[CampusCop]

I'm working on a proposal for a police scooter for my agency. I'm trying to find information on any police agencies that use them. I understand several agencies on the east coast have them.

I'd also love to get my hands on some pictures of any police scooters out there.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[billmeek]

Brian,

Here are a couple of threads that have pics of police scooters :

http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2364
http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2211

 

[Brian]

I'm working on a proposal for a police scooter for my agency.
I'm trying to find information on any police agencies that use them.
I understand several agencies on the east coast have them.

I'd also love to get my hands on some pictures of any police scooters out there.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian

Hey Brian, this is Brian.

I've been toying with a design for a Burgman 650 police/escort scooter.
Still just a rough concept though.

Here is a link to a company in Florida that has provided police scooters
to several agencies in the US including, I believe, some hospital and
university security programs: GoManGo Municipal Vehicles

http://www.policescooters.com/images/um ... ss_13a.jpg

They don't use Burgmans, going instead with the Korean Kymco line,
but they have a lineup of different sized scooters, from small (50cc)...

http://www.policescooters.com/images/um ... ss_10a.jpg

to medium (150 & 250cc)...

http://www.policescooters.com/images/bw250p_1.gif

They might be right up your alley for a campus patrol opperation, where
mobility and economy are more important than long range or speed.

HTH.

 

[frugality]

A Burgman would convey more of a sense of authority, though, since it looks more like a motorcycle.

What's needed is a mega-scooter with enough under-seat space to "cuff 'em and stuff 'em".... :lol:

 

[Brian]

I'm working on a proposal for a police scooter for my agency.
I'm trying to find information on any police agencies that use them.
I understand several agencies on the east coast have them.

Brian,

A letter or fax on your departmental letterhead to the NYPD might also
get you a lot of information. They have more than 300 Piaggio BV200s in
service, and have had a lot of experience with other scooters over the
years as well.

Although of less displacement than the Burgman 400 or 650, the BV200s
have big 16 inch wheels front and rear which can help soak up the bumps
on rough roads and even walking paths better than the 13 or 14 inchers
more common on most scooters.

NYPD modified theirs with larger windscreens, painted them white, added
NYPD decals, etc. With those big tires, this might be the perfect scooter
for a campus patrol bike or any other application that doesn't have
highway riding on a regular basis. (They'll go up to 75MPH, but I wouldn't
do it a lot. My old CH250 was used for every day freeway commuting,
and it was pushing things a bit.)

Here's a photo of a stock BV200:

http://www.piaggiousa.com/pimages/bv_large.jpg

NYPD used Lambrettas back in the '60s, replacing them in the '80s with Yamahas.

http://www.nycpolicemuseum.org/images/v ... bretta.gif

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pix/ssb/repnwheels.jpg

They also count the 3-wheeled Cushmans (background) as "scooters,"
but we know better. :wink:

 

[billmeek]

Here are some pics of NYPD scooters :

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pix/vehicles/group.jpg
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pix/vehicles/group02.jpg
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pix/transp ... cooter.jpg
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pix/ssb/2wheel.jpg

 

[Brian]

You know; the more I look at this BV200 the more I think it would make a better
police/patrol scooter than just about any other scooter I have seen.

I hate to be a traitor to Suzuki, but those big wheels on the Piaggio
are just great. And the $4500 MSRP doesn't hurt either.

Add the optional top and side cases to the standard under-seat compartment,
and carry all the radio gear, emergency lights, first-aid kit/defibrillator,
and traffic safety equipment (flares, triangles, fire extinguisher, etc.)
needed for a whole shift.

The more I look at it, the more possibilities I see.
This would be a great fast-response unit.

 

[CampusCop]

RE: Police Scooters

Wow! Thanks one and all for the great feedback!

I originally got the idea after reading an article on the NYPD scoots. Then, after I bought my 650 I kept thinking how practical it would be to use on and around the campus. We have a HUGE campus of about 100,000 people during the day and getting around is a major nightmare.

I currently use a KZ1000P Kawi but its sort of large for what we do. After looking at the pictures of the BV200 I'm thinking that would be the way to go.

Now I have to see if the bosses will even consider them.

Thanks again,

Brian

 

[Brian]

Re: RE: Police Scooters

...Now I have to see if the bosses will even consider them. ...

Show them how low the price is, what great gas mileage they get, how insurance should be less than for a M/C, how the automatic transmission makes them easier for new officers to ride, how the step-through frame makes them safer than a regular M/C, etc.

Really push the cost/benefit ratio.

Tell them that after extensive testing, this is what NYPD chose over all the others, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Evelyn]

Wow that Piaggio 200 looks great Brian. I like the idea of larger wheels and have often wondered why scooters come with such small wheels? Anyone know? The larger wheels along with power would make a great combo for any rider.

 

[frugality]

The bigger the wheel, the less cargo space under the seat. The designers have to make the decision -- space for the wheel or space for cargo?

 

[Evelyn]

Ahh, thanks Dean. I definitely prefer the cargo space then to the bigger wheel. Although that Piaggio sure looks cute. Maybe I'll get a 2nd scoot...Naw, love my 400

 

[Brian]

Wow that Piaggio 200 looks great Brian. I like the idea of larger wheels and have often wondered why scooters come with such small wheels? Anyone know? The larger wheels along with power would make a great combo for any rider.

As with everything mechanical, wheel size is a compromise: wheel size affects frame design, engine load (the wheels can be thought of as one of the gears in the train), ground clearance, etc.

Since most scooters are designed for use on improved roads around town, the smaller wheels are the best compromise.

The BV200 appears to be aimed at a cross-over market, so they chose bigger wheels (16").

The Burgman 650 has bigger than average wheels, too; 15 in the front and 14 in the rear versus 13/13 typical. That big engine could probably handle even bigger ones, but then the frame would have to be redesigned so the average rider could reach the ground at stops.

 

[Lapine Rider]

More on this subject:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... _n10175724