Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Motocops; No One's Immune!

A couple of weeks ago a group of Spokane, Washington motor patrol cops were driving through our quiet little burg taking six brand new Harley's home from the Missoula dealer. They come through here, because you are off the Interstate, you can vary your speed and it's just a lot nicer country to ride through, in uniform or not. Just outside of town, one of the cops drifted off the asphalt, got caught in the soft shoulder, tried to return to the roadway and bounced his bike off the guardrail. Fortunately he was all geared up and not injured beyong his pride. Can't say as much for the bike, it had less than 150 miles on it.

I think the moral is nobody's immune from mishap, ride carefull, pay attention. He might have caught some gravel residual from Winter?? I don't know.

Hi John,

Is there any way we can find out if they were running 2 by 2? I hate riding like that and prefer a staggered formation...

Phil,

I know the MHP officer that investigated the accident. I could ask him, they were 3-4 miles up the road, navigating a relatively easy S-turn so I wouldn't expect they weren't side by side. I know some Harley guys like to ride that way, I wouldn't think Harley cop guys also ride that way. You rarely see wingers or beemers do that, unless they are leading the Shrine parade at 3 mph. You never see Triumph's do that since one is about the average size of group you ever see?

john

As a Shriner I've been in a lot of parades (never on a bike, I drive a little train) The bike units practice a lot but even they have their mishaps. Luckily it IS usually at 3 mph. Scratched chrome and bruised egos

Hi Bro. Larry:
Ditto on the great work Shriners do. I am not a Shriner but directed a kid that needed help and he got it quickly.

Dave P.M. Mission Lodge No 158 now Riverside Lodge 112

Many Shrine temples have motorcycle units. Usually they are either big full dress Harleys or Hondas. In fact, Harley has a special Shrine program where you can get a big full dresser for a discount and skip to the front of waiting lists. Nothing like a 900 lb motorcycle at 3 mph or less doing complex parade routines. And thanks, Shriners have a lot of fun but much of the satisfaction comes from helping the kids. Shameless plug: If you know any crippled or badly burned kids we want to know, the best care in the world and we pick up the tab.

I can't stand it anymore, I have to ask. Did someone drop a box of donuts by the side of the road?

These posts take different turns. We have a 30 bed Shrine Hospital 130 miles away in Spokane. I got a little curious and read more on the Shrine website. If I run across a fellow rider with a patch or decal, I'll be sure to say "Thanks" and shake his hand. A donation might be a better idea.

Hiya John
I asked this before but am I right in saying the 'shriners' are a group of guys who do charity work (parades and more) and are they the guys on mini bikes?
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Adey,

You'll have to ask Ladisney that question. He is a Shriner, I just appreciate the work they do for kids.

john

The Shrine, officially known as “The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,” is actually an offshoot of the Masonic Order. Just after the American Civil War the Masonic Lodges in the US started going dry (not drinking) and a few wealthy Masons in New York City started the Shrine as a party organization for Masons. All of the pageantry and parades are simply for fun. The Shrine grew by leaps and bounds until by the 1920’s it was a nationwide organization with hundreds of thousands of members. In the 20’s there was a national meeting where it was decided that the Shrine must have a purpose besides just having a good time. The first Shrine hospital for crippled children was started and there are now 22 hospitals in the US, Canada, and Mexico. They specialize in orthopedic care, burns, spinal bifida and other conditions in children 18 and under. There is a trust fund of billions of dollars that comes from fundraisers and Shriner’s bequests, that could carry the hospitals on, probably, forever.

We still require members to first be Masons and the Shrine is still a place for fun and fellowship. The are almost 200 Shrine Temples and about 500,000 members. We have parade units in every location. Marching units, car, minibike, motorcycle, clown, and all sorts of other groups. I guess you could say we are an organization started for fun that now has a serious purpose. But, it’s still a lot of fun. If you want more information look at the international headquarters website.
http://www.shrinershq.org/