Setcom Says

Speeders – A “Pot of Gold” or Simply Good Law Enforcement?

Because traffic enforcement is so visible, the general public perceives that there are a large number of officers out there enforcing traffic laws. This is particularly true with respect to motor officers, as one officer seems to multiply in the minds of the general public, effectively representing a force multiplier. Many agencies have a few officers dedicated to traffic enforcement; however, the general rule in most agencies is that good traffic enforcement is one of many responsibilities officers routinely perform.

COMMON MYTH:
Law enforcement officers should be arresting criminals, not writing traffic tickets.

FACT:
Solid traffic enforcement regularly identifies criminals and results in their apprehension. Here’s a good example:
A license plate registration violation resulted in the apprehension of the suspect in the Oklahoma City federal building bombing. The hero that day was a lone Oklahoma State Trooper, Charlie Hanger – click to read.

FACT:
Drugs, weapons, contraband, fugitives, and illegal aliens are frequently found in vehicles during what most perceive to be “routine traffic stops.”

Special Note: There is no such thing as a “routine traffic stop.”

Okay, I have to admit, working traffic enforcement was always my favorite assignment. Again, good traffic enforcement opens the door to other violations and routinely identifies criminals, resulting in their timely apprehension. However, I cannot ever recall a time that I hid behind a billboard, wall, or any similar obstacle so as not to be seen. In fact, I remember many times where I stopped a vehicle and the driver/occupants would remark that they had never seen me, or asked, “Where were you (hiding)?” This would even occur when we ran our version of a “wolf pack”. Okay, so it was just two motors…but you get my drift. We always hid in the open. Still people simply could not see us…or were too busy talking on cell phones, listening to music, talking, etc. to even notice. I’d call it inattentive driving, but then you can’t write everyone for not paying attention.

In an effort to ferret out more traffic violators, several agencies have gone to extraordinary lengths to make their jobs easier, even dressing up as elves at Christmastime, leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day, or road work crews, etc. Okay, this certainly does make the job and task at hand more interesting and dare I say “fun” for those officers involved. Why not engage in a little frivolity when the results still pay such great dividends? Long and short, good traffic enforcement doesn’t cost, it pays!

Please keep in mind that traffic enforcement does not necessarily represent “revenue enhancement” for the city or municipality. Generally speaking, proceeds derived from citations are split in many directions with the state, courts, etc. Naturally this varies jurisdiction to jurisdiction, or state to state. Moreover, considering the many costs associated with law enforcement today, good traffic enforcement is not much of a profit center. Nevertheless, I would again argue that good traffic enforcement does not cost, but rather pays — in so many ways.

The Importance of Rider Training & the El Paso Police Department’s Civilian Rider Training Program

Dateline: EL PASO, TX

We know that there are various studies and related reports conducted regarding the high mortality rate amongst civilian motorcycle riders. Given the aging Baby Boomer Generation, as well as more motorcycles and mopeds on the road these days, it’s easy to understand that we have a very real problem on our hands. However, there’s a bottom line - the primary difference between the civilian rider and a motor officer comes down to training. That’s right - training. The importance of rider training, whether in a law enforcement role or civilian riding is often overlooked, but is of paramount importance.

Practice Makes Perfect
Fortunately, most motor officers receive a minimum of 80 hours (or more) of highly focused training, then time with an FTO and a variable amount of additional “in-service training” as time goes by - depending upon the agency. Many motor officers are also able to attend various police motorcycle rodeos, or related skills competitions, which are all designed to refresh and remind. No matter how good your initial training, riding skills will quickly diminish if not constantly practiced and reinforced.

Motor Officer Training
Included in our Setcom website you’ll find a listing of some of the best training programs available for motor officers today; please see it at setcomcorp.com/schooling.html. Simply put, in order to stay safe a motor officer must have the right training. Just like so many other facets of law enforcement, if you’re properly trained then your training will come back to you when you need it most. That’s just the way it works.

The El Paso Motorcycle Safety Class
One city police department has decided to do something about the tragic, escalating loss of life amongst civilian motorcycle riders and their efforts should be welcomed and applauded. The El Paso Police Department’s Safe Communities Program is offering motorcycle training classes to the public. The classes will begin later this month and are offered totally free of charge. Training classes will begin Jan. 27 at the Northeast Regional Command Center, located at 9600 Dyer, and will continue every fourth Tuesday of each month through all of 2009 (excluding December 2009).

