NSW Wallopers Swear-in FJR1300A

Don’t – in case the thought entered your head – don’t even think about scarpering if you find flashing blue lights filling your mirrors in NSW.

In a first for an Australian police force, NSW police can now be seen in the saddle of Yamaha’s highway blaster, the FJR1300A. No less than 17 of the big Sports Tourers have been sworn-in for duty.

Anyone who has thrown a leg over an FJR knows that it’s one seriously quick tourer. These FJRs have been built as 'police specials' at Yamaha's Japanese factory. Only minor modifications were necessary to accommodate the light-show and radio fittings the police like to muck around with. (“’ullo... ‘ullo... got a Nissan GTR ‘ave we Guv’...?” – whoops, wrong wallopers, but you get the drift.)

The Yamaha brand is new to NSW Police who, according to Technical and Liaison Sergeant, Julian Llewelyn, chose the FJR1300A for its performance, the ready availability of parts and Yamaha’s large dealer network (suiting the NSW force's routine servicing requirements).

"The FJR1300A base package comes out of the factory with 95 per cent of our requirements fulfilled," Sergeant Llewelyn said. "The bikes have further modifications, including additional emergency lights and various brackets installed by YMA during the pre-delivery process."

"With a promised 95 percent of spare parts arriving within five days and a 50 dealer network in NSW, we are confident that Yamaha will be able to keep our motorcycle fleet on the road," he said.

The eagle-eyed will note the first appearance of the new FJR1300As on Papal duties during the Pope’s visit.

Clearly, it’s catching on. The Queensland Police force has also placed an order for FJR1300As. Road warriors be warned.