BMW R1250RS and FJR1300 - Northants PoliceBike Overview
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2020
- Following a BikeSafe workshop I got the full guided tour around Northamptonshire's Police bike fleet.
BikeSafe article here tinyurl.com/y3kq8aod - Авто та транспорт
Great video, enjoyed seeing the Police bikes. Ride safe and look forward to future posts👍
Thanks Phillip. More to come soon.
Did this course last week...fantastic day, learnt loads , great guys, i will be coming back!! Thanks Chris and the guys
It's a great day out with the thin blue line!
Enjoyed this video, the police officer summed it up well when he said they combine their passion with their career. Having the seat of the FJR as your office would certainly make it easier to go to work in the mornings. Thanks for posting 👍
What do they ride in Adelaide Peter?
Back2TheBike SAPol ride BMW RT’s and SA Ambulance has a small fleet of RT’s as well as part of the single responder paramedic team. The paramedics lucky enough to ride these bikes are required to complete the same rider training as the police.
Bikesafe is awesome. It's unbelievable value for money and the whole programme is great.
Yep. Heavily subsidised so definitely worth a go 😁
Fascinating. Love how openly he chatted about the bike.
Absolutely. A lovely piece of kit!
Enjoyable and interesting video.Very nice for the cops to oblige.Oh man those FJR's look fantastic.Keep safe.
Thanks. It was a brilliant day and the bike look around capped it off.
I enjoyed watching you ride to that interview. I'm working towards an IAM Advanced test, so it was neat being able to predict exactly where you were going to want to position on the road and then see you do it on cue!
Predictability is key to this, it gives you and other road users confidence.
Fascinating... cheers Neil.
Great video BMW R 1250 RS is a beast
Heavy too!
Interesting stuff thanks. I know the feeling, riding a motorcycle for a living, did an excellent ERS (Enhanced rider scheme) session and issued a pass to a happy rider today. ☺
Good man. Riders like yourself Russ who do this day in day out are on a different level to the rest of us mortals. There is simply no substitute for hours in the saddle plus the right mindset.
@@Back2TheBike Thanks. There's no other job if rather do and seeing that "eureka" moment in their eyes when you get through to them is awesome. ☺
Brilliant thanks for doing that Neil, really interesting 👍🏍
Hi Ian. Trust alls well with you.
Back2TheBike All good here thanks Neil, still loving my Pan European, planning to head to Oban early tomorrow morning, breakfast the home for lunchtime. Loving your bike a proper looker 👍🏍
@@ianmills35 sounds great! Make the most of it until wee Nickie bans it ;-)
Great interesting video. So great to be of an age where I don't have to worry about suddenly seeing those blue lights in my mirrors 😉.Attended several Bike Safe courses and learnt a lot from them. Even top MCN road tester Mick Neeves advises you to stick to the lower limits and to have some sensible fun when it is safe to do so in the National Limits
Glad you enjoyed it. Every rider will get something out of BikeSafe, no doubt!
I was speaking with a couple of motorcycle officers here in Christchurch a while back, they had a BMW RS and a Honda VFR, both expressed a preference for the Honda, which surprised me.
I think theyll tell you the BMWs can be a little clunky around town and arent as quick as the alternativess.
Love the BMW R1250 Police Spec bikes with undisclosed performance modifications
Standard engine performance but enhanced comms and emergency services fittings.
Fascinating...thanks!!
Glad you enjoyed it :-)
Great informative video. Many thanks. ...
Glad you enjoyed the film Karen and thanks for watching :-)
Interesting stuff. The unmarked RS seems to be the weekend speeding fine collection bike - stealth black in colour, black helmet, extra room in the top box for the cash collected etc. Both great bikes. I think the FJR is ideal for Police work - a very substantial machine, stable, comfortable and no slouch. B2TB showing his age twice - measured mile and Tom Kite. If you had turned up on the day riding a Norton Atlas that would have been the hat trick !