Registration prior to the start date of the class must be made through Safe Communities Program Coordinator Margaret Petrozza-Meraz at (915) 564-7352. Click for additional program information.

Training Snapshot
The classes will cover use of proper riding gear, drinking and driving, making the rider more visible, what to inspect on your motorcycle before you ride, how to develop solid riding skills and other important topics. Most importantly, all classes will be taught by motor officers.

If you reside in the greater El Paso area you should make plans to attend.

Thanks to the El Paso Police Department for their laudable efforts designed to improve riding skills.

The El Paso program may just become a template for other agencies to follow.

Ride Safe.

2008 International Association of Chief’s of Police Conference, San Diego, CA

The San Diego Convention Center was an inviting, state-of-the-art venue for the recent 115th International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference. Quite simply, you would never know that we’re in the midst of an economic recession. The renowned keynote speakers, the latest senior law enforcement forums, technical and management seminars, and an exhibit hall just brimming with the latest in law enforcement products and services made for an awe inspiring event. Coupled with the tremendous attendance and warm welcome we received, it was all more than enough to make you think that it was business as usual.Here’s a quick “snapshot” of the IACP Convention this year; essentially, some interesting statistics to consider:

• About 15,500 attendees were originally planned.
• Approximately 14,500 were actually in attendance.
• About 4,500 of that number actually represented companies exhibiting at the event.
• There were 747 companies represented (but somehow seven forgot to show).
• Some 10,000 total attendees present were actually representing law enforcement services (decidedly worldwide in scope).
• There were about 9,000 actual paid attendees.
• Some 4,000 – 5,000 participants were estimated to represent command level and deemed to be primary “decision makers”.

Attendance at the IACP may have been down versus last year. A traffic flow comparison, purportedly conducted by Sig Sauer, estimated that actual lead/traffic for the first two days (through Monday evening) was down about (16%) over the 2007 event. That’s understandable, after all, since San Diego is not exactly centrally located in the USA and these days it takes some sophisticated justification for law enforcement officials to travel from coast to coast.

The real story behind the IACP Convention being held in San Diego was the people. San Diegans are a friendly, warm bunch. It didn’t matter if you were in line at Starbucks or having dinner at a five star restaurant, everyone I encountered was friendly, outgoing and thankful for the business we’d brought to town. BTW, if you’re looking for a great vacation spot, this could be the place. Check out the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau!

The aforementioned 740 participating companies exhibiting at IACP brought some amazing hardware/software with them. Quite literally, these companies offered everything from the latest license plate reader/recognition systems to fully outfitted mobile command centers – and everything in between.

Many command level officers found the driving simulator offered by Doron Precision Systems to be fascinating and so realistic, offering a virtual law enforcement driving environment — as never before. Doron is the recognized world leader in such systems. They’re from Binghamton, NY. Look, I’ve been to Binghamton many times and it snows a lot there. Seems they’ve had plenty of time to design very effective, realistic driving simulator systems.

Mobility was also a highlight of the convention. Two of my favorite companies, BMW Motorrad and Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc., exhibited a strong presence at the conference. The 2009 Harley-Davidson police model FLs sported an all new frame, rear swingarm, increased GVWR, 68-Tooth Rear Sprocket and “Optimized ABS.” The overall result of these various product changes should be increased rider/officer comfort and performance.

Buell, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, showcased the new Buell Ulysses XB12XP, which has a tough, go-anywhere, do-anything appearance. If you’re looking for a dual-purpose (on/off road) law enforcement motorcycle you should take a good look at the all new Ulysses. In fact, I’ve written about this new motorcycle before, so you may wish to review my earlier article.

The BMW R 1200 RT-P represents one of the finest purpose-built police model motorcycles ever devised. The new R 1200 RT-P features a fully integrated LED emergency lighting system package, which was jointly developed by BMW and Code 3 PSE. The emergency lighting system offers many unique features and adjustability. Innovations remain the hallmark of BMW, an excellent example is this is the new, optional tire pressure monitoring. If you’d like to know how the new BMW’s performed in the 2008 Michigan State Police Vehicle Test, please visit www.michigan.gov/msp.

