Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Gotta Love a Sheriff That Can Ride Like That

Disclaimer:  We actually attended this rodeo in June 2009.  I wasn't writing on this blog yet, so there is no history for it.  Now that I have a channel available for video hosting, and have started my hand at primitive video making, I put together a few of the video clips I had taken that day.  Please enjoy it.  I still watch these videos in awe and cringe during some of these turns.  Great idea for practicing skills.


We normally shy away from biker gatherings. Just too many people and bikes and what not. But this gathering was going to have a Sheriff's Motorcycle Rodeo!! We arrived at start time to avoid the larger crowds in the day and were able to witness the Sheriff's during the rodeo practice.


Essentials: 6 Sheriff's from Hall County, 4 from Atlanta and 3 from Forsyth County. This appeared to be timed trials for motorcycle certifications. And the poor guys had to run these every half hour for 6 hours in sweltering heat of 95 degrees and glaring sun and full dress. I give them their cudos.
This four part course was generally run at 5 mph and involved basic circles and 90 degree turns. The photo above is typical for what one saw that day. And this guy is not about to drop the bike. He has to ride between two near cones and double back to ride between the two far cones. This required very tight low speed turns and excellent balance and control. The turns were so tight that the foot boards generally were scrapping the ground around each turn. There is one section of the course where there was an imperfection in the paving and would catch most of the floorboards...dropping the bike instantly.
Our favorite part was during practice in the morning when two officers entered the course together. The second bike was generally only a couple feet behind the first. Even in the descending circles!! Very tight and synchronized. I can see how this skill is a must when navigating congested areas. This was amazing to watch.

14 comments:

  1. It's amazing how them cops can control their bikes. I am glad that we are not being asked provide these skills for our driving license...

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  2. Lori:

    I agree that syncronized riding is great to see in person.

    I have a video of 3 Goldwings chasing each other on a prev post (video near the end)

    http://wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com/2010/05/bcsb-bike-night-1-2010.html

    Like you, I also avoid crowds and lately have taken being more by myself. Yesterday I was riding around town at night trying to chase night scenes

    bob
    Wet Coast Scootin

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  3. I agree with Sonja: I,too, am glad that I was not asked provide these skills for my riding test.

    And I, too, tend to stay away from crowds.

    Thanks for the post.

    ~Keith

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  4. Dear Beemer Girl (Lori):

    I have always beem amazed at the way the typical motorcycle cop can throw those Harley's around — in a crawl.

    However, I missed your last post and wanted to make sure you saw my comment. So I am putting it here. You have my profound respect and admiration for switching out the shocks on your rig. I don't think the job was as easy as you make it out to be.

    The gas tank on the K75 comes off pretty easy too... But I still cringe at the thought of it.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads

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  5. Hi SonjaM,

    I agree completely! I know I have performed those manuevers in my Experienced Riders Course, but looking back on it I can't believe it. :) -Lori

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  6. Hi Bob,

    Great video on your site. I will repeat here what I wrote there: I would love to learn/practice those skills...on someone else's bike!! :)

    I love your night shots and know you are probably finding some good ones around. Looking forward to seeing them. Just don't become a hermit!! Hate to picture you with this glowing helmet, flaming pipes and hearing stories of some ghost rider. :) -Lori

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  7. Hi Keith,

    I too agree with the skills test. I would love to practice...just not on my bike. :) -Lori

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  8. Hi Jack,

    In some respects, I think it might be easier to throw the Harleys or Goldwings around. We thought the two guys on the baggers in my Experienced Riders Course would have the most difficult time in the slow, tight turns. And they performed the best!!

    I was able to see one of the "Ride Like a Pro" demonstrations at a motorcycle show here last year. To prove their point, they had taught a 19 y/o, 90 lb girl to throw this 900lb Harley bagger around like it was a paperclip.

    Point me to someone else's bike and I will give it a shot. LOL.

    Thanks for the compliments on the shocks. Like you, I will probably get quesy pulling that tank off for quite some time. Metal is just so fragile isn't it? And with the unique color on your K75 I would be frightened of something happening to it. -Lori

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  9. I think they can pull it off because of a lower center of gravity - doing those maneuvers on a dirt bike would be way harder, I think.

    Awesome video!

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  10. Lori:

    I heartily agree with you about everything.

    Maneuvers are always easier to do on someone else's bike

    and while I would be afraid to attempt a gas tank removal on my bike, it would no problem at all to take your tank off. (that didn't sound right).

    bob
    Wet Coast Scootin

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  11. Dear Lori:

    That was a standard color on that model BMW 15 years ago. No longer. The red they use now seems to get dusty-looking (sometimes). Thank you for noticing my old "Fireballs."

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads

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  12. Really nice video. I have never seen a demo but have watched many on the net. Impressive. One of the advantages of an old bike like mine is that there are already plenty of scratches both from the previous owners as well as myself.

    Richard

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  13. Hi Jack,

    Rode the Tail of the Dragon last weekend. Tons upon tons of bikes and only saw 3 other R12R's. One of them being the same color as mine!! (Outrage!!) I like unique. So after seeing how easily the tank came off, and realizing that my bike only has 4 painted parts! Do you know how easy it would be to have those painted?? I've never owned a red vehicle and the first color to come to mind was "Fireballs"...talk about unique. Maybe someday...

    Best,
    Lori

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  14. Hi Richard,

    Yeah, I'll bet there aren't too many motorcycle shows in Barrow. ;)

    That first scratch is always the hardest, isn't it? Are scratches better then dents? Or do they rank about the same? :)

    Best,
    Lori

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