All the best
Very funny Gordon. Yes, I'm beginning to creak a bit but theres still life in the old 🐕 yet
Its not used for speed enforcement as it doesn't have a calibrated speedometer. It is however used to catch criminals and those who use the roads anti-socially. 👍
People with no masks and in groups of more than six. Their tyranny begins...
Awesome. I'm eyeing up a used Police FJR, it was really useful to see what the deal is with that pod on the rear. I see they would also come with the ability to mount a flag 😏
Nice video Lad, with some very positive comments and great to have the feedback on both films, from Chris as a serving Officer, to iron out peoples assumptions on the use of both the marked and plain bike - contrary to popular belief, the criminal fraternity don't wear stripey red and black jumpers, Lone Ranger masks and carry a bag marked SWAG any more :-)
Thanks Dale. I just held the camera. The real stars here are the pilots who fly these superb machines. Let's hope the film serves to increase our appreciation for those who stand in harm's way for the rest of us mortals.
@@Back2TheBike Sadly mate, the Police Family is in silent mourning far too often these days
@@seaflyfisher I for one will do what I can to change that situation. The thin blue line.
Itchy boots channel had an interesting post with the Dutch bike police on their course. Always lived police bikes for some reason. If I'd joined I'd have had to go for that department. Definitely thinking of doing the blood bikes in my spare time
Blood bikes require an IAM or ROSPA pass, I believe, so that's your first port of call.
Really enjoyed that. Did a Police course many years ago, when I started I thought I was Barry Sheene, I soon found out I wasn't.
We are blessed with the best Police force in the world. They do a fantastic job with very little thanks. Well to all the Police officers who may read this comment. THANK YOU, you're the best.
Amen.
I wear a body worn camera for work, they work well for capturing interactions with customers who are not happy having been infringed or irate members of the public, but I was looking admiringly at the comms system, the hand-held radios we use struggle to be heard once the helmet is on and we are travelling, even at 50kmph.
Very useful Ian. No arguments then!
@@Back2TheBike they don't eliminate arguments or abuse, but do a reasonable job of reducing the instances. Not to mention providing evidence and showing whether any provication occurred.
@@iallso1 I'm curious Ian ... what is your role?
@@Back2TheBike I'm a parking compliance officer at Christchurch city council.
Whilst we deal with the usual time limits and yellow line offences, we also issue to a raft of other offences including: WOF (MOT), Licence label (tax disk), damaged tyres, missing number plates, and blocked vehicle entrances, and bus lanes, that the police are too busy to deal with.
Hi Neil, thank you for another interesting video; it was informative to see how police bikes are equipped. I also noted your comments on a particular stretch of the A44. Could you give an idea where that stretch is located please? I'd like to ride it sometime.
Fascinating wasn't it John?
The road is the A44 from Leominster to Worcester, West to East. I normally do a loop from Northants out to Droitwich. Then A4133 - A433 - A456 - A49 into Ludlow for a stop. Loads of nice cafes and a castle too! The home down the A49 - A44. Very doable from Bedford ;-) We still haven't had that brew at Shuttleworth BTW, I havent forgotten :-)
The outward leg is fantastic, even curvier and more ups and downs, but with fewer safe opportunities to get past the heavies.
@@Back2TheBike Thanks Neil, I will look that up on the map and have a go. I think I'm right in saying that you did a video of a ride to Ludlow, way back. I recall you had a connection with Ludlow.
@@johnpresland1537 yes, a 2 parter on the RT. I lived in Ludlow 1962 to 68. Prettiest Town in the country IMHO !
It’s so nice when the police open up a little view on their world - we are all in this together 😊
Agreed. I've always found the police very open about their role when you take time to chat to them. I think the only barrier is a perception by the public that they're out to get them rather than keep them safe.
Lol..no!. your in the lie on your own mate!
