Sheriff's office hopes to buy motorcycles
Photo 
Jude Maurer
JANESVILLE — This summer, Rock County taxpayers could get a break on gas prices.
It's not something they'll see at the pumps, but rather on the road in the form of two Harley-Davidson Electra Glide police motorcycles used by the Rock County Sheriff's Office.
On Thursday, the Rock County Board's finance committee agreed to buy the two motorcycles, contingent on the approval by the public safety and justice committee and the full board.
It's unlikely, however, that the measure will fail since the motorcycles were part of the 2012 budget approved last November.
Why motorcycles?
"We've had motorcycles in the fleet for several years," said Capt. Jude Maurer, head of the sheriff's office patrol division.
In the past, the sheriff's office leased the motorcycles from Kutter Harley-Davidson at "significantly reduced prices" as part of a deal from the local store and corporation.
The company is no longer offering the lease. The county put out bids for the motorcycles and Kutter's came in at $14,000 each.
"That's a pretty good deal," said Kutter salesperson Jim Palmer.
The motorcycles gas mileage is in the "high 40s" Palmer said.
Saving gas was one reason to buy the motorcycles.
"The advantage of motorcycles is in traffic safety," Maurer said. "It gives a deputy using radar more flexibility."
In other words, a motorcycle is a lot easier to hide than a police sedan.
The sheriff's office also got positive feedback about the motorcycle program, Maurer said.
"It gives us the ability to make more one-on-one contacts," he said. "It helps break the barrier between the police and the community."
In addition to traditional patrol assignments, deputies also rode the motorcycles in parades, funerals and community-sponsored events.
Three deputies have been trained and certified in the use of the motorcycles, and two more deputies will attend training in Ohio.
The motorcycles, which will be used during first and second shifts, will operate from May to October.
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:22 a.m.
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If you speed you should get a ticket. I think they are great. Don't break the laws and wont get a ticket. Do the crime and pay the fine. I just want each motorcycle driver to be careful so you can go home yo your family.
Feb 23, 2012 at 9:33 p.m.
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Glad to see motors are up for use again this year. I wished they would have had a decent bid from Victory, Kawasaki, or Honda. Love the new Kawasaki Enforcer. Check out this video at the Annual Las Vegas Motor Rodeo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ii7y7SxY... .
And no, he's not suppose to drop his foot or the cones.
The new Kawasaki Enforcer 1400 has the best rake and mobility of any motor unit today including the BMW RTP.
The California Highway Patrol has just ordered that all BMW motors in its' fleet be phased out and replaced with the Kawasaki over the next 3 years.
The CHP has been working with and testing the new Kawasaki over the last 2 years. And not 1 HD in its' fleet. That must say something...
Feb 23, 2012 at 5:10 p.m.
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Harley davidsons...really? Did the county even consider another make? Victory is amercian made and another more dependable alternative. Most large departments that use motorcycles typically use the BMW. Most cops that have rode mutiple bikes choose the BMW by a huge margin. Honda also makes a police bike, based off of their 12oo sport/touring bike. As stated previously I'm quite sure Triumph also has an offering. It's likely that the county had only Harley Davidsons quoted. If they were really knowledgable on the subject, and wanted bikes with true power, fuel efficiency, and something designed with better amenities they would have looked at all of these models. I would bet honda and even BMW would have blown Harley away on pricing. Not to mention when it comes to dependability, agility, power, and comfortable handling the BMW would blow the harley away any day of the week.
Feb 23, 2012 at 4:38 p.m.
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Why can't just utilize predators from the Air Force and cut the budget?
The Predator would serve as a high tech flying IPad and take license plate pictures with high powered cameras and then people would get a ticket via an email or in the mail....the Predators would also scare away all the vultures flying around the nasty Janesville landfill...
http://science.howstuffworks.com/predato...
Feb 23, 2012 at 4:28 p.m.
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Some Rock County Board member has a relative that works for HDavidson...
Feb 23, 2012 at 4:01 p.m.
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Also, I wonder if they shopped the Triumph dealership on Highway 14?
Feb 23, 2012 at 3:58 p.m.
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I can see having a couple motorcycles in the department, but not for just running radar and not sure HD is the way to go, dependability and performance-wise. But, I suppose if they didn't buy American, that would open up a whole other can of worms. I wonder how much research/shopping went into this decision, as there are other American-made cycles out there, if that was a deciding factor.
Feb 23, 2012 at 2:43 p.m.
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Purrmaid - Thank you. The obvious can be difficult for some to grasp.
