Seems to me that a dual sport or an adventure bike would be much better suited for the task. More maneuverable, faster, able to take on different road and off road conditions better. Likely more reliable as well. Something like the new Honda Africa Twin seems like it would do the trick. The fact that it can be had in a dual clutch automatic is also a plus for slow traffic conditions.
_______________________________________________ Use thumb-size bullets to create fist-size holes.
November 28, 2018, 11:32 AM
JR78
Because the big, fat, lazy motor officers in my agency can't get their big fat legs up and over that high.
______________________________ Men who carry guns for a living do not seek reward outside of the guild. The most cherished gift is a nod from his peers.
November 28, 2018, 11:34 AM
Jimbo54
Our sheriffs dept went from Harleys to BMW R1200 RT's a couple years ago and they love them, especially the heated seats and grips on those colder days.
Jim
________________________
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll have to be a horrible warning" -Catherine Aird
November 28, 2018, 11:36 AM
P220 Smudge
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think it's a size and intimidation thing. There's little mistaking that it's a bike cop when you see them going by. What's in your picture makes sense if he's going to have to chase someone on a beach or down some bog road or something, but your average highway officer won't need that capability.
Fun anecdote: A few years ago, I got stuck behind some 20+ patched Bandidos and a contributor group hogging the HOV lane and hanging over the solid line into the last left lane. They made it clear with some wobbling and some hand gestures that they wanted to people stay well clear. We crested a hill and just over the rise was a State Patrolman with his huge Harley parked next to him running radar. He was a big black guy who looked like the bike would've sunk a good foot down when he sat on it, NFL lineback big. He dropped the radar gun and twisted his head around and just dead-glared the whole group as they slowed from 70+ down to 60 in about thirty feet, and continued to mean-mug them through his bike helmet as they passed. I laughed for miles following those fuckers to work. They never did get going faster and they decided to keep their clown show in one lane.
______________________________________________ Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
November 28, 2018, 11:39 AM
stickman428
In Brazil they use dual sports and they are damn hard to get away from. In my neck of the woods they recently switched to BMW. I read recently that Virginia State Police also made the switch to BMW as well, there were a lot of sad/angry HD fans in the Virginian pilots comments section to that article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The price of liberty and even of common humanity is eternal vigilance
November 28, 2018, 11:39 AM
DaBigBR
Harley leases them to agencies cheap and then resells them at lease end. I'm not sure if any other motorcycle company does this, but Harley allegedly makes it worth their while.
November 28, 2018, 11:41 AM
limblessbiff
quote:
Originally posted by JR78: Because the big, fat, lazy motor officers in my agency can't get their big fat legs up and over that high.
Lol
November 28, 2018, 11:47 AM
P250UA5
I worked for a local Chevrolet dealer when in college. We had on-site fuel (gas) but not diesel. So I'd have to take the diesel trucks to a local station to add fuel to them on delivery.
Got to talking with a few city officers that were on brand new Honda ST1300s. They much preferred them to the Harleys that the county officers were still using.
Their impressions were that the Hondas were faster, handled better, quieter & a lot more comfortable.
The Enemy's gate is down.
November 28, 2018, 11:51 AM
GWbiker
Police agencies around here lease Police model BMW, Victory, Honda ST1300 or HD Police model.
Whatever contract seems the best, eh?
********* "Some people are alive today because it's against the law to kill them".
November 28, 2018, 12:05 PM
YooperSigs
A motor cop told me that a Harley cop bike can be set up to push a disabled car. Never seen it done. If you want to see some impressive cop bike skills, there are YT videos of German and English cops on the BMW cop bikes.
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
November 28, 2018, 12:39 PM
PossibleZombie
quote:
Originally posted by JR78: Because the big, fat, lazy motor officers in my agency can't get their big fat legs up and over that high.
I truly believe that. When do you ever see a cop on a motorcycle that isn't grossly obese? I wish they had fitness and body composition standards like we do in the Army.
November 28, 2018, 12:43 PM
mojojojo
quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5: ...Honda ST1300s. They much preferred them to the Harleys that the county officers were still using.
Their impressions were that the Hondas were faster, handled better, quieter & a lot more comfortable.
As an ST1300 rider I agree.
Icarus flew too close to the sun, but at least he flew.
Originally posted by P220 Smudge: Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think it's a size and intimidation thing.
I kind of doubt that anyone in a 4 wheeled vehicle is really intimidated by the size of any motorcycle.
November 28, 2018, 12:49 PM
229DAK
quote:
Originally posted by PossibleZombie:
quote:
Originally posted by JR78: Because the big, fat, lazy motor officers in my agency can't get their big fat legs up and over that high.
When do you ever see a cop on a motorcycle that isn't grossly obese?
I have seen several motorcycle policemen in our town; none are overweight/obese. You're painting with a very broad brush.
_________________________________________________________________________ “A man’s treatment of a dog is no indication of the man’s nature, but his treatment of a cat is. It is the crucial test. None but the humane treat a cat well.” -- Mark Twain, 1902
November 28, 2018, 12:58 PM
gw3971
Police departments are tough to change. We get stuck in tradition. My Agency has been trying to get rid of the Harleys for the last five years. Resistance from city council, administration, and even citizens. After all so many citizens ride Harleys why do the police need something different? Ponch and John seemed happy with the big street cruiser.
Once the Utah highway patrol made the change the BMW's we did so as well.
November 28, 2018, 01:17 PM
ftttu
The main reason my old agency is still with HD is because the local HD dealer provides them free of charge. They trade the entire line in periodically, but I done remember how often. They still sell those used bikes st a profit.
I will ask a buddy and see if the other part of the deal is that the agency pay parts and maintenance. Even so, it is a good deal.
Retired Texas Lawman
November 28, 2018, 01:18 PM
sigfreund
quote:
Originally posted by gw3971: We get stuck in tradition.
► 6.0/94.0
To operate serious weapons in a serious manner.
November 28, 2018, 01:50 PM
RAMIUS
Philly uses both. The dirt bikes are bad ass and are used to patrol the (obviously)wooded areas.
November 28, 2018, 02:06 PM
copaup
quote:
Originally posted by PossibleZombie:
quote:
Originally posted by JR78: Because the big, fat, lazy motor officers in my agency can't get their big fat legs up and over that high.
I truly believe that. When do you ever see a cop on a motorcycle that isn't grossly obese? I wish they had fitness and body composition standards like we do in the Army.
Come to Memphis. Stop by Motors and ask for Big Keith. He demonstrates how to lift a downed bike by picking his up like a BMX. Don't see any particularly out of shape guys in our Motors unit, but from what I hear we have the hardest Motors course in the country. We briefly went from Harley to another maker. They didn't hold up and we're back to Harley. A few neighboring agencies have gone to Honda and BMW and say good things about the bikes.
