What motorcycles do police use? Police units worldwide use a broad range of vehicles to patrol their designated areas. While cars are the most common, you can also see trucks, SUVs, and even motorcycles. Officers may not have space to do a custody or prisoner transport that is saved for passenger vehicles with a backseat.

Instead, motorcycles offer increased maneuverability, visibility, and mobility. They also provide more affordable transportation options thanks to their fuel efficiency. Almost all motorcycle manufacturers make a police-specific model adapted from a current model in their lineup.

This lets police departments cultivate a fleet of vehicles capable of addressing any situation. These ten motorcycles get used by police throughout the world.

What Motorcycles Do Police Use?

As a young motorcyclist, you may have wondered what types of motorcycles cops drive in the United States. While every officer has a different preference, most police departments across the country employ many of the same types of models. The most commonly used motorcycle by American police officers is the Harley Davidson.

Harley Davidson motorcycles have been a favorite bike of many officers for many years. Since local police departments first started using them in 1941, they have been considered one of the best for patrolling and chasing down criminals. They’ve developed their relationships with police and rescue teams, to the point where it’s a significant part of their business as a company.

Who Made The First Police Motorcycle?

According to Police1, Harley-Davidson gave the Detroit Police Department its first motorcycle unit back in 1908. One year later, an officer of the Portland Police Department was allowed to use his Indian motorcycle on patrol. August Vollmer of the police department in Berkeley, California is credited for inventing the first motorcycle-specific safety policies within the force.

Over the next two decades, Police1 estimates that 3,000 police departments worldwide were riding on Harley bikes. After WWII, a healthy supply of leftover military motorcycles was purchased by many more police departments. Testing regimens were soon developed at the LA County Sheriff and Michigan State Police departments to keep these vehicles up to safety standards.

Why Cops Use Harley Davidson?

The reason that so many cops use Harleys is that they are a good compromise between speed, weight and maneuverability. While they are quite maneuverable, their short wheelbase makes them fast in city traffic.

The bikes also have a high power to weight ratio, which can be useful when you’re trying to chase down an escaping criminal. Additionally, these bikes are durable and relatively inexpensive to maintain, and have very affordable servicing costs over time.

The Harley Davidson Super Glide was the model that started it all back in 1941. The police department in Fort Worth, Texas chose the bike to replace their Indian motorcycles and over time, other departments began to follow suit with this decision. The Motor Company’s partnership with police departments and the military is largely based on the success of the Harley Davidson WLA.

This model was used during World War II, as well as in the post-war years by small town police departments across the United States. By 1945, Harley Davidson had sold over 70,000 of these bikes to various branches of the US Military and local police forces.

The History of Harley Davidsons And Police

The bikes that the police departments started using in the 1940s include the Super Glide, WLA, Bobber and Trike models. The WLA model was the top-of-the line in the 1940s, and was produced from 1942 to 1950. It had a small tank, a simple, stylish saddle, as well as cushion grips, which were a first for Harley Davidson.

Even though this model was very popular during World War II, it was retired from production after the war. The Bobber model came out in 1948 and was very similar to the WLA. It came with a small tank, simple saddle, and cushion grips. The police departments that received these bikes loved them because they were very affordable and dependable.

Once the WLA was retired from production, the Bobber model was discontinued. Finally, the Trike model has been in Harley Davidson’s line-up since 1983. It is similar to the WLA model in design but with a longer wheelbase for better handling.

In 1967, Harley Davidson introduced their Police Sportster. This model was based on the Bobber, but with a lighter swing arm and a more streamlined design. The 1968 Harley Davidson Police Sportster was one of the first models to include levers on the left side of the handlebars which served as controls for lights, horns and other safety items.

The Twin Cam engine ran smoother and had more horsepower than their other models. However, they were able to maintain a low cost because there were no additional parts that needed maintenance. The Police Sportster was produced until the 1980s, and has been continuously in production since 2007.

The Harley-Davidson Police WLA was the standard police motorcycle for over 30 years, and has been used by more than 300 police departments around the world. It is also one of the most recognizable police motorcycles. This is because it has a small fuel tank, a single saddle seat, simple handlebars, and cushion grips.

In the early 1970s, Harley-Davidson introduced the Police Interceptor which has a more aggressive look than the WLA. The fuel tank was moved to the rear of the motorcycle and other changes were made to improve performance. In 1977, Harley-Davidson released their first Cruiser.

This model had an all alloy frame similar to their other models, but had a large fuel tank, and improved suspension. Harley Davidson was also able to maintain its low cost because there were no additional parts that needed maintenance.

