Cape Coral Police debut new department motorcycles

CAPE CORAL, Fla.- The Cape Coral Police Department has some new wheels. Officers showed off their new motorcycles at a press conference Wednesday.

The department bought five new BMW R 1200 RT-P motorcycles.

In the past, CCPD would lease Harley Davidson Police Motorcycles for two years and turn them back in to the leasing agent. At the start and end of each lease, the department would have to pay to have for the police equipment installed and uninstalled on each motorcycle and then reinstalled onto the new bikes. Officials say this normally cost about $700-1000 per motorcycle.

The new BMW bikes also get better fuel economy, require less maintenance, and provide better traction control.

“They’ll be able to maneuver a little better, in regards of getting in and out of traffic and through the areas, and it’s going be great for the officers. They came with very high regards, high marks from agencies we talked to all over the United States,” said Sgt. John Kulko.

Each bike costs $24,000 and the department says they will actually save taxpayers more than $20,000 over the next five years.

“The partnership with BMW allows us to field a smaller, lighter, more maneuverable, cooler bike, that is packed with the newest technology to keep our officers safe.  These motorcycles will be an important part of our ongoing efforts to increase safety on the roads in Cape Coral,” said Det. Sergeant Dana Coston.