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[skadamo]

The ATK-Le uses a Perm motor and a 72 volt system to produce 36 ft-lb of torque. The 225 pound bike will have a top speed of 75 miles per hour with a 100 mile range. ATK estimates this will translate to a 3 hour continuous run time while being put to use by law enforcement agencies. A second generation bike is also in the works with more power and a 3 phase AC motor.

http://plugbike.com/2010/11/03/atk-le/

[Richard230]

That is pretty neat, but I doubt that most law enforcement agencies would buy an off-road motorcycle due to liability and safety concerns. The city that I used to work for bought two Yamaha dirt bikes 20 years ago for patrolling a local mountain, which was being dug up by off-roaders. They crashed both bikes and a couple of officers were hurt, leading the city to stick the bikes into storage, until they disappeared one day. Eventually, the cops got a government grant to chase the bikers off the hill using a helicopter and surrounding the access roads with patrol cars. That worked and it has been quiet ever since. The problem is that most police departments are so concerned about liability claims and potential safety issues with their officers that they don't want to try anything new.

Then, you have the mind-set of many cops that you need to make lots of exhaust noise to be noticed so that other drivers don't run into you - the Oakland Police Department being the poster-boys of this theory.   

[skadamo]

I believe Frank mentioned the market for police motorcycles is pretty big. Can't remember the numbers but Kawasaki, BMW, Harley and other big mfr's actively pursue this market so it has to have a good amount of sales potential.

[Richard230]

Hell for Leather magazine has more information about the ATK e-bike and a short video showing it in operation here:

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/11/electricity-is-the-future-of-police-bikes/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HellForLeather+%28Hell+For+Leather%29