Florida police department saves $4,680 per bike by ditching Harley

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Honda-ST1300.jpg“A faster, safer, better-performing motorcycle that’s cheaper.” That’s how Officer Chris Dye from the Lake Mary Police Department described his new Honda ST1300 to a local news station. His department worked out that not only were the Honda’s $2,500 cheaper than the rival from Milwaukee, but that the servicing costs for each bike per year would drop from $2,700 with Harley to $520 with Honda.

The department also cites fuel consumption: Officers’ Hondas are averaging 42mpg, as opposed to Harley’s 30.
>It blows our mind that police departments nationwide persist in their
use of Harley patrol bikes. Surely they, of all people, need things
like brakes, performance and comfort from their all-day-everyday rides.
Of course, we can’t understand bike cops’ aversion to real protective
gear, either.

The news station contacted both the Orlando Police Department and the
Florida Highway Patrol, both of which are sticking with their Hogs. The
FHP defends its decision to cost taxpayers money by stating that
Harleys are “safer.”

WFTV

  • http://www.thetransportationrevolution.com Max

    Harleys safer than other bikes? What makes them think that? And do these cops get put in jail if they speed down the Florida streets on their new bikes?

  • BillyName99

    I think you meant Honda is safer.

    Harleys are good bikes. They are also about 50 years out of date when it comes to technology.
    Honda has ALWAYS embraced new tech that makes riding better and safer.

    My 2000 Sportster is the bike that H-D SHOULD have been making in 1967. I love it, but if I were to buy another bike, it would probably no be a Harley.

  • Wes Siler

    Billy: that’s exactly what we mean. We were pointing out how odd it is for a police department to think that Harleys are safer than a bike as competent as a Honda ST1300.