Carbon Motors attended with their new purpose made squad car, which was impressive. The price tag is as of yet unknown; however, Carbon Motors has certainly considered every aspect of what a real patrol vehicle should be. Examples of its features include a forced induction clean diesel engine, fully integrated emergency option equipment and a cockpit fitted with all necessary law enforcement equipment. In short, the new Carbon has it all, plus the appearance of a squad car of tomorrow, and it should be available in the near term future.

I don’t know about you, but the 2009 Dodge Charger looks like it’s going over 100 MPH just sitting there. What an aggressive, lean and mean look. Best in class top speed, at 148 MPH. That optional HEMI® V8 engine is something. Add in the Police-Specific ESP (Electronic Stability Control) and best-in-class braking characteristics. In short, what a squad! If I could, I’d trade in those old squads tomorrow.

Speaking of mobility, T3 Motion offers a wonderful variety of personal mobility vehicles in several different sizes and shapes. Though they’re known for their various three-wheel configurations, they also now have a small four-wheel, enclosed vehicle. The T3 Series offers command presence, projecting authority, agile handling and the ability to go most anywhere. Personally, I’d stick with my motor, but the T3 Series makes a great deal of sense – electric motor, zero emissions and inexpensive to operate. Talk about going green!

If you ever have the opportunity to participate in any of the IACP Conferences, you need to do so. You’ll find the IACP to be an organization best known for sharing information, but also tops when it comes to networking and making new acquaintances amongst law enforcement worldwide.

Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Skills Championship 2008

Gonzales, LA
October 15-18, 2008

What a great training site. The Cabela’s Mega-Store (www.cabelas.com) located in Gonzales, LA (www.gonzalesla.com), offered plenty of room for competition and customers alike. In addition, Cabela’s management team proved supportive and involved on all fronts. What a positive and refreshing attitude.

The Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Skills Competition (www.gulfcoastmcrodeo.com) began back in the mid-1990’s and was held in Galveston, TX for several years. Most notably, this training venue is a charitable event with funds raised donated to the Dream Day Foundation (www.dreamdayfoundation.org), which directly benefits St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.com). To date, motor officers involved in this event have raised about $188,000 for this laudable charity.

Onsite registration began Wednesday, October 15th at 8:00 a.m. Registration was held right at the track and all participants had to be registered before entering the track for practice. These were busy days, with lots of intense course practice and renewing occasional, or more likely, annual acquaintances.

I’ve spent way too much time in the Deep South as I really enjoy the way this skills and training venue is conducted. Practice starts several days before the actual competition, so there’s ample time practice — to your hearts content. There’s never a rush and even practice was conducted in a thoughtful, methodical manner. Here you can experience Southern Hospitality at its best.

For the most part the weather held just fine for us, with the exception of course – clearing rain on Friday afternoon. We enjoyed warm and sunny Louisiana days, cool, early fall nights.

First Impressions:

• Harleys rule — 94 competing motor officers and only two were riding a different brand - BMW (www.bmwmotorcycles.com/pdfs.spec/r1200rtp.pdf).
• The 2009 MY Harley-Davidson FLs (www.harley-davidson.com) require a great deal more clearance on the course, with the course needing to be opened up 22” – a whooping 11” inches on each side.
• The new rear tire on the H-D should improve mileage and handling characteristics but this is going to be interesting…
• The committee members know how to put together a great event and keep the “troops” entertained.

One of the most impressive aspects of this years’ event was the Motor Officer Survival School portion of the training. First, this was an abbreviated course, which condenses forty hours of training into a short time period. The actual program was conducted by Deputy Hayden Brown, representing the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office (www.lpso.org) and also Corporal David Wallace of the Baton Rouge Police Department (http://ci.baton-rouge.la.us/Dept/brpd/). Here’s just a quick synopsis:

