I was riding to work this morning and pulled up next to a motorcycle cop at a light. That got me thinking about watching CHiPS as a kid, poppin' wheelies, and sitting in the hot Texas sun with your radar gun and no air conditioning. At the end of my reverie, I was left wondering: Why do we have cops on motorcycles? What function do they serve that car-bound officers can't? When the city council gets together to make a budget, what justifications are offered for keeping them around? [more inside]
posted by abingham on Jun 6, 2005 - 23 answers

I'm looking to buy a motorcycle sometime, so I'm trying to educate myself on the options. I've ridden a fair amount, but never owned anything more than a 150cc scooter. What I need is really just a bike for getting around town (Austin, TX, for what it's worth), but I'd like to be able to take to the highway when necessary. So, I'm looking for advice, be it specific models, "types" of bikes, or whatever. [more inside]
posted by abingham on Apr 15, 2005 - 30 answers