WDC police bikes- Harley/ BMW

[nthach]

Personally I would want a Honda Shadow for patrol work, it has the best of both worlds.

one of the local PDs here uses Honda, forget which model - it does look close to their ST1300 model. SFPD has a few Ducatis in their fleet, Harleys are their standard. The CHP switched over to Harley recently.

I think Kawasaki is back in the cop bike business with a version of their Versys or Concours.

 

[skyactiv]

The BMW is the better tool for an officer to perform his/her job more effectively. I’m not talking about the dealer service factor.

 

[alarmguy]

The BMW is the better tool for an officer to perform his/her job more effectively. I’m not talking about the dealer service factor.

How? Not all officers would agree with that statement. Every vehicle has unique qualities that some will prefer over the other. Some police would feel cool being squashed into a Camero all day long, others a spacious SUV and yet others something in between.

We aren't talking "movies" here, we are talking real life, one in which a police officer turns on his blue lights and pulls someone over, the car pulls over, the police officer has plenty of room on the HD to maneuver with its low center of gravity and generally spacious bike, well equipped to handle rain and high winds in an emergency to get back to the station.
Need to make sure we dont have visions of motorcycles racing through streets and interstates at daredevil high speeds chasing suspects. It doesnt happen, the officers life is more important in training 101.

Seeing a Harley and being pulled over is more imposing then being pulled over by something looking more like a moped, throw in all day comfort too and safety being seen by other vehicles.

I have nothing against BMW but they are two different vehicles, much like the 4 wheeled vehicles in a police department are different. How a BMW motorcycle will help a police officer perform his job more effectively is kind of out there without a reason.

 

[skyactiv]

How? Not all officers would agree with that statement. Every vehicle has unique qualities that some will prefer over the other. Some police would feel cool being squashed into a Camero all day long, others a spacious SUV and yet others something in between.

We aren't talking "movies" here, we are talking real life, one in which a police officer turns on his blue lights and pulls someone over, the car pulls over, the police officer has plenty of room on the HD to maneuver with its low center of gravity and generally spacious bike, well equipped to handle rain and high winds in an emergency to get back to the station.
Need to make sure we dont have visions of motorcycles racing through streets and interstates at daredevil high speeds chasing suspects. It doesnt happen, the officers life is more important in training 101.

Seeing a Harley and being pulled over is more imposing then being pulled over by something looking more like a moped, throw in all day comfort too and safety being seen by other vehicles.

I have nothing against BMW but they are two different vehicles, much like the 4 wheeled vehicles in a police department are different. How a BMW motorcycle will help a police officer perform his job more effectively is kind of out there without a reason.

I’ve owned several motorcycles over the years but quit riding. Harleys are too low while you sit up higher on the BMW. The average driver sits up higher due the popularity of SUV/ CUV’s. It is like sitting in a dining room chair vs a true director’s chair. You get a better picture of your surroundings.

 

[alarmguy]

I’ve owned several motorcycles over the years but quit riding. Harleys are too low while you sit up higher on the BMW. The average driver sits up higher due the popularity of SUV/ CUV’s. It is like sitting in a dining room chair vs a true director’s chair. You get a better picture of your surroundings.

That is one of the published benefits of the Harley for police duty. Much police work requires (as others have posted) require low speed maneuvers and the lower center of gravity greatly helps. Including protecting public officials during events.
Your also in a more upright position on the Harley.
Anyway, all subject to opinion. One thing for sure, Harley cruisers have a much more upright riding position then any "sport" cruiser on the market if that is what someone is concerned about. Being higher off the ground doesnt matter at all if your face is down pointing at the ground.

 

[gman2304]

A few years back I read a post about using BMW's VS Harley's for police duty. They tested them in New York for a year I believe. The findings were the Bmws were faster, cant see how that's a plus in New York city traffic. The didn't do as well in the curb jumping test. They blew out more fork seals then the Harley's did. They require more routine service then the Harley's did. The BMW dealer they used, didn't care if the bike was used in Police work, they had to wait in line like everyone else to be worked on. Parts availability was also a negative for the BMW'S. The Police dept had faster turn around for service on the Harley's. They also train the officers on Harley's for use in tight environment's and close quarters. They got dropped alot and took the hits without much to any damage. The can turn the Harley's on a dime, in spite what some may think. Plenty of video's that prove that on You tube.,,

Our local PD has a motorcycle drill team that perform at parades. I’ve watched them practice at the local Harley dealers motorcycle training course. They can maneuver a 800 lb Electraglide like it’s a 125cc dirt bike. They also escort several charity rides per year. I rode in a escorted charity ride 2 years ago, 65 miles mostly rural roads, 110 motorcycles took about 1.5 hours and my feet never touched the ground from the time we left until we returned to the dealership. They leapfrog all during the ride and have traffic stopped at all traffic lights, stop signs, intersections, along the route. Fun rides.

 

[Silverado12]

1 has all the pluses.
1 has all the minuses.
I'm pretty sure you can figure it out!

Yeah, I agree. The Harley looks more comfortable, can handle better at slow speeds, is American made, has greater parts availability, has a better dealer network, is more mechanic friendly so doesn't have to go to the dealer, etc.

 

[Silverado12]

I’ve owned several motorcycles over the years but quit riding. Harleys are too low while you sit up higher on the BMW. The average driver sits up higher due the popularity of SUV/ CUV’s. It is like sitting in a dining room chair vs a true director’s chair. You get a better picture of your surroundings.

The Harley sits the officer up higher and more comfortable at the same time.

 

[Chris142]

If you fall over on a bmw you take of 2 cylinders.

 

[skyactiv]

This is the perfect city/urban police bike. Don't try this with a Harley.

 

[alarmguy]

This is the perfect city/urban police bike. Don't try this with a Harley.

Ummm ... or any other substantial motorcycle. You do know, there are other motorcycles in the same weight class as Harley. Large Indian Cruisers, Large BMW's Large Yamaha's, large Hondas. I like to see the same thing you mention on a HONDA Goldwing. I can only assume you understand these differences, just like the same differences in 4 wheel vehicles, size, weight, function.

You wont find a police officer in the USA who rather ride a Africa Twin on the interstate all day long over a Road King.

 

[CleanSump]

DC also has Honda Rebel 250s, some scooter I think is a Honda, but I couldn't' get a good look in traffic. I think they're mostly parking enforcement.

 

[wagsrk08]

I remember as a kid in a small town our PD had Harley-Davidson riding motor cops. Lived in Milwaukee, Wi. for 7 years and obviously they had HD's for their motor cops. I associate HD's with cops more than I do BMW or Kawasaki for that matter.

 

[blueglide88]

I took a Police Motorcycle training course for civilians a few years ago on my Harley.
The instructors all rode Harley's. The big technique with slow speed maneuvering is feathering
the clutch and throttle. They said the BMW's clutch could not take the abuse and dealer service
was lacking compared to HD.