WTF with Chips and no gear?

[Calpantera]

I have been wondering lately, WTF is it with the CHiPs (Cali Highway Patrol) and wearing no protective gear. The guys ride around in brain buckets and short sleeve shirts and that's IT! I work for the state of Cali and we have all kinds of rules but these guys are riding around waiting for a serious case of road rash and no one blinks an eye??

[Big Rich]

There was a pretty long discussion about that on ADVRider. I think the conclusion was that it was left to the individual's discretion, and they choose to wear minimal gear to keep cool in the heat.

I could be very wrong though.

[Janx101]

pfffft .. perfectly obvious why!! ... their sense of self satisfaction shields them from the reality of harsh road surfaces!!

[john]

pfffft .. perfectly obvious why!! ... their sense of self satisfaction shields them from the reality of harsh road surfaces!!

truth

[noworries]

Pretty much the same here in the Land of Oz. You can't fart here without doing a safety audit in your job. But the bike cops ride around in short sleeved shirts and duty slacks. Was talking to one of them at our local petrol station a while back and he proudly told me "but I do have a bullet proof vest on under my shirt." And I thought "riggggggggght" closed my fuel cap, paid my bill, and went on my merry way.

[yamahonkawazuki]

cousin near SD is a chp. i asked him this once. he said the older cops were using the tortoise shell helmets cause if 1 they had to foot chase, tackle, or yell . ( he was allowed to wear a convertible helmet. so he could do both and be protected. but as far as the uniform, idk if theres a suit that is made which allows for ease of movement on and off the bike. can anyone answer this? i am curious

[Janx101]

hmmm.. have seen the AUssie bike coppers wearing their leather jackets while riding... when its cold... but generally they suit themselves.... as most other riders do too... 

[SAFE-T]

Obviously there aren't a whole lot of LEO's with road rash, or things would be different.

[yamahonkawazuki]

i had waved @ a phoenix bike cop while he was turning. he proceeds to wave back while turning, and promptly drop bike. ( helped him put his goldwing back upright. ) easy to do surprisingly.

[Janx101]

Bahahahaha... THats gold on a Goldwing Yama.... Bahahaha.... Cops have skillz!!!

[ohgood]

their skill level is well above most riders. watch their high speed lines and slow speed maneuvers. its not being cocky, its being balanced. they spend 8-12 hours on the bike with each shift.

would you want to be in 90f full sun and a set of leathers, then foot chase or direct traffic ?

I wouldn't. their balance of maneuverability vs road rash is considered. it would be impossible to pick up a weapon safely with a full face helmet, gloves, and leathers on. armored mesh would be better, providing more protection from attack and the road.

I've followed riders down through the wine valleys of northern california on st1!300's, they were doing wheelies, stoppies, and hitting each others bags/kill switches. would they ticket you for a sane wheelie, at sane speeds, prolly not these two. a finger wag and your nod might be all.

there is a chase and take down video of local (alabama) mounted officers ill try to post soon. watch his head movements, intersection checks, and lines.all of this with adrenaline pumping , sirens wailing, an intercom/radio, and a car racing away from him.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAlVVwquo7I


after all of that, a professional, quick and clean arrest. seeing videos like this should bring everyones skillset into question, instead of what the officer is wearing.

it did for me.

[Janx101]

yeah i know they all pretty highly skilled...  .. no question there....

just thought Yama's anecdote was a cracker!!  ... a highly trained cop waving and coming unstuck from 'good manners' ...

goes to show a SNAFU can happen in an instant to ANYONE!! 

[yamahonkawazuki]

yeah i know they all pretty highly skilled...  .. no question there....

just thought Yama's anecdote was a cracker!!  ... a highly trained cop waving and coming unstuck from 'good manners' ...

goes to show a SNAFU can happen in an instant to ANYONE!! 

very true. judgement errors happen to anyone.

[Twisted]

their skill level is well above most riders. watch their high speed lines and slow speed maneuvers. its not being cocky, its being balanced. they spend 8-12 hours on the bike with each shift.

would you want to be in 90f full sun and a set of leathers, then foot chase or direct traffic ?

I wouldn't. their balance of maneuverability vs road rash is considered. it would be impossible to pick up a weapon safely with a full face helmet, gloves, and leathers on. armored mesh would be better, providing more protection from attack and the road.

I've followed riders down through the wine valleys of northern california on st1!300's, they were doing wheelies, stoppies, and hitting each others bags/kill switches. would they ticket you for a sane wheelie, at sane speeds, prolly not these two. a finger wag and your nod might be all.

there is a chase and take down video of local (alabama) mounted officers ill try to post soon. watch his head movements, intersection checks, and lines.all of this with adrenaline pumping , sirens wailing, an intercom/radio, and a car racing away from him.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAlVVwquo7I


after all of that, a professional, quick and clean arrest. seeing videos like this should bring everyones skillset into question, instead of what the officer is wearing.

it did for me.

Still think this could have been done in a full face helmet and some riding gear. For a police force that are so quick to draw their weapons because they want to go home to their families I think some gear could help here too.

[PachmanP]

I wouldn't. their balance of maneuverability vs road rash is considered. it would be impossible to pick up a weapon safely with a full face helmet, gloves, and leathers on. armored mesh would be better, providing more protection from attack and the road.

[Janx101]

  DREDD!!!!