December 16^th, 1999                                       

TRX goes crime-fighting on Sydney’s beaches

The latest Honda TRX 4WD ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) is being used by the NSW Police Force in a bid to cut crime on the beaches of Eastern Sydney.

Commissioning of the Honda TRX S 4X4 follows an extensive six month trial last year by the NSW Police, in conjunction with Honda MPE, to evaluate the effectiveness of a four wheeler on patrol on the beach.

The results, according to Acting Sergeant Peter Mort of Waverley Police Station, have more than justified the new patrol with an overall identifiable reduction of theft on the beach by over 20 per cent.

"Being visible and able to react throughout a long expanse of sandy beach has made an immense difference to the task of policing," said Mr Mort.

The new Honda TRX splits its duties between the various beaches under the control of Waverley Police area command as well as having a responsibility for patrolling sections of Centennial Park.

Registered for road use on designated routes by the NSW RTA, the Police version of the Honda TRX is bright yellow and completely kitted out with sirens, flashing beacons and a public address system.

The Honda TRX S 4x4 used by police is similar in specification to the public version and is powered by the largest engine ever offered in a Honda TRX. The 430 cc air-cooled, OHV longitudinally mounted single cylinder 4-stroke makes the TRX 450 the most powerful ATV in its class.

The transmission features five-forward speeds plus reverse and an ultra-low first gear with a limited slip differential mounted in the front axle for maximum performance on the soft sand of Bondi.

The suspension is by independent double wishbones on the front and swing arms on the rear fitted with double shock absorbers. And to combat sand ingress in the braking system both the front and rear brakes feature a sealed drum brake system.

According to Rod Day, Honda’s ATV sales manager in NSW, Australians continue to find new applications for Honda TRXs that have not been contemplated before.

"Honda TRXs are currently being used in East Timor with the Australian Army, in Antarctica with the Australian Antarctic Division and on Australian beaches with Surf Life Saving Clubs. This latest application with the Police shows just how versatile these machines can be.

"Of course the majority of 4x4 TRX sales are in rural areas where they can be fitted with spray equipment, couple up to trailers and other equipment and generally provide an invaluable service around a farm," he added.