Michigan State Police Motorcycle School: Enhancing Safety Through Precision Driving

1. MICHIGAN STATE POLICE BASIC MOTORCYCLE SCHOOL SERGEANT NICHOLAS DARLINGTON Training Division Precision Driving Unit

2. History of the Michigan State Police Motor Unit • 1919 Inception of the Michigan State Police. During this time Major Vandercook purchased the department’s first five Harley Davidson motorcycles to assist in enforcing the state’s maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour. • 1920 the MSP used sidecars to help stabilize the bikes on snow and ice as well as for two-man patrols. There were no marked patrol cars until 1929-1930. • 1942 during WWII, the MSP disbanded their motorcycle patrols because they were turned over to the Michigan State Troops (the wartime replacement for the National Guard during the war). • 1993 after 50 years without motors, the MSP reinstated the Motor Unit. • 2012 marked the beginning of a new era for the Motor Unit when we transitioned to the BMW R1200RTP.

3. MISSION The Michigan State Police Basic Motorcycle School has been developed to increase the safety levels of police officers assigned to motorcycle details.

4. Our program is designed to progressively build upon previous exercises to create a solid foundation in: • General Maintenance • Slow Speed Maneuvering • Emergency Braking • Evasive Maneuvers • Curve Negotiation • Motorcade/ Dignitary Escorts These skills greatly enhance the safety and survivability of those who complete the training.

5. Students are first introduced to: • Nomenclature • Mounting/Dismounting • Raising a Down Motor • Pushing a Motor

6. First Time on the Motor • Straight Line Start Offs • Figure Eights These exercises are designed to develop proper head and eye placement in combination with throttle and clutch coordination. The student should develop a feel for the “grey” area of the clutch. • Formation Parking/ Alignment This exercise develops the proper procedure to park and align motorcycles in a professional and efficient manner for the easiest and safest exit from a parked position.

7. Slow & Offset Cone Weaves Designed to develop a flowing relationship between the student and the motorcycle, along with the proper use of the throttle, clutch, head, and eyes. The student will also begin to use proper head and eye placement along with correct motorcycle placement, which will allow the student to rapidly change direction in the limited amount of space.

8. 90 Degree Pull Out Designed to teach the student to pull out of narrow places and change direction to a minimum of 90 degrees from a stopped position.

9. Intersection To further develop the student’s balance and ability to properly control the motorcycle and to enable the student to make multiple 90 and 180 degree turns in a relatively short distance through the proper use of the clutch, throttle, and rear brake, placement of the motorcycle and through the correct use of head and eye movements.

10. Cone Pattern Three Students will develop the ability to quickly and smoothly change direction in a confined area.

11. 360 Degree Cone Pattern To develop the student’s ability to make a very tight turn in a confined 360 degree area. This is accomplished through proper motorcycle placement and advanced control of the throttle, clutch, and rear brake, while at the same time using correct head and eye movements.

12. Front Wheel Braking To teach the student how to properly apply the front brake. Combination Braking To develop within the student the skill and confidence necessary to properly apply both front and rear brakes at the same time for maximum stopping capability.

13. Evasive To illustrate to the student that less distance is needed to steer a vehicle around an object than is required to stop before striking it. The exercise also serves to demonstrate the maneuvering capability and stability of the motorcycle, as well as show the driver his capabilities and limitations in making such a maneuver.

14. Brake and Escape To teach the student how to brake in an emergency while avoiding potential hazards.

15. 30 Mile Per Hour Cone Weave To introduce the students to the technique known as counter steering. This technique allows the rider to make a rapid change of direction at higher speeds.

16. 180 Degree Decel To have the student utilize many of the techniques learned to date in one exercise. These include: shifting, maximum safe braking, advanced control of the throttle, clutch and rear brake, balance, head and eye placement, and of course posture.

17. Curve Negotiation To teach the student how the motorcycle acts and feels in a curve.

18. Advanced Lines Of Travel

19. Practical Exam Score Sheet

20. CUMULATIVE SKILLS EVALUTATION

21. Motorcade & Dignitary Escorts

22. Michigan State Police Motor Unit Lansing Post #11 Jackson Post #13 Southeast Michigan Metro South Post #25 Metro North Post #26

23. Motor Trooper Public Relations

24. Thank You Sgt. Nicholas Darlington Michigan State Police Precision Driving Unit 7426 North Canal Road Lansing, MI 48913 517.643.5019 DarlingtonN@Michigan.gov