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California Highway Patrol to Add BMW Motorcycles

29 December 1998

California Highway Patrol to Add Second Fleet of BMW Motorcycles

    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.--Dec. 28, 1998--For the second year, BMW motorcycles have been selected by the California Department of General Services for use by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The state will purchase 130 of the 1999 BMW R 1100 RT-P police motorcycles from A&S BMW Motorcycles of Citrus Heights, CA, beginning in January.
    The BMW retailer was selected over the manufacturers Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki in the competitive bidding process. A&S was the lowest qualified bidder meeting specifications. For the first time, antilock brakes were included in the specifications, and neither Harley-Davidson nor Kawasaki offered antilock brakes on their enforcement motorcycles.
    Last year, the California Department of General Services purchased 187 BMW authority motorcycles for the CHP, which maintains a fleet of approximately 415 motorcycles throughout 35 locations in the state.
    An additional 30 BMW R 1100 RT-P police motorcycles will be sold to local California law enforcement agencies, which were given the opportunity to purchase motorcycles under the same state contract.
    "We selected BMW motorcycles because A&S was the lowest qualified bidder," said CHP Commissioner D.O. Helmick. "We conducted many years of careful study before we added antilock brakes to the specifications. We found that the antilock braking system is critical to officer safety in a rapid braking situation."
    "We are delighted to continue our partnership with the California Highway Patrol and the dozens of other law enforcement agencies who are using BMW authority motorcycles, " said Edward Robinson, Vice President of BMW's Motorcycle Group. "The CHP announcement caps a banner year for BMW Motorcycles. Record sales worldwide and in North America, exciting new models and our sponsorship of "The Art of the Motorcycle" at the Guggenheim made our 75th anniversary a memorable one," commented Robinson.
    Internationally, BMW is the largest seller of motorcycles for authority use. This summer, BMW and Saint Barnabas Health Care System introduced the nation's first hospital-based motorcycle paramedic team. A fleet of specially prepared BMW police motorcycles provide entourage support for Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
    The BMW R 1100 RT-P ("P" for police) is based on the BMW R 1100 RT civilian model, but is equipped with features which tailor it for official use. It is powered by BMW's modern two-cylinder, four-stroke Boxer engine, which delivers 90 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 1100 RT-P also comes equipped with auxiliary cooling fans, which are essential for an engine that must be kept idling or running at low speeds for long periods without overheating, and a large 700 W alternator with a dual battery system to keep the battery charged during long duties and ensure easy starting after long traffic stops.
    BMW is the only manufacturer to offer catalytic converters across its entire model line. These systems reduce harmful emissions by 85 percent. Furthermore, the catalytic converters found on BMW motorcycles are made of fully recyclable materials.
    BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975, at which point the company assumed marketing and distribution responsibilities of BMW automobiles in the U.S. from the previous private distributor. Motorcycle marketing and distribution was added in 1980. Since then, the company's North American operations have grown to include marketing sales and financial services organizations in the United States and Canada; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California; and various other operations throughout the U.S. and Canada. BMW is represented in North America through a network of more than 375 automobile and 190 motorcycle retailers in the United States and Canada. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the brand's North American headquarters, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
    Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the World Wide Web on the BMW homepage. The address is: http://www.bmwusacycles.com. Information on BMW Rider's Wear and Equipment can be found at http://www.BMWonline.com.
    Journalist note: This and all press materials are available from the "Interactive News Bureau" at the BMW website. You can reach it by clicking "Contact BMW" from the main menu (http://www.bmwusa.com).