Police R bikes in DC (Washington, that is)

[rocketman]

Just went outside my office ( I work in a gov. building just ouside downtown DC) and there was a 99 Pentagon Police "R" bike. didn't even know they used BMW for Police bikes anywhere in DC. Asked the guy how he liked it, he said it was OK, but was looking forward to the next set of bikes coming in as they were switching to Harleys. Asked him why he like the Harleys better, his response was "cause they are bigger, shinnier and louder!" Ha Ha! didn't think to ask him what he rode for his personal bike, but I don't think it was a BMW!:bliss

And life goes on......

RM

[Ted]

Article (http://www.autofan.com/newsdetail.asp?id=238&mn=2&yr=2003)

BMW NA donated them - too bad they are switching to Harley Davidsons, but to be honest with the very limited patrol area and constant need for low-speed use in often high temps the HD's are probably a better choice.

Talking to Steve at Morton's BMW (http://www.mortonsbmw.com/) I have heard that the LE models they have sold and serviced, usually used by LEOs with extended patrol areas and used often at higher speeds and varying conditions, are universally preferred to the Kawasaki and Harley Dasvidsons they replaced. Looks like Miami (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5296990/) is also discovering something much of Europe figured out years ago, that they also make excellent EMT first response vehicles.

[rocketman]

Originally posted by Ted
Article (http://www.autofan.com/newsdetail.asp?id=238&mn=2&yr=2003)

BMW NA donated them - too bad they are switching to Harley Davidsons, but to be honest with the very limited patrol area and constant need for low-speed use in often high temps the HD's are probably a better choice.



Interesting, I would have thought that HD's would get hotter at low speeds, what with one cylender behind the other, my SO's yamaha cruiser gets a lot warmer than my airhead, but maybe it's differnet with the oilheads.??

Md started using sport BMW's a few years ago to combat the squids, funny that they ride with full face and full gear, while the HD types still wear the standard outfits, go figure, quess you get hurt less on an HD cruiser than a crotch rocket! :D

RM

[The_Veg]

Fort Worth has a fleet of very shiny black Harleys, and then this one BMW I've seen out and about. I wonder if they're evaluating it for a possible brand change?

[Ghostryder]

Several departments around here have gone to beemers and they all say that they love there new bikes, and that they would never go back to there Harleys. :D

[BradfordBenn]

I talked with a local constable, and one of the things that we all forget about is that lots of governments only want American made. Seems reasonable.

How many Caprice/Diplomats are police cars?

[rocketman]

Originally posted by BradfordBenn
I talked with a local constable, and one of the things that we all forget about is that lots of governments only want American made. Seems reasonable.

How many Caprice/Diplomats are police cars?

I don't about the Caprice/Diplomats, but how many of the "American" made cars have parts made overseas and to what extent?? So when do you cross the line between "American" made or foriegn? Just because it's assembled here doesn't mean all of it is made here. I wonder how many government bodies consider that aspect of manufactured goods when they say if has to be made in the US, or it just whether it's put together here that counts?

RM

[MarkF]

Possibly the best non-highway Police Motor?

A Kawasaki KLR650 with 19" front wheel! But I would settle for the KZ1000. Just one guy's opinion. I also hear that Honda will be importing a NEW Police Motor based on the ST1100. That's right, not a ST1300. Maybe they have lots of parts to use up.

MarkF

[Ted]

You should understand the Pentagon force is quite a different thing than most - the patrol area is about a mile in each direction and laced with 15mph access roads. Having a bike with excellent low-speed maneuverability that can comfortably roll around in first and second gear all day is far better suited for Pentagon patrols than a bike with sensational high-speed maneuverability and stability, with superior accelleration, and unfortunately less than favorable high-temp/low-speed capabilities.

The other traditional use, parade and slow, formal escort -- as another poster noted above, people seem to like the chrome and the rumble.

[ScottM]

Got talking to a county leo on a new RT last spring on a particular nasty day. Asked how he liked the change to BMW, he loved it. Quicker, smoother, and he said his ass stayed dry. Would hate going back to harleys or yamahas.

[MarkF]

What model?

[ScottM]

Not sure, his words not mine. Kbase may know what the CA leos were driving a while back. I still a newbe to this god forsaken state.

[kbasa]

I've seen them on Kawa KZ1000 Police Specials and HDs.

[MarkF]

Originally posted by KBasa
I've seen them on Kawa KZ1000 Police Specials and HDs.

Yep,

I know there was a FJ1200 Police bike overseas and the K1200RS but those rockets would never be used in the Liability States of America.

[ian408]

Originally posted by MarkF
What model?

You might be thinking of the San Francisco PD. They were riding
dirt bikes for a time.

But generally, HD's and Kawasaki PD bikes are what California
cops rode.

San Jose PD have a couple of GS's (of the 1150 variety) they
seem pretty happy with. Same with Half Moon Bay.

Ian

[Burnszilla]

Here's some cool BMW Police bike ads from www.bmwmc.net

http://www.burnszilla.com/images/RT-P%20ad.jpg

http://www.burnszilla.com/images/GS-P%20ad.jpg

[BradfordBenn]

Great Ads! Thanks for posting them