Six New RT Police Bikes

[LRider]

My friends and I were outside of Moto Internationale in Montreal, and we saw six new RTs on their way, presumably, to their new home:

[BobFV1]

Rod - thanks for the cool photo. How many months a year is motor patrol viable in Montreal? I go up there on business every now and then and I can't imagine Nov - Feb motorcycle patrol!

[LRider]

Rod - thanks for the cool photo. How many months a year is motor patrol viable in Montreal? I go up there on business every now and then and I can't imagine Nov - Feb motorcycle patrol!

Bob, the motor patrol usually starts in late April, and finishes in November, depending on the weather. Last year I saw a bike patrol in late November. What is somewhat unusual is that most of the forces use Harley police bikes, we don't see the beemers too often. :thumb

[JetDoc]

What is somewhat unusual is that most of the forces use Harley police bikes, we don't see the beemers too often. :thumb
We're seeing more and more law enforcement agencies switching from H-D to BMW police bikes. My local dealer (Beaudry Motorsports) sells to police departments all over the northwest, and says their prices for a complete, ready-for-service police bike is about $200 less than an equivilent Harley. Not a really big difference, but enough to make the bean counters from the local government agencies decide on the "less expensive" BMWs.

Another really cool side effect of this is since most police agencies rotate their fleets about every three years, there will be a whole lot more black and white RT's on the used bike market in about three years! :thumb

[The_Veg]

While there may not be much difference in acquisition cost, my understanding is that the operating costs of BMWs are significantly lower than HD but many departments only care about cost of acquisition. I have heard of departments categorically eliminating BMW form consideration because they don't have footboards.
A few smaller departments around the D/FW metro area have Beemers. Fort Worth has a very shiny fleet of black Harleys, but I have seen *one* BMW in their fleet, often running speed enforecement during the morning commute on I-30 just east of downtown. I wonder if they have one to evaluate it for future purchase?

[marcopolo]

Our local police force uses Harleys, but last fall they evaluated an RT-P. I only know that because it was on the local dealer's showroom floor after the eval, before being shipped back to BMW Canada. I can't understand who'd use Harleys, when they could ride BMWs. I understand HD gives discounts on personal bike purchases to police, paramedics etc.

[Hodag]

I've spoke with a few motors in the area, and its kinda funny most of them ride Beemers off the job. Good luck getting any chief in WI to buy anything but milwaukee iron.
damn shame, that and why don't they wear decent gear?

[BradfordBenn]

There is also some political pressure to buy "American" in the government. Not saying it is right or wrong, but it is there.

Now as to why there is not more gear, The police want to appear to be approachable... really I asked once.

[manicmechanic]

I recall in the not-too-distant past an article in MCN about some motor-cop rodeo, mostly H-D's, and the apparently major theme was that the H-D's were "cool". Mr. Dave, do you remember?

[The_Veg]

I don't think the Buy American thing is very smart, since 1) the new-for-1976 Kawasaki Police 1000 is probably far cheeper and 2) Harleys are only screwed together on these shores- the parts are largely of foreign origin these days.

As for gear I too always thought that cops should be better protected. Dallas PD has recently started using a cool-weather long sleeve jacket that has a good healthy amount of high-viz yellow on it and I thought that was pretty revolutionary for cop gear.

[MarkF]

My former police dept. switched to BMW after I left. They were riding H-D. I think the big influence was one motor officer who rode a Gold Wing. Now they have three motor officers who don't like the BMWs. Could it be because that all three are H-D riders off-duty? The dept. I now work for and the dept. in the town I reside are both H-D and the motor officers all ride H-D. In small depts. with small fleets officer preference might be a big influence.

Personally, I think the authority R1150GS was the best city/town motor! For the Highway Patrol the R1150RT, K1200RS and new Honda ST1300Police are all great!

[Bob_M]

There are speed patrols on R1150RTs on the sinuous and oft abused (:D )Angeles Crest Hwy which runs along the ridgeline of the tall chapparal mountains north of LA. (Dream Job). I know the agencies maintain the motorcycles, but I wonder also just how hard they are ridden, and if there is any value in buying a used CHiPs bike considering the hard use.

[donkey doctor]

Hello; Victoria bought 6 new Honda st 1300's for patrol duties, and sold off their last Harley. They had BMW's before the Harley's, mostly K 75's. I don't remember ever seeing a R series copsicle there.

[username]

we've got BMWs seeping into the austin police department. i've talked to one of the officers, and he was still on a harley, and he just really liked it. he said other guys liked the BMWs too, but he was going to hold onto his harley as long as he could. his rationale was simple, and valid in my opinion - he was super comfortable on it, felt safe, and knew it inside and out. it was his steed - like a horse - and he knew it very well, and didnt want to give it up until he had to. i can sympathize with this. some things are "better" but familiarity is a very comforting emotion.

we had two motorcycle cops crashes this past week here. a buddy of mine witnessed one - cop going very fast on a semi-suburban winding road with limited sight distance. he was passing cars in the chicken lane, and came over a rise and someone had pulled into it as they pulled into it, bam, he hit them. he is alive and in the hospital.

another guy "left the road." that's all the paper had on it. for some reason he ended up in the median. i think he is ok, just bruised/scraped.

back to the topic, i like seeing the RT make its way onto the force. ;)

[Cliffy777]

that is my idea of a truckload of cool.

[boofer]

Looks like a modern day "Butch Cassidy And the Sundance Kid
" in the making.


Tim

[mistercindy]

Very cool photo! :thumb