The Minnesota State Patrol said today it's ending its motorcycle unit and selling it's fleet of Harley Davidson Electra-Glide — 100th Anniversary Police edition — motorcycles.
All five of them.
At one time, the Patrol's bike unit was a big, roaring deal: Between 1930 and 1949 there were up to 80 motorcycle patrol officers roaming the state in search of speeders.
The unit was later disbanded, but resurrected in 2007, with five troopers.
Now, it's gone again.
“Our decision to decommission the motorcycle unit was not made lightly, and the troopers who served in this unit deserve recognition for their work to improve traffic safety,” said Colonel Kevin Daly, chief of the State Patrol. “We decided not to put motorcycles on the road this year due to increased training costs, a concern for trooper safety, and a lack of troopers interested in volunteering for the unit.”
The Patrol's five Harleys will be sold at separate auctions, the first in a live auction Saturday at the Minnesota Department of Administration facility, 5420 Old Highway 8, Arden Hills. Preview is 8 a.m., aucti
The remaining bikes will be sold in consecutive on-line auctions beginning the following week.
Officials say the cycles are "equipped with a 103 cubic inch motor, 6-speed transmission, single seat saddle (air adjustable) and a six-gallon gas tank. They also include side saddlebags, tour pack and communications equipment."