SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — Fresh wheels and an open road are all the excitement for several Sioux Falls officers as they tested out two new BMW police motorcycles Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s a little bit of a learning curve on these motorcycles. A different set of controls and just they’re a different bike, they’re a little bit lighter, a little more agile,” Police Motor Instructor Chad Gillen said. “They’re going through exercises that they’ve done previously on the Harley-Davidson.”
Eight bikes make up the department’s motorcycle fleet. Its used Harley Davidson bikes for quite some time, and five of those bikes will still be out on the road along with the new BMWs. The eighth bike is a Triumph.
“The motorcycles are nice because they can get to some hard-to-reach places in the city. So, there are times that we have to get them off-road and to, you know, down the bike path or on the bike trails in case there’s an emergency down there,” Sergeant Travis Olsen said.
The new BMWs will replace two of the department’s oldest bikes.
Olsen said the motorcycles are also used for escorts, from funerals to large house transfers. They’re also more efficient and cheaper than squad cars.
“I will write more citations on the motorcycle than I do on the car because it’s more versatile for me, not only to get to get through traffic but also I can read a less visible,” Gillen said.
While it was an exciting day, it was also a reminder that there was no room for mistakes once officers hit the road.
“Practice, practice, practice will eventually make perfect practice and then be perfect on the road,” Gillen said.
Currently, there are about ten officers who are trained to operate patrol bikes. Sioux Falls police also offer training every Spring for officers to practice their motorcycle skills