Kyle grow up mate, sound like a silly kid init
@@strawberryammo9961 init..🐀
@@k1ortia imagine having a shitty life like that you gotta hate on the police 🤣
That was interesting, good video.
Thanks for the feedback.
Police in Ireland have stopped using the FJR's as the rear subframe was cracking. All BMW RT's now.
They are big heavy beasts for sure Sledger.
Piękny motocykl pozdrawiam
Very interesting
Wow. Any wonder they train so hard. To be able to navigate that cockpit and still ride.
And monitor the background radio chatter
Cool bikes.
Thanks for the vid Neil.
I'm surprised that the FJR was chosen over the boxer. Taller, and carries its mass higher up. Perhaps the loaded bikes just have a little extra shove compared with the r1200rt?
The one thing you learn as you get older is more sense. Been riding 35 years and 30 of those if honest were ridden a little too briskly. I still like to "make progress" (ahem) but chose the road conditions, time and place. At all other times I ride in a manner most likley to bring me home safe to my family and to ensure other road users are offered the same courtesy.
The type of bike you ride does influence your riding style too. These days I prefer sit up and beg bikes with some weather protection and stick with my GSA as the best all rounder that offers all day comfort and handling confidence yet has enough grunt to keep me satisfied.
Hi Paul, good honest comment, food for thought!
Leics Police told me they prefer the FJR over the RT because it's smoother around town and significantly quicker. Only problem with the GSA is nobody waves to you ;-)
@@Back2TheBike LoL..yes, I had noticed! Still, I have a big soft spot for it and can't imagine, for now, changing it. I reckoned that the FJR power advantage had to figure quite highly, mind you, the newer RT1250 shift cam should have closed down a lot of that advantage the FJR had. It's about 145BHP and a lardy 296Kg so not much different really than the FJR and the shiftcam is a lot smoother by all accounts than the outgoing 1200.
Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it David
what a job that would be!
Indeed. Getting paid to ride bikes, wear hi-vis AND free entry to Silverstone ;-)
Nice to hear a responsible biker rather than people trying to pop wheelies on the wrong side of the road with oncoming traffic.
Confession time: I don't know how to wheelie :-)
Like the hi-viz jacket. Can anyone get one or are they just for police?
You can buy similar ones that say “POLITE” in big letters instead of saying “POLICE”. You can find them in bike gear shops or online
I really miss my FJR, not getting on with the Tracer 900GT so gave it to the wife :D
Must be great to be a millionaire 😄 Maybe you can get a Duc Streetfighter then give it to me when you dont get in with that?
@@Back2TheBike I never said I was a millionaire, just I have spent more money than a millionaire and if I had saved all the money that I spent I would have been a millionaire a long time ago lol
Hepcat Harley that’s from a Led Zeppelin song isn’t it, ‘Since I’ve been loving you’? Great line 👍.
Hepcat Harley I remember now, that’s from the third verse of Whole Lotta love from the live album How the West was one. Robert Plant slips in that line from Howlin Wolf’s -goin down slow! Got there in the end! 😂
@@richardcollins586 are you sure it wasn't the Bay City Rollers? Shang a lang a shooby do?
I've one question..how did the police blew their whistle while wearing the helmet?
Their crash helmets have been specially modified.
Calibration a speedometer isn't hard. Several good aftermarket "adjusters" available. I use a SpeedoDRD on my bike. They also make a *Universal Kit (All Years).
I think that for the Police, they probably need calibration that can be certified so that the speedo can be used as evidence if you pace a suspect. I'm not 100% sure though
Great video would live to be a police rider
Great to be paid for riding performance bikes!
I went on a full day advanced riding course. I ride exactly the same way you ride with the same positioning.
