Cop Bikes
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
All good info. I have had heard great things about Town and Country in Cement City MI, but would recommened all of the checks from previous posts before buying any used police bike.
The police bikes lack some of the basics like radio etc and the wiring is entirely different so if you plan on adding cruise or hand controls it can add up quickly to what an electra glide classic goes for quickly.
As for comfort, there is no better seat than the air ride police seat. Looks ugly but for me comfort and no back pain.
I have a 2011 and bought it new. Still beat the prices of anything out there.
If you look on the internet there is a whole sub-culture of police bike owners and lots more info available
The police bikes lack some of the basics like radio etc and the wiring is entirely different so if you plan on adding cruise or hand controls it can add up quickly to what an electra glide classic goes for quickly.
As for comfort, there is no better seat than the air ride police seat. Looks ugly but for me comfort and no back pain.
I have a 2011 and bought it new. Still beat the prices of anything out there.
If you look on the internet there is a whole sub-culture of police bike owners and lots more info available
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 4
Not sure what bells and whistles LRS is talking about the police bike lacking. I have a 2011 road king police bike that I bought new. Other than cruise it doesn't lack anything a civilian bike has and in fact has several things a standard bike doesn't, depending on model, without upgrades and add ons, such as 103 engine, ABS, oil cooler, tach, etc.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: huntsville
Not sure what bells and whistles LRS is talking about the police bike lacking. I have a 2011 road king police bike that I bought new. Other than cruise it doesn't lack anything a civilian bike has and in fact has several things a standard bike doesn't, depending on model, without upgrades and add ons, such as 103 engine, ABS, oil cooler, tach, etc.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 583
Likes: 2
From: South Florida
I disagree that a police bike will cost 4 grand to convert to civilian. Change the seat, change the lights and ride. I wouldn't let that deter you from buying one. They are great bikes. They are harleys, they are built strong and maintained often more than our bikes.
Like buying anything used, it depends on how the previous owner/user treated it.
On the plus side, they are a blank canvas. On the minus side it costs a fortune to make it what you want.
As for price, I find the dealers are trying to screw over people on the price. They should be heavily discounted compared to a FLHT or Electraglide Standard.
Find out what department they came from, and then start asking around about that agency and how they treated the bikes. I know some agencies that never use the bikes and they are babied, I know other departments where the bikes are beaten like red headed step children.
Make sure there is a 2 up seat AND new tires on the bike. Run Flat tires that are standard equipment on P spec bikes are NOT rated for 2 up riding, there is actually a sticker on the bike that tells you that.
Figure you are going to have to get a radio, speakers, and a Hog Tunes or Hawg Wired install kit.
Price out a tour pack and back rest and make sure you have someone that knows CPR close by.
Ya the cop bags open differently, that can screw things up with a tour pack added..... price out used bags or new tops, hinges, inserts and locks.....
then you'll be wanting an oil pressure gauge and a oil temp gauge, again there is a good 150 bucks spent.
Paint.... you are going to want to paint it, again big big bucks.
You can buy a real nice civilian bike for less money IMHO and without having the worry that is was beat to death.
to get a P spec bike into "nice" condition, figure about 4 grand plus the cost of the bike.... lots of used bikes for that kind of $$$
On the plus side, they are a blank canvas. On the minus side it costs a fortune to make it what you want.
As for price, I find the dealers are trying to screw over people on the price. They should be heavily discounted compared to a FLHT or Electraglide Standard.
Find out what department they came from, and then start asking around about that agency and how they treated the bikes. I know some agencies that never use the bikes and they are babied, I know other departments where the bikes are beaten like red headed step children.
Make sure there is a 2 up seat AND new tires on the bike. Run Flat tires that are standard equipment on P spec bikes are NOT rated for 2 up riding, there is actually a sticker on the bike that tells you that.
Figure you are going to have to get a radio, speakers, and a Hog Tunes or Hawg Wired install kit.
Price out a tour pack and back rest and make sure you have someone that knows CPR close by.
Ya the cop bags open differently, that can screw things up with a tour pack added..... price out used bags or new tops, hinges, inserts and locks.....
then you'll be wanting an oil pressure gauge and a oil temp gauge, again there is a good 150 bucks spent.
Paint.... you are going to want to paint it, again big big bucks.
You can buy a real nice civilian bike for less money IMHO and without having the worry that is was beat to death.
to get a P spec bike into "nice" condition, figure about 4 grand plus the cost of the bike.... lots of used bikes for that kind of $$$
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: huntsville
Keep the seat. That air ride is BADASS.......I almost made a mistake on getting rid of it. But when I rode mine for a while, I actually got used to it....My feet will not flat foot, but I adapted to it and cannot even tell I am tippy toed.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
As stated not all police bikes come with ABS; they should as it should not even be a choice. Our last bike was 2 years old and had around 6,000 miles on it. Other then the boards being scraped up some (again not abuse just good police riding), the bike was in great shape. Probably better then mine. The agencies that keep there bikes a while or buy them outright can have some that are abused. Ours is a lease, so we have to keep it in good shape or we get charged. I would have no issues buying a fairly new used police bike. Just do some digging.
Good luck,
Neil
RDMC
Good luck,
Neil
RDMC
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Lower Hood Canal, WA
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Texas Gulf Coast
I'm on my 2nd police bike.First 1 was a Electra Glide....did not want a radio.....I like listening to my Thunderheader 
Now I own a Road King Police that I got for a good deal.....alot cheaper than a civilian model.Presently have a Woodys Fairing on order and am working on a King Tour Pac.This bike also has a Thunderheader....I love their performance and sound.Even w/ all of these extras, I'm still money ahead ! And that is a FACT ! Police bikes are some of the best deals out there !
Now I own a Road King Police that I got for a good deal.....alot cheaper than a civilian model.Presently have a Woodys Fairing on order and am working on a King Tour Pac.This bike also has a Thunderheader....I love their performance and sound.Even w/ all of these extras, I'm still money ahead ! And that is a FACT ! Police bikes are some of the best deals out there !