Police Motorcycles And The US Military

Police motorcycles have also been used in military application for many years. The Yamaha FJR1300P/XC1300P, as mentioned above, has been in military use since 2003. This model has had a rough road since it was first introduced though, with reports of quality issues.

However, the 2013 model looks to be a great starting point for improving this motorcycle’s reliability and performance. The “Marauder” Military Police Motorcycle has been in use since 1975. This model has provided U.S. military and law enforcement officers with the road-holding, maneuverability and fuel economy needed on the battlefield.

This model was built by Kreighoff of Germany and continues to be a reliable four-wheeled police motorcycle for US military police today. The Marauder motorcycle is also used for transporting VIP’s, senior officers, dignitaries, rescue workers and other VIPs in matters of civilian emergencies.

Common Police Motorcycles You’ll See Today

Harley-Davidson is still one of the most popular suppliers of police motorcycles in Canada and America, explains Cycle World. Officers can choose between the Sportster Iron 883, the FLHP Police Road King, or the FLHTP Electra Glide.

The latter two are over 800 pounds but still have torquey engines that provide adequate speed for police work. Harley also keeps its police bikes updated with all the latest safety features, like Reflex Defensive Rider Systems.

Yamaha is relatively new to the police bike scene, with four models currently available. The FJR1300P is what you’ll likely see on American and European roads. It has a 145-hp four-cylinder engine, plus a good array of comfort and safety equipment.

One of the best Honda police bikes is the S1300PA, equipped with a dual-section fuel tank and a powerful 1,261cc engine. This engine promises 92 lb-ft of torque and a top speed of 141 mph. It also has several desirable features like integrated saddlebags and a patrol speedometer.

BMW is responsible for shipping police bikes, such as the R 1250 RT-P, to more than 150 countries. The latest model has an adjustable suspension, 136 hp on tap, and ABS. These motorcycles can also be customized to include gun racks and other useful features.

Just like most of the automotive world, motorcycle manufacturers are also embracing electricity. The company Zero supplies motor police officers with FXP and DRSP models.

The DRSP is the most popular option, given its reported range of 196 miles. It makes 70 hp and 116 lb-ft of torque. The FXP’s lighter frame and powertrain are more suited for low-stakes city patrols.

In the city of Dubai, police soon want to have a fleet of HoverSurf S3 Scorpion hoverbikes. These vehicles have no wheels, source their mobility from quad-propellers, and run off electricity. Officers could fly 16 feet off the ground for up to 25 minutes at a time on these units.

What Are The Different Motorcycles of Police Officers?

Motorcycles are a common sight on the roads, and many people enjoy riding them for fun or for transportation. However, you may not know that law enforcement officers also use motorcycles. This blog post will discuss the different motorcycles that police officers ride. We will also talk about the benefits of using motorcycles for law enforcement.

Police officers have a tough job. They have to deal with the everyday stresses of the job, but they also have to be prepared for anything. That’s why they rely on motorcycles to help them get around. Motorcycles are fast and agile, making them ideal for chasing down suspects or navigating through traffic.

They’re also lightweight and easy to maneuver, making them perfect for getting in and out of tight spaces. And because they’re so fuel-efficient, they can help police officers save money on gas.

There are various motorcycles that police officers can choose from, and each one has its own set of benefits. So whether they’re looking for speed, agility, or fuel efficiency, a motorcycle is perfect for the job.

The most common type of motorcycle that police officers ride is the Harley-Davidson. The Harley-Davidson is a powerful motorcycle that can reach high speeds quickly. It’s also very maneuverable, making it ideal for chasing down suspects. And because it’s so well-known, it’s easy for the public to identify.

Another popular choice for police officers is the BMW R1200RT. The BMW R1200RT is a fast and agile motorcycle perfect for navigating through traffic. It’s also very fuel-efficient, making it an excellent choice for long patrols. And because it comes with a variety of features, like ABS brakes and traction control, it can help keep police officers safe on the job.

FAQs

What kind of Harleys do the Police ride in the US?

These days US police departments typically use three Harley-Davidson models, namely the Iron Sportster 833, the FLHP Police Road King, and the FLHTP Police Electra Glide.

Are police motorcycles Harley-Davidson?

For more than 110 years Harley-Davidson has been providing Motor Officers and Rescue Personnel the most legendary motorcycles in the world.

What is the most common police motorcycle?

The Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide is one of three motorcycles that Harley manufactures for police departments. This makes Harley the most prolific manufacturer of police motorcycles. The Electra Glide is also one of the most used from that lineup throughout the United States.

Above is information about What motorcycles do police use? that we have compiled. Hopefully, through the above content, you have a more detailed understanding of Common police motorcycles you’ll see today. Thank you for reading our post.