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The motorcycle cops where I live ride either Suzuki dirtbikes or Harley.
I remember when I was young they used to ride Harley and Moto Guzzi. Then went to Kawasaki. Now back to Harley. Whats next, the Hayabusa?

2007-07-14 06:26:13 · 11 answers · asked by Shawn T 3 in Cars & Transportation Motorcycles

11 answers

For U.S. police departments that purchase motorcycles, they are pretty much limited to brands that make a police bike and offer it for sale here. The choices are limited to Harley-Davidson (Road King & Electra Glide), Honda (ST1300), and BMW (1150RT). The old "CHiPs" Kawasaki KZ1000 is no longer made as of 2005, though you may still find the last few years of the model being used by departments.

Officers that purchase their own to use on-duty (I am included in this category) generally prefer Harley-Davidsons. The reasons for this varies from tradition to cost factor and ease of hooking up all the lights and emergency equipment.

The BMW is the most expensive to purchase (neighborhood of $18,000). Honda ST1300 is next (about $15,000), and Harley-Davidson generally the least expensive for officers ($14,000-$15,000 range depending on model and options)

For many officers (and a few cities) that value comfort over anything else, they buy a Honda GoldWing and convert it for police use. I have also seen Kawaski Nomads and Suzuki Boulevard C90's converted to police bikes, but these are much more rare.

You mentioned the Hayabusa. There is a state agency that sent officers through a special course and used the 'Busa for highway patrol speed enforcement.

2007-07-14 11:23:06 · answer #1 · answered by jkc6229 3 · 1 0

It really depend on which side of the pond you live.

In UK, I think most Police riders prefer the Pan European although some still like the BMW 'R' and 'K' series bikes in common with many Police Forces around the world. I did hear from a friend over there that a South Korean Cop was seen on a Harley!

I have an old (1979) BMW R80 Police Bike and it still does the job. Lots of weather protection for the really crappy British weather and an almost bulletproof engine that just keeps chugging along.

I think sometimes the people who choose the police bikes ( on either side of the pond) are more concerned with getting the best deal than getting the right bikes for the job.

I always stop and have a good look round a parked police bike, whatever the badge. They have some kind of boyish attraction I guess.

2007-07-14 06:42:38 · answer #2 · answered by Nick 4 · 1 0

In my town were are starting to see more BMWs but KZ1000 and Valkyrie are still popular. When Harley offers a lease deal some of the cops try them out. Most don't like riding escort on them in the South Texas heat.

2007-07-15 09:51:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

sorry to say, that like any other "business" law enforcement gets stuck with whatever brand of bike gets in at the lowest bid. Harley used to undercut the bids, losing money on police bikes just to get them out there, knowing that they would make money on service and parts. Now a days, with profit being the driving factor, it's just a matter of who is the lowest bid to provide the bikes. Harley has cornered the yuppie market, so why lose bucks selling for less money to the cops?

2007-07-14 11:45:05 · answer #4 · answered by randy 7 · 1 0

properly, right here in Kansas the minimum high quality for no longer having insurance is $425. yet, criminal duty in basic terms expenses $seventy two a 365 days. Thats merely $6 a month. Now, rather, in case you won't have the capacity to arise with the money for for you to not have a bike. there is likewise a clause that facilitates the police to arrest and impound a vehicle at their discretion. So, if could be very costly. i don't be attentive to what different states do. I hear missouri is surprisingly lenient.

2016-10-19 04:41:31 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

The best question to have asked is "What kind of bike do Cops ride off duty."

The bikes they ride on duty are not there choice, they are given the bike the department has on offer.

Here in Western Australia its BMW's in the city and Honda ST1100,ST1300 in the burbs.

2007-07-14 15:50:53 · answer #6 · answered by Swagman 3 · 0 0

In Glendale California they prefer Harleys.

2007-07-14 09:59:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Randy C is on the right track. Don't know if they still do it, but HD for a long time would lease police bikes to some departments for as little as one dollar/year. I have a friend who rode a BMW until his department got a deal they couldn't refuse from HD. He rides it because he has to but would PREFER the Beemer.

2007-07-14 15:27:44 · answer #8 · answered by Rocco 3 · 0 0

The coppers in my burg ride Road Kings. Same with the cops in Cleveland. I seen a county sheriff on an Electraglide.

2007-07-14 09:56:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

The forest patrol used to chase us through the woods on Jawa CZs.
Of course they never caught us LOL

2007-07-14 06:48:19 · answer #10 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 0 0

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