Police motorcycles are probably the only vehicles in the fleet that need to be selected and outfitted by those who ride them daily. It is also the one vehicle on which every piece of equipment installed truly needs to be well thought out and evaluated carefully. In this article we will address the essential areas to consider when outfitting a motorcycle intended for enforcement duties.
The biggest limitation when equipping motorcycles is space. A bike has a few things it must carry: a rider, required paperwork, a radio, emergency lighting equipment and oftentimes a radar/lidar unit. Frequently, there's a computer and possibly electronic citation writers and printers. Many departments add a secondary weapon, such as a rifle or a shotgun.
Another important consideration is the charging system. While it may sound impressive that the alternator is putting out 600 watts, the fact is a large amount of those watts are consumed by the engine and the vehicle's computer functions. The bike's lighting (head light, tail lights and marker lights) also takes up a large portion, as does the charging system itself.
When it comes to equipping motorcycles, less is definitely more. By carefully selecting the electronics you want to run on the bike and eliminating wasted energy draw, you can assure that operating the motorcycle does not drain the power system to a point where the alternator is unable to keep up with the charging needs of the battery. When this happens and you are out making traffic stop after traffic stop, the battery will eventually fail, leaving you on the side of the road calling for assistance. Not good.
Emergency lighting is probably the most important safety factor we have on the bike. While we want the motorcycle to be readily seen when operating in enforcement or response mode, we do not want to over-burden the electrical system or cause a situation where the flashing lights become a distraction. Again, less is more. Using 360-degree coverage and a flash pattern that alternates colors and position, most of the motoring public will notice and yield the right of way. The newest generation of LED lighting has allowed for more lights and several options for color, flashing sequence and applications. These lights are very effective and energy efficient, but they must be applied in a purposeful manner. Always remember that in spite of your best efforts, some motorists may misjudge the distance and/or speed of the motorcycle and make a maneuver that could be catastrophic to the rider.
Some agencies are looking at mounting tablets to the handle bars. Current draw is generally not an issue because many tablet solutions do not need to be connected to the electrical system. However, before you mount a tablet in the operator's line of sight remember this: enforcement riding requires 100% attention to the task 100% of the time. Adding a tablet could result in a distracted driver situtation. Tablets are a wonderful thing for any officer to have in the field, but I strongly recommend they be kept in the saddle bag until an officer can safely use it. Like many areas of policing, just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Secondary weapons are becoming increasingly popular, but we must look at what the application of that weapon is going to be. Is it for defense of the officer until patrol cars arrive? Or is it intended to provide a level of first-responder offensive capability for a semi-tactical engagement at an active shooter or similar situation? Mounting locations vary with many agencies using the back corner of the bike and some mounting them inside the saddle bags. Wherever you mount it, a few things must be taken into account. Whether exterior or interior mount, you have to remember that the bike is often left unattended. The weapon must be secured in a sturdy mount made of durable material that prevents both removal and tampering with the receiver/magazine area. Safety for the officer is also very important. The weapon cannot interfere with the officer mounting or dismounting the motorcycle and should not be in a position that would cause injury in the event that an officer "goes down." Any weapon carried on a motorcycle must be regularly inspected and cleaned. Ignoring this fact could result in a weapon failing when it is needed most. One more thing on weaponry—training is an absolute must for motor officers and it's strongly recommended that range training include the vehicle. In other words, training should reflect the reality of the work environment.
No matter which bike you choose, be it a BMW, Harley, Honda, Kawasaki or Victory, each accessory should be carefully considered and placed where it will best serve its purpose without interfering with the operation and functionality of the vehicle. Finally, don't forget the importance of including the operator(s) in the decision making because they're the ones who will be using it daily.
