1 - 7 of 7 Posts
"but the Electra Glide may not be a stable enough platform for high speed pursuit"
Cops should not give chase on motorcycles. When a car and a motorcycle clash, the car will win. Always. Rather, the Harley is a perfect platform for an officer to observe the environment with ample space for accessories required for police work.
"Some European countries even have police version 999s. (Try outrunning that.)"
Easy. Ill outrun a 999 in a 1970 Toyota Corolla. How? Well I hit reverse and ride the cop off his bike.
"Reading sad stories like this one remind me of why some US police departments are opting for BMW police bikes."
BMW motorbikes immune to impact from a car? Dont think so. A rider of a BMW will be taken off the bikes as easy as any other bike.
"Police departments need to get the right tool for the job."
Harleys are perfect for the job. Low maintenance, low maintenance cost, good low speed handling, loads of room for accessories, part availability etc. etc.
"Harleys are great cruisers"
Yes they are.
"IMHO, they are not high speed pursuit vehicles."
No, and no motorcycle on the planet is. Helicopters and motorcars are pursuit vehicles. Motorcycles are patrol vehicles. Dont ever try catching a car whilst on a motorcycle. You may just succeed and end up dead or badly injured.
Cops should not give chase on motorcycles. When a car and a motorcycle clash, the car will win. Always. Rather, the Harley is a perfect platform for an officer to observe the environment with ample space for accessories required for police work.
"Some European countries even have police version 999s. (Try outrunning that.)"
Easy. Ill outrun a 999 in a 1970 Toyota Corolla. How? Well I hit reverse and ride the cop off his bike.
"Reading sad stories like this one remind me of why some US police departments are opting for BMW police bikes."
BMW motorbikes immune to impact from a car? Dont think so. A rider of a BMW will be taken off the bikes as easy as any other bike.
"Police departments need to get the right tool for the job."
Harleys are perfect for the job. Low maintenance, low maintenance cost, good low speed handling, loads of room for accessories, part availability etc. etc.
"Harleys are great cruisers"
Yes they are.
"IMHO, they are not high speed pursuit vehicles."
No, and no motorcycle on the planet is. Helicopters and motorcars are pursuit vehicles. Motorcycles are patrol vehicles. Dont ever try catching a car whilst on a motorcycle. You may just succeed and end up dead or badly injured.
Re: Damning Evidence
Which motorcycle is more advanced than an HD? There is nothing on a jap bike hasn't been around since before 1930. I4 motors were first built in 1890. Overhead cams first used in 1912.
You'll stop wondering why police forces use Harleys once you understand what their requirements are. A slow steering, easy handling motorcycle is much useful for observation and patrolling. And no, motorcycles are not pursuit vehicles. Helicopters and cars are used for pursuit. Trying to stop somebody fleeing in a car whilst on a motorcycle is just plain dumb.
Which motorcycle is more advanced than an HD? There is nothing on a jap bike hasn't been around since before 1930. I4 motors were first built in 1890. Overhead cams first used in 1912.
You'll stop wondering why police forces use Harleys once you understand what their requirements are. A slow steering, easy handling motorcycle is much useful for observation and patrolling. And no, motorcycles are not pursuit vehicles. Helicopters and cars are used for pursuit. Trying to stop somebody fleeing in a car whilst on a motorcycle is just plain dumb.
If it was simply trying to pull over a speeder then a motorcycle is fine, however needing to exceed 85 mph to catch said speeder tells me he should have called for backup. The fact is you just do not know who is operating the car and what they may do. A person late for an appointment/meeting may pull over; an instable mental patient/felon will run you off the road.
An Electra Glide should not be used for high pursuit and the cop knew he had an issue with the bikes handling. I believe they also wear half helmets which are not suitable for high speeds either.
I think the police department policy to pull the bikes from areas where said high speed pursuit may happen is sound. As cop bikes the HD niche is in urban environments and where speeds are much lower than freeways.
An Electra Glide should not be used for high pursuit and the cop knew he had an issue with the bikes handling. I believe they also wear half helmets which are not suitable for high speeds either.
I think the police department policy to pull the bikes from areas where said high speed pursuit may happen is sound. As cop bikes the HD niche is in urban environments and where speeds are much lower than freeways.
Re: Damning Evidence
"Any bike that uses an aluminum frame"
Chrome alloy is a later development than aluminum. HD is a couple of decade ahead on this one.
"variable valve timing"
I believe used by Mercedes in the 1950s. Sure after 1930 but
"titanium connecting rods" + "titanium valves"
Ditto. Titanium has been around since the 1950 too (I believe), definitely since 1960s.
"anti-lock brakes"
Mmm, hardly modern though, at least 30 40 years old if not more?
Of course I can counter and say all HD use EFI, something Honda cannot say.
"I am going to say that yes there are more advanced bikes available than Harley Davidson sells to police forces and at least some of the technology is from long after the 1930s."
Swings both ways actually. Some may use different technology which has been highly refined because they have a requirement for it i.e. high horsepower from small CC.
Many of these "technologies" will serve no purpose in meeting the requirement for HDs. Why in the world would I want titanium valves if I need a motor to peak out at 4000 4500 rpm? I think calling some thing old tech when its use in an application presents the best balance of performance/cost/reliability doesnt make much sense to me.
Dual saddles are later development than single saddles, but I am sure you would agree that a single seat version of a 999 is no less advanced a dual seat version.
The only piece of tech that I think HD should get is antilock brakes.
"Any bike that uses an aluminum frame"
Chrome alloy is a later development than aluminum. HD is a couple of decade ahead on this one.
"variable valve timing"
I believe used by Mercedes in the 1950s. Sure after 1930 but
"titanium connecting rods" + "titanium valves"
Ditto. Titanium has been around since the 1950 too (I believe), definitely since 1960s.
"anti-lock brakes"
Mmm, hardly modern though, at least 30 40 years old if not more?
Of course I can counter and say all HD use EFI, something Honda cannot say.
"I am going to say that yes there are more advanced bikes available than Harley Davidson sells to police forces and at least some of the technology is from long after the 1930s."
Swings both ways actually. Some may use different technology which has been highly refined because they have a requirement for it i.e. high horsepower from small CC.
Many of these "technologies" will serve no purpose in meeting the requirement for HDs. Why in the world would I want titanium valves if I need a motor to peak out at 4000 4500 rpm? I think calling some thing old tech when its use in an application presents the best balance of performance/cost/reliability doesnt make much sense to me.
Dual saddles are later development than single saddles, but I am sure you would agree that a single seat version of a 999 is no less advanced a dual seat version.
The only piece of tech that I think HD should get is antilock brakes.
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