Police consider switch from "hogs" to Hondas

[kenb]

http://www.news-record.com/content/2...hogs_to_hondas

"The Harley-Davidsons were better suited for low-speed, in-town types of enforcement"

[bosko]

Doing it to save money.............Ya think?

Owning a Harley is not know to be thrifty.

[Cajunrider]

I would have thought the police equipped Harleys would have been over $30K. They will save money with the Honda's short and long term I would think.

[NRiderUSA]

There goes the neighborhood, I so enjoyed being one of the few non-HD's in the parking lot...was easy to find.

[MarkG]

I feel for them. Getting the radios installed and working on those bikes gives a whole new meaning to the word pain. The mechanics down here dislike them regardless of the so called cost savings they think they are going to get. (From our perspective, they really have an annoying whine in place of a real exhaust sound.)

[blowndodge]

I surely wouldn't want to be buying one of those at the "auction". I bet they are well worn-out bikes!!!

Most of the Police around Southern Cal use the ST1300. I almost bought one 3 years ago. An ST1300 with fairing and saddle bags runs the quarter mile in the 11.7 range. For a leisure highway sport tourer thats one freeking fast bike! Those are way better mounts for the police than the Harley bikes.

Some of my motorcop friends say their Harley's are never involved in pursuits because just about anything can outrun them! If a ST1300 has you in its sites and you not on one of the superbikes out there you might as well pull over because he's got you! That watercooled tranversed mounted V4 is an awsome engine and very reliable.

Our California highway patrol predominantly use BMW R1200 RT bikes and they will run down most vehicles too. I'd like to see a Honda ST1300 and a Beemer go at it!

[Idaho]

ISP uses the Beemers and many of the officers in city departmets would prefer the Hondas. It will be interesting to see how Harley responds to the competition.

[cactusjack]

Many of the agencies around here ride ST1300's. They are damn near silent. I watched a cop go from a dead stop working a radar gun to about 60 MPH in 100 yds chasing a speeder. Very smooth, very fast machines.

[rlfaubion]

When will it end?

[bruce]

Hnmm. That's really interesting. I've been under the impression that HD and local dealers were helping the local law enforcement with units. I was told directly by a member of a local sheriffs dept about a use and return program that the bikes are on. In fact, at a shop I was previously at, Kawasaki and our dealership provided Kawasaki Jet Ski's to another county sheriffs department for patrolling a local lake with a very similar type program. The PWC's were assigned to the dept at no cost for a period of one year. They paid for any modifications done to the units, we provided service at a reduced rate, at the end of the year they were returned and sold. If the units showed a profit from the sale the dealership kept it, if there was a loss Kawasaki assumed it. The HD plan I was told about was almost identical.

Perhaps the economy has put a stop to that or there are only so many units to go around.

The Winston Salem city police department has been on BMW sport tourers, just as the NC highway patrol has been, for a while now. You see them everywhere on US 52 and the surrounding areas. In November I called the Sargent in charge of the motor patrolmen and asked him to let all the officers know they could come into our store anytime to warm up and get a cup of coffee. So I've been able to have some long talks with several of the officers and eyeball the bikes up close. What amazes me is that none of the officers I've talked with like the bikes! Not one! They claim they are uncomfortable and awkward! But, most of them are used to the cruiser style bike too. One officer tickled me when he said the best bike he's used for work was the old KZ1000 police bike...

I've spoken with two NC highway motor patrolmen last year and neither of them had anything bad to say about their bikes, but didn't go out of their way to praise them either.

[bosko]

Originally Posted by Bruce McCrary

One officer tickled me when he said the best bike he's used for work was the old KZ1000 police bike...

Poncherello and Jon would agree

[Todd]

Told ya'll I lived in a city that was getting smarter!!!!!!!


I would like to run by the auction and see what they go for

[jamiep24]

Wonder if law enforcement had to modify the stock pipes on a Harley cause they're so freaking loud? Probably got tired of tightening nuts and bolts every few days.

[lw]

Bruce, Pasadena TX PD was on a similar "program" through HD but recently went to Wings due to the terms of the program changing.

I have several friends that are motor officers. Here the BMW is king. One of our agencies tried the Harley Davidsons, but their fuel injection requires them to turn the bike on and wait five seconds before hitting the start button. It has something to do with the fuel injection. You can imagine watching a violater approach at say 50 mph, turning your bike on, waiting five seconds as he blows past you, having to get several cars in between you and the violator, and then trying to catch up to him while his is traveling roughly 75 feet per second, and your on a bike that tops out at about 98 mph. Not to mention the fact that it just shakes the ever-loving-s*&t out of you all day. Harley's just don't get it done in the modern era. Leave them in the parades.

On the other hand, the BMW's have been great bikes, but with dry clutches, air cooled motors, frequent and high maintenance costs in addition to a high initial expense, they have had their problems.

One of my closest friends rides a (a nomad on his days off) Honda ST. It's a great bike, lots of speed, great handling. Honda uses linked brakes and I know a few guys who don't like that. The Honda also uses one small battery that can be an issue when running all the electronics and lights off of it. On the other hand, its air-cooled and most motor officers ride when it is HOT!

Recently, there has been rumblings that the Connie 14 is getting a police package. I have seen a few of them and they are sweeeeeeet! Definately would be a great police bike. I'll be anxious to see some of the "daredevil" (or idiots - however you want to call them) try to run from the Connie. If they are on a litre bike, they better be able to ride cause the boys in blue CAN. If they are on a 600 or 750, they mine as well just stop.

Incidently, if any of you here rumblings of a North America Motor Officers Association (NAMOA)conference or competition coming to or near your home town, I would ecourage you to go. You'll see some superb riding, and you'll get the opportunity to talk to some guys who have made riding their lifestyle and job.