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Motor Police practice norms

beginner

beginner

New member
Joined
Oct 28, 2008
Location
Port Austin Michigan
Moto(s)
Kawasaki KLX300r
What do motor police instructors recommend to their students for routine parking lot practice time after the training course? Are there typical exercises recommended? Do they recommend a daily warmup before patrols?
 
We are given one day per month to train. Half the day will be spent at EVOC in the cones,, the other half will be some other skill such as: range, escort formations, parade formations, parking, apexing, etc.

I spend less than ten minutes warming up in the morning. Circles to the left and right,, fig 8's, 30 cone weave, and a good 40 decel. Throughout the day we find areas in the city to challenge our skills. Parks, schools, light rail stops, businesses, etc.

How's the training going ?
 
5MARY4 said:
We are given one day per month to train. Half the day will be spent at EVOC in the cones,, the other half will be some other skill such as: range, escort formations, parade formations, parking, apexing, etc.

I spend less than ten minutes warming up in the morning. Circles to the left and right,, fig 8's, 30 cone weave, and a good 40 decel. Throughout the day we find areas in the city to challenge our skills. Parks, schools, light rail stops, businesses, etc.

How's the training going ?
Click to expand...

Thanks for responding. If you take all the time on quick practices during a typical patrol day what would you guess is the total practice minutes?

My practice is going well as far as I can tell. All summer I spent at least half my time in a parking lot practicing somewhat like a kid limited by his mom to the backyard. Call it serious play.

I notice that the first ride of the day always starts in a parking lot and I drop back in on almost every ride. I also notice that my figure 8s take at least 15 minutes to get smooth and if I want to really push skills it takes another 15-30 minutes of warmup.

I learned two surprising things in the parking lot, that how I use upper body weight is as important as the other controls and that I can increase oversteer with small changes in body weight. It has me thinking a lot of single vehicle turning accidents are about not understanding how easy it is to unhook the rear tire in turns. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gblc_lGmHWc

Thanks again
 
Balzer Bumps

Brian (5MARY4) why did you not tell him about the Balzer bump? Is that not a good warm-up drill? hahahaha :rofl
 
Practice something everyday.

Emergency braking, figure 8s, tight circles, 180 decel, whatever, just practice something everyday.
 
5MARY4 said:
Throughout the day we find areas in the city to challenge our skills. Parks, schools, light rail stops, businesses, etc.
Click to expand...

That really makes me jealous!!!!!!!!!!!! I love to find tight, confined areas to practice/navigate through. Problem is, If a beat cop sees me, could mean a ticket. Might have a better chance splaiiiiining myself to a M-unit.
It would be cool to find a trials course for street bikes. So that one wouldn't be
breaking any trespassing laws.:teeth
 
silversvs said:
Practice something everyday. Emergency braking, figure 8s, tight circles, 180 decel, whatever, just practice something everyday.
Click to expand...

I'm practicing enough to wear off the outside edges of my front tire about every 6-8 weeks.

I've watched police rodeo and Japanese gymkhana competitions on youtube and wonder what exercises they do, day to day, to be competitive in those events. I've found nothing online so far.

Is there someplace where training for that kind of thing is discussed?
 
I'm going through tires every 4-6k miles. It's ridiculous.

I don't practice nearly as much as I need to.
 
You guys practice every day? I had no idea. I wind up trying something new or a little differently each day but hadn't thought of practicing every day. I should start practicing a lot more often. Thanks. :eek:)
 
mosquito said:
You guys practice every day? I had no idea. I wind up trying something new or a little differently each day but hadn't thought of practicing every day. I should start practicing a lot more often. Thanks. :eek:)
Click to expand...

I started last June brand new. I'm not a motor cop, just a recreational rider. The pattern I got into was two hours of moving time a day with one of those hours in the parking lot. I did about 300 hours of riding, so 150 hours of PLP. It was worth every second. What's fun about the bike is having skill, that's what I'm addicted to now.
 
I've done about 8000 miles since starting in August. Still, the learning is the most enjoyable part for me. (No idea how many hours that comes out to.)
 
Wow, David. I'm impressed. :thumbup You've come a long way since that August cone practice. Remember? I made the guys help you take your bike out of your pick-up. They gave you tips on fixing up your bike. Then I rode it around the lot.
 
So far I'm doing OK. A lot of learning, some stupid mistakes, nothing bad though; still am impressed every time I see a moto LEO 'cause now I know enough to understand the skills they have. :eek:)
 
mosquito said:
So far I'm doing OK. A lot of learning, some stupid mistakes, nothing bad though; still am impressed every time I see a moto LEO 'cause now I know enough to understand the skills they have. :eek:)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately many moto LEOs don't have those skills. They probably had them when they attended motor training, but they don't have them now. I know a lot of motors who do not practice, nor do they take the time to keep their skills sharp or work to improve those skills.
 
silversvs said:
Unfortunately many moto LEOs don't have those skills. They probably had them when they attended motor training, but they don't have them now. I know a lot of motors who do not practice, nor do they take the time to keep their skills sharp or work to improve those skills.
Click to expand...

Do the motor police trainers make specific recommendations about ongoing PLP after the basic training? Do they make a case for why that's important?
 
We make a VERY strong case for it. Riding is a skill just like shooting. Without proper practice,, your skill will eventually fade
 
5MARY4 said:
We make a VERY strong case for it. Riding is a skill just like shooting. Without proper practice,, your skill will eventually fade
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm interested to know what specific PLP guidelines are considered correct for motor police if the trainers could have their way. Sharing those might make a contribution to the safety of civilian riders. Would there be a web site that gives those details?

I found some analysis of civilian motorcycle crashes in my home State of Michigan up to 2004. My impression is that 30% of them didn't need to happen if the riders had the practiced skills that used the full performance of their bikes.
http://www.motorcyclesafetyinfo.com/michigan/serious_crashes_involving_motorcycles.pdf
http://www.motorcyclesafetyinfo.com/michigan/motorcycle_crashes_in_michigan.pdf
 
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