Officers patrolling for agencies that purchased motorcycles from the 2009 model year will be riding one of six models. Harley-Davidson, which began producing police motorcycles in 1908, offers the Road King and Electra Glide (identical engine with sidecar mounting). BMW's R1200 RT-P is a favorite of the California Highway Patrol and Los Angles Sheriff's Department. The company also offers the G650. In 2007, Honda began producing its ST1300, a compact, performance bike. And H-D subsidiary Buell began producing a police version of its Ulysses sportbike in late 2008. Roads can't contain that bike, which has already been put to use by several rural departments.
Police Motorcycles: 2009
Harley-Davidson's FLHTP Electra Glide offers an identical engine of the Road King, but is equipped with a fairing and can be fitted for a sidecar. Due to the fairing, the instrument placement differs from the Road King. Also, the Electra Glide is about 35 pounds heavier. Available color schemes are white and black. Photo via Harley-Davidson.
Buell, a Harley-Davidson subsidiary in Troy, Wisc., began producing the Ulysses XB12XP as a "quick and very nimble" performance bike for law enforcement agencies in late 2008. Based on Buell's adventure sportbike of the same name, the Ulysses is designed for a variety of terrain. It's powered with a Buell Thunderstorm 1203cc V-Twin engine that's rated at 103 peak horsepower and 51/64 mpg urban/highway. The "triple tail" system functions as a luggage rack with tie-down hooks over the rear seat position or as a cushioned passenger backrest with grab rails. Heated hand grips are standard equipment. An available emergency response kit provides a siren and an LED lighting package in three color configurations. Photo via Buell.
BMW offers two police motorcycles: the R1200 RT-P (pictured) and G650. The RT-P, which is favored by the CHP and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, is the police version of a civilian model that offers an 1170 cc boxer twin motor rated at 110 hp. The bike uses two batteries: one to start and an auxiliary to run the lights, onboard computer and other gear. There are analog and digital speedometers; the later allows the officer to pace a vehicle, monitor its speed and store that information in the onboard computer. The bike arrives with mounts for a shotgun, baton, radio and laser gun. Photo via BMW Motor Co.
Harley-Davidson's FLHP Road King is powered by a 1690cc, oil-cooled twin cam 103 engine. For 2009, H-D added a new chassis for more responsive maneuverability, increased capacity (a 70-pound load) and greater comfort for the rider. Incorporating an all-new frame, swingarm, engine mounting system, wheels and tires, the new chassis forms the foundation for the new police motorcycle. Wheel diameter increases to 17 inches from 16 inches. Color schemes include white and luxury blue (pictured). Photo via Harley-Davidson.
Honda's ST1300P is a newer entry to the police motorcycle market, but it's catching on with more agencies, expecially on the West Coast, due to its smaller size, performance-oriented package and availability of service locations. The bike is powered by a 1261cc DOHC V-4 engine that's rated at 125 hp. It arrives with ABS and features such as a three-position dual-density solo seat, rear component cover for electronics weather protection, a speedometer graduated in 2 mph increments above 10 mph and altered control switches. Photo via Honda.