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BMW Motorcycles: Enhancing California Highway Patrol's Fleet Since The 1990s
BMW has been producing motorcycles for police and military use since the 1930s. While popular in Europe and Asia, they are less common in the US compared to Harley-Davidsons on the East Coast and Kawasakis in the West. In 1984, BMW sold 150 R 100 RT bikes to San Francisco Police, marking its entry into the US market.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) tested BMW's K 75 RT-P against Kawasaki's KZ1000P in 1994. The CHP appreciated the anti-lock braking system (ABS) but couldn't mandate it due to lack of statistical proof. Despite this, BMW used feedback from these tests to enhance their R 1100 RT-P model.
The R 1100 RT-P featured ABS, an adjustable windscreen, and improved protection bars. It also had a second battery with linked charging from a more powerful alternator and an auxiliary fan behind the oil cooler. These features allowed it to idle longer without overheating, a significant advantage over Harley-Davidson models.
BMW faced challenges with pricing as the R 1100 RT-P cost $15,828, more than double that of a Kawasaki. To secure contracts, BMW offered a buy-back clause, reducing net costs significantly. This strategy was facilitated by Jerry Haleva’s lobbying firm.
A sergeant at the CHP Academy initially approved the R 1100 RT-P but his replacement noticed a wobble during testing. Frank Stevens from BMW investigated and found no issues; however, changes were made to satisfy CHP requirements. The solution involved using radial tires and cast wheels from civilian models.
A&S Motorcycles played a crucial role in supplying bikes to CHP due to its proximity to Sacramento. They delivered both K 75s and R 1100 RT-Ps efficiently, ensuring no damage during transit. Local dealers serviced these bikes regularly as part of their agreement with BMW NA.
Dealer Support and Maintenance
BMW motorcycles required less frequent maintenance than Kawasakis but accumulated significant mileage quickly. This increased service demand benefitted local dealers financially. Officers often wore out tires within 4-6,000 miles depending on riding style.
The program proved profitable for BMW despite buy-back clauses due to parts sales and new customer acquisition among officers who purchased personal BMWs after experiencing their reliability on duty.
Impact on Sales and Customer Loyalty
In 2001, civilian R 1100 RT models were replaced by newer versions like R 1150 and later R 1200 RT models which continued as authority bikes with enhancements benefiting both officers and civilians alike.
BMW’s electronic engine management allows use of regular fuel unlike Harleys or Kawasakis needing premium fuel—saving agencies thousands annually in fuel costs while improving police-specific equipment such as sirens or lighting systems designed by Stevens himself.
Technological Advancements
The CHP briefly switched back to Harley-Davidsons under Governor Schwarzenegger but resumed adding new BMWs without buy-back provisions later on—many other US agencies followed suit using California’s approval process when updating their fleets too.
Currently around 3,500 R1250RT-P motorcycles serve over five hundred state/local police forces nationwide including Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Phoenix City Police Department among others ensuring safety across various regions effectively today!
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