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If they really did save lives, you would think the highway patrol officers who rely on their bikes for their safety and entire professional existence would be e

If they really did save lives, you would think the highway patrol officers who rely on their bikes for their safety and entire professional existence would be equipped with them. No, this is just obnoxious leisure bikers wanting to justify their unnecessary noise they inflict on the rest of us.

rudedogg 3y ago
Most police bikes I see in the US are Harleys, I don't think they're buying anything out of practicality. If they were, you'd see a lot more BMW police motorcycles.
- ProjectArcturis 3y ago
  US police buy almost exclusively domestic vehicles.
  - zoky 3y ago
    Not when it comes to motorcycles. BMW and Honda are both extremely common police bikes. LAPD’s motorcycle fleet used to be almost entirely Kawasakis.
- jrwoodruff 3y ago
  Michigan State Police somewhat controversially switched to BMW motorcycles in 2012, and actually disbanded the motorcycle unit for awhile because of safety issues. Apparently it's returning this year, still using the BMWs. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/02/15/michigan-state-police-motorcycle-unit-returns-metro-detroit/72586242007/ https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/02/15/m...
  - defrost 3y ago
    BMW models with direct shaft drive and horizontally opposed twin pots are better for safety in several ways. Lower centre of gravity, some "extra" leg protection in sideswipes | converging hits on roundabouts (from the pots and pot crash bar protectors), and zero chance of chain wear with better direct power pickup | engine braking from the shaft. These are all grounds for some heated debate wherever two wheels gather, but I'll swear by them.
igetspam 3y ago
My anecdata says the only way to be seen in a bike is to dress like a cop. People noticed me a lot more with a white helmet than a red and black one.
bifrost 3y ago
Uh, up until the last 20 years or so, CHP bikes were like that.

rudedogg 3y ago

Most police bikes I see in the US are Harleys, I don't think they're buying anything out of practicality. If they were, you'd see a lot more BMW police motorcycles.

ProjectArcturis 3y ago
US police buy almost exclusively domestic vehicles.
- zoky 3y ago
  Not when it comes to motorcycles. BMW and Honda are both extremely common police bikes. LAPD’s motorcycle fleet used to be almost entirely Kawasakis.
jrwoodruff 3y ago
Michigan State Police somewhat controversially switched to BMW motorcycles in 2012, and actually disbanded the motorcycle unit for awhile because of safety issues. Apparently it's returning this year, still using the BMWs. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/02/15/michigan-state-police-motorcycle-unit-returns-metro-detroit/72586242007/ https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/02/15/m...
- defrost 3y ago
  BMW models with direct shaft drive and horizontally opposed twin pots are better for safety in several ways. Lower centre of gravity, some "extra" leg protection in sideswipes | converging hits on roundabouts (from the pots and pot crash bar protectors), and zero chance of chain wear with better direct power pickup | engine braking from the shaft. These are all grounds for some heated debate wherever two wheels gather, but I'll swear by them.

igetspam 3y ago

My anecdata says the only way to be seen in a bike is to dress like a cop. People noticed me a lot more with a white helmet than a red and black one.

bifrost 3y ago

Uh, up until the last 20 years or so, CHP bikes were like that.