I never thought that this would happen, but somehow I’ve managed to stay “on borough” in a role that I really enjoy, and I get to ride around on a motorbike most days!
As part of a deal with Merton Council, Viridor Waste Management, and the Friends & Conservators of Mitcham Common, Merton BOCU purchased three off-road motorcycles and trained four of us to ride them operationally. As a PC on a Safer Neighbourhoods Team in Mitcham I use a bike to patrol housing estates, exploring all the footpaths and alleyways, and I patrol Mitcham Common - a vast area of beautiful common land blighted by a few hooligans on illegal scramblers.
The X-Challenge was our only option due to contracts with BMW and in my opinion there are plenty of bikes that would do a better job of what we ask. But I certainly don’t mean to be too harsh on the bike as it really is a very capable all-rounder.
The 650cc single produces a lot more power than my old Honda Dominator ever could, and that power is instantly accessible. Too much throttle and the front wheel throws itself in the air. The drawback of a big 650 is obviously the weight when going off-road and then the BMW feels quite lardy.
On the road, this bike is extremely agile and well balanced. The engine is strong enough to pull to an indicated 100mph, but anything over 80mph and the high front mudguard causes plenty of headshake. We use road-legal knobbly Metzeler tyres that unfortunately aren’t great in either condition, but if fitted with road biased rubber, the X-Challenge would be awesome around town and a great alternative to a full on Supermoto.
BMW are renowned for taking something that is simple and effective, and changing it for something complicated and inferior. Well BMW thankfully ditched their “three switches instead of one” attitude towards the indicators, but true to form, they’ve messed around with the rear suspension. Instead of a perfectly good spring, BMW have gone for a pressurized canister where the rear shock should be. You have to “inflate” the suspension using an air-line, or the handpump under the impossible to re-fit seat. And beware, don’t use an air-line at a petrol station as most won’t fit the valve, so you end up with the back of the bike sitting over the rear wheel and then spending ages using the inadequate handpump.
All three bikes have suffered electrical problems. One battery just wouldn’t hold a charge, another bike had to have the dash replaced after less than 400 miles, and two of the bikes sometimes stall and refuse to start again for 10 minutes. Not good.
I was going to finish off by saying that as my review is based on Police use maybe I’m being a little unfair, but no, these bikes are supposed to be rugged and bullet-poof, and should be able to take the abuse we give them. I do feel guilty though by not giving the X-Challenge enough praise - I’m absolutely loving my job at the moment, and that is almost entirely down to riding this bike nearly everyday.
