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.
10 Honda ST1300PA - Scotland and Western Australia
Honda motorcycles has a reputation for performance and power. They also run forever when taken care of properly. These are probably some of the reasons that police forces across Scotland and Australia both depend on the Honda ST1300PA. You can see the Honda Goldwing influence in the ST1300PA. It has similar body fairings covering the majority of the motorcycle. It is powered by Honda’s 1,261cc liquid-cooled engine and comes with a variety of comfort features to make all-day riding more enjoyable. Improvements to the bike are throughout the bike, including locking fairing pockets that offer the same storage capacity as a passenger vehicle.
9 Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide - United States
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. It is the bike that many old-school riders are familiar with because it was the go-to bike for police departments in the 90s. While many departments have moved on, there are plenty that still depend on the Electra Glide. These days it comes with the oil-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine and weighs a hefty 844 pounds. It is essentially a cop car on two wheels.
8 BMW R 1250 RT-P - Worldwide
It should be no surprise that a BMW motorcycle is one of the most popular with police units worldwide. The company is already known as an industry leader in adventure bike and sport-touring motorcycle production. The BMW R 1250 RT-P combines everything learned from these two categories to make a confident and comfortable all-around bike. The rider position ergonomics are above all else, making this one of the most comfortable bikes to ride all day. It also comes loaded with features to turn it into a mobile workstation. Sitting in the cockpit, you will notice the attention to detail with features like weather protection, electrical quick release, and a wireless charging system.
7 Yamaha FJR1300P - United States
Police units across the United States depend on Yamaha’s reputation for reliability. The Yamaha FJR1300 has an upright riding position for hours of comfort day after day. Its low center of gravity makes it easier to maintain upright stability when performing aggressive maneuvers at high speeds. This is one of the many features that came out of Yamaha engineers working with European motorcycle police forces. Other unique features include an extra large instrument panel, a taller windshield, and additional hard trunk storage. Powering the FJR1300P is a 1298cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine. It has plenty of power to quickly move through traffic.
6 Zero DRSP - U.S. West Coast
Given how electric vehicles haven’t faired well as police vehicles, you would think the same is true for electric motorcycles. However, this isn’t the case. The Zero DRSP is winning over police departments throughout the West Coast. While they may not be the solution for everyone, they are perfect for police departments looking for a lighter alternative to the traditional heavy dresser. Their lightweight makes them more agile, making it easier to ride in tight places and over curbs. Zero motorcycles are also more affordable to maintain because they lack many of the components that traditional gas-powered motorcycles have. This makes them worth the initial investment for long-term savings.
5 Harley-Davidson FLHP Police Road King - United States
As a classic all-American touring bike, it is only natural for Harley to adapt it in police departments. This is the bike that people expect to see cruising down the highway. The Harley-Davidson FLHP Police Road Kings have a classic look with plenty of chrome throughout and a prominent windshield sitting on top of a large headlight. Harley engineers outfitted the bike with additional rider safety and performance-enhancing features. These make the bike easier to maneuver despite its large size and heavy weight. New models come with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine to stay current with modern motorcycle trends. This gives the bike plenty of power to perform traffic stops and respond to calls.
4 Honda CBX750 and Africa Twin - Gibraltar and Uzbekistan
It seems like you see the Honda CBX750 and Africa Twin everywhere these days with the rise in the popularity of adventure bikes. So it is no surprise that police departments now have them as a part of their fleets. In some cases, such as the Redondo Beach Police Department, the motorcycle received came outfitted with custom components and gear. For example, Roland Sands built two fully customized Honda Africa Twins for the department. They came with crash bars, a PA system, radar gun mounts, a full LED lighting system, bulletproofing, and a locking AR-15 mount. With all the additional weight, the suspension also needed upgrading to retain ride comfort and maneuverability.
3 Kawasaki Concours - United States
The Kawasaki Concours is a touring bike meant for logging long hours in the saddle. This makes it a perfect bike for police officers who could easily spend their entire shift riding on patrol. Everything from the original Concours comes on the police version, plus a few customized extras. These include an additional wiring harness, an adjustable speedometer, an additional battery, and an emergency kit. In addition, Kawasaki engineers took things a bit further by reducing the bike’s turn radius and improving safety features. Finally, Kawasaki aims to keep the Concours as affordable as possible in both purchase and maintenance to remain compatible with limited departmental budgets.
2 BMW F 750 - Worldwide
The BMW F 750 is a lighter and more nimble version of the BMW R 1250 RT-P. This mid-range bike is perfect for police officers because it retains comfort while also being more agile for navigating more populated areas. It has a larger front wheel and higher stance, making it better for riding on varying terrain both on and off of the road. The 853cc engine offers plenty of power for performing traffic maneuvers. It comes with a full lighting system and saddlebags for storage. In true BMW fashion, there are also plenty of accessories and options for officers to customize their bikes to fit their specific needs.
1 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 - United States
The Sportster is one of Harley’s most popular models. It is a lightweight bike with a low seat and delightfully torquey engine. These qualities also make it a great bike for use as a police motorcycle. The law enforcement version comes with Harley’s air-cooled Evolution engine. For improved performance, the chassis has improved for great cornering stability. It also comes with electronic brake control and improved powertrain technology. This helps officers accelerate faster and stop shorter for improved performance and maneuverability in heavy traffic or pedestrian situations. The Sportster also had the distinct advantage of being rider-friendly, with many officers already having experience on it or a similar bike.