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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Salt Lake City Police Department unveiled the latest addition to its motor squadron - six new BMW motorcycles - at a training exercise at the Utah State Fair Park June 16.
Harleys had been the standard bike for the SLCPD, but over the last few years, police departments all across the state have been transitioning to the BMW models, according to Vance Harrison of BMW Motorcycles of Utah, which is a primary supplier of the bikes to police forces across the state.
- 1170cc, 2-cylinder, 110 horse-power engine
- Anti-lock brakes
- Specialized digital display
- Customizable flashing lights
- 23 liter storage capability
- Option to mount shotgun, assault rifle, speed gun, ticket pad holder
- Specially installed guards to protect bike and passenger in case of tip-over
Officer Benjamin Hone, member of the SLCPD Solo Motor Squad, said that he "was a firm believer in the Harley until we started getting these."
"This is the bike of the future."
The new bikes are BMW model R 1200 RT-P, a version of the popular civilian touring bike which has been modified to accommodate the needs of the police departments.
They are already in use world wide, from California to Ireland, and in fact, the SLCPD has been riding two of them for the last two years on a trial run.
"We were out at the Highway Patrol motor competition and saw one of them actually in action," said Robert Hawke, SLCPD Senior Motor Officer in charge of training.
"We got schooled [by] the BMW."
After this, The SLCPD decided to purchase two, and have since decided to transition over to an entirely BMW motor force.
The bikes handle better in the city than the old Harleys, have better overall performance and are customizable to the needs of specific police forces, according to Harrison.
"Officers like them, frankly, because they are very safe, very maneuverable, the performance is great, their maintenance cost is much less, and it's ultimately a safer bike," he said.
