Are your local Police Harleys being replaced with BMWs?

Question

I live in Marin county, CA and in several of the cities in the county the Harley cop bikes are being replaced with BMW's. I asked one of the officers what was going on and he said that about half the cities in the county are doing the same thing! I looked online to see how common this is and was surprised to see its happening all over the place. Personally, I hate to see my tax dollars going outside of the country. Is this happening in your town?

Answer 1

That's awesome, someone smartened up.

They should of chose ZX14's or Hayabusa's though, that would be the best.

Answer 2

yes they are i think i havnt seen a police harley around in a while but when i went to the royal ascot i saw loads of bmw police bike there

Answer 3

no there still using Harley's here in Knox county and i doubt they will change anytime soon they have their own service department for those,they just bought newer ones last year so hopefully they wont be changing over,good luck.

Answer 4

Around here in Oregon, they're being replaced with Honda ST1300PA bikes.

The thing is, the Honda weighs 122 lbs less than the Harley, handles better and is quicker.

A policeman has to be as quick as possible, and if it's possible by using a BMW or Honda, it's not a matter of brand, but of actually getting the job done.

If Harley actually made a modern bike (a sin to them, I know) they'd have a chance.

Answer 5

not in yorkton,saskatchewan,canaduh.

dept. just bought two new harleys here.(found out they cant catch my sporty tho)

have a great day,you   pos

Answer 6

I'm proud to say our local police are still using Harleys.

I will complain, if they switch.

Answer 7

I've seen many R12RT's used as police bikes. I dig em. They are faster and more agile than the HD, plus better fuel economy. Comfort can be argued.

Answer 8

the rcmp (royal canadian mounted po-po) only run  harley around here, but they don't have very many.  i'm pretty sure they were flhp's

Answer 9

The Hogs cant keep up with the new style bikes, and they get poor fuel mileage.

BMW has kept up with thier motto

The ultimate Driving Machine

Answer 10

My little burg just bought 2 Road Kings.

Summit County Sheriff  now have Electraglides.

Ohio State Patrol  now have Harleys.

Answer 11

Cops buy their own bikes in my town.  Many ride Honda Valkyrie, a few are still on the KZ  and their are a couple of BMW as well as a few Harleys.

A few yrs ago, H-D  offered a lease deal on Road Kings for cops.  Some didn't like them because they became unbearably hot during escort jobs, which is where they make the bucks.

Answer 12

Yeah, NC is going to BMW also. Just saw a couple new ones on the road last week. In reference to Bonecrusher's answer, personally I'd rather see police departments buying Honda's and BMW's than to see Harley making bikes that look like Honda's and BMW's even if the performance is better. There are plenty of crazy fast, great handling bikes in the world, but no other bike truly like a Harley..

Answer 13

It's happening here and there.  I've seen a few in WI, though Minneapolis-St. Paul has HDs.

BMW offers a police version of their RT.  I believe that Honda has done police versions of their ST1300, but haven't seen many.  I believe that one of their bigger selling points is the ABS, along with better acceleration numbers.  Here's a comparison that the Michigan State Police did with two H-D models against the BMW:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/Mo...

BMW had a top speed of 130, vs. about 105 for both of the Harleys. The BMW had about a 2 second advantage in the 1/4 mile.  The BMW had about a 20 second advantage in the obstacle course.  The BMW stopped 40 feet shorter from 60 mph.  In fact, there is no measured area in which the BMW lost to either of the two H-Ds.  

If you were a motor officer, which would you rather ride?

Considering that you pay (indirectly) for injuries suffered by motor officers, would you rather pay for a bike that stops in 130 feet from 60 mph, or in 170?

Answer 14

yes, they have those foot guards in front

Answer 15

Here, the Kawasakis were replaced by Harleys.

The Harleys cost twice as much as the Kawasakis.  Personally, I hate to see my tax dollars spent on expensive things when less expensive things work just as well.

Answer 16

Happened here a long time ago.  I don't think 60HP quite cuts the mustard if you are serious about catching someone and the vibration of a Harley probably sends the guys into early retirement and disability.

Answer 17

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 18

Thats probably why the crime rate is so high in America its all the repeat offending you wont catch anyone on a Harley bloody shame but a fact (BMs ain't much better) should have gone with an R1 or Blade

Answer 19

Arg. Your back! Your jealousy of Harley's brotherhood had gotten old.

Answer 20

yeah they are doing the same thing here in Dallas, Fort Worth Texas... the suburbs have many new ones, they look nice but I do not feel that my tax dollars should be spent on such pricey bikes. Sitck with the KZ1000 police issued bike that many rode for 10 years solid!  I'm sure maintenace & repairs are a nice hefty fee for the tax payers as well

Answer 21

In San Francisco, the cops don’t use motorcycles. They just get guys in rollerskates and dolphin shorts to chase after you carrying a flashlight.

Answer 22

In Milwaukee?  Shirley, you jest!

It'll never happen.  Which is just as well since it means I'd have a good chance of outrunning them.

Which I wouldn't do because I'm a law abiding citizen.  

It's just good to know that I COULD.

Answer 23

The thing is that when a police department picks out a motorcycle that best suits their performance needs and all kinds of other requirements, they don't choose the bike based on how you feel which country your tax dollars are going to.

Law enforcement organizations aren't going to limit themselves just to one brand just to stay with an American company and if Harley Davidson doesn't  meet their requirements, then they have to look at foreign makes which today are more advanced in quality and performance than HD.

Don't blame the foreign businessman for giving America what American businessmen don't.

Answer 24

de ja vu , you asked this last time