The Minnesota State Patrol is retiring its motorcycle unit, the agency said Friday, April 20.

After a 60-year hiatus, the unit returned in 2007 with five troopers, the State Patrol said. Between 1930 and 1949, 80 motorcycles were in use by troopers.

Increased training costs, a concern for trooper safety and a lack of troopers interested in volunteering for the unit led to the decision to disband the unit, Col. Kevin Daly, chief of the State Patrol, said in a statement.

“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,” Daly said.

The State Patrol will auction its five 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycles in separate auctions. The first motorcycle is to be sold at a live auction Saturday, April 21. The remaining bikes will be sold in consecutive online auctions beginning the following week.

For information about online auctions: https://www.minnbid.org/public/auct-online-info.aspx

Brady Gervais can be reached at 651-228-5513. Follow her at twitter.com/bgervais.