Motorcycle Training



COURSE PURPOSE:

The purpose of this course is to provide law enforcement officers the techniques of riding dual purpose motorcycles’ safety on and off-road.  This course will consist of slow cone patterns skills in addition to off-road riding skills. It will also discuss and have practical application in pullover and approach, live fire exercise, emergency braking and collision avoidance maneuver techniques. 

 

 

  1. INTRODUCTION / OBJECTIVES

 

            A.  Introduce program and instructors

                        1.  Staff and student introductions

                        2.  Safety protocols

                        3.  Legal issues

            B.  Explain outline of the Program

                        1.  Staff’s expectations of students

                        2.  Requirements to pass the program

            C.  Performance Evaluations

                        1.  Scoring of the Daily Performance Evaluation

                        2.  Scoring of the Basic Skills Test Evaluation

 

 

  1. MOTORCYCLE AND EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

 

A.  Familiarization and inspection of personal safety equipment

                        1.  Identify wear & serviceability of personal safety equipment

            B.  Inspection of motorcycle and related parts

                        1.  Inspect wear & serviceability of motorcycle components

            C.  Motorcycle Maintenance

                        1.  Identification and inspection of rider related items

                        2.  Check tire pressures, oil level, clean windshield, etc.

                        3.  Adjust clutch and front brake lever for proper reach

                        4.  Check brake pedal and shift lever height adjustments

                        5.  Check and adjust seat and windshield height (selected models)

 

           

  1. MOTORCYCLE FAMILIARIZATION

 

            A.  Motorcycle Nomenclature

                        1.  Component identification

                        2.  Identify instruments, switches, levers, gear shifter and brakes

            B.  Proper starting procedures

                        1.  Turn ignition switch on

                        2.  Wait for computer self-check (selected models)

                        3.  Activate choke or fast idle (selected models)

                        4.  Start engine

 

  1. MOTORCYCLE SKILLS

 

            A.  Physical Requirements

                        1.  Properly mount motorcycle from the high side

                        2.  While seated, check for proper feet position on the ground

                        3.  Back motorcycle up a 6% incline in less than 90 seconds.

                        4.  Properly lift a downed patrol motorcycle

            B.  Basic Operation

                        1.  Synchronization of clutch and throttle

                        2.  Coordinate position of body, head and eyes

            C.  Incline Work

                        1.  Coordination of clutch and throttle

                        2.  Maintain proper balance

                        3.  Figure Eight Pattern

                        4.  Slow Cone Weave

            D.  Pull-Ins and Pull-Outs

                        1.  Turn against a barricade (Level Surface)

                        2.  Turn against a barricade (Incline and Decline)

            E.  Street Riding Techniques

                        1.  Defensive riding

                        2.  Identification of potential hazards

                        3.  Evasive maneuvers

                        4.  Emergency braking

           

 

  1. CONE PATTERNS

 

            A.  Explanation and Demonstration

                        1.  Staff explains and demonstrates each exercise or activity

                        2.  Staff closely monitors and evaluates motorcycle students

            B.  Smooth control and operation of the motorcycle

                        1.  Clutch and throttle control

                        2.  Head and eye coordination

                        3.  Body position

 

 

  1. BRAKING

 

            A.  Braking demonstrations

                        1.  Combination braking, proper use of front and rear brakes

                        2.  Proper braking with ABS and non-ABS equipped motorcycles

                        3.  Decelerate from 40 mph within 83 feet

                       

            B.  Various braking conditions

                        1.  Sudden course changes while braking

                        2.  Surface appraisal

 

  1. 30 MPH CONE WEAVE

 

A.  Collision Avoidance Exercise

                        1.  Explanation of proper counter-steering techniques

                        2.  Weave through seven coned gates, 36 feet apart, at 30 mph

                        3.  Speed tracked with Radar equipment, plus or minus 2 mph

 

 

VIII.     TRACK RIDING / APEXING

 

            A.  High Speed Response Exercise

                        1.  Lane position, speed and following distance

                        2.  Properly negotiate turns 

                        3.  Proper use of brakes and gear selection

                        4.  Proper overall control of the motorcycle at speed

 

 

IX.       PROFICIENCY TEST

 

            A.  Skills Testing of Students

1.  Students must show smooth operation and control of the motorcycle            while performing slow speed cone patterns

2.  Students must show proficiency in the 40 mph emergency braking and

                             30 mph accident avoidance exercises

 

 

SECOND WEEK

 

 

 

I.          STREET RIDING TECHNIQUES

 

            A.  Classroom Lectures

                        1.  Proper lane position for maximum safety

                        2.  Identification of potential hazards (surface appraisal)

                        3.  Residential vs. Business districts

                        4.  Freeway vs. Urban areas

                        5.  Mountain and canyon roads

                        6.  Riding in pairs and groups

                        7.  Pursuits

                        8.  Traffic stops

            B.  Safety during Practical Application, Traffic Stops and Long Rides

                        1.  Student safety shall be continuously monitored by the Training Staff

                        2.  Medical Services shall be summoned by Sheriff’s Radio

                        3.  Incidents or traffic collisions shall be handled by the local policing

                             agency or by Traffic Services Detail.

II.         TRAFFIC STOPS

 

            A.  Practical Application

                        1.  Conducted on campus at the Fairplex, EVOC Facility, without the use

                             of firearms

                        2.  Proper lane position and distance behind violator

                        3.  Right side vs. left side vehicle approach

                        4.  Use of the motorcycle and other objects for cover

                        5.  High risk vs. low risk traffic stops

           

 

III.        STREET RIDING TECHNIQUES

 

            A.  Freeways, Mountain Roads, Business Districts and Residential Streets

                        1.  Identify potential hazards, surface appraisal

                        2.  Maintain a high visual horizon

                        3.  Anticipate other vehicle’s movements

                        4.  Proper lane choice and lane position for maximum safety and visibility

                        5.  Proper following distance for maximum safety

                        6.  Riding in pairs and in single file

 

 

IV.       COMMUNITY POLICING GOALS

 

            A.  Community policing techniques on a motorcycle

                        1.  Public education through enforcement

                        2.  Directed patrols and high visibility

                        3.  Issue warnings when appropriate

                        4.  Interact with the public in non-enforcement situations

            B.  Limitations of motorcycles for enforcement

                        1.  The effects of inclement weather

                        2.  Operator fatigue

 

 

V.        NIGHT TIME CONDITIONS RIDE

           

            A.  Differences between riding during daylight hours vs. darkness

                        1.  Visibility limited to that which is illuminated by the headlight

                        2.  Decrease riding speed to compensate for limited visibility

                        3.  Appropriate usage of both high and low beam headlight

                        4.  Proper following distance

                        5.  Maintain a high visual horizon

                        6.  Reaction time as potential hazards become illuminated by headlight

                        7.  Do not out-ride the headlight (ride faster than is safe)

 

 

VI.       FIRING RANGE

           

            A.  Location

                        1.  Pitchess Detention Center Multi-Purpose Range

            B.  Training

                        1.  All firearms training exercises are presented by the Range Staff

                        2.  Shoot, Don’t Shoot Traffic Stop scenario

                        3.  Helmet and gloves shall be worn during the exercise

                        4.  Taking advantage of available cover

                        5.  Effectiveness of using the motorcycle as cover

                        6.  Different shooting techniques

            C.  Safety

                        1.  A Firearms Safety Briefing will be conducted by the Range Staff

                        2.  Students shall adhere to the established Firing Range Safety Policies