So you've got my bad habits too ;-)
@@Back2TheBike - No one could have that many bad habits Lad :-)
@@seaflyfisher These are the jokes folks 😁
I'm on my 5th fjr1300 👍
Where do I sign up as a recruit. I am in the Metro Police in South Africa, but no longer law enforcement, but would've loved to be a motor cop
Try this shorturl.at/hARX0
I wanted to join our own motor squad, but our metro municipality doesn't have a squad any more. And if I was younger, I maybe wouldn't maybe considered trying to immigrate to Europe and join a police force, but a bit to late for me now. 45 is not an ideal age for such a change.
I would be interested to know what bikes the officers privately own and ride.
Me too😃
Yamaha Tracer 900. Commute every day whatever the weather...
The unofficial Moto of the wartime commandos was , ' train hard , fight easy.' Being a former commando it's a Moto I've followed all my life. ( I'm not talking about fighting but doing well.)
Amen to that. Full respect for your service too.
"Notice the clutch in to start the engine".
Clarification... When the bike is in gear, it won't start when the sidestand is deployed. When the bike is in neutral, however, the bike will start without the clutch in, with or without the sidestand deployed.
It depends on the bike. Sometimes you need to use a brake to start an engine.
I wonder why their bikes have to be shaft drive. If I had a choice of any bike for this job I would go for a Multistrada. An excellent all round bike and one that you could pursue just about anywhere, fast too. I wonder if their budget would stretch to the new V4 and where do I join up LOL.
Low maintenance I guess. Their skills/technique more than make up for the naughty rider's faster bike, believe me! Stick a zero on the end of any speed you're comfortable with ...
Interesting. However much tougher riding in Kent where I live
If you ride to the police 'system' it makes no difference what roads you ride!
I ride FJR1300 Capable and easy to ride , sadly discontinued due to euro 4
Plenty of life left in these legacy bikes though.
Just a question to you: were you even a tiny bit serious about that you'd need that honky horn that sounds awesome?
Do you use your horn regularly?
Just asking, because you were talking about riding safe and skilfully to get back home.
Occasional use only if I need to let someone know I'm there.
@@Back2TheBike I thought to ask, because during my 45k miles riding career around Exeter, Bristol, and now around Rotterdam, NL, I have never had to touch my horn, and I was riding all year and day round while commuting to work on my Tenere or on my ST.
So hearing what you said, made me think, that it might worth to take a look at your riding strategy etc, if you have to use the horn a noticeable amount.
If you use the horn, you could be in a better position than what you're riding at that time, - haha, a Lambo Aventador was revving in the narrow streets where I live -,
Also, repositioning, swerving, slowing down are all active and better survival actions, than honking and hoping the other person will do something, or, to actually do what you want them to do.
Dandanthefireman has a cracking channel mainly doing accident/close call after action reports and analysis.
Hope you'll have the chance to enjoy the new riding season!
@@V4zz33 Interesting comment Ferenc. I've probably only used it three times in as many years I reckon. Typically when a pedestrian is about to do something daft, or a car is reversing into my path for example.
As you say, because I'm riding to a system, I hope to identify and plan for 99.9% of these incidents before they cause me trouble 😀
@@Back2TheBike That's brilliant to hear!
Keep up the good work and to enjoy riding safely!;))
Motorcycle Roadcraft: READ IT.......
The CHP use BMW sport touring bikes, which makes sense given that California has year-round riding that produces a lot of very skilled riders that can move at an objectively rapid pace. I've chatted with several officers over the years on back twisty roads and it's no different than chatting with a random rider you meet who enthusiastically wants to talk bikes.
I cut my teeth on Zip Nolan ;-)
The US police have their work cut out right now, so great to hear this.
Great watch, very informative, we've got to keep the idiots off the road ! We all like to open up our 1000cc + plus bikes or why would we buy them ? But be realistic about it choose time and place !
A lot of truth in that ;-) Wisdom is knowing the difference!
I have ridden for 38 years all of my bikes are vintage like me lol. My riding world is completely different as I have to worry about being overtaken safely not overtaking hahaha.
