New BMW Police bike

[Da Bird]

For those of you that are interested, here are a couple of pics of the new BMW R1150 Police Bike. This is the one I rode during my 2 day course last week and hopefully my new one wont be too far away.

Definitely different from the Honda ST1100 - some good points and bad points but overall not a bad bike. Extremely comfortable seat - we did about 750kms over a day and a half and there was no pain!

There are apparently 500 of these in use in the USA and they carry radar and laser guns on their ones... the new bike boss in Wellington will be looking into putting radar units on the NZ bikes at some stage.

Life can't be too bad if you are getting paid to ride a bike eh!

[spudchucka]

I was on a SOCO course a couple of weeks ago and saw they had a couple of little XR Hondas in the garage. Did you guys have wheelie assessment or something?,

[gav]

Shouldnt the POLICE bit at the front be ECILOP so you can read it in your rear view mirror?

[Mr Skid]

Not a bad office you've got there. Does it do a good wheelie?

[Da Bird]

I was on a SOCO course a couple of weeks ago and saw they had a couple of little XR Hondas in the garage. Did you guys have wheelie assessment or something?,

No, we didn't do any off-roading. Next year they will be running 2 week courses for cops interested in becoming bike cops and they will do off-road stuff during that course. The 2 days was just to familiarise ourselves with the new BM.

[Da Bird]

Shouldnt the POLICE bit at the front be ECILOP so you can read it in your rear view mirror?

Probably should but I don't have any say on the stickers - sorry about that but hopefully the really bright new red and blue LED flashing strobe lights will catch your attention.

[Da Bird]

Not a bad office you've got there. Does it do a good wheelie?

um, well, probably would given half a chance but I didn't really want to get kicked off the course... its a friggin heavy bike, over 400kgs fully loaded with fuel, panniers full etc.

[WINJA]

I HOPE THERE UNRELIABLE AND SLOW AND CRASH EASY

[Hooks]

um, well, probably would given half a chance but I didn't really want to get kicked off the course... its a friggin heavy bike, over 400kgs fully loaded with fuel, panniers full etc.

Bugger me !! and I thought my bitch was heavy ... Methinks it would take some stopping too ....

[riffer]

Crikey BC that's a pretty wide bike you got there. I'm not too sure if I'd be keen to try and lanesplit through the traffic in that one.

How do you think it will go in a stiff sideways breeze too? As for weight, it looks more like 220-230 kilos, with maybe another 30 on board...

Seat looks nice and comfy.

Congrats anyway. At least there's still some police on the road that can relate to what it's like to ride on our roads.

[DarkNinja]

Nice looking bike, looks rather comfy, ive always liked the looks of cop bikes, i hope you can catch some cagers that reckon they can outrun the cops :P

[erik]

um, well, probably would given half a chance but I didn't really want to get kicked off the course... its a friggin heavy bike, over 400kgs fully loaded with fuel, panniers full etc.

400kg!?

celticno6 that thought came to my mind too, that it doesn't look like it would fit between the cars.
But I guess the sirens might make the cars move aside a bit...

[Da Bird]

i hope you can catch some cagers that reckon they can outrun the cops :P

I'm sure I will be able to do that although being in a chase on a bike in Auckland is pretty scary to be honest - everything is happening at what seems like 10 times the pace, you are trying to use your left index finger to use the radio at the same time as the clutch and then you have all those crazy cage drivers to worry about coz they don't know where to go! Gets a bit crazy at times.

[Da Bird]

Crikey BC that's a pretty wide bike you got there. I'm not too sure if I'd be keen to try and lanesplit through the traffic in that one.
As for weight, it looks more like 220-230 kilos, with maybe another 30 on board...

Yeah, I was a bit shocked when the instructor started talking about 400kgs as well but I'm just going on what he said... all I know is I wont be picking it up by myself that's for sure. And will definitely have to watch the mirrors if I'm in a hurry... at least they just pop back in!

[James Deuce]

Quick spex:
2002 BMW R1150RT

Price: $16,290

Engine: 1130cc four-valve air/oil cooled ohv twin

Bore x Stroke: 101 x 70.5 mm

Compression: 11.3:1

Fuel system: Motronic fuel injection

Transmission: gear primary, shaft final, 6-speed gearbox

Tire sizes: 120/70 x 17 front, 170/60 x 17 rear

Wet weight: 615 pounds (claimed) - 278KG (add Police gear + rider, 400kg easy. Add 30 KG for fuel and 20 KG for standard manufacturer built weight untruth as well)

Seat height: 30.7-31.5 inches

Gas tank: 6.6 gallons

Gas mileage: NA highway/NA city (manufacturers' figures)

Colors: Silver metallic, red metallic, dark blue metallic, aqua metallic