I've heard the same thing. I'm not sure if the TC88 would not meet the CHP standards (they probably would with nothing more than a stage 1 kit), but I've heard they'll be getting the 103" motors from the factory.

Harris

 

HD probley does not want to have modified bikes to try and sell when they buy them back at the end of lease period.
I really agree that a stage 1 or at the least a factory installed/ built SE 203 cam set would give it enough omph to meet the speed spec test IMHO.....

 

Oh these would be with the factory 103" motor. So they wouldn't be "modified" aftermarket by the agency.

Harris

 

What I was trying to say was that the factory didn't want to "make" any non stock from the factory build modifacations, i.e. a stock 95" with a SE 203 cam installed, already in the bike from the factory.
BTW the bike didn't pass radio testing.

 

Just a thought.....
Might be that the no :nono: modification thing has something to do with the new EPA regs.

Ride Safe,
Vettster

 

The Harley didn't pass the communication radio test again....
In most police equipment I.E. cars and such they get variances from the EPA smog/ emission's standards, that's what makes them so fast.

 

What radio test is this? Agencies all over the country use Harley's including mine. I've never heard such a thing.

 

HD probley does not want to have modified bikes to try and sell when they buy them back at the end of lease period.
I really agree that a stage 1 or at the least a factory installed/ built SE 203 cam set would give it enough omph to meet the speed spec test IMHO.....

Just LMK when they turn them in after the lease is up. I'll buy one!!:yikes:

 

CHP, because of the size of the state uses a "low band", I think around 54Hz, type radio and have to "trim" the antenna for the area it will be used in (division) and then see how well it Tx's and Rx's in the assigned division area. Also has to do with the "ground plane" of the vehicle, in past HD didn't have this problem, BMW's did and a special artificial ground plane antenna trim device was used to make the radio work to it's best.

 

The last HD's that I recall the CHP using were from the late 80's. Some of the reasons that they went to BMW were the fact that almost all of the crankcases on the bikes cracked, usually in the area between the valve lifter blocks. The cracked cases were all duly replaced with factory new cases but the problem for the CHP was the downtime. It usually took a month for each bike to get fixed.

Other issues were with the need to auction them off after they had hit high mileage. That was sort of a PITA for the agency. I bid on a couple of them here in Sacramento area but missed by a few bucks. Most of them sold in the $7,000 area and a lot of them went to Indy dealers who sold them in the high $12,000 area. They were in very nice condition for the most part, mostly FXRP's with fairings and the nice heavy-duty floorboards. Ironically, these bikes are rather popular with the H.A. Ha.

Ultimately, BMW came along with the present CHP bike which is rather fast, has ABS brakes and also had a factory "buy-back" plan after they had reached their service limit.

The City of Sacramento still uses some HD FLs and they are working very well for them.

It will be interesting to see if HD can break back in to the CHP market with their new ABS model.

Good luck CHP. Ha.

 

calif police harleys

in the other 49 they call these bikes escort bikes. calif evidently won't license a 'real' harley police bike. there was a fellow in sacramento who tried to reg a very low milage police road king. he had to sell it out of state.
ca considers any motor vehicle with fewer than 7500 mi new.

 

Wrote this in 06 and it never happened until now. CHP is going to HD FLHP To meet certain specs, the bike will have the standard 103 motor upgraded to the 255 cam. They also are using the CVO adjustable shocks and an upgraded front forks. Several have already been delivered.

 

Are they also changing the air and exhaust to allow the 255 cam to work?

 

Why did they decide to change?

 

I heard the BMW repairs were too high, but someone stated that this was based on the repairs on bikes with several miles on them exceeding 100k. KZ did not produce police bikes for this year and Honda was never considered, or did not pass certain tests.

 

I thought the Chippies liked the BMW.

Then again, the CHP is famous for experimenting with all sorts of vehicles and they have always been way more stringent with their specs than most agencies.

 

Was told by the dealer ( when I lived in Oregon) that the local force used up there maintenance budget in 4 months after switching to BMW from Harley. Apparently the Beemers are very expensive to maintain.. Can't say for sure just sayin what I was told..

 

Wow, great resurrection of a dead thread.

In the auto repair world, we have seen a very steady and consistent rise in the price of parts from Europe. BMW's are still made in Germany, and the Euro has made quite the gains on the dollar.

Many of my BMW, M/B, VW owners are selling there cars and going to other brands because the price of repairs are going up so fast.

I have heard here in Oregon, then the state Police are looking into different bike again and going away from BMW as well, I would think California is thinking the same thing.


BTW....BMW stands for Bring Money in Wheel-barrels.

 

Here in belgium, policebikes are likely to be Yamaha YZF, BMW RT. Handling, topspeed & pricing are way better than Hd.

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

I would LOVE to read the CHP tests of the Harley with the different cam and suspension parts.

 

'12 was the last year for the air ride seat. Wonder how the new seat measures up as far as comfort goes.

 

The new shock on the seat works fine and there are no air leaks to worry about. We have two of the 13's and I borrowed one on a day my motor was in for maintenance and notice no difference in the seats comfort. The overall ride on the 13 much better than the 08 I ride.

 

Its the same cam as the civilian bike if its still factory sealed.

Joe

 

Here is a Link for those interested

http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/chp-switching-harley-davidson-motorcycles/nZ53H/

 

I own a 2009 Police EG and work on a 2007 BMW RT1200. I ride the same County roads everyday on both bikes. A couple of twisty turns are down the street from my house and I regularly hit the apex at nearly the EXACT same speeds on both bikes (when going fast).

I never rode any Harley other than the new framed ones so I wouldn't know about the wet noodle frame? I find the H.D. handles pretty well, but when push comes to shove the BMW will always out handle the HD.

BUT, that being said the departure of the performance is at a speed that I generally will not exceed on my PD bike. The brakes on the BMW are better, but the HD had very good brakes. I love the power deliver of the HD vs. the BMW, I just wish for a little more HD power.

 

Because of Harley's ultra low RPM torqueband, they really shine in the "0 to 45mph" persuit scenario, like you'd see during most any city duty.

Above 85? Their torque is done. Not much there for acceleration at those speeds.

10mph-to 50mph "point & shoot" is where the HD works best.

CHP didn't consider HD as they could not pass the "must have ABS braking system."

CHP does use he Connie 14, btw. Since it's a "State" vehicle, it's been neutered to 135MPH. Comfy for all day in the saddle, though.