• Confrontations are winnable; moreover, having a “winning mind set” is critical.
• You’re first and only thought: You’re going home to your family.
• You’d better practice the basics, e.g., handcuffing techniques, close quarter control and proper use of the radio. In short, the basics are critical.
• Dismount to the right and stay out of the traffic lanes.
• Subjects may not expect a right-side vehicle approach.
• Don’t forget to use the motor to your full advantage, for cover, concealment.
• You can easily drop down and effectively move all around your motor and shoot from under the motor itself - your assailant will not expect such moves.
• You can move all around that motor and use its full protection.
• When you’re dismounting, place your right hand on your weapon, shift your left hand to the right handlebar for stability and dismount to the right.
• Whatever you do, make certain you either unfasten your helmet or remove it altogether. As you might expect, your helmet also makes a great target.
• Practice drills and various scenarios – think about what you would do in advance and mentally role play those scenarios to a successful conclusion.
• Take full advantage of in-service training activities, practice.
• Win any fight.

Deputy Brown also conducts a formal forty hour training seminar, which is focused on Motor Officer Survival School. There’s a very nominal tuition charge, $150/forty hours, or $3.75 / per hour – extremely affordable and highly effective training. BTW, many years ago now, I attended the Heckler and Koch Motor Officer Survival Training Program (no longer in existence) and I believe the normal fee was on the order of $1000 for the same type of course! Thankfully, I listened and employed what I’d learned…and survived. In short, I would recommend this program to any motor officer. If you’d like additional information please contact Deputy Brown, Ph. 225.686.2241, ext. 703, or E-mail: hbrown@lpso.org.

We’ll provide full results once published; however, if you’re interested in participating in a worthwhile motor officer training event this venue should be at the top of your list. The wonderful hospitality and cordial attitude of all involved is noteworthy. Special thanks to Baton Rouge PD (http://ci.baton-rouge.la.us/Dept/brpd/) Sergeant Carl Dabadie and Corporal David Wallace for a job well done — and then some!

Orange County Traffic Officer’s 2008 Annual Law Enforcement Motorcycle Training & Skills Competition

Thursday, October 8, 2008
0700 – 1800 Hours
Huntington Beach, California

Dawn broke over the Pacific Ocean with surfers lining up across the golden sands. This site is close to “Surf City” long famous for some of the finest waters in the surfing world. In the distance, Catalina Island appears, surrounded in a blue/gray foggy mist of early morning. What a great picturesque spot for a rodeo competition! This site beats any other similar venue, or event, which I’ve been privileged to attend. One Mission Viejo Motor Officer said that, “It’s like living on the Riviera,” and I’d have to agree with his assessment. Assuredly, Orange County, California has a lot to offer.

This is a major one day competitive event and most likely the premier event from the standpoint of attendance. It’s also noteworthy to say that this is a regional event, with most participating officers from either the Los Angeles or Orange County areas.

My first impressions this year –

• There are more Honda ST1300P’s
• Modular helmets seem to be gaining converts
• Weapons retention is taken seriously in this region
• Training uniforms look more like SWAT than ever before
• This area used to be dominated by Kawasaki, which is no longer the case (no KZ1000P’s this year)

Coincidentally, this year the event fell on the last day of COPSWEST Convention, which may have cut into attendance, but you certainly couldn’t tell that was the case…

Participating BMW and Honda dealers offered t-shirts to each motor officer, which was very well received. Both Huntington Beach Honda and Irv Seaver BMW (Orange, CA) had a strong presence and were involved in showcasing/demoing their latest product offerings. Unfortunately, Harley-Davidson was unable to attend, with factory staff attending COPSWEST and no authorized dealer present.

The TOP GUN exercise was quite a different experience, with a “follow the leader” design. That is, the lead officer would go into the exercise and traveled a pattern of his/her choosing, followed in hot pursuit by a second motor officer. The second officer was instructed to follow the exact pattern as the first officer in the exercise. This led to some interesting “strategies” being employed by the lead riders, usually too much for the second officer. It was competitive…with the top officers from each scenario advancing to the final. Top Gun was Officer Watkins of the Pasadena PD; we’ll have complete results available as soon as they’re published.

I’m used to rodeos and safety competitions which usually go on for several days, so it all seemed to be over too quickly.

Senior Officer Richard Wright of the Huntington Beach Police Department coordinated efforts with all participating and did a tremendous job – once again! Richard has tried to pass along some responsibilities to others, but there’s no one else quite as talented to lead this endeavor. Kudos for a job well done!

Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Safety Competition - 2008

Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Riding Committee

Dateline: Arlington, VA – The Pentagon

As my memory serves, the Mid-Atlantic was the very first police motorcycle rodeo and training competition, dating back to 1979 – 29 years of service to the police motorcycle community. It’s not true that I attended the first Mid-Atlantic training venue, as has been alleged, but over the years I have been to many of the safety competitions.

What really sets the Mid-Atlantic apart is a team of very dedicated committee members. The Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Riding Committee, Inc. (MAPMRC, Inc.) is mindful of every aspect of the event and works carefully to ensure that the expectations of participating motor officers, vendors and spectators are met – and then some!

As background, the committee was incorporated in 1988 as The Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Riding Committee, Inc. with its emphasis on increasing the “safe operation” of police motorcycles and increasing the skills of individual motor officers.

Ten years ago the committee voted to make C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) the official charity of this event and since that time they have raised just under $150,000 for that laudable charitable endeavor.

This year, the event was jointly hosted by the Arlington County Police (VA) and the Pentagon Police. It was held in a large parking area near the Pentagon. Alright, it was adjacent to the Pentagon through a long tunnel running beneath I-395. As an aside, I would have loved to have ridden through that tunnel – it looked to be a challenge. There’s just something about riding a Harley-Davidson police motorcycle through a tunnel. Regardless, the location was great and the late summer weather was perfect.

Participants came from as far as Broward County, Florida (Broward Sheriff’s Office Motor Unit, Fort Lauderdale, FL) with some sixteen officers. They were also accompanied by a long-time friend of mine, Mr. Barry Kuhnly of Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson. Mr. Kuhnly is a former motor officer (Pompano Beach PD); however, I don’t know if Barry really ever convinced himself that he’s retired – it’s simply in the blood, just as is the case with most of us to this day.

Apart from a great deal of practice before the actual event began with the Challenge Ride on Friday, the committee also gave some officers the opportunity to enjoy the Washington, D.C. area. One night the committee hosted a boat tour of the Potomac River and the sites along its banks and the next night they hosted a personal tour of the Pentagon. These opportunities are few and far between these days.

We’ll publish the actual rodeo results once they become available to us; however, Fairfax County Police Department remains the department to beat. Their skill levels are difficult to replicate anywhere else in the country. In the future, if you have a chance to compete against any of the motor officers participating in this event, then I would encourage you to come prepared.

I’m proud to say that I’ve ridden with many of the participating officers during Police Memorial Week each year, but I admit to being just an average rider when compared to the talents of these competent officers and the teams participating this year.

Harley-Davidson - 105 Years of Motoring Magic

Video Link: Click here

Dateline: Milwaukee, WI

They cast a giant shadow, which looms large over the Milwaukee landscape to this very day. Yes, the many motor officers, motorcyclists and related aficionados made for a tremendous presence in Milwaukee. However, the “shadows” to which I refer are actually the four original founding fathers of Harley-Davidson: William, Walter and Arthur Davidson, and William Harley. Their personal impact on the city, which to this day is headquarters for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, is beyond measure. Yes, the original founders would be proud men indeed — from humble beginnings to a behemoth of a company today. Alright, you may have mixed feelings about the product or individual dealers, but you can’t argue with success! Harley-Davidson has survived a great depression, wars, and a variety of demand fluctuations to remain the market leader in super-heavyweight motorcycles.

Riders came from all over to celebrate the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary. I personally encountered individuals from all across Europe, including several personal acquaintances of mine who are engaged in Harley-Davidson Military Sales abroad, but also Brazilians, Japanese and Australians. Fortunately, it’s late summer in Milwaukee and the weather played a perfect host to visitors from far and wide. Everyone was made to feel right at home.

Looking back, there was so much to see and do that it’s almost beyond comprehension. If you’re the type of individual who really enjoys crowds you would have reveled in Bruce Springsteen’s concert and the rousing ballads, or rock anthems, which are his trademark. On the other hand, if you prefer history, the new Harley-Davidson Museum was in high-gear. From the Miller Brewing Tour in the valley to Harley-Davidson facility tours, there was something for everyone in Milwaukee. The great food and the wonderful gemutlikeit will be remembered for many years.

