When on the road, the Secret Service primarily relies on the automobile to get

around.  However, motorcycles have also played an important role throughout the

years. 

While in the early stages of the Secret Service transportation development,

this agency occasionally deployed a White House Detail motorcycle escort unit

to support its protective movements. In February of 1917, the Service contacted

the New York and Brooklyn Automobile Supply Company seeking information on

motorcycle rentals for use in protective assignments. A Henderson Company

representative in Detroit, Michigan, advised the Secret Service that the

Henderson Model G motorcycle, produced by the Henderson Motorcycle Company

factory in Detroit, Michigan, was the "most available for the purpose being

less objectionable on account of its being noiseless." The Secret Service

purchased three motorcycles (#7300, #7318, #7592) and arrangements were made to

have them sent to Washington, D.C. They were to be rented at $3.00 a day, and

when the total reached $975.00, the motorcycles were to become the property of

the Secret Service. 

Each Henderson Model G four-cylinder, three-speed transmission motorcycle

contained an electric generator, an Exide storage battery, an electric horn, a

headlight with "regular or high-beam" options, a tail light bracket, mud guard

clips, and heavy type saddle springs.     

Consisting of operatives from the Secret Service's White House Detail, the

motorcycle escort unit was utilized to travel with President Woodrow Wilson's

motorcade in the Washington, D.C. area and assist in ensuring a safe journey to

and from destinations.  After Operative Harry Shepherd, formerly a motorcycle

patrol officer with the Metropolitan Police, was badly injured in a serious

accident during the President's second term, the unit was disbanded.

The Secret Service's use of motorcycles to support motorcade movements was

revived in July 2001, when the U.S. Secret Service Motorcade Support Unit (MSU)

became functional. The MSU is comprised of Uniformed Division personnel highly

trained and skilled in all aspects of motorcycling. Each motorman rides a

Harley Davidson Model FLHTPI Motorcycle. The Unit is assigned to the Dignitary

Protective Division and deploys out of the Uniformed Division Foreign Missions

Branch.

The mission of the Motorcade Support Unit is to provide the President, Vice

President, and designated foreign dignitaries with skilled motorcycle tactical

support during official motorcade movements within the Washington, D.C.,

metropolitan area.