Known for their forward-thinking approach and innovative efforts, the Redondo Beach, California Police Department has added to their fleet a pair of custom police motorcycles based on the Honda CRF1000L platform. The two Africa Twin Police Bikes were donated by American Honda to support the recently launched City of Redondo Beach Police Foundation, which funds new technologies to help advance the vision of the police department.

The move to acquire the new bikes started when officers began considering the possibility of transitioning from their current Honda ST1300p bikes to an adventure-bike platform. This with the idea that their relative agility, lighter weight, and increased suspension travel would make them well suited for police work.

Enter the Africa Twin, a 998cc adventure bike that is smaller and more nimble than conventional police motorcycles yet still has the power needed for police duties. Police Chief Keith Kauffman approached Honda with the idea, and after officers successfully tested a pair of units, Honda decided to move ahead with the donation.

The donated Africa Twins are equipped with automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which helps officers to focus more of their attention on riding and police work. In addition, the units have been equipped with a number of Honda Accessories. But that’s not all, with the help of noted bike customizer Roland Sands, the police department has made a number of modifications targeted at increasing the bike’s law-enforcement functionality.

The Africa Twin Police Bike is equipped with an AR-15 riffle with locking gun mount.

Among the many police-specific enhancements included in the build are a set of U.S. Armor soft saddlebags with level IV rifle plate armor, an HBH AR-15 locking gun mount, an axion police camera, lidar gun, a SoundOff Signal bluePRINT police PA and lighting system, and a quick-release Kevlar ballistic blanket that acts as a bulletproof shield.

U.S. Armor customized soft saddlebags include a quick-release bulletproof shield that extends across the bike to provide instant cover for police officers.

With the aid of Ohlins suspension, Dunlop D908 tires, Cycra hand guards, AltRider skid plate, crash bars and a high fender kit, the RBPD will also be ready to pursue criminals anywhere they go whether it be the soft sand of the beach, jogging paths, train tracks or stair steps.

Seat comfort was improved with a Saddlemen custom Seat cover with gel insert.

The Roland Sands Police Bike will act as a test bed for innovative new law enforcement products and techniques. “One of the things that the police department is really focused on is our vision statement: ‘We are the community, leading the way in law enforcement,” Chief Kauffman said. “That’s why when we look at partnering, we’re going out to the experts. If we want to be one of the most innovative law-enforcement departments in the country, we have to push the needle.”

If nothing else, we expect Redondo Beach’s Africa Twin will help make patrolling the streets a more efficient task for the officers. And we wouldn’t be surprised if there is a line of cadets waiting eagerly for a ride on this amazing custom built-police bike — a functional work of art by Roland Sands Designs.

RBPD Africa Twin Police Bike Build List

· Ohlins complete adventure forks (FFHO 101)
· Ohlins rear piggyback shock (STX 46)
· Dunlop D908 Rally Raid tires
· Talon hubs with Excel rims (by Dubya)
· Pro Taper handlebars (Adventure bend)
· Cycra Pro Bend CRM Ultra handguards
· Saddlemen custom Seat cover with gel insert
· K&N air filter
· Police wiring harness by HBH
· HBH AR-15 locking gun mount
· SoundOff Signal Blueprint LED police lighting and PA system
· Axiom police camera
· PVP wireless push-to-talk radio communication
· Yoshimura RS-4 Slip On Exhaust
· U.S. Armor locking, quick-release, soft saddlebags with level IV rifle plate armor
· Pull out Kevlar ballistic blanket
· Trauma kit
· Lidar Gun
· AltRider Crashbars (custom PA speaker, laser/radar gun mounts by RSD)
· AltRider Skidplate
· AltRider High front fender mount with Cycra supermoto fender
· AltRider Front fork guards
· AltRider Front headlight guard
· AltRider Rear brake reservoir guard
· Altrider Luggage racks (pillion and rear)
· Pivot Pegz footpegs
· Paint by Airtrix
· Powdercoat by Specialized Coatings