SpeedFreakInc.com - Pulled Over: Trooper's Riding in Style
Recently, one of our members posted up a photo in the Speedfreak forums. We had to take a double take of the image. It was not just another rider on a bike. It was not just another bike. This bike was dressed up as a State Trooper bike. Was it real? Had it really come to the point that State Trooper's were using 'busa's as ways to patrol? We sent Rachael Westfall on the prowl for more information. Read on for the whole story....
It seems that the line between motor cops and sport bike riders is so thick, you can barely toss a rock to the other side. They are known as the enemy. They’re the ticket-writers, the ultimate haters, the party poopers. To them, we are a nuisance. We’re the hooligans, the reckless riders, the young and the restless individuals who just can’t wait to hop onto their fast machines and give these guys a run for their money.
But in the state of Oklahoma, this vast boundry between us and them has been broken thanks to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s new Suzuki GSXR-1300R Hayabusa. That’s right. And they not only have one, they have three of these beasts in addition to their many traditional Harley’s. So how did such a supposedly uptight group of guys get a hold of these monsters? The answer might surprise you.
One day in 2005, a drug dealer found himself in the hands of the law. As he was hauled off to jail, his Hayabusa was seized by the OHP. From that time on, Captain Steve Howell of the OHP headed a project to turn this Hayabusa into an OHP patrol motorcycle. Thanks to the state legislature’s forward thinking and experimental view of “If it works, let’s try it,” Steve was able to seize the drug dealer’s money as well to begin the transformation.
To see it at first, you wouldn’t believe it. “We can’t even go to a gas station without being surrounded by people asking questions in disbelief,” Steve brags as he earnestly insists, “Yes, it is a real highway patrol motorcycle!”
The Busa’s change of careers required many hands to include several Oklahoma police officers, mechanics and surrounding bike shops. The lists of modifications is endless.
To begin, the Hayabusa was quickly fitted with a GPR stabilizer to help battle Oklahoma’s tough cross winds. In addition, stunt bars from Freestyle Ingenuity were custom made to protect the Busa’s the Corbin beetle bags and lower fairings.
The Busa has also been retrofitted with mirror extenders, throttle locks, a waterproof Stalker© Radar and strobe lights have been concealed within the turn signals as well. In order to allow for the installation of the emergency lights, DPS’s (Department of Public Safety) new police car prep team fabricated custom mounting hardware. In addition, custom rear bars were installed to support the Busa’s Corbin© Beetle bags.
“It took several man hours to bring the Busa to life,” Steve recalls as he goes over all who was involved. Up to three local dealers have been helping out with parts and service. Tim Barns from Freestyle Ingenuity fabricated stunt bars the cradle the Busa’s vital organs. Michelin, Corbin and Ralph Norman from GPR Stabilizers all dedicated time and parts to the OHP Busa. Howell liked what Ralph had to offer so much, he even had stabilizers made for the fleet’s Harley’s. Safety gear was even provided by Road Gear to include leather pants, jackets and gloves.
Now that the OHP has three Busas under their belt, they need to be qualified to handle them. With a top speed of 185 mph, Howell wanted to ensure that they would be as safe as possible on these machines. “You have to be careful because these bikes get up to speed so fast,” he says.
To handle the Busa’s frightening power, Howell and another of his troopers, who have been the only two officers to ride the Hayabusas, ventured to Keith Code’s California Superbike School where they were bombarded with skilled track instruction, all in an effort to harness the Busa‘s raging power.
To say the least, the OHP Busas’ popularity has run rampant, spreading from coast to coast and landing Howell appearances all across the country. This week, Howell will be traveling to Washington DC to strut the OHP’s creations at the National Memorial.
The program to rebuild the Busa wasn’t based on the need to catch sport bike riders on the street, but the rather the need to approach sport bike riders in their own environment. “You can’t relate to a sport bike rider when you’re riding Harley,” Steve says. “The Busa’s primary role is community relations, promotion of rider safety education and to communicate the message that racing and stunt riding will not be tolerated on public highways.”
The ploy seems to be working as the Busa’s influence has earned it recognition by the sport bike community. Talk of the Busa has flooded many of the internet’s sport bike forums, magazines and it has even been featured on Speed Vision’s Superbikes. Even though the Busa has had a tremendous positive impact, it doesn’t look like other states will be adopting the program soon.
In the mean time, should you pass through Oklahoma, keep an eye for these ravens of justice because not only are they fast and blessed with the authority of the law, but they’re riders know how to handle them. But don’t be too afraid. Though they continue to enforce safe riding, they are sport bike riders, they are like us.
-Check out updated photos and news about the OHP Busa on
Suzuki Hayabusa 2008 