MI State police goes BWM

[thought]

How do the Kawasaki's compare with maneuverability and ground clearance? Those are two big factors for police bikes... Also how much gear they can hold, comfort, and ease of use. Speed/power aren't always the most important thing. Consider that a cop is on those thing 8+ hours a day, in heat/cold, wearing all their standard gear. They need a bike that is easy and comfortable to use, not necessarily the fastest. They need to be able to go off road at times, up over curbs, through alleys, between cars and other tight spaces, etc. Also maintenance costs, durability, and how easy they are to repair is also a factor. The bikes might be idling for long periods of time, and they will get dropped often as well.

Around here it's been BMW's for as long as I can remember. Seems every agency uses them and they really like them. Probably a little under powered, but they get the job done.

Sounds like a GS/Versys/Vstrom would be way more up to cop duties actually.

[Slide Panda]

A department tested some BMWs nearby here.  I know the local mechanic.  I don't know if the police are extra rough on clutches or if the BMW clutches are weak but when they go the bike has to be basically broke in half to get to it.  He was complaining about how many clutches and how hard they were to change.  I wonder if they will do any long term studies in MI.

The tested bimmer was listed as having a single plate dry clutch - so a cars clutch? Wonder if they over heat/burn out the dry clutch faster than wet ones.

[SDRider]

Sounds like a GS/Versys/Vstrom would be way more up to cop duties actually.

Don't forget all the equipment that cops have to haul around.  That adds weight so you'd probably want a bike that is setup and capable of carrying that weight.  Not sure a budget bike like the GS/Versys/Vstrom is up to that task.

[Triple J]

Don't forget all the equipment that cops have to haul around.  That adds weight so you'd probably want a bike that is setup and capable of carrying that weight.  Not sure a budget bike like the GS/Versys/Vstrom is up to that task.

Pretty sure the GS could handle the weight...isn't very "budget" either.

Berkeley cops rode dual sports, and wore dark blue fatigues with combat boots. Seemed to be the most practical set-up I've seen for a moto cop that didn't need to ride on the freeway.

[thought]

I'd say that all modern literbike dual sports are more than up to the task of taking care of the battery drain, luggage space, and weight of a cops standard bike gear.  In fact I'm pretty sure that they are all using the same engine as the ones offered... smaller in the case of the kawi c14 though.

They probably would take a beating better than most of the street bikes... I think that only major issue would be with the ride height.  With the touring bikes they use currently the seat height prob is rarely an issue.  The dual sport bikes would be a hassle for shorter cops.

[jerryz]

Most UK forces use either BMW RTs  or Honda ST1300 but the Honda is not likedby many  for its dangerous handling at high speed which has killed a lot of riders

in Thailand the traffic and escort cops use some BMW RT models and Yamaha FJR 1300 or FJ900/600

the local thai cops use varios 125 stepthrus or honda CBR150

best time were when UK cops had Norton commandos and Guzzi 850s lovely bikes

[DRKWNG]

CHP used to ride Guzzis. 



A friend of mine back home (also a cop) bought an old one to restore.  Has it set up now period correct with working lights and siren.   

[Autostrada Pilot]

Timp-Harley Police Motorcycle Competition

Hey! That's like 3 miles from me.  Very cool building-most of the steel is reclaimed from the old steel mill just down the street.

Utah's finest (and motorcycle cops in general) can freaking ride.

[SDRider]

Pretty sure the GS could handle the weight...isn't very "budget" either.

Berkeley cops rode dual sports, and wore dark blue fatigues with combat boots. Seemed to be the most practical set-up I've seen for a moto cop that didn't need to ride on the freeway.

I thought you were talking GS500...

[Bill in OKC]

Interesting pics and discussion -
http://forums.cycleworld.com/showthread.php?t=130456

[Slide Panda]

That is ugly...

[Speedbag]

What's a BWM?

[ducpainter]

What's a BWM?

reading is fundamental...

[DRKWNG]

proof reading is fundamental...

Fixed that for you.

[sgollapalle]

Thats what I'm talking about..

http://www.thefickeadventure.com/WorldTrip/Wedding/Honeymoon/images/PoliceDucati.jpg