Just Curious!!!!!!!!

[Roaddawg]

From what I've read and seen, the BMW patrol bikes are FAST!!! And recently in California, they're starting to use a new Kawasaki ZX14 built specifically for Police use. These things are far from parade bikes.....

Its actually the Kawasaki Concours, which is more of a detuned ZX-14 engine and at least 150 lbs. heavier and bigger overall.....still blows the BMW's away. CHP doesn't use them for parades. Its more for getting to the emergency scene through the stop-and-go traffic and basic traffic enforcement.

 

[Marthy]

Having the $$$ I'll go for one of those... 6R is great to commute around but the Concours is a great if not the best Sport-Touring bike on the market. Never been a big fan of Kawi... but I'll buy one of those if I could.

 

[bleedinblue]

From what I've read and seen, the BMW patrol bikes are FAST!!! And recently in California, they're starting to use a new Kawasaki ZX14 built specifically for Police use. These things are far from parade bikes. I've personally seen these guys ripping up the twisties just like a sportbike. I was on Palomar one day hauling ass up the hill and had one blow past the other direction, definitely not going easy.

I actually saw one of these bikes pull a wheelie (not a huge as this) carrying the front tire a foot off the ground when he pulled away from a stop light right next to me to go get someone who'd run a red light.

I couldn't believe the acceleration. They are really making sure that people who may decide to run on sport bikes from the cops don't have quite as much of an advantage as they did.

Did they actually buy a fleet of them, or was it a dealer sample?
Im just curious, we only have HD and hondas here, depending on the department.
But when a manufacturer comes out with a new service vehicle, they usually make a few hundred to send around the nation as demos.

When the chargers first came out my cousin had a prototype to review for a month.It had fancy graphics on it and said Dodge city instead of having to change them at every department that tested it.

But anyway that was just my opinion, from here.In Indianapolis they mainly are parade vehicles, before retiring my uncle ran the garage for years, they only kept about 25 bikes, and they were all 1000lb harleys.

The gear they wear is honestly just as dated as the bikes lol.In the 70's, when harleys were fast still, the cops were geared up for the time.

If more places adopt the faster bikes, I think it will become more acceptable for the departments to splurge on modern gear.For now I think they just cant rationalise spending that much on gear for special vehicles.Most departments cant afford swat teams or even drug disposal teams.Funding determines everything.

Until they are forced to change they wont.As sad as it sounds, thats how it works

 

[Detrich]

With all the clout law enforcement has, I'm actually really surprised that they can't have one of the major gear manufacturers come up with some official police uniform riding gear suited for bike cops- ie armored jacket with sleeves and pants etc. They can always get modular full face lids as well.

Seems like they are stuck in the 60's 70's mentality when it comes to bike safety. And, that's a shame.

 

[JonKerr]

I don't know for sure if they're samples, or if they're testing, but I know I've seen them on a number of occasions. I can't remember the last time I saw a Harley motocop. They've been on BMW's for years and the Kawi's seem to be much more prevalent lately. Around here I'd say on the highways you see almost as many motocops on the freeways as you do patrol cars. They're everywhere. On the freeways they like to sit in the shadows under overpasses and around blind bends with their radar guns aimed down the road. If you're speeding, they've got you on the radar before you even know they're sitting there.

 

[Roaddawg]

Did they actually buy a fleet of them, or was it a dealer sample?
Im just curious, we only have HD and hondas here, depending on the department.
But when a manufacturer comes out with a new service vehicle, they usually make a few hundred to send around the nation as demos.

When the chargers first came out my cousin had a prototype to review for a month.It had fancy graphics on it and said Dodge city instead of having to change them at every department that tested it.

But anyway that was just my opinion, from here.In Indianapolis they mainly are parade vehicles, before retiring my uncle ran the garage for years, they only kept about 25 bikes, and they were all 1000lb harleys.

The gear they wear is honestly just as dated as the bikes lol.In the 70's, when harleys were fast still, the cops were geared up for the time.

If more places adopt the faster bikes, I think it will become more acceptable for the departments to splurge on modern gear.For now I think they just cant rationalise spending that much on gear for special vehicles.Most departments cant afford swat teams or even drug disposal teams.Funding determines everything.

Until they are forced to change they wont.As sad as it sounds, thats how it works

Yes, they bought a fleet of them. They are slowly replacing the BMW's (Many of the CHP bikes have well over 100K miles). The Kawi's are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, more reliable, and faster. There's been some bugs getting worked out (i.e. radios, accessories, and such) AND the budget problems have also slowed down the purchasing of more. As for new patrol cars, they started testing those again. The Charger just didn't take off well for CHP.

As for the gear debate, the other BIG issue (besides the bulky gear deal) is tradition. As the joke saying goes, "Progress hampered by 80+ years of tradition." As the newer generations rise up in ranks and the older ones retire, you'll start seeing some change.

 

[bleedinblue]

Yes, they bought a fleet of them. They are slowly replacing the BMW's (Many of the CHP bikes have well over 100K miles). The Kawi's are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, more reliable, and faster. There's been some bugs getting worked out (i.e. radios, accessories, and such) AND the budget problems have also slowed down the purchasing of more. As for new patrol cars, they started testing those again. The Charger just didn't take off well for CHP.

As for the gear debate, the other BIG issue (besides the bulky gear deal) is tradition. As the joke saying goes, "Progress hampered by 80+ years of tradition." As the newer generations rise up in ranks and the older ones retire, you'll start seeing some change.

I get what your saying.My uncle retiring is a good example of old traditions changing.Alots happened with the police departments in Indianapolis in the past few years regardless.IPD merged with the county sherrifs department, and its all IMPD now.

His last retirement was for the county.But when he was in charge of the sherrifs garage.He would have to go in at alot of wierd hours, like if there was a accident and he had to tow a patrol car or something.I went to the garage with him more times than I can remember.During the winter every bike would be winterized until spring.They kept them all in a single room, around 25 to 30 of them.

CHP is a different story, thats why they had a show lol.
Its more of a reward for veteran officers here.Or at least it was back then.They get all of the good jobs downtown like the 500, instead of traffic duty.
I do see them clocking here on occasion.
Its just that I see them guiding traffic downtown, or getting out of a patrol car instead still wearing there riding boots.

I just looked it up, it hasnt changed here
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team, Inc.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIICufCVE0I]Indianapolis Motorcycle Drill Team Finishing up - YouTube[/ame]

This video is better

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5lAegOF0C4&feature=related"]The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team performs - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Mayne Evnt]

I guess I can call the one standing up on his bike a SQUID COP!!!! Lol

 

[Mr Citrus]

I guess I can call the one standing up on his bike a SQUID COP!!!! Lol

You've got to admit, if he was rolling slowly through an intersection waving his hands directing traffic you'd damn well listen.

 

[Mayne Evnt]

You've got to admit, if he was rolling slowly through an intersection waving his hands directing traffic you'd damn well listen.

Aw yeah no doubt!

 

[bleedinblue]

Most of them can do that, the team leader just does it the most.My uncle had them escort my grandma, and a cousins funeral.They were definitely cool funerals.
During my grandmas funeral 5 or 6 of them showed up to escort us, 2 of them rode standing on the seat for at least a mile while the rest dealt with the traffic