Unmarked Police Motorcycles
Discussion
They have always been around, Cumbria and Lanc's used a Blackbird and a Triumph ST a while back, they generally use that sort of thing although I have also seen a VFR800, the giveaway is the white helmet and tailpack and black leathers and their road positioning, rule of thumb for me is if I catch up or am caught up by an unfamiliar bike whilst making progress is to back off and make sure its not an unmarked bike.
Jazoli said:
They have always been around, Cumbria and Lanc's used a Blackbird and a Triumph ST a while back, they generally use that sort of thing although I have also seen a VFR800, the giveaway is the white helmet and tailpack and black leathers and their road positioning, rule of thumb for me is if I catch up or am caught up by an unfamiliar bike whilst making progress is to back off and make sure its not an unmarked bike.
Hertfordshire plod were using a VFR1200 a few years back and fully agree with your rule of thumb about unfamiliar bikes, the way the police ride can be a giveaway. Someone I used to work with was caught years ago (probably 2010) having been followed by a "plain clothes" Fireblade, so I don't think type of bike is an indicator. Having seen the evidence video, one way you can tell is they'll take extraordinary risks you keep you in view of the camera (might be why at the time Sussex crashed more plain clothes bikes than any other force according to the media).
Since then if I'm caught up by another bike I let it straight past, if it's caught me it's going quicker anyway so why hold them up? If the rider is wearing unbranded kit, especially white lid and black leathers it's a sign not to overtake back if they slow down.
Since then if I'm caught up by another bike I let it straight past, if it's caught me it's going quicker anyway so why hold them up? If the rider is wearing unbranded kit, especially white lid and black leathers it's a sign not to overtake back if they slow down.
There’s plenty of unmarked bikes for various different reasons. I used to sell clothing to police bikers for surveillance as an example. They had a range of bikes from scooters to S1000RR’s which were used for following people. They worked in teams with cars and vans too. They wouldn’t be easy to spot as they had free reign to choose what they wanted. Limited edition top of the range arai’s weren’t unusual. The NCA also have people doing a similar job.
rallye101 said:
Thats interesting, thought they'd only use bike max 3 or 4 years old just because they put so many miles on themThe police told our local council meeting that they are stepping up the use of unmarked bikes round the north wales border and into Snowdonia as they are not so easy to spot and it gives them more chance to "educate" the drivers and riders who treat the area as a race track. So watch out for them.
When they are behind you it is very obvious, as above white helmets all black unbranded leather gear. I was making progress when I saw a square headlight come up behind, the sort you see on large tourers, I immediately backed off and stuck to the limits, he still pulled me over for a chat about my speed (from when he first saw me), he followed me for around 5 miles before stopping me despite there being plenty of places to do so.
Many years ago my Dad rode unmarked bikes for the Police, he had a black ZZR1100 at work and a Blackbird at home.
Every two years he would get to change all his gear and always picked what he wanted, provided it was discreet. He always used to pick Arai helmet in either grey or black.
I'd get the old gear for when I went out on the back with him on his bike, probably the best kitted 12 year old in the country!
I'm not 100% sure what he used to do as he was quiet about it and I knew better than to ask but he was away for weeks at a time and allover Europe.
Every two years he would get to change all his gear and always picked what he wanted, provided it was discreet. He always used to pick Arai helmet in either grey or black.
I'd get the old gear for when I went out on the back with him on his bike, probably the best kitted 12 year old in the country!
I'm not 100% sure what he used to do as he was quiet about it and I knew better than to ask but he was away for weeks at a time and allover Europe.
Jazoli said:
rule of thumb for me is if I catch up or am caught up by an unfamiliar bike whilst making progress is to back off and make sure its not an unmarked bike.
Something the bloke who passed me doing something north of 90 on the A27 the other evening would have been wise to heed. Shortly after he flashed past a bike followed doing a similar speed. When the road singled down to a 40 limit and street lights they had stopped and were having a chat while the bike had sprouted little blue lights in all sorts of places. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff