Local PD's New patrol bikes.... making too much on speed traps??

[KIC]

 

The first thing Marana police officer Bradley Clifford noticed when he laid eyes on his new Victory Stealth Commander I motorcycle was just how black it was.

 

“It’s not like any other police bike,” Clifford says. “It almost looks like a Transformer or something a superhero might ride. All of that flat black really garners a lot of attention.”

 

Of course, the striking, deep black color of the Stealth Commander I (based off a Victory Cross Country) wasn’t the only reason that the Marana, Ariz., police department decided to make the switch to Victory Police Motorcycles.

 

They’d been riding BMW police motorcycles but were looking for a bike that would better fit the needs of their department. They’re less expensive to purchase and maintain while also providing the comfort, power, safety and even protection from gunfire that motorcycle officers require.

 

Clifford has been putting his Stealth Commander I through the paces. A motorcycle officer for eight years and a rider for 25, Clifford has grown fond of his new ride. The first time he threw a leg over the Stealth, however, he wasn’t sure what to expect.

 

“It’s huge,” he says. “It’s a big bike, but the low center of gravity really made me feel comfortable.”

 

Clifford quickly learned the Stealth’s size belied its maneuverability. The Victorys were just as nimble and maneuverable as other motorcycles, and because the Stealth Commander I has long-haul bagger DNA, the bike is perfect for officers who might be in the saddle for hours on end.

 

http://cdn.polarisindustries.com/community/vic/marana-police-department-with-victory-stealth-commander-2.jpg

“We can ride them all day,” he says.

 

Comfort and maneuverability are important to the Marana PD, but safety is a top priority — and safety for a motorcycle officer takes on a different meaning. Steel crash bars protect officers if the bike goes down and also allow an officer to intentionally “drop” his motorcycle — which will remain standing at a 34-degree lean — to use it as a shield.

 

Mike Schultz, director of marketing for Victory Police Motorcycles, stresses that the Victory Stealth Commander I can be a lifesaver in ways that citizens will hopefully never have to worry about.

 

“Every Victory police motorcycle comes with a full-length skidplate,” he told Tuscon’s KOLD news. “If I’m an officer and I’m being shot at, I can lay the bike down on its side. The bike and the skidplate will protect my torso.”

 

The Marana Police Department is also finding maintenance of their new Victory bikes is quick and cost effective (not that frequent maintenance is an issue). Marana is just a short ride up the freeway from Tucson, where Victory Police Motorcycles makes its home.

 

Tim Johnson, parts manager for Victory Police Motorcycles, has been working with the Victory Police Motorcycle team since 2007.

 

“Police departments love the dependability that Victory bikes offer,” he says. “We haven’t seen any major breakdowns from any of the close to 40 departments we’re currently working with.”

 

And if parts are needed, the cost savings to the Marana Police Department have been considerable. Says Officer Clifford: “To put it simply, it’s $1,200 to do a BMW clutch. It’s approximately $300 to do a clutch on a Victory.”

 

So if you’re riding through the Marana area, keep your eyes peeled. The Marana PD is the first to deploy the Stealth version of the Victory Commander, and they’re a rare sight.

 

A glimpse at one might even make getting pulled over by Officer Clifford or one of his fellow officers worth it

[billmac]

Where did you get this article ? would like to try posting to my facebook page.

[KIC]

Here is the link...

 

http://www.victorymotorcycles.com/en-us/community/story/marana-police-stealth-commander-i?WT.mc_id=77811728-8B19-E311-B954-0050569A00BB&WT.mc_ev=paidarticle&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=outbrain

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

Our local PD has been riding them for about 3 years now with mixed reaction.

Our PD did order them with shiny paint, in black and white, as they were switching the cruisers back to black and white from all white.

They are definitely cheaper than Harley or BMW and according to stats more dependable as well.

A friend of mine has ended up servicing them and the big issue he has had is the "main fuse" located up front get soaked and shorts out.

They do hit the front crash bars easily on heavy maneuvering I did notice watching the international PD Bike Rodeo last year.

[KIC]

So, since I ride up in Marana often, I guess I have to ride the 1st Gen in order to out run them, or the 2nd Gen if I want the citation for impeding the flow of traffic...

 

[Yammer Dan]

So, since I ride up in Marana often, I guess I have to ride the 1st Gen in order to out run them, or the 2nd Gen if I want the citation for impeding the flow of traffic...

 

 

 

If you take the 2nd gen they might get you for littering......

[Prairiehammer]

While the matte black seems stealthy and rather 'cool', I would think that the PD would want to make their motorcycles more visible for safety. Most police motorcycles in the UK, Asia and Europe are almost fluorescent with 'safety' lime or yellow on a white background.

 

Perhaps the motives of the city of Marana is to generate income via concealed radar equipped motorcycles? Why else would a police officer want to be 'stealthy'?

[KIC]

If you take the 2nd gen they might get you for littering......

 

Good Point !!!

 

 

While the matte black seems stealthy and rather 'cool', I would think that the PD would want to make their motorcycles more visible for safety. Most police motorcycles in the UK, Asia and Europe are almost fluorescent with 'safety' lime or yellow on a white background.

 

Perhaps the motives of the city of Marana is to generate income via concealed radar equipped motorcycles? Why else would a police officer want to be 'stealthy'?

 

Motorcops around aren't stealthy, they are cowards that hide behind bushes and illegal parking areas waiting to shoot some radar and screw up somebody's day. I have friends who are, or have been Motor Cops. They would give their grandmother a ticket for speeding while taking their grandfather to the hospital for a heart attack....

 

But then to get paid to ride all day long.... hmmmm

The black color is going to get hot during our summer days down here..

[Flyinfool]

Here in Milwaukee they have a lot of bicycle patrols.

They seem unable to figure out why flat black bicycles ridden by people wearing black keep getting run over at night.

[dacheedah]

While the matte black seems stealthy and rather 'cool', I would think that the PD would want to make their motorcycles more visible for safety. Most police motorcycles in the UK, Asia and Europe are almost fluorescent with 'safety' lime or yellow on a white background.

 

Perhaps the motives of the city of Marana is to generate income via concealed radar equipped motorcycles? Why else would a police officer want to be 'stealthy'?

 

2nd that , I want to be seen. I will tell you that being marked people still do stupid in front of you, these are the people who need the extra attention. If people are paying attention they are probably safer drivers. Stealth = being run over