Also in Hampshire I had an unmarked police bike chase up behind me enticing me to race him then realised I was on a 1940s bike and flat out at 40mph and pulled in and turned around to find another victim. Thus not all policemen are nice because on two wheels.
Unless he was just admiring your bike ;-)
@@Back2TheBike errm no I could see what he was doing and only realised a police bike when he turned.
There was one in Manchester in the 90’s, he rode a blue unmarked ST1100 and used to come up and try and sit in your blindspot, he seemed to think all the despatch riders were fair game.
Is this John Shuttleworth narrating?
Never heard of him
Keep your friends close but your enemy closer lol
The major takeaway from BikeSafe is we're all on the same side!
I think maybe it was tongue in cheek, the more you practice the luckier you get BECAUSE you practiced, it's not really chance anymore it's luck you've made ??!! That's how I read it ;-)
Guilty m'lud! I take pleasure in sharpening my skills so its no burden ;-)
Thanks for contributing to the channel. Keep them coming :-)
those police bikes are pretty dope
I'm on my 5th fjr1300
Big beasts!
Big beasts!
Why not buy Triumph ??
Reliability. Triumph unfortunately don't have the same record plus their shaft drive bikes if kitted out as police bikes turn a top heavy bike into an even heavier bike. You're thinking of he tiger presumably? Had one. Far too heavy and lacks the low speed manoeuvrability required.
Yes I agree - Triumph missed a tremendous opportunity with the Trophy.
Reliability, Reliability, Reliability.
So now everyone in that area knows the VRM of an unmarked Police bike!
Not much use if he's behind you ;-)
@@Back2TheBike True, but very useful if he's ahead!
@@lawrencehenson8409 and if you've got a good memory ...
safer and less wear ??? lol clutch needs pulled to start it.
No actually. It just reduces clutch wear on a cold engine and, in the event youve got a false neutral or left it in first stops you disappearing into a hedge. Best practice.
I would love to be paiiiied to drive all day long
When I lived in England I used to give the bike cops the "bikers nod" now I'm in France the bike cops get either the open left hand if safe to do so, else its French left leg dangle. Almost all reply. We are all bikers (motards) after all.
You've still got time to get back to Blighty before we pull up the drawbridge Russ ;-)
@@Back2TheBike You must be joking mate, SW France has some superb biking roads. Half a day ride to the Massif Central or Pyrenees. One day comfortably to the Picos de Europa. Nuff said ! :-)
I both love and hate that the police ride my bike.
Like any profession there are good and bad. I have full respect for the honest boys and girls in blue who keep us safe, but none for the activist officers who elevate political correctness over proper crime.
@@Back2TheBike All of them will ‘follow orders’.
Will kick your nans door in and break your legs with a baton if your giving her a hug.
I ride bikes but I don't boot lick.
Good for you.
@@Back2TheBike they'll still book you when they have a chance
@@Chris-vq5vr only if youre a naughty boy...
It’s unmarked which gives us the advantage of errrm catching motorists speeding instead of being a visible safer presence.
Number of speeding tickets issued by riders of this bike = 0. However, plenty of drug dealers and thieves have had their collars felt...
Surely you owe it to your family to give up motorcycling!
My family is happier when I am ;-)
You sound excatly like a expect a polite vest wearer to sound 🥴
Very kind!
@@Back2TheBike lol dont take it personal
Hate seeing people wear polite vest tho!
You ever had one?
this is the problem.. roadcraft / cars
Nothing against Roadcraft and my comment isnt negitive but... It annoys me in many ways and i still feel motorcyclist get it hard as gaurds motorcycle licences and laws etc
Car drivers learn the highway code and that is it.. no futher training or advise
Motorcyclist learn the highway code and roadcraft
roadcraft is concidered as ADVANCED DRIVNG.
It annoys me that an 18 year old with MONEY can drive a 5ltr 900BHP v12 with turbos from day one yet...
