Harley vs Honda Police Bikes
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
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.)
Today, for example, the bid price on an FLHP is $14,250 (in Florida). If an agency leases that bike for a year ($200 to $500 a month depending on dealer and options), after the year of collecting the lease, a civilian is gonna stroll in and pay more than that $14,250. Nice deal....for the dealer.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,775
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From: Simpson County Kentucky
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Short & sweet - I'd much prefer my tax $$ support an American-based manufacturer. Yep, there are other considerations, too.
Still laugh when I remember the Charleston, SC motor cop on his Honda-matic 750.
Still laugh when I remember the Charleston, SC motor cop on his Honda-matic 750.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,249
Likes: 0
From: Pampa Tx
Never rode a working Honda But did a Harley,and then the dept switched to cow 1000's about 4 years they switched back to Harleys,and have been with them ever sence.Seems like the Harleys could take a lot more abuse than the Kawasakis.and as for hot weather and traffic I never had a problem with mine.No there not as fast but they just keep on chuging.Back in the 70's Fort Worth switched to Honda 750's,and after about 2 years they went back to Harleys,seems like the Hondas just couldn't hold up.
Last edited by danielo; Mar 9, 2009 at 09:13 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
As a citizen paying taxes, I just want the local PD to ride the best bike for the application. If parade duty is actually a priority in choosing a PD motorcycle, then we need a new police chief.
(I spent a lot of my childhood overseas and have seen several moto-cops chase down perps like action movie stars on the BMWs--bricks, not boxers. I'd pay money to see a Harley, any Harley, ridden the same way.)
(I spent a lot of my childhood overseas and have seen several moto-cops chase down perps like action movie stars on the BMWs--bricks, not boxers. I'd pay money to see a Harley, any Harley, ridden the same way.)
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Honda in San Antonio and BMW in Corpus Christie. The SA officers seem to like the Hondas.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I didn't ride when I was working. However form the link presented it doesn't sounds like a fair comparision.
First off, Honda's entry into the police market is very short. This news piece doesn't talk about "long term" costs. That would also include trade in value.
For the longest time Harley and BMW were the strongest in the market with Harley having the longest tradition.
Police riders that I knew were excited about BMW as they were the first police bike with ABS. Now that Harley has ABS and addressed some of the heat issues and handling. I think the studies will have to include the new 2009 touring line to really be fair.
The Honda didn't appear to have much extra room for items such as First Aid and other first response items and other gear.
I think that on a day to day basis the Honda might be cheaper. But then again I sure wouldn't have enjoyed a Honda Prius for a squad car either!
First off, Honda's entry into the police market is very short. This news piece doesn't talk about "long term" costs. That would also include trade in value.
For the longest time Harley and BMW were the strongest in the market with Harley having the longest tradition.
Police riders that I knew were excited about BMW as they were the first police bike with ABS. Now that Harley has ABS and addressed some of the heat issues and handling. I think the studies will have to include the new 2009 touring line to really be fair.
The Honda didn't appear to have much extra room for items such as First Aid and other first response items and other gear.
I think that on a day to day basis the Honda might be cheaper. But then again I sure wouldn't have enjoyed a Honda Prius for a squad car either!
