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May 04, 2004
California Highway Patrol Selects BMW Motorcycles Fifth Year in a Row
For Immediate Release
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - For the fifth year in a row, the California Department of General Services has selected BMW motorcycles for use by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The state will purchase 400+ BMW R 1150 RT-P motorcycles from A&S BMW Motorcycles of Roseville, CA over a two-year period, beginning in January.
The CHP maintains a fleet of approximately 600 motorcycles -- most of which are BMWs -- the only authority motorcycle equipped with antilock brakes.
"I am very pleased that BMW has been awarded the contract to provide the CHP with enforcement motorcycles," stated CHP Commissioner D.O. "Spike" Helmick. "The BMW motorcycle is an outstanding piece of equipment and is highly popular with the officers. It is exceptionally stable and has proven to be very safe."
Commissioner Helmick noted that the Department has not lost an officer since BMW was first awarded a contract to provide motorcycles, and he added that the ABS brake system has reduced the number of injuries suffered in motorcycle-related accidents.
"We are delighted to continue our partnership with the California Highway Patrol and the growing list of other law enforcement agencies who are using BMW authority motorcycles," commented Thomas J. Plucinsky, General Manager of BMW’s Motorcycle Operations.
Internationally, BMW is the largest seller of motorcycles for authority use. More than 80,000 BMW motorcycles are currently in official use in over 150 countries on five continents. In the United States, more than 140 law enforcement agencies, including urban police agencies in Atlantic City, NJ; Sacramento, CA; Newport News, VA; and Irvine, TX; and State agencies in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California (the nation's largest) have BMW authority motorcycles in their fleets of patrol vehicles.
The BMW R 1150 RT-P ("P" for police) is based on the BMW R 1150 RT civilian model, but is equipped with features that tailor it for official use. It is powered by BMW's modern two-cylinder, four-stroke Boxer engine, which delivers 95 horsepower at 7,250 rpm. Comfort and safety features include an antilock braking system that operates independently on both front and rear wheels (important in rapid braking situations), standard "run-flat" capable tires (which allow the motorcycle to be safely controlled to a stop in the event of a flat), an electrically adjustable windshield to allow riders to tailor wind flow to riding speed and body proportions, electrically heated handgrips, an adjustable shift lever, and front and rear protection bars. In addition to special lighting and siren systems, the air/liquid cooled BMW R 1150 RT-P also comes equipped with a thermostatically-controlled fan-driven radiator cooling, which is essential for an engine that must be kept idling or running at low speeds for long periods without overheating, and a large 840 W alternator with a dual battery system to keep the battery charged during long duties and facilitate starting after long traffic stops.
BMW Authority Motorcycles
Internationally, BMW is the largest seller of motorcycles for authority use. More than 80,000 BMW motorcycles are currently in official use in over 150 countries on five continents. In the United States, more than 225 law enforcement agencies have BMW authority motorcycles in their fleets of patrol vehicles. These include urban police agencies in Atlantic City, NJ; Los Angles, CA; Sacramento, CA; Reno, Nevada; Honolulu, HI; Newport News, VA; Tallahassee, FL; and Irvine, TX; and state highway patrols in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and California (the nation's largest fleet with over 600 BMW motorcycles). BMW Authority Motorcycles are the only certified police motorcycles available with an anti-lock brake system, high-capacity alternator with linked battery system, thermostatically-controlled cooling system, 3-year unlimited-mileage limited warranty and 6,000-mile service intervals, all standard.
For further information, please contact Frank Stevens by phone at: (800) 345-4BMW or email: frank.stevens@bmwna.com
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