18 year old motorcyclst can only ride a 125 of 12 BHP?
And yet... The motorcyclist has to learn ADVANCE DRIVING or simply Roadcraft and car drivers do NOT..
Cost
Car test...
£150 lessons and £75 test fee.... thats all and drive any car
total cost £225 and zero restriction and regulations
Bike test
£110 CBT,
£500 MOD1 and 5 days training.
£250 MOD2
total cost £750 and restriced to 12 BHP or 125cc for 2 years
unless you pay an extra £600 for a restriced 47BHP till your 24 years old
Interesting back in the day after my cbt i did my test and failed.. i have been riding since i was 8, i can jump, wheelie, endo, powerside, balance on bricks and the like as i grew up in trials and dirt so a bike control is easy for me..
yet my instructor told me..
I get the impression you think your bike test is weather you can ride a motorcycle?
I replied err. yes
He said your bike test isnt to see if you can ride a motorcycle, your test is to see if you can obay the rules of the road and.... ride safely
It was at that moment i understood.. and passed
But i feel Cars today are no different to your home sofa, people drive cars like they are sat at home and i blame 3 things as to why?
1, the car seat and comforts is like home livng room
2, the windscreen is like a tv... you only look forwards
3, Cars with its technonlgy promotes lazyness
To many car adverts showing distracted drives and Auto braking systems promote lazy awareness as people get to confident and thats dangerous to all.
We bikers / riders are on the edge, full control, fully aware and always one step head, bikes are not lazy, they are far more demanding than a car.. But unless cars stop putting ipads as dash units, wifi / bluetooth and everything else it will get so bad that... Self drive cars will be kll off the motorcycle as goverment are already trying to push legislation for self drive motorcycles! and as thats not really possble the only answer is to slowly over a generation or two kill off Motorcycle licences and then the motorcycle..
some of us already had that with removal of cat in your driving licence when you updated your photo licence, like cat B1 is no longer on modern licence as goverment want to remove Quad bikes of the road and proves t can be done.
I feel an 18 driver shold be restricted and also take a CBT test aswell. i also feel drivers should also take an advanced driving test before they are allowed on the road.
But one rule for cars and many rules for bikes and all because of 1974 and goverment still living in the mods and rockers age, or think we havnt grown up!
because between 1900 - 1974 it was only 45 years ago when every 15 year old male boy rode a 500cc motorcycle!!!!
Never understood the unmarked vehicle thing , on one hand they keep telling us it’s all about visibility and promoting safety and then they sneak about in unmarked vehicles trying to snare as many as they can for tickets . Doesn’t it sound a bit sinister that everything is calibrated to the nth 0.1 mph and I understand the legal reasoning but it also sounds a bit draconian , 0.5 mph over the allowable and your nicked , a hair under and your safe as houses. Where has the common sense gone , the education and tap in the shoulder “mate cool it “ . Now it seems a very sophisticated and expensive system of tax collection for the majority . The real dangerous and maniacs won’t give a toss about calibrations , 1 mph over , behave reasonably , plod makes no difference to their attitude it’s the regular guy having a bit of sensible fun that always gets hammered .
If you check out Chris's comment below you'll see they dont't use the unmarked bike for speeding offences. It's used for thieves and drug dealers.
Get yourself on a BikeSafe course and meet them for yourself, you'll find theyre just as passionate about biking as you.
The technology doesn't prevent them using discretion which they still do.
Lol the top class bike riding police officer didnt know to put his bike in neutral to start it and then for a brief moment trying to figure out why his siren wouldnt start with a beep of the horn...blue lights need to be on for that...this officer needs to learn the basics...lost interest in what he had to say after he lacked the basics
Must be amazing when you know it all ...
Interesting Bikesafe doesn't include helmet safe! One of the worst things you can do is hang the helmet on a mirror. Compacting and damaging the stuff that actually saves you. lol