About 150 police motor officers from all across the U.S., Canada and France attended the 100th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson Police and Fleet Sales. Training classes were held at State Fair Park, in addition to instructor re-certification and a sponsor/vendor fair. According to the latest reports, about $50,000 was raised for Concerns of Police Survivors – a most deserving charitable endeavor dedicated to supporting the families of those officers slain in the line-of-duty. What a laudable achievement. I’m proud to say that Setcom was part of this successful effort.

The Police and Fleet Sales 100th Anniversary Opening Ceremony was something to see, with a choreographed appearance by a joint drill team representing the Wisconsin State Patrol, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the Milwaukee Police Department. The rousing national anthems of the three great participating countries, the U.S., Canada and France, set the tone for cooperation and respect amongst brother officers.

Then, there was the day the earth moved – Parade Day. The parade on Saturday was also an event to remember, with some 7,500 pre-selected participants being greeted by spectators in the tens-of-thousands. Harley owners’ group chapters from every part of the globe were represented. Most importantly, police motorcycles played a major role before, during and after the parade, making sense of traffic in the face of an onslaught of every type of motorized transportation.

If you haven’t been to Milwaukee, you should go. It’s a great, clean, industrial city situated on beautiful Lake Michigan. If you go, plan your travels for summertime, maybe for the 110th – it’s now just five years away.

The level of planning for such a monumental event normally takes about two years to bring to fruition, but by then it all appears to go so easily that it’s deceptive. Congratulations are in order for all of the Harley-Davidson team members who worked tirelessly to make this event a success; please know that you made all the difference and your customers noticed!

We’ll make the formal results from the training competition known – once they’re formally released. Otherwise, let’s just say that those Jacksonville motor officers can ride!

Everyone left the city with a smile – which will last for the many miles ahead.

Ride Safe.

Changes abound in the Harley-Davidson 2009 Model Year Motorcycle Product Line

Dateline: Las Vegas, NV
July 24, 2008

Harley-Davidson held its annual Summer Dealer Meeting in the desert this week, with Las Vegas welcoming authorized dealers and staff from all around the US and well beyond our shores.

Harley-Davidson is on the move, with more miles of road ahead! There are so many changes to the 2009 Model Year product that it would be difficult to adequately detail them all — then there would be the spreadsheets, which I’d need to effectively communicate. Since we don’t have the time, or the capacity, for such a PowerPoint presentation, I’ll do my best to be succinct and hit the highlights of the many changes to each family of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.

I’ve always been an FL fan. As example, during my years at Harley-Davidson I attended Daytona Bike Week activities for more than twenty years…different years, of course. Okay, if it would have been 80 degrees in New York during the month of March maybe I would have spent more time there. Regardless, during many of the years I traveled to Daytona I worked the FL line at our demo activities, which were focused at the Speedway site. As far as features, benefits and resulting real benefits was concerned, let’s just say that I had it pegged. Today would be a different story, as there are so many new features on the FL product line up alone that it would be hard to remember the list!

The Lap of Luxury — Seven FL touring models now roll with an all new chassis, which combines a new single-spar, rigid backbone frame, swingarm, engine mounting, wheels and tires, plus a totally redesigned exhaust. Top all those features with additional luggage capacity, enhanced heat management and longer tire life. The total package should add up to great looking and better handling motorcycles. Did I mention the great new exhaust system – your “significant other” should really enjoy this great upgrade.

It’s about time… Introducing the Tri-Glide Ultra Classic
What’s old is new again. For fans of the revered Servi-Car Harley-Davidson harkens back to a bygone era and brings forth a revelation – the 2009 Tri-Glide Ultra Classic. The all new three-wheeler offers the very best in ride, image and style. Okay, we’re all getting older and this new motorcycle makes perfect sense. I’ve already encouraged one of my friends to consider one…now if they just made it in Birch White…This new motorcycle should be as comfortable to ride as your recliner at home…

Muscle Man – The new V-Rod Muscle brings all new energy to the VRSC model line up. Remember, this is the engine Harley-Davidson worked with Porsche to design. The high-revving 1250 Revolution Engine makes an unreal amount of horsepower, as I recall, it’s something like 120 HP. The new V-Rod Muscle also features a sweeping side-pipe exhaust system, a short rear end and huge (muscular) air scoops. In short, hold on for the ride of your life.

