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View Full Version : SF Moto LEOs Practicing at AT&T Park


Motohaulic
12-12-2007, 05:09 PM
Each day I take a stroll around the ballpark after lunch to get some fresh air and stretch the legs a bit. Today, as I was coming back from the end of the pier behind the ballpark (by the ferry dock and Seal's Plaza gate entrance), and I see about 8 - 10 SF moto cops riding slowly along the portwalk towards the ferry entrance. I decided to stop and check out the bikes as they rode by. To my surprise they began to ride an obstacle course right in front of me using the various inanimate objects in the area.

The first exercise was to weave in between all the palm trees, make a tight u-turn and proceed back through he next row of trees in the same fashion until all rows (3) were complete. It was pretty cool to watch!

Next, they all rode in a small circle, making sure to keep their eyes on the rider directly across from themselves. After several revolutions, one rider broke the circle and began to ride towards the bathroom.

Once there they proceeded to ride through the entrance of the bathroom. Well, not into the bathroom as it may sound, but betwwen the structure and the wall which blocks people from seeing into the bathroom, which is about a 3 or 4-ft gap. Fairly tight for the Harleys.

The last exercise was to make a u-turn on the portwalk, which is about the same distance across as a single-lane, two-way street.

I wasn't sure if we had any SF Moto LEO's on the board or not, but it was cool to get to watch you guys run that course real quick. I made sure to give a quick :thumbup to you as you were passing by to leave.

Anyway, I just thought I would share. Not really that big of news, but cool to see nonetheless. I found it interesting how each rider had their own style, not unlike racers. Some made sure to look all the way over their shoulder before executing the u-turn and others only looked part way through. Some shifted their weight to do the tight maneuvers, while others did not. All riders completed each task with what seemed like little effort. Good to see other riders keeping the skills sharp!

motorman4life
12-12-2007, 05:44 PM
I don't work for SF, but I have done quite a bit of LEO m/c training in SF and the ballparks are my favorites. I have ridden all around and all over both Candlestick and Pac Bell parks. Those pedestrian ramps at the end (near the player's lot) at AT&T is a blast to race up and down. Very slippery though. In the past 3 years, I have spent many hours doing the zig-zag slalom around the posts and palm trees as well as tight circles around the Lou Seal statue near the docks. Fun stuff. :thumbup

RolnCode3
12-12-2007, 11:19 PM
Cool. Thanks for sharing.

antarius
12-13-2007, 12:11 AM
I can only hope....

Motohaulic
12-13-2007, 11:50 AM
I don't work for SF, but I have done quite a bit of LEO m/c training in SF and the ballparks are my favorites. I have ridden all around and all over both Candlestick and Pac Bell parks. Those pedestrian ramps at the end (near the player's lot) at AT&T is a blast to race up and down. Very slippery though. In the past 3 years, I have spent many hours doing the zig-zag slalom around the posts and palm trees as well as tight circles around the Lou Seal statue near the docks. Fun stuff. :thumbup

Even though you don't work for SF it's still pretty cool you've gotten to run the exercises. It looked like a blast. I work at the park, but unfortunately I still forsee legal repercussions if I were to casually try to run that myself. :laughing Oh well, it does look fun though.

I can only hope....

Indeed ... I skimmed over your thread about getting on the SF Moto Patrol. Congrats man! :thumbup You'll do good, and think about how cool all the trianing will be that you get to go through! Plus, you'll get to be one of those LEOs that people stop to watch on their lunch break. Sure it'll be challenging, but that's what makes it worth it, right? Otherwise everyone would be doing it. Isn't there a crazy waiting list to get on the moto patrol? I heard the Suzuki dirt bike LEOs have a crazy wait list as well! Anyway, GL to you bud!

Papi-C
12-13-2007, 12:00 PM
I"ve seen them train over by great america. ITs very impressive.

Traq
12-13-2007, 01:20 PM
5 or so years ago I used to go to weekly meetings at a building right behind the parking lot of the Coliseum. I watched OPD practicing in a cone course set up in the Coliseum's parking lot quite a few times.

Motohaulic
12-13-2007, 01:27 PM
It's amazing how they get those big Harleys to turn. I rode my Dad's new Harley (Heritage Softail Classic), which is a big cruiser similar in size the LEO bikes. They're heavy, but once you stand the bikes up they feel really light because of how well balanced they are. Still, I wouldn't dare take my father's Harley through one of those courses though, as it would definitely be quite a challenge. Plus there's always the chance Iwould be returning the bike with some 'character'. :laughing

antarius
12-13-2007, 01:52 PM
Character isn't bad!!! Motoholic, FYI I'm not SFPD. Thanks for the congrats though!

I've seen the SFPD guys near Pacbell park a couple times as well, looks like they're just having a good time and getting "training" in.

Motohaulic
12-13-2007, 02:07 PM
Woops, my bad man! I stand corrected. I just re-read parts of your other thread and it looks like I read between the lines a little too much, and probably because I had SFPD on my mind at the time. The congratulations are definitely well deserved though!

I agree, character isn't bad, but when it's on your father's baby, then it might not sit so well.