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Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki Police Motorcycles"
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* KZ1000P Police - The most common model, 1982 - 2005, commonly known as the ''KZP'' | * KZ1000P Police - The most common model, 1982 - 2005, commonly known as the ''KZP'' | ||
All series have been equipped with | All series have been equipped with [[windshield]]s, saddleboxes, pursuit lights, and folding floorboards rather than footpegs. All are a single-rider version of the [[Universal Japanese Motorcycle]] design popular until the advent of specialized motorcycle designs divided the market into cruisers, sport bikes, touring bikes and other specialized applications. All series are also designed to carry radio communications equipment and are wired for electronic sirens. | ||
All have inline, 4-cylinder, normally-aspirated four-stroke, overhead-cam engines and chain drives, and larger generating systems than similar civilian models. C- and P-series Police Specials were also equipped with tires designed to stay on the rim in case of deflation. These "run-flat" tires, supplied by Dunlop, increase safety significantly by enabling the rider to safely slow to a stop if the tires are damaged in a high-speed pursuit. | All have inline, 4-cylinder, normally-aspirated four-stroke, overhead-cam engines and chain drives, and larger generating systems than similar civilian models. C- and P-series Police Specials were also equipped with tires designed to stay on the rim in case of deflation. These "run-flat" tires, supplied by Dunlop, increase safety significantly by enabling the rider to safely slow to a stop if the tires are damaged in a high-speed pursuit. | ||
==Model differences== | ==Model differences== | ||
The most obvious difference between the KZP and the earlier series was the addition of a fiberglass fairing, carrying the front lights and windshield and also containing storage for small items. This has become the most identifiable police-service motorcycle design in the world, as the [[fairing]] has a profile unique to the KZP. Earlier Kawasaki police motorcycles had a windshield with a shape similar to that found on the older [[Harley-Davidson]] [[Electra Glide]] motorcycle then popular with law enforcement. | The most obvious difference between the KZP and the earlier series was the addition of a fiberglass fairing, carrying the front lights and [[windshield]] and also containing storage for small items. This has become the most identifiable police-service motorcycle design in the world, as the [[fairing]] has a profile unique to the KZP. Earlier Kawasaki police motorcycles had a [[windshield]] with a shape similar to that found on the older [[Harley-Davidson]] [[Electra Glide]] motorcycle then popular with law enforcement. | ||
The C-series borrowed features from the American police motorcycles with which it was designed to compete. These included a spring-cushioned saddle, and a speedometer equipped with a [[solenoid]] to trap the indicator needle against the glass when the pursuit lights were activated, to mark the speed at which a lawbreaker was traveling at the time. Both of these features were eliminated in the KZP, which was equipped with a standard speedometer and tachometer. | The C-series borrowed features from the American police motorcycles with which it was designed to compete. These included a spring-cushioned saddle, and a speedometer equipped with a [[solenoid]] to trap the indicator needle against the glass when the pursuit lights were activated, to mark the speed at which a lawbreaker was traveling at the time. Both of these features were eliminated in the KZP, which was equipped with a standard speedometer and tachometer. | ||
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The primary crash-protection feature is the chrome-plated crash bars at the front of the frame and surrounding the saddleboxes and rear fender. | The primary crash-protection feature is the chrome-plated crash bars at the front of the frame and surrounding the saddleboxes and rear fender. | ||
The top of the windshield is considered the worst feature, being in the primary vision zone of riders between 5'8" and 6' in height. | The top of the [[windshield]] is considered the worst feature, being in the primary vision zone of riders between 5'8" and 6' in height. | ||
The second-most-reported complaint is with the throttle twist grip, which requires considerable torque to operate (characteristic of multiple-carburetor motorcycles). The use of manually-operated cruise controls has become common. | The second-most-reported complaint is with the throttle twist grip, which requires considerable torque to operate (characteristic of multiple-carburetor motorcycles). The use of manually-operated cruise controls has become common. | ||