Urban PDs use them a good amount. MPD - DCs police has Rebels. Much smaller profile bikes can get where the big ones can't. And in an urban environment you're generally not going fast

Quote from: Slide Panda on July 31, 2012, 02:37:42 PM
Urban PDs use them a good amount. MPD - DCs police has Rebels. Much smaller profile bikes can get where the big ones can't. And in an urban environment you're generally not going fast

Not around here.  You need to hit 80mph just to keep up with the flow of traffic on the freeways and good luck getting anywhere without getting on the freeway.

A department tested some BMWs nearby here.  I know the local mechanic.  I don't know if the police are extra rough on clutches or if the BMW clutches are weak but when they go the bike has to be basically broke in half to get to it.  He was complaining about how many clutches and how hard they were to change.  I wonder if they will do any long term studies in MI.

Hmm, government officials growing a brain or cops pregnant doging enough about outdated inefficient equipment.  I'll pick the latter.

Hmm, it seems that CA is phasing out the BWMs in favor of the new Kawasaki police cruiser.  They will be gradually phasing out the higher mileage BWMs and phasing in the Kawasakis.  I haven't seen any yet though.

http://www.government-fleet.com/News/Story/2010/09/CHP-Adopts-Kawasaki-s-Concours-14-P-Motorcycle.aspx?prestitial=1

I'm kind of surprised Michigan didn't go with the Kawasaki.  I’m surprised ANYONE opts for the Harley.  It just looks like a complete dog next to the other two.

Kawasaki
HP: 155hp
Torque: 102 ft lbs @ 6200rpm
Shaft Drive
Traction Control: Standard
Weight: 679lbs
1/4 mile: 10.78@125.44mph

BMW
HP: 110hp
Torque: 85 ft lbs @ 6000rpm
Shaft Drive
Traction Control: Optional
Weight: 650lbs
1/4 mile: 12.85@109.5mph

Harley-Davidson
HP: N/A
Torque: 78.3 ft lbs @ 2500rpm
Belt Drive
Traction Control: Not available
Weight: 811lbs
1/4 mile: 14.57@87.9mph

Honda BMW Harley Police Motorcycle Barrel Racing Competition

Timp-Harley Police Motorcycle Competition

My the non HD bikes in those look a lot more fluid

Make no mistake, there is nothing more American than having the freedom to buy the best available product at the best price.  Competition creates a better product.  Companies that don't innovate and evolve, go bye-bye.

A friend has a Kawasaki C-14 and that is one stout machine - including the clutch.  Not that I would want a police C-14 chasing me but I think it would make a great police bike.

Quote from: bevel on July 31, 2012, 02:25:15 PM
What the heck did they use the 450s for? Chasing kids on pedal bikes?

same thing that DC Metro uses Rebel 250's for...alley chases and small close quarter manueverability that exceeds the HD....funniest thing in the world IMHO is seeing a 300lb motor cop on a lil Rebel 250 with side cases riding like he is serious with the HD's in formations and so forth...

Quote from: Bill in OKC on July 31, 2012, 10:00:17 PM
A friend has a Kawasaki C-14 and that is one stout machine - including the clutch.  Not that I would want a police C-14 chasing me but I think it would make a great police bike.

basically it is a ZX14 slightly detuned...

Quote from: kopfjäger on July 31, 2012, 04:33:18 PM
Honda BMW Harley Police Motorcycle Barrel Racing Competition

You can't drop the Harleys due to the scraping hard parts holding you up. 

Quote from: SDRider on July 31, 2012, 04:14:25 PM
Hmm, it seems that CA is phasing out the BWMs in favor of the new Kawasaki police cruiser.  They will be gradually phasing out the higher mileage BWMs and phasing in the Kawasakis.  I haven't seen any yet though.

http://www.government-fleet.com/News/Story/2010/09/CHP-Adopts-Kawasaki-s-Concours-14-P-Motorcycle.aspx?prestitial=1

I'm kind of surprised Michigan didn't go with the Kawasaki.  I’m surprised ANYONE opts for the Harley.  It just looks like a complete dog next to the other two.

Kawasaki
HP: 155hp
Torque: 102 ft lbs @ 6200rpm
Shaft Drive
Traction Control: Standard
Weight: 679lbs
1/4 mile: 10.78@125.44mph

BMW
HP: 110hp
Torque: 85 ft lbs @ 6000rpm
Shaft Drive
Traction Control: Optional
Weight: 650lbs
1/4 mile: 12.85@109.5mph

Harley-Davidson
HP: N/A
Torque: 78.3 ft lbs @ 2500rpm
Belt Drive
Traction Control: Not available
Weight: 811lbs
1/4 mile: 14.57@87.9mph

How do the Kawasaki's compare with maneuverability and ground clearance? Those are two big factors for police bikes... Also how much gear they can hold, comfort, and ease of use. Speed/power aren't always the most important thing. Consider that a cop is on those thing 8+ hours a day, in heat/cold, wearing all their standard gear. They need a bike that is easy and comfortable to use, not necessarily the fastest. They need to be able to go off road at times, up over curbs, through alleys, between cars and other tight spaces, etc. Also maintenance costs, durability, and how easy they are to repair is also a factor. The bikes might be idling for long periods of time, and they will get dropped often as well.

Around here it's been BMW's for as long as I can remember. Seems every agency uses them and they really like them. Probably a little under powered, but they get the job done.

Quote from: bevel on July 31, 2012, 02:25:15 PM
What the heck did they use the 450s for? Chasing kids on pedal bikes?

I'm sure that they were faster, braked better, much lighter and more reliable than the HD's.