Choosing a Cycle for Motor Patrol

• NCJ Number: 196900
• Journal: Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 42-49
• Author(s): Keith Strandberg
• Date Published: September 2002
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the rise in sales of police motorcycles and how they are outfitted.

Abstract

Police motorcycles are advanced and well made. The choice a department makes depends on the style, features, and money available. Harley-Davidson, BMW, Kawasaki, and Thunderworks all make it easy for a police department to buy a motorcycle and outfit it for police use. It is harder, more time-consuming, and more expensive to buy any motorcycle and outfit it. The severe daily usage of police motorcycles creates special demands, such as high durability, high ground clearance, tight turning radius, and comfortable seating. Most motor units do not need acceleration and high top speed abilities since they are not charged with pursuit duties. Dedicated police motorcycles are designed so that everything police departments need is already on the motorcycle, or available as an integrated accessory. Most police motorcycles are equipped with built-in radios, sirens, lights, police coloring and lettering, along with larger batteries, and beefed up components. Police motorcycles have to be able to idle for extremely long stretches of time, run at slow speeds, and run the lights while parked on the side of the road with the engine off. Motor officers stay in the saddle for up to 8 hours or more, so it is imperative that the ergonomics and comfort features be just right. According to Harley-Davidson, police motorcycle trends are getting away from pole lights in the back and toward the boxes, and creating an envelope of light around the officer for more visibility. There is a new special-version-for-police antilock brake system on BMW police bikes. There have been upgrades on the electrical system, the exhaust system, and a new larger sealed battery has been added to Kawasaki motorcycles. Thunderworks has designed a tactical dual sport bike for police use on beaches, in parks, and off road.