Dyna Street Bob – Many riders I know just love their Dynas. For 2009 the Dyna Street Bob gets a fresh look with a newly chopped rear fender, LED taillight (ominous) and a blacked out powertrain. Dynas – love ‘em or else.

Heritage Softail Classic – Why should H-D mess with such perfection? Naturally, that’s not in the “cards” for 2009. Okay, maybe a bit of an update. I recall one time when I rode my Softail to a Milwaukee Custard Stand – it was a new motorcycle. Several people came up and asked if it was from the 50’s – 60’s. How’s that’s for nostalgia brought to life? 2009 brings an updated “Cat Eye” center console, combined with taller handlebars, and now optional chrome aluminum profile lace wheels, including wide whitewall tires. Gosh, I love those wide whitewalls. They’d be a perfect fit for cruising Ocean Drive, Miami Beach on a warm summer night.

Sportster Mania — Given fuel at over $4 a gallon, a Sportster for around town, county and state certainly makes more sense than ever before. Select 2009 models offer recalibrated suspensions and improved damping, which results in better ride quality. All Sportster and FX model motorcycles now have a new front fender, designed in such a manner as to better match the radius of the front tire. The real benefit – this change effectively acts to close the gap between front fender and the tire, resulting in a much cleaner look and more smiles per mile.

Custom Vehicle Operations – Just like SVO at Ford, Harley-Davidson goes above and beyond the “call of duty” with the CVO line. New for 2009, the CVO Fat Bob and CVO Road Glide are both powered by the Screamin’ Eagle 110 V-Twin engine and are offered just dripping in bright chrome, wild paint schemes and great new accessories. The CVO Ultra (Some call this the Ultra - Ultra) and the CVO Springer also make encore appearances with the 2009 line.

Paint Colors – Harley-Davidson will offer six new paint colors for 2009, in addition to three custom color choices.

What a great motorcycle product line-up for 2009 Model Year. If you’d like to review additional information please click this link.

Sources for much of this information:
1.) Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc.
2.) A dealer friend of mine who was in the mood to share…and
3.) My memory…

Loud Pipes – Mixed Emotions

The Environmental Protection Agency, under auspices of the Noise Control Act, has acted to address motorcycle noise, though they haven’t exactly met with roaring success. Sorry about the bad pun.

As background, all motorcycle manufacturers have been building, testing, and labeling their motorcycles and their quiet, original equipment exhaust systems (as required by the federal laws and regulations), going all the way back to 1983. Let’s be clear, this is not an issue involving OE (original equipment) exhaust, or mufflers installed on a production line somewhere. All manufacturers must be in full compliance with noise standards, period. Clearly, the noise issue stems from the design, production and sale of straight-pipes by any number of aftermarket manufacturers, foreign and domestic.

Come on, I’d just like one night of sleep. I distinctly remember one night in Daytona during Bike Week, when I stayed in a room in an unnamed prestigious hotel, which immediately faces Florida Highway A1A. Suffice to say, that was one tough night. The noise level was simply overwhelming. I believe I finally fell asleep about 4:00 A.M., the next morning. Gosh, I thought those pillows were meant to be under one’s head.

So, what’s a straight-pipe design? They’re mufflers without any sort of baffles; similar in design to the barrel of a shot gun.

Okay, so these exhaust systems are in need of some oversight. Is that the responsibility of local, state, or the Federal Government? I’ve learned that there may now be a New York statute, which will fine riders a minimum of $440 if their mufflers, or exhaust systems, can be heard outside of 200 feet. As yet another example, it’s reported that the City of Denver, Colorado has acted to effectively ban any type of aftermarket exhaust system on motorcycles less than 25 years old, which is now an offense punishable with a $500 fine. In short, there’s a growing effort on the state and local level to take action against motorcycle noise.

The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that the Oakland Police Department has acted to install somewhat louder, aftermarket pipes onto their fleet of Harley-Davidson FLHP Road Kings. According to the article, safety concerns spread within the department some three months ago when a motor officer riding with stock OE pipes was struck by a motorist - who then claimed that he didn’t hear the motor officer approaching. In my mind, officer safety is of paramount importance, period.

