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[DOOFUS]

SFPD is a very good department -- I guess they found reasons to form this unit??? 

[CVOJOE]

Maybe all their Harley's were in the shop for repairs ??    

[91FXR]

ever rode an enduro?

[Envithyx]

OMG!  Living near enough to that location, all I can say is wow, just wow.

Guess they are trying to be PC since there was a big backlash against Harleys in S.F. if I remember correctly.  What a contrast to the Oakland department that had the city spend something like $38k to re-retrofit their bike's pipes for performance and noise after the department retrofitted them to within legal specs.

Note, nothing against other makes/models of bikes, but I tell ya, officers on them bikes just doesn't look right.  Should have put them on busas.

Edit: Now that I have been schooled by Don, I can see the advantage of them using those bikes.  Still, just doesn't quite look right.  I'm sure it still a nice change up from using 10 speeds or mountain bikes.

[JCZ]

They still have the Harleys so I'm thinking this group is for use in crowd control.

[DDavidson]

From Wiki

Motor Division
The SFPD was one of the founding departments in the field of utilizing Police motorcycles, (along with their counterparts across the bay in Berkeley). The unit was founded in 1909, and has grown ever since. They are officially under the command of the SFPD Traffic Division. They participate in many duties such as traffic-enforcement, patrol, riot control, and special events and escorts. The only full functional department that utilizes the entire traffic fleet for escorts in the nation. No other metropolitan city utilizes all its motor bikes for escorts but SFPD. The entire 85 man unit is based at the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street. Unlike most cities (which are tentatively smaller), they patrol as solo officers (hence the name SOLOS). They can frequently be seen throughout the city.The bulk of the unit is composed of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a sub-division exists that is composed of Honda dirt bikes (which is under the command of the Tactical Unit and not the same as Traffic), for city patrol and patrol in and around the area of Golden Gate Park. Otherwise, every one of the 10 main police stations in the city have 2 motorcycles under their command, used for patrol around their districts exclusively.

Officers on the Hondas were used to clear out revelers from Market St after the Giants World Series victory parade.

[Envithyx]

Thanks for the informative post Don. I just got schooled and didn't know I was going to class. 

If I was thinking, could have done some research myself, but was still too taken a back by the picture in the 1st post.  Edited my original post to take into account this new information.

[DOOFUS]

Yup my buddy there just retired as a Commander -- they are indeed primarily for crowd control & large special event response.  DOOFUS

[papatronics]

I have been living in the area for a little over a year now involved with the new San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge.  My first day driving in San Francisco business district, a pair of these guys pulled me over and wrote me up for no front license plate on my cage...... very next day got pulled over on the freeway leaving San Francisco by another one of these guys.... again for the missing front plate.  I just figured these were the guys that didnt pass the motor officers training course so they keep them on a mini bike.

[DDavidson]

I received one of those missing front plate tickets right after I moved to the Bay Area 21 years ago. Moving here from a one plate state and assuming I only received one plate in the mail I stuck it on the rear. Didn't realize that the there were two plates pressed snuggly together. Back then the fix-it tickets were free but not any longer.
I wonder if San Francisco is the traffic fine / traffic fee capital of the country? At least the city admits it is for the revenue.

[JasonDeezy]

Those bikes that are pictured are from the Park Station (right outside of Golden Gate Park) and like JCZ posted, the Harleys are still used. Dudley Perkins-Harley Davidson does most of the services for the SFPD Harleys and also for the other PDs located nearby. I know my city is wacky but we would NEVER (fingers crossed) get rid of the HOGS!

[1sharprdkg]

SFPD is a very good department -- I guess they found reasons to form this unit??? 

Well someone may need to write that guy on the left, in the back a ticket...either his bike is not running yet or his headlight is burnt out!   

[DOOFUS]

Jason - I served there for a year -- we used to hit all the DIRTY HARRY joints with my SFPD buddies.  BTW, is CLOWN ALLEY still around??

Those bikes that are pictured are from the Park Station (right outside of Golden Gate Park) and like JCZ posted, the Harleys are still used. Dudley Perkins-Harley Davidson does most of the services for the SFPD Harleys and also for the other PDs located nearby. I know my city is wacky but we would NEVER (fingers crossed) get rid of the HOGS!

[JasonDeezy]

Jason - I served there for a year -- we used to hit all the DIRTY HARRY joints with my SFPD buddies.  BTW, is CLOWN ALLEY still around??

The Clown Alley on Columbus shut down a few years ago so no more late night burgers after hitting the bars on Broadway!