Motorcycles are used as patrolling vehicles all around the world and India is no exception. In certain scenarios, motorcycles prove to be better than cars because they are compact, easily manageable in tight spaces and can reach remote places where a car can just imagine to be at. A few years ago, Indian Police’s patrolling fleet only consisted the likes of commuter motorcycles and in other cases, Royal Enfields. But times have changed and evolution is inevitable. The same has been applied in this scenario too.
Recently. Mumbai Police received a fleet of 10 Suzuki Gixxer 250 motorcycles. Suzuki Motorcycles India handed over the vehicles as a part of the brand’s CSR (corporate social responsibility).
Modifications
The motorcycles which were handed over to the police are slightly different from the ones available for civilians. The first and foremost thing which sets it apart from the stock motorcycle is the exclusive white colour scheme which is not available in the stock version. The white paint job is accompanied by side decals which read ‘POLICE’ in red, placed below the tank and on the two-part windscreen fitted at the front. The additional windscreen will provide more wind protection to the patrolling officer.
The front fairing also houses red and blue beacons placed on either side. The quarter-litre patrolling vehicle also gets storage boxes or panniers mounted on either side of the motorcycle. The boxes are also finished in white and black paint scheme. Another important addition is the blue beacon placed adjacent to the pannier box. Mumbai police isn’t the only recipient of the Gixxer 250 motorcycles as the company has already handed over a couple of motorcycles to Surat and Vijaywada police department as well.
Specifications
Gixxer 250 gets its power from a BS6 compliant 249cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected SOHC engine which churns out 26.5 PS tht comes in at 9300 rpm while the torque rating stands at 22.2Nm at 7,300rpm. This powerplant comes mated to a six-speed gearbox. While the Gixxer 250 SF is offered in two colours- Metallic Matte Black along with a dual-tone Metallic Matte Silver and Metallic Matte Black colour, the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 MotoGP edition gets a blue paint scheme with bold Suzuki and Ecstar graphics on the fairing. On the other hand, the Gixxer 250 comes with one single-tone and one dual-tone colour options- Metallic Matte Black No 2 and Metallic Matte Platinum Silver/ Metallic Matte Black No 2. Undulations are absorbed by telescopic forks and a mono-shock while braking is handled by a disc brake at both ends.
Also read: The Indian Police Force And Their Motorcycles
While we still lack a lot behind as compared to other countries when it comes to high-end motorcycles being utilized as patrolling units, our Police Force is catching up gradually. They have started including more modern motorcycles in their fleet to take down goons who are astride ‘fast’ motorcycles. And in some cases, just for escorting the VIPs. Nevertheless, it’s a great thing for us that even our cops will be assisted by some powerful motorcycles to maintain law and order.