Secret Service Retires Motorcycle with Historic Significance

The U.S. Secret Service has officially retired a 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHTPI Electra Glide Standard Police Motorcycle. The motorcycle and sidecar were used in the agency's Motorcade Support Unit (MSU) from July 2001 to November 2005.

The MSU consists of highly-trained Uniformed Division Officers who have completed an extensive 80-hour motorcycle training course. The unit was officially formed in July 2001, and this motorcycle is part of the original fleet of eight that were purchased.

What the Secret Service MSU Does

The MSU provides skilled police motorcycle tactical support to the Presidential Motorcade and the Dignitary Protective Division during official presidential motorcade movements.

MSU officers provide traffic control to ensure a safe and unhindered conveyance of the motorcade throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Four Years of Historic Support

The motorcycle and sidecar were used in several historic events, including:

• September 11, 2001 – Escorted several cabinet members to Mount Weather from the White House.
• October 2002 – Used for patrols at local Washington, D.C. schools during the D.C. Sniper attacks.
• February 2003 – Escorted President George W. Bush from Camp David to the White House following the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster.
• June 2004 – Used as support for the State Funeral of President Ronald Reagan.
• January 2005 – Used in support of the second Presidential Inauguration of George W. Bush.

In 2005, the motorcycle was decommissioned and housed at the James J. Rowley Training Center, in Laurel, Maryland. It remained there until May 2023, when it was officially retired and moved to the Secret Service Museum, an agency spokesperson told Government Fleet.

The agency posted a video highlighting the motorcycle's transport to the museum. You can watch it below.

About the Motorcycle

The motorcycle was purchased from Battley Harley-Davidson in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The primary operator was Uniformed Division Lt. Kenny Smith, MSU. 

"It is my hope that this motorcycle will help to inspire people and give people a glimpse of the history of the Motorcade Support Unit," Smith said.

The bike has a fuel-injected Twin Cam 88 motor (1450cc).

In an effort to keep the MSU Officers operational year-round, it was necessary to train on the motorcycles with the sidecar attached. The use of the sidecar gives the officers the ability to operate the motorcycle during the winter months when there’s ice or snow.