Any truth to the rumour I just started that Tony and Campbell have their Red and Black bikes booked in for a new livery to disguise their naughty acts with a uniform paint job?

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/new-police-motorcycles-launched-photosI don't think BMW fronted up with the new RT, just the older one. There is an ongoing concern about the maintenance cost of the RT, things like clutches are pretty much done at 50k intervals (not just when needed). I suspect the bean counters had a solid part in the decision...I still don't think it's a true factory authority model like the BMW (and a few others). I believe there is an outfit adding all the police gear... (and they had the odd issue with it).Still, I'll wait to see one in the flesh to see what they're up to and how they're dealing with all the equipment...

I hear Honda actually have 11 of them. 1 is  a spares bike.

Interesting discussion.BMW put an air cooled R1200RTP DOHC up for the tender trial, as the water cooled one hadn't come out at that time.It was pitted against a Yamaha FJR1300, and the Honda. The Honda was poorly prepared for the trial, but the trail was happening, and they had to take it as it was.The BMW came out as the riders favourite, with the Yamaha second, and the Honda third.The Honda was chosen due to the costs of purchase and servicing. Given that, we wondered at the time why they bothered to do a trial, but maybe it was just to make sure the Honda was at least in the same ball park.Of course, some of us have significant loyalty to the brand, so it's inevitable that there's comment around the bikes. But basically, if they bought me any bike and paid for the gas, I'd probably ride it.

Of course, some of us have significant loyalty to the brand, so it's inevitable that there's comment around the bikes. But basically, if they bought me any bike and paid for the gas, I'd probably ride it.

It will be interesting to see how the guys adapt to the Honda. It can easily be little things like the weight balance, amount of steering lock, throttle response, it makes a lot of difference for exercise scenarios. That said, while part of it is clearly technique, one of the other Event Rider crew had an ST1300, and stopped coming to events as his clutch got very unhappy. As said, a lot could be technique (like if he's riding the hell out of his clutch). Won't know until they're beating the hell out of them, as clearly all the history is with the BMW.While the forum will lynch me, you should have CB900s. I've done 100,000km (over about 8 years, averages 12k a year) since my boss provided it for work, only a couple of thou out of that was open road, the rest was motorway and suburban stuff, beats the hell out of the gearbox and clutch and it barely misses a beat. No engine/gearbox/clutch work besides a worn clutch cable at 60k (which is an easy replacement).  ;D Currently it has about 128k on the clock.

Hi GremI've resigned from the job, effective 29 May. I won't get the chance to experience the ST much.As it happens, I've been advocating for smaller bikes since 2008. Maybe the deaf ears are part of why I'm going.I'd have picked the F800ST as my bike of choice. The bean counters would have been happy, as it's cheaper to service, buy and run. The guys would have loved it, as I've loved the two I had.The ST is used world wide, and I've been in touch with my counterparts who speak English. Comments almost exclusively come from the basis of brand loyalty. Honda people love Hondas, Beemer people love Beemers. No surprise.

Came across 3 new ST 1300 police bikes and 3 RTs at the gas station today, they had been just around the Coromandal Loop, doing there Re certification .They had the day before done there twists and turns drill so no burnt out clutches.Tough work riding a bike most days but somebody's got to do it.(lucky Chaps).Daffy Your bags should turn up tomorrow.BMW make a F800 GT and GS police bike model as well as Hondas VFR800 and Yamaha make smaller XJ models.

Herd today one of the new STs has already had a crash while out on a recertifcation ride yesterday,So maybe Steve that's why Bluewing kept a spare bike in stock. Poor Bobby lots of paperwork to do,Hope He was nothurt. Might of been an Instructor as well.