Do police emblems and lights decrease bike value?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
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From: Upstate New York
Keep in mind that not all "police" bikes are actually used by the police. From time to time I see brand new police bikes turning up at my local dealer. Sometimes departments order bikes, then budget tightening or changing needs force cancellation of orders. Sometimes H-D overproduces and has a few extra. These are them offered to dealers.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 894
Likes: 25
From: Jacksonville FL
Where did you find my picture?
I wanted to buy 14 Dyna today, I couldn't find a dealer, I'll find him by next auction. Too bad, it probably went for $1-2k with frame damage.
Dyna is probably better bike for me, I don't ride on highways, stuck in beginner rider level for 10 years.
I wanted to buy 14 Dyna today, I couldn't find a dealer, I'll find him by next auction. Too bad, it probably went for $1-2k with frame damage.
Dyna is probably better bike for me, I don't ride on highways, stuck in beginner rider level for 10 years.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 61
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
Back to the original post, yes i think that a police looking bike would bring less money, because every one thanks about how the bike has been abused. When I think of abuse I think how many RPMs that engine has ran. For example, a cop is sitting still watching his radar and he sees some scumbag going over the limit He has to put in radar down kick up the kick stand looks to make sure no one is going to run him over, and take off. Now if he takes off nice and slow the speeder is done gone, so he has to just about peg it out in every gear, in order catch up with the speeder.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: Fanning Springs Florida
FLorida has an interesting take on impersonating a police office. If you look like one and act like one, you are violating the law. Well, on a bike that explicitly looks like a police vehicle, it may not matter what you are wearing (detectives, for example, generally are not in uniform). Personally, I would not ride around on a police vehicle.
Also, around here anyways, the Police Bikes do sell for a bit less than non Police Bikes. Which is one reason I got one, being a Police Officer, I am pretty poor.... "Po-lice" but I also got it because I like the nostalgia of it. But I will not keep it looking like a Police bike. Custom paint, extended bags and a 21" front end will be in the works as time/funds permit.
Last edited by CptRayT; Jul 25, 2017 at 07:12 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: West Central FL
Yes, they bring less money. Because they've been dropped, fallen off of, scraped around on the ground, ridden over curbs, up and down stairs, they are maintained at agencies by car mechanics not bike mechanics, when maintained at a dealership they get the minimum amount of attention because they're lease bikes and they get ridden hard in all kinds of weather and temperature extremes. But mainly because they're white and who wants to ride a motorcycle that looks like an ice cream truck???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
Yes, they bring less money. Because they've been dropped, fallen off of, scraped around on the ground, ridden over curbs, up and down stairs, they are maintained at agencies by car mechanics not bike mechanics, when maintained at a dealership they get the minimum amount of attention because they're lease bikes and they get ridden hard in all kinds of weather and temperature extremes. But mainly because they're white and who wants to ride a motorcycle that looks like an ice cream truck???
As far "who wants to ride a white motorcycle?" That would be me. For 24 years now.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jul 26, 2017 at 12:26 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Post Falls, ID
Around here, police bikes are no longer used for "pursuit" work, and haven't been for many years. Harleys are too slow compared to modern cars and motorcycle pursuit is too dangerous. Motorcycles are pretty much relegated to escort and parade duty.
As far "who wants to ride a white motorcycle?" That would be me. For 24 years now.
As far "who wants to ride a white motorcycle?" That would be me. For 24 years now.
Motors are also efficient ticket writing machines in target rich California. Every speeder chased down and caught is a type of pursuit. Escorting is specifically against policy in many Ca police departments.
Patrol cars are clumsy enforcement vehicles compared to a bike.
Last edited by upflying; Jul 26, 2017 at 12:41 PM.
