cops like em

[nomadrider]

Working in galveston and saw a traffic cop riding a black Vaquero decked out in police mode .Looked sharp

[Loafer]

Stealth rider. Be careful.:yep:

[mobandy78]

That'd be cool to see...

We have a few Highway Patrol guys in OK that ride Hyabusas. Not sure why. I think I'd rather see them on Vaqueros.

[ponch]

Victory is doing police bikes now as well, with the XC. HD is probably the most popular authority bike in this country. I think CHP went to the C14 though, so Kawasaki would be represented there. I doubt many cops use Kaw cruisers.

[ponch]

That'd be cool to see...

We have a few Highway Patrol guys in OK that ride Hyabusas. Not sure why. I think I'd rather see them on Vaqueros.

Take a look at this: HD didn't do so well. http://www.lasdhq.org/sites/motorcycle-test/2011.pdf

[davidjmurphy]

Vancouver British Columbia's city police were given the Kawasaki Concours 14 police special to use in their departments motorcycle training camp. The Concours 14 is being considered by the Vancouver Police Department. Beaudry Motorsports of Hayden Idaho is the largest builder of factory certified Kawasaki police bikes in the USA.

[ringadingh]

Its hardly an equal comparison between an Electra Glide and a Concourse or BMW, Those bikes will run circles around the HD's.

[ponch]

Its hardly an equal comparison between an Electra Glide and a Concourse or BMW, Those bikes will run circles around the HD's.

It's equal in the sense that they all make authority bikes and they are being evaluated. Funny thing about that test is that the BMW came out on top, arguably, but the contract went to Kawasaki. From what I understand, it's maintenance costs, specifically clutch replacement that was the back breaker. Cops still like the beemer though. The C14 wasn't that much faster and didn't do as well in some categories, but it did win. If this is the same test, I think the HD's couldn't do 100MPH in the distance allowed. They are better at low speed though.

[cactusjack]

You don't know that "cops like 'em", unless you ask a couple of motor cops what their opinion is. The fact that you saw a cop on a Vaquero only means their procurement department liked them. :D I wouldn't be surprised if the cop you saw was participating in some type of pilot program to test their viability for law enforcement use.

[ponch]

You don't know that "cops like 'em", unless you ask a couple of motor cops what their opinion is. The fact that you saw a cop on a Vaquero only means their procurement department liked them. :D I wouldn't be surprised if the cop you saw was participating in some type of pilot program to test their viability for law enforcement use.

He should have asked. :shrug:

[nomadrider]

In texas the motorcyle cops buy there own bikes just like there sidearms .So I assumed he liked the vaquero

[cactusjack]

In texas the motorcyle cops buy there own bikes just like there sidearms .So I assumed he liked the vaquero

Really? I didn't know that.

[ponch]

In texas the motorcyle cops buy there own bikes just like there sidearms .So I assumed he liked the vaquero

They buy their own bikes? How does that work? With sidearms, I suppose they have some sort of standard, but a gun is cheaper than a motorcycle. Are they reimbursed? I think we used to have a motorcop from texas on these boards. Bill something? He could elucidate.

[nomadrider]

I had a friend years ago that was a deputy and he had to buy his bike .Took a tax deduction for work expense. You see all different bikes in the same departments down here .I assume the officers preference

[ponch]

I had a friend years ago that was a deputy and he had to buy his bike .Took a tax deduction for work expense. You see all different bikes in the same departments down here .I assume the officers preference

I am sure that can get expensive. Authority bikes aren't cheap.

[cactusjack]

They buy their own bikes? How does that work? With sidearms, I suppose they have some sort of standard, but a gun is cheaper than a motorcycle. Are they reimbursed? I think we used to have a motorcop from texas on these boards. Bill something? He could elucidate.


"Elucidate"? Jim, you been readin' them long head books again? :D

[ponch]

Houston: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Police_Department#Patrol_Vehicles

FW: http://www.fortworthpd.com/Divisions/traffic-division.aspx

There is a national academy for motorcycle cops in Galveston TX. It's the Northwestern University Traffic Institute. May be it was someone from there.

