Key Takeaways

• Police motorcycle models have evolved to become more capable, reliable, and equipped with necessary features for swift patrolling.
• Harley-Davidson and BMW are among the most popular manufacturers offering motorcycles exclusively designed for law enforcement use.
• The future of police patrol vehicles may include electric vertical take-off and landing drones for more efficient and effective patrolling.

For nearly as long as motorcycles have existed, police forces have used them effectively to perform their patrolling duties. The big difference between the bikes used previously and what's in play now is that modern patrol vehicles are far more capable and exclusively kitted out to do the job swiftly.

UPDATE: 2024/03/06 11:04 EST BY RAUNAK AJINKYA

The police aren't oblivious to the obvious advantages that motorcycles offer over other modes of transport for their jobs. And the specially equipped motorcycles are constantly evolving. Given that, we have updated this list to include a few more highlights of the kinds of motorcycles used by various police forces.

Given that, various motorcycle manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and offered their vehicles to assist the police. BMW and Harley-Davidson are the most prominent, and while each motorcycle has its own set of pros and cons, it wouldn't be out of the equation to suggest that even the police have a favorite.

All the information in this piece has been sourced from the respective manufacturers' official websites. Other reliable sources across the internet have been referenced for missing information.

Harley-Davidson Played A Big Role In The History Of Police Bikes

According to Harley-Davidson, the first Police motorcycle was commissioned in 1908 for the Detroit Police Department in Michigan. Not long afterward, other departments began adding the new two-wheeled machine to their fleet. Evanston, Illinois, also purchased its first motorcycle for the department in the same year.

Again, also in 1908, the Oregon Police Bureau had an officer use his personal motorcycle to help patrol the streets of Portland. The claim to the first organized police motorcycle patrol goes back to the Berkeley Police Department in 1911. Motorcycles were relatively new technology in those days, but they'd already proven more convenient for navigating, more fuel-efficient, inexpensive, and required little storage space.

The Harley-Davidson of choice at the time was five years into real production; the new company got 1,200 of its motorcycles off the line in 1909. It was an innovative year for the motorcycle; throttle controls went from the traditional bellcrank-type linkage to the more efficient cable through the handlebar route.

1908 saw the final use of the “strap tank” arrangement; the new frame offered attachment points on the left side while the right side of the tank held fuel and lubricating oil. The 1909 Harleys were offered in four trims, each carrying a 30-cubic-inch single-cylinder engine. The biggest differences in each were the diameter of the wheels and the ignition system. The Model 5 and 5-A had 28-inch wheels using a coil and points ignition, whereas the 5-B and 5-C sported 26-inch wheels. The latter used battery and magneto ignitions.

These Are The Police Motorcycles Of Today

The collaboration between law enforcement and motorcycle makers has since grown to the point that unique trims are made specifically for two-wheel patrolling. Securing a market for a law enforcement roster not only looks good on the books but also creates positive brand awareness, promoting their bikes' speed and reliability.

The Harley-Davidson police bike has remained a staple on the front line of duty since the beginning. Several models come straight out of the factory equipped for police work, with the standard features you’d expect to see: lights, sirens, and radio controls. The bike of choice is based on the riders' needs and environment. Harley-Davidson has provided law enforcement with the XL 883L Sportster, FLHP Road King, and even the FLHTP Electra Glide.

Honda and Kawasaki are also both well known for building comfortable touring bikes that are ideal for police work. The Honda ST1300 is commonly used for its torquey V4 engine, and the Kawasaki Concours 14P has been favored since the 2010 Michigan Police Motorcycle test.

Commonly Used Police Motorcycles Across The World

• Harley-Davidson: XL 883L Sportster, FLHP Road King, FLHTP Electra Glide, Pan America
• Honda: ST-1300PA
• Kawasaki: Concours 14P
• BMW: R 1250 RT-P, F 750
• Yamaha: FJR1300P
• Zero: DRSP
• Honda: CBX750, Africa Twin

The Police Edition BMW R 1200 RT-P Is Popular In California

One of the most common motorcycles of choice for a police force, however, is the BMW RT. Favored by American and European law enforcement, the RT is reliable, maneuverable, and comes equipped with all the accessories an officer could need. BMW redesigned their RT1200 in 2015, introducing a wet clutch and water cooling for the first time, improving handling, and with a top speed of 125 mph. The four-stroke, two-cylinder boxer twin engine made 125 hp and cranked out 92 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm.

The California Highway Patrol and most other law enforcement have various motorcycles in their fleet; not all bikes are swapped out at once - that would be a poor use of resources and police funding. There are several motorcycle manufacturers that get to carry the badge of an officer, but the speed, comfort, and reliability of the BMW R 1200 RT-P make it the top choice for CHP.

Unlike Honda motorcyclists, who must resort to aftermarket parts, the BMW R 1200 RT-P comes ready for duty straight from the factory. OEM parts are well known for better fitment and reliability than self-fitted add-ons.

BMW includes a wide array of useful tools and equipment on their Police variant R 1200 RT, more than just a siren and a few blue and red lights. An officer can pick up his or her new bike with a crash bar, rifle rack for an AR-15, radar holder, flashlight, and baton holder. There are radars in both the front and the back that will display the speed of fellow drivers on the officer’s dash display. You’ll also find a police radio and several auxiliary ports just above the right knee.

The police department doesn’t generally modify engines; the BMW R 1200 RT-P is plenty fast from the factory and leaves little speed to be desired. The suspension is a little soft, but it still takes corners well. Not many casual drivers can get away from this well-equipped patrolling machine.

BMW R 1200 RT-P Highlights

• Crash bar
• Rifle rack for an AR-15
• Radar holder
• Flashlight holder
• Baton holder
• Speed guns at the front and back
• Mounted police radio and aux ports

The Future Of Patrol Vehicles

While modern police patrol vehicles have plenty of kit and features to make them suitable for our roads, some have been watching for their future. One such manufacturer is California-based Hoversurf, which delivered the 'world's first legal personal drone' to the Dubai police force.

What's fascinating is that this drone-cum-patrol-vehicle, called the Scorpion, is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. As the name suggests, it's fully electric, takes 2.5 hours to charge, and can fly from 10-25 minutes with a single rider aboard. This lasts 40 minutes if it's in 'drone' mode. The top speed is a cool 43 mph.

According to the company, the Scorpion meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, and riders don't need a pilot's license to use the vehicle. Unfortunately, the Dubai police force has exclusive rights to the Hoverbike for now, so we won't be seeing them flying locally soon. That said, it is up for personal sale, and you can get one if you have $150,000 spare.

Hoversurf Scorpion Highlights

• Vertical take-off and landing
• Fully electric
• 2.5-hour charging time
• 10–25 minutes flying time with rider; 40 minutes in 'drone' mode
• 43 mph top speed
• 254 lbs dry weight
• Safe flying altitude of 4.6 meters

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Source for features: Respective manufacturers' websites, Police Motor Units, California Highway Patrol Via Instagram