Former police bike buying advice

[ST Gui]

City governments have zero problems spending the taxpayer's dime on the correct upkeep.

That's a gross exaggeration. City governments may have zero problems appropriating taxpayers' dimes but getting them where they need to go is often problematic. When there's a problem with budgets police budgets get some of the deepest cuts.

Not to mention many vendors such as outside mechanics (as in bike wrenches) like to take advantage of municipalities' coffers and offer expensive work that isn't done.

I will agree that were a bike is assigned to only one officer the odds of it being better maintained are better than pool bikes. Still it's caveat emptor when buying a police motor or any bike for that matter.

 

[Hueyf4i]

That's a gross exaggeration. City governments may have zero problems appropriating taxpayers' dimes but getting them where they need to go is often problematic. When there's a problem with budgets police budgets get some of the deepest cuts.

Not to mention many vendors such as outside mechanics (as in bike wrenches) like to take advantage of municipalities' coffers and offer expensive work that isn't done.

I will agree that were a bike is assigned to only one officer the odds of it being better maintained are better than pool bikes. Still it's caveat emptor when buying a police motor or any bike for that matter.

My department has gone so far as to put a new transmission or engine in a car months before it hits it's deadline mileage. Maybe my department is the exception and not the rule. When our budget suffers, cuts stop us from buying new equipment and not upkeep of current equipment . . . .also could depend on department size. Ours is at 660 sworn, which is a medium size department for our area. All work, with the exception of warranty and body work, are done in house for all of our vehicles.

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[ST Gui]

All work, with the exception of warranty and body work, are done in house for all of our vehicles.

I can't speak to how many departments are above or below the cost effectiveness/pro-active maintenance curve but your dept. performance is exceptional regardless of whatever the rule may be.

For motors the local SO (I believe the fifth largest in CA) farms out all most all of their maintenance work and they took low bid and got a shop that needs constant oversight to see that the job got done right the first time and correct billing 'errors'. I hope there are lessons learned and remembered when the contract is up.

Their previous shop had none of these problems especially with giving police motors immediate priority and allowing storage for a pool motor so a deputy could ride in and ride out on a spare.

Budget cuts for the local PD cut their motors down to three from thirteen. I don't imagine that it's particularly keen on maintenance at this point. I don't mean to paint with a wide brush but to reiterate that generally speaking you need to be prudent when shopping for a bike and especially a police motor.

And you've got a helo! Only three departments in the area have one and one of those isn't available for mutual assist. Sounds like you work for a great dept!

 

[T_C]

The police models also top out at 20 mph than the civilian models, but who needs to go 160. . . Lol

Where does this bit of knowledge come from. Last I knew the P models had a limiter for years.

 

[Hueyf4i]

Where does this bit of knowledge come from. Last I knew the P models had a limiter for years.

I read an article early last year referring to a fatal st1300p crash and it mentioned top speed of 160. 2007 was the last year they limiters were installed. .

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[T_C]

I read an article early last year referring to a fatal st1300p crash and it mentioned top speed of 160. 2007 was the last year they limiters were installed.

Yep, the limiters were uninstalled. But since the ST13 P and non-P models use the same engine, drivetrain and wheels/tries, top speed is the same and ultimately limited by the wind, road and rev limiter of the engine. The last will kick in long before the 160 is hit. Well, 160 for true speed in mph, indicated might be up there.

 

[Smitty908]

OP,

I hate to be a buzzkill, because I know how exciting it is when you have a new bike in your sights...

But think long and hard about it.

I rode an ST for my dept for three years. I did not purposely abuse it (wheelies, etc...) , but PD bikes are used for chasing down speeders.

Lots of fast launches. I also participated in quite a few Gymkhana type rodeos, which are not nice to clutches.

The guy who did our maintenance always laughed when he changed my tires, because he said I was the only one who wore out the sides before the middles

As stated above, they also have a lot of draw on the charging system.

I know you talked to the guy who rode it, and thats great, but while I didnt purposely abuse my bike....it had all new bodywork, because the guy before me wrecked it twice...


Just go into it knowing you may have some problems to deal with.

 

[Appalachian]

I've spoken to the officer that wrote it claims it was his baby and it was well taken care of. They disbanded his unit and the bikes been in storage for a couple years now it's available for sale up and running very well. I was just like your input I want it so I need you to talk me off the ledge if necessary thanks for your help

You need to fully understand the context.

I have trained law enforcement and military motor personnel - please trust that their idea of "babying" anything, very likely has no resemblance to your idea of it.

Run, don't walk away from a used Authority unit of any brand... nothing is really built for how they get used.

 

[Bazza99]

I have two ST1300 P, both ex Police. The first was in service with Newport Beach PD and I purchased it at auction with around 70K on the clock for funeral escort work. The bike currently has 104K and still runs very strong. The only major issue was a fuel pump problem which has been replaced. The second unit was originally based in Oregon, wrecked and purchased by a guy in SD. The work was too much for him and I brought the bike last year and had it shipped to LA. This unit has 17K and it has taken me almost 10 months to re-build the front end and her her up to spec for funeral work.

I love the Honda ST1300 and would have no hesitation in buying another good used police unit.