Kawi, BMW or Harley
- Thread starter jwilds73
- Start date
The Kawi, BMW or the Harley and which you ride or would prefer to ride?
Brewd@wg
Well-known member
I have a Dyna Wide Glide and an R1. Both are fun to ride, and I have ridden both bikes to Arizona and to Las Vegas at least once without issue. As you can imagine the Dyna was far more comfortable on a long trip, but the R1 was more exciting. While the Dyna is a decent bike, I feel the performance could be better, especially for a 1450cc motor. It's not a well balanced bike by any stretch of the imagination, and is somewhat awkward at times, especially at lower speeds and\or riding 2 up.
I have been looking at some of the new Japanese cruisers lately and would like to ride a few of them to see how they compare. The Vulcan is a good looking bike IMO and it would probably be at the top of my list of Japanese cruisers to test ride, followed by the Honda Shadow and then the Yamaha Road Star.
I doubt that I'll be trading the HD in for a Jap cruiser, but they have caught my eye and I am curious to see how they perform and if the comfort level is close to the Dyna.
As far as the poll goes, I can't really say that one kind bike is any better than another since I haven't ridden either of the other bikes that are listed.
I have been looking at some of the new Japanese cruisers lately and would like to ride a few of them to see how they compare. The Vulcan is a good looking bike IMO and it would probably be at the top of my list of Japanese cruisers to test ride, followed by the Honda Shadow and then the Yamaha Road Star.
I doubt that I'll be trading the HD in for a Jap cruiser, but they have caught my eye and I am curious to see how they perform and if the comfort level is close to the Dyna.
As far as the poll goes, I can't really say that one kind bike is any better than another since I haven't ridden either of the other bikes that are listed.
deaconblues
Roads Scholar
i think they're referring to police bikes, which ones the cops prefer to ride and such.
although if someone handed me the keys to a used police edition beemer, i'd nae turn it down...
although if someone handed me the keys to a used police edition beemer, i'd nae turn it down...
Brash47
Brigand
Motorman will totally back me up on this....(he better!)
The Harley and Kawi are actually muched better balance motorcycles than any sport bike on the market. They v-twin chugs out torque that is always useable at low speed....that R1 wont.
Any trained motor officer can do things on a Harley, Kawi, or a BMW that you could NEVER possibly do on a sport bike. I have yet to see any rider take an R1, drop it over on its pegs and ride circles for up to 10 minutes without moving out of the size of the circle, or just flat out dumping it....that goes for all sport bikes.
Because of the low center of gravity on the Harley and Kawi, the bikes can drop over on their foot boards, at speeds less than 4 mph, and literally turn circles all day, as long as the rider keeps proper clutch and throttle control. The BMW has a higher turn radius than either bike and the linked brake system makes a rear brake drag very hard for tight manuevering.
All 3 bikes are great for duty use, but I still feel that the Kawi and Harley are the best for the job.
What you will see soon, is the BMW's being replaced by Honda ST's...alot of southern cal agencies are going that route.
brash
PS, I forgot...you can take those 2 bikes lots of places that a sport bike will never go...see how much control you have in the gravel on a sport bike..then see how much control you have on one of the 2 bikes I like, try going up a dirt hill on a sport bike, then try the Harley or the Kawi...You will be amazed at what those 2 "mules" will do.
The Harley and Kawi are actually muched better balance motorcycles than any sport bike on the market. They v-twin chugs out torque that is always useable at low speed....that R1 wont.
Any trained motor officer can do things on a Harley, Kawi, or a BMW that you could NEVER possibly do on a sport bike. I have yet to see any rider take an R1, drop it over on its pegs and ride circles for up to 10 minutes without moving out of the size of the circle, or just flat out dumping it....that goes for all sport bikes.
Because of the low center of gravity on the Harley and Kawi, the bikes can drop over on their foot boards, at speeds less than 4 mph, and literally turn circles all day, as long as the rider keeps proper clutch and throttle control. The BMW has a higher turn radius than either bike and the linked brake system makes a rear brake drag very hard for tight manuevering.
All 3 bikes are great for duty use, but I still feel that the Kawi and Harley are the best for the job.
What you will see soon, is the BMW's being replaced by Honda ST's...alot of southern cal agencies are going that route.
brash
PS, I forgot...you can take those 2 bikes lots of places that a sport bike will never go...see how much control you have in the gravel on a sport bike..then see how much control you have on one of the 2 bikes I like, try going up a dirt hill on a sport bike, then try the Harley or the Kawi...You will be amazed at what those 2 "mules" will do.
ridersblock
Disabled Veteran
Is there a place where I can buy any of the old LEO issue bikes when they retire them from service?
NorCalBusa
Member #294
I heard CHP canceled the BMW contract a week or two ago...
slydrite
On a brake
silversvs said:
this brings up a question for me.....this has alwaya sounded like BS to me, but I've "heard" on more than one occasion, that motorcops have to purchase the bikes themsleves, and that's why many don't chosse the beemer, cause they're $$$$$$$$$$$$
any truth at all to that stupid rumor?
