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BMW Motorrad is the most experienced manufacturer of police motorcycles in the world, with its ‘authority’ machines on duty in more than 150 countries. In fact, the company has been operating for nearly 80 years in the authorities business, starting at the end of the 1920s when the first motorcycle prepared for authority use was an R 24 with 12 hp, sold in 1928.

For the BMW Motorrad authority business worldwide, the Milipol exhibition in Paris is the most important show as it is dedicated to internal state security issues. This year will be the 25th anniversary of the Milipol exhibition and BMW Motorrad will be in Paris from 17 to 20 November to exhibit a range of motorcycles and rider equipment especially developed and dedicated for ‘authority’ use.

Held at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre, the 16th edition of the Milipol show is only open to public and industrial security professionals, and covers areas such as law enforcement, anti-terrorism, the prison service, forensic science, border control, port and airport security, and of course road safety.

With more than 80 years in the authorities business, BMW Motorrad has a colourful history in this sector, with many of its machines covering the major needs of various groups, including courier services, presidential and dignitary escort duties, highway patrols, etc. The 2009 exhibition stand will include some exciting displays, including two new world premieres, which will be unveiled in the French capital. Authority machines on display that can be mentioned now include the R 1200 RT, the single-cylinder G 650 GS, the R 1200 GS civilian version in white, and the Firexpress R 1200 RT fire fighting motorcycle.

“With more than 110,000 police version motorcycles sold to authorities in more than 150 countries since 1970, BMW Motorrad is well prepared to welcome authority delegations from all over the world to our booth, as well as police and fleet managers,” said Torsten Löhner from BMW’s Worldwide Special Customer Sales division. “As well as the motorcycles, we will also present the Airflow and Police 5 authority motorcycle clothing suits, the new System 6 helmet, and boots and gloves from the civil collection.

“All authority motorcycles and rider equipment is developed and tested by BMW Motorrad’s research and development department in Munich. Besides the extensive range of options for civil customers, these special machines are equipped with many unique features, fittings and modifications especially for authority use. These include features such as LED lights for the front and the rear ‘pole’ that helps increase the visibility of the motorcycle and rider in dangerous or vulnerable conditions; siren; special authority panniers; and the option of ‘full interference suppression’ which avoids any possible problems with interference to the engine management and ABS functions caused by the use of radios and other communications devices.”

As well as being the only manufacturer to offer these specialised motorcycles completely developed and tested by its own R&D department, BMW Motorrad also has a dedicated assembly line in its Berlin factory that ensures all BMW Motorrad’s renowned quality controls apply to these unique motorcycles. As well as authority motorcycles, BMW Motorrad also offers a wide range of training and service activities – either directly or via its highly qualified organisation, and spare parts are available for up to 15 years after the end of a model’s production.

The last Milipol show was held in 2007 and attracted 956 exhibitors, with more than 26,000 visitors coming from 42 countries, as well as 58 official delegations and nearly 500 journalists who came to Paris to cover the event. With the 2009 Milipol exhibition celebrating 25 years of success, record visitor numbers are expected, so BMW Motorrad is looking forward to establishing many new contacts and welcoming visitors from all the major markets.

For more information on the Milipol show at the Porte de Versailles, please visit the www.milipol.com website, which is available in French and English language versions.