Motorcycle Industry Council Spokesman Mike Mount has been quoted as saying, “We encourage all motorcycle riders to keep the original low sound levels that meet the federal sound limit of 80 decibels.” He added, “It would seem counterintuitive that a law enforcement agency would go against federal standards.” Especially considering that recent laws have been clamping down on loud bike exhausts.

Let’s be mindful that the Oakland Police Department did not purchase and install classic straight-pipes. Rather, the OPD made an informed decision designed in such a manner as to improve motor officer visibility and personal safety. Moreover, their efforts should be applauded.

Solution: Let’s enforce the existing laws and act to rid the streets of straight-pipes, those running without baffles. After all, they’re easy enough for us to spot. We certainly don’t need a new array of state and local laws, which conflict with federal standards. In short, it’s time for us all to get some sleep.

The New Buell Ulysses XB12XP – Police Motorcycle on Steroids

Dateline: East Troy, WI. USA

One look at this bad boy tells you it means business. The new Buell XB12XP Ulysses Police Motorcycle is one tough hombre. In short, it has an “arresting appearance.” It reminds me of the new Dodge Charger, with that aggressive, take no prisoner’s attitude. There’s a lot to this package and yet a few features MIA, but more on that later. Otherwise, check out the formal press release (Word doc) and stated specifications for additional insight, or visit buell.com for more info.

Buell has properly positioned the Ulysses as a go-anywhere, does-anything police model motorcycle. They don’t state climbing ability in the product highlights, but I bet it could do just about anything you might have in mind. Climb the Rockies, maybe.

Ground clearance is a healthy 6.75”; any more and you’d need an optional accessory ladder just to mount this mighty steed.

The standard OE Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires look trick; however, there’s no mention of bead-retention design (so that the tire remains on the wheel during sudden loss of air pressure). This may be just an oversight in the specifications. Nevertheless, given the advanced nature of this new motorcycle perhaps consideration should have been given to adding special run-flat tires. Oh, then there’s also the ABS issue.

All of the police motorcycle manufacturers I know of offer police-type solo seats (we also call them “saddles” – from days gone by) but Buell is taking a different approach, offering a seat which will also accommodate a passenger.

This trick Buell has great gas mileage, 51 MPG/urban and 64 MPG/highway…but if command makes us start riding two-up that’s another thing all together. I know, gas is now around $4 gallon. Mind you, I’ve been to some places in the world where officers riding two-up is SOP, but let’s hope that it never comes to that here.

Some of the other features offered result in great benefits for the officer/rider. As example, standard heated grips; alright, it’s about time. The standard oil cooler and quick-release tall windscreen (windshield) are both great features, which will pay lasting dividends for the motor officer. A Siren and LED pursuit light package is also offered (colors your choice).

This motorcycle makes some real power, outfitted with the latest Thunderstorm 1203cc V-Twin, 103 peak hp. After all, it’s really about stopping the offender as quickly and safely as possible.

Harley-Davidson Police Model FL’s just went to a larger gas tank (6 gallons), but the Ulysses is outfitted with an advanced fuel reservoir, built into the frame, which features a capacity of 4.4 gallons.

As I recall, the Kawasaki KZ1000P Police Motorcycle (1975 to RIP 2005) weighed in dry at 595 lbs. The Ulysses is just 480 lbs. (dry, but fully up-fitted for service). Now, that’s impressive.

Low center of gravity and mass centralization remain the hallmark of Buell products, which is layman’s terms means better handling, cornering, and all-around riding performance. I owned a Buell X1 Lightning for several years and I can attest to the fact that these motorcycles handle, perform and then some!

Henry Ford would be proud – the Ulysses is offered in either Midnight Black or Birch White.

Authorized Buell dealers are already able to order this new motorcycle, for production and delivery August, 2008 (and thereafter) as a 2009 MY product. Given my experience there may be a waiting list – and soon.

When I served with the Village of East Troy Police Department we had an older Buell (an S3 Thunderbolt, as I recall) that Buell had provided to us gratis. They’re good corporate citizens. I rode it but preferred the Harley-Davidson; it’s all about image. However, I think that if I could turn back the hands-of-time and the Ulysses was offered I’d be the first officer in line.