Harley vs Honda Police Bikes
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 3,882
From: Murfreesboro , TN
I personally dont think HD's make good police bikes. Dont get me wrong, I understand the tradition, love the look and sound. But for parade duty, and hot weather water cooled bikes are just better. From a performance stand point, there are allot of bikes that are big enough to handle the duties of a police bike, handle better, accelerate quicker, and are way faster on the top end. Not to mention maintenance cost, and initial cost of the bike. The main reason for departments sticking with HD is tradition. I cant think of one reason why a modified Gold wing wouldnt make a better police bike than a HD. JMHO Theres one state (Oklahoma I think) using Hayabusa's for their state trooper bikes. They look and handle great, are comfortable, and are nearly impossible to outrun.
As far as the acceleration portion, most cops (especially on bikes) aren't getting into long chases these days. It's easier to maintain at a safe distance, get the chopper up, and radio ahead (putting out a spike strip worst case). Going 0-60 in 1.2 seconds (like on a GSXR1000) or following a Porsche 911 Turbo at 180 mph isn't really something the police need to do.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 1
From: Sheridan, AR
Actually maintenance costs don't really vary that much for bikes. In alot of cases Harley can be the cheaper (and easier) bike to maintain when you get down to it. Initial cost alot of times isn't really a huge consideration either, as many departments get the bikes for next to nothing (some dealers or the MoCo would donate them at $1 a year. I would imagine the other brands have something similar at times.)
As far as the acceleration portion, most cops (especially on bikes) aren't getting into long chases these days. It's easier to maintain at a safe distance, get the chopper up, and radio ahead (putting out a spike strip worst case). Going 0-60 in 1.2 seconds (like on a GSXR1000) or following a Porsche 911 Turbo at 180 mph isn't really something the police need to do.
As far as the acceleration portion, most cops (especially on bikes) aren't getting into long chases these days. It's easier to maintain at a safe distance, get the chopper up, and radio ahead (putting out a spike strip worst case). Going 0-60 in 1.2 seconds (like on a GSXR1000) or following a Porsche 911 Turbo at 180 mph isn't really something the police need to do.
As a fellow LEO I personally want the best tool for the job, and IMO there are better bikes for this application. I dont like saying that, I love HD, they are American made, and have the tradition, and I wont even argue that they last longer, but most departments trade them off every few years anyway, so whats the difference? JMHO
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Never been on a Honda LEO bike. I was assigned a Kaw KZ1000 years ago. I'm glad it's gone and they don't make them anymore. We've been using HD's since 2000. I ride a 2003 now. Ours have been bullet proof. BTW, we don't rent them. We own them and likely will use them until they need replaced.
Neither the Kaw or HD is a "performance bike". Neither is well suited for high speed anything. They perform well enough for what we use them for........Heck, even a Crown Vic ain't a performance car. They are slow and not the best handling thing out there.
Neither the Kaw or HD is a "performance bike". Neither is well suited for high speed anything. They perform well enough for what we use them for........Heck, even a Crown Vic ain't a performance car. They are slow and not the best handling thing out there.
Last edited by xxxflhrci; Mar 9, 2009 at 11:43 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
I heard a rumor that LAPD was switching back to Moto Guzzis, like they had in the 70s. I don't know if that's accurate or not though.
Like was stated above, I see alot of BMWs here in Phoenix now. They sure are quiet... Talk about sneaking up on you.
Like was stated above, I see alot of BMWs here in Phoenix now. They sure are quiet... Talk about sneaking up on you.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
After a little searching, I found some real comparisons here:
http://www.lasd.org/sites/motorcycle-test/2006.pdf
http://www.lasd.org/sites/motorcycle-test/2006.pdf
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 3,882
From: Murfreesboro , TN
I agree with most of the points you've made, and clearly dont mind riding a Harley, one thing you didn't address was the air cooled factor, and in police duty it is a factor. Also while I agree HD's are fast enough in most cases, in some cases better performance and handling could be a benefit.
As a fellow LEO I personally want the best tool for the job, and IMO there are better bikes for this application. I dont like saying that, I love HD, they are American made, and have the tradition, and I wont even argue that they last longer, but most departments trade them off every few years anyway, so whats the difference? JMHO
As a fellow LEO I personally want the best tool for the job, and IMO there are better bikes for this application. I dont like saying that, I love HD, they are American made, and have the tradition, and I wont even argue that they last longer, but most departments trade them off every few years anyway, so whats the difference? JMHO
As far as best tool/better bikes, that really depends on who you ask when you get down to it! Some forces are dependent on the bean counters to select bikes for them, some are lucky enough to choose or take a majority vote on it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 2
From: Florida
The Kissimmee PD added a couple Spyders to their fleet a few months ago. Something a little different.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Phoenix
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
If I remember correctly, one agency--Highway Patrol I think--got and kept a Hayabusa as the result of a drug bust. I don't know if it is even being used as anything besides a publicity getter. They are not a standard LEO bike here.