[schoeney]

I would think they are on a "vehicle" allowance similar to sales people getting a car allowance.....with minimum standards or maybe even a short list of choices. Washington State Patrol just went to Honda ST1300's.

Initial and long term costs need to be part of the decision just like it is for most of us.

[ponch]

"Elucidate"? Jim, you been readin' them long head books again? :D

I think it means to shed light on something or something like that. :???:

[nomadrider]

Schoeney you probably are correct they get an allowance to buy the bike of their choice.

[cactusjack]

I think it means to shed light on something or something like that. :???:

I didn't say I didn't know what it meant, I was merely impressed with your expert use of colorful vocabulary. There's something to be said for improving one's vocabulary.

Unlike BD, many of us have progressed beyond mono-syllabic grunting noises. :D

[scottyj]

We were down in Austin for the ROT Rally this past June and we saw a Hays County Sheriff's Department officer on a marked ST-1300. I talked to him for a short period and asked him how he liked the bike. He told me they had all rode H-D's (Road Kings, I think) and most did not want to go away from the H-D's but he said he could ride the ST all day and not get tired, whereas the H-D was a beating. He ended up happy with the switch.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Been a long time since I saw any law enforcement officer on a motorcycle.

[ringadingh]

The still use Electra Glides around here, but you don't seem to see them as often as you used to.

[ponch]

I didn't say I didn't know what it meant, I was merely impressed with your expert use of colorful vocabulary. There's something to be said for improving one's vocabulary.

Unlike BD, many of us have progressed beyond mono-syllabic grunting noises. :D

Must be that parochial school education.

[Dave]

In texas the motorcyle cops buy there own bikes just like there sidearms .

I'll call you on this one. Prove it.

[Dave]

Been a long time since I saw any law enforcement officer on a motorcycle.


Did you stop going to the donut shop?

[madcow]

down here in australia most cop bikes are BMWs, they did try the str1300 hondas but they couldnt hack it.. a couple of states are trialling harleys but i cant see them being a sucess.. they are currently looking into kawa gtr1400s which seem to be the new weapon of choice

[ponch]

down here in australia most cop bikes are BMWs, they did try the str1300 hondas but they couldnt hack it.. a couple of states are trialling harleys but i cant see them being a sucess.. they are currently looking into kawa gtr1400s which seem to be the new weapon of choice

The BMW RT-P is the most popular authority bike in the world. The question is, why are they looking for a replacement?

[dank]

We were down in Austin for the ROT Rally this past June and we saw a Hays County Sheriff's Department officer on a marked ST-1300. I talked to him for a short period and asked him how he liked the bike. He told me they had all rode H-D's (Road Kings, I think) and most did not want to go away from the H-D's but he said he could ride the ST all day and not get tired, whereas the H-D was a beating. He ended up happy with the switch.

The ST is amazingly comfortable on a long ride. I've done consecutive 1,200 mile days on it. My wife and I did 840 two up. Just looking at the seats I thought the Nomad would be more comfortable, but the ST wins in that category hands down. (Nomad looks cooler.)

[cactusjack]

Around here, Chandler PD ride ST1300's, Gilbert PD rides BMW and Mesa PD rides Kaw C14's. Those are the cities I spend most of my time in, not sure what many of the other jurisdictions ride.

[dank]

Around here, Chandler PD ride ST1300's, Gilbert PD rides BMW and Mesa PD rides Kaw C14's. Those are the cities I spend most of my time in, not sure what many of the other jurisdictions ride.

Ride carefully,CJ. They're sure to see you coming and you can't out run any of those.

[ponch]

Nothing out runs motorola.

[madcow]

The BMW RT-P is the most popular authority bike in the world. The question is, why are they looking for a replacement?

not sure, they have been running beamers since the mid 80s. ive seen the gtr prototypes and they are getting good reviews from the right circles.

[Monkeyman]

Nothing out runs Motorola.

+1! That's what we tell any inmates before they go on a trip. You might be able to outrun staff, but you'll never outrun a Motorola. :tup:

[Loafer]

What am I missing here? Motorola?

[ponch]

What am I missing here? Motorola?

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