: 263
From: Conroe Texas
I once rode down Rt 1 to Key West, I waved at every Trooper and local cop, every one waved back, in their car or on their bike. Little experiment on my part, the Police seem to be pretty friendly and fair here in Fla.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I always give them the wave, but all I have ever gotten back was them turning their head to look right at me with the baddest look they can muster on their face.
But look at it another way. I have been told by one of the isp motorcops that nobody is eligible for the program if they have ever ridden a bike before. They only pick troopers that have never been on a bike, train them for a few weeks, and turn them loose on the highways. My father-in-law was a motorcop in Phoenix in the 60's. Same thing there. They only took guys like him that had never sat on a bike for the program.
If this is true, there is no way to know if that motorcop has more than two weeks experience riding a bike in his life. They might not be comfortable with taking a hand of the bars yet.
Dennis
But look at it another way. I have been told by one of the isp motorcops that nobody is eligible for the program if they have ever ridden a bike before. They only pick troopers that have never been on a bike, train them for a few weeks, and turn them loose on the highways. My father-in-law was a motorcop in Phoenix in the 60's. Same thing there. They only took guys like him that had never sat on a bike for the program.
If this is true, there is no way to know if that motorcop has more than two weeks experience riding a bike in his life. They might not be comfortable with taking a hand of the bars yet.
Dennis
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: Volusia County, FL
I have had mixed experience with it. Local PD will wave back, County Sheriff will wave back... FHP doesn't, and there is one local PD (Pt. Orange) that don't.
I wave at them as a courtesy, and if they don't wave back, no big deal.
I wave at them as a courtesy, and if they don't wave back, no big deal.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Homewood, IL
In my daily commute from the south side of Chicago to the Northwest burbs there are usually 1 or 2 motor-patrol out on the toll way during the summer months. Very Very rarely will I get a wave, but flash a smile and a nod I'll almost always get a nod back. Not sure if its a protocol issue. I usually get the same from patrol cars too.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,961
Likes: 263
From: Conroe Texas
Hehehe, and thats just the nice name, they are referred to by many other not so flattering names. Usually when they pull someone over for a ticket.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
I had one on a beemer wave, i waved out of habit and he waved back (Charlotte). Next to my firehouse we have a trooper baracks and there are several motor officers and when i seem them ill usually go talk to them or they will pull up to the station to chat. If you ever get to look at one of there bikes, there are more buttons than a goldwing in heat, so they are definitely constantly having to pay attention to the radio, the bike, and the cagers around them. Don't take offense if they don't wave. Other than an ocasional a**hole, they love riding to, you don't get that position, they work for that position to ride on the job. just my 2 cents and no change. Ride safe.