The MUNICH POLICE using BMW
- Thread starter Stitch
- Start date
Almost every police Dept. and Highway Patrol in CA has switched to BMW motorcycles. BMW made an amazing deal with them, dirt cheap lease/rental rates, and free servicing. There are actually quite a few BMW motorcycle dealers and service centers in CA. As someone who has owned 5 BMW bikes....there is not a more reliable and trouble free bike on the road. Period!
What BMW is offering is a full value (price originally paid) when the MC is traded in, as well as free service as mention by Adam, at the end of a three to five year period. The Beemers make great highway bikes for law enforcement, however several city riders complain that it is not as comfortable as the Kawasakis or HD's for short term low speed riding. It is reported however that Kawasaki is going to cease making the "Police 1000's" in the near future. Another one to consider is that Harley Davidson is making a come back in police motors. Here in King County Washington they use both the HD and the BMW. Idaho State Police use the BMW, while city cops still ride the Kaw's.
Several US cities have used Bimmers as patrol cars. I do not think BMW will ever get the "police car" business in mass, because they cannot produce or offer them as cheaply as Ford, GM and Chrysler. Nor do they want the "rental car" status it would bring. Rumor has it that Chrysler wants back in the police car business.
Several US cities have used Bimmers as patrol cars. I do not think BMW will ever get the "police car" business in mass, because they cannot produce or offer them as cheaply as Ford, GM and Chrysler. Nor do they want the "rental car" status it would bring. Rumor has it that Chrysler wants back in the police car business.
You know those Bimmers were brought in under pressure for the exclusive use of senior officers.... ![[hihi]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hihi.gif "Hi Hi [hihi]")
I don't think BMW will get the police car business not only because it would lead to the undesired downgrading of their coveted status, but because they are a foreign company as well. On the account of cheap-production capabilities, I think Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, etc... would all be able to produce the cars as cheap if not cheaper than GM and Ford. I'm thinking the "rule" is: cheap-but-decent-cars-preferentially-produced-in-the-U.S. only.
I don't think BMW will get the police car business not only because it would lead to the undesired downgrading of their coveted status, but because they are a foreign company as well. On the account of cheap-production capabilities, I think Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, etc... would all be able to produce the cars as cheap if not cheaper than GM and Ford. I'm thinking the "rule" is: cheap-but-decent-cars-preferentially-produced-in-the-U.S. only.
One of the major reasons the Japanese cars cannot compete is the specifications that the police agencies use when requesting bids. I have written police vehicle bid specs and one general rule is rear wheel drive (there have been exceptions like with the Chev Lumina). The other is electrical specs, like large alternators that usually do not come on the other cars. This is needed for the police electronics, etc. Another is the interior specs, like rear seat sizes etc.
Now that you mentioned that, it seems only Toyota and Nissan could potentially offer a car at those specs (Avalon- w/lexus drivetrain and Altima- w/ infiniti drivetrain) although they'd have to make some modifications (RWD) which wouldn't exactly make financial sense. It seems the police agency specs are tailored to American makes with their size etc...
Looks like the detroit big three have their work cut out for them.
Looks like the detroit big three have their work cut out for them.
Actually, the Kawasaki KZ1000 police bike has an excellent reputation for being tough-as-nails. BMWs are rugged too but more expensive. Here in New England we only see Harleys so I asked a motor officer why. He said HD gives killer deals to police departments. They pay pennies on the dollar and after they're done with the bikes they trade them in for new ones.
I read an in-depth article in Motorcycle Consumer News this summer about motor officers. These guys go through rigorous training and are very, very good riders. They practice riding over, under, through all kinds of obstacles, pushing the bikes right to the edge. I was impressed.
As far as police cars go I know the early 90's Caprice was much-loved and cops want Chevy to start making them again. They say it was the last real police car.
I read an in-depth article in Motorcycle Consumer News this summer about motor officers. These guys go through rigorous training and are very, very good riders. They practice riding over, under, through all kinds of obstacles, pushing the bikes right to the edge. I was impressed.
As far as police cars go I know the early 90's Caprice was much-loved and cops want Chevy to start making them again. They say it was the last real police car.