Feb 23, 2012 at 1:51 p.m.
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Well said, Spark.
Feb 23, 2012 at 11:54 a.m.
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does the fourteen grand include the upgrades to patrol car specs; ie, computers, radios, etc.? my guess; probably not but you won't get that question answered for the taxpayers. anyway, twenty-eight thousand will buy a lot of gas. also, how will the insurance rates rise? i bet a lot. i didn't see that in the story.
Feb 23, 2012 at 11:21 a.m.
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Good motorcycles and they are getting a good price on them. American made, I know that bothers some to see American made vehicles being purchased, but at least the local governments use taxpayer money to buy products that give jobs to Americans.
Feb 23, 2012 at 10:56 a.m.
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Maybe if they stopped driving around those Tahoe's they could save some gas...
Feb 23, 2012 at 10:54 a.m.
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This is an unwise use of taxpayers' money, and the County Board should not approve the purchase.
Feb 23, 2012 at 7:59 a.m.
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Seriously people? Do you think police departments just go by used chevy cavaliers for $14,000 and use them as patrol cars? You understand the cars need to be fully equipped and at least have a decent motor with power in order to properly pursue when needed right? I'm not sure where some of you are buying your vehicles, but $14,000 for a vehicle doesn't get you much. I suppose instead of spending the money on a fully trained German Shepard Police Dog you would rather they buy a wiener dog at Petco. Complain, complain, complain.
Feb 23, 2012 at 5:46 a.m.
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They just grew up watching too many episodes of CHiPs..bet they argue over who gets to play Ponch and who is John (though its interesting to note that in the TV show they rode Kawasakis and not Harleys)
Feb 23, 2012 at 4:50 a.m.
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I don't think we need anymore cops sitting in the bushes looking to write speeding tickets. If they want to slow traffic then they should be out and be seen so people will slow down. Bad justification for motorcycles but it would be good duty if you can get it.
Feb 23, 2012 at 12:06 a.m.
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The use of motorcycles doesn't seem very practical for use in rural Rock County. Especially with the number of deer in the area.
Feb 22, 2012 at 10:20 p.m.
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I went out and did some very rudimentary research on motorcycle cops pros and cons, and even patrol forums around couldn't nail down any big advantage of having motorcycles instead of cars.
One thing I did notice, many cops say "it's not if you're going to wreck... it's when - and it'll always be worse than in a car"
They also say a couple of big cons are - you're less agile/fast with your bike gear and you don't normally carry a shotgun or rifle. You're great for traffic enforcement, but you're less effective offensively and defensively in a dangerous situation.
I say the costs of the bike are only a small part of this conversation. What is the additional cost of maintenance, insurance, health insurance premium on the officer, and effectiveness of the officer in the county vs. a patrol car bound officer.
Feb 22, 2012 at 10:15 p.m.
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Sigma40, do you every have anything positive or productive to say??? You seem like to the type of person who loves to complain, but won’t do anything to help out. I bet if they brought foreign motorcycles, you’d whine “why didn’t they buy American”… Harleys aren’t the most expensive motorcycles for one, go price a Honda Goldwing. $14000 is probably about half the price of a squad car, so if they use it half the year it equals out. Plus there’re saving money on gas, that’s pretty financially responsible.
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:35 p.m.
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Why buy the most expensive bikes available? And $14k for vehicle that can only be ridden half a year? I think its just a wanted tradition to buy Harleys, So just because they want to be traditional they put away their logic in this financial decision.
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:12 p.m.
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There are other issues in this "country" not "county" that need attention...whoooopie the cops want to wear butt-less leather pants. It will just be easier to get away from them riding on their 800+lb chunk of heavy metal, leaking oil, and not being able to stop with the pathetic braking systems. But, Harley's are American made right? I would think everyone would be happy about that...wait maybe it's American assembled...I always mix that up.
Feb 22, 2012 at 8:11 p.m.
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$14,000 is cheaper than the $50,000 vehicles. With less wear and tear on two vehicles and cheaper maintenance it is cost effective since that gives longer life to those other vehicles not on the road as often. I do however agree with the comments on the cost of an accident with one of these. I would like to know, didn't you nay sayers read the article? the department used to lease the bikes from Kutter previously. The cost was still there previously. Problably at a higher cost since lease costs more. Plus, now the department has an asset than will be auctioned off when the bikes get out of date. Thus recouping a small portion of the bikes
Lastly, I am not a motorcyclist, but I think Kutter is one of the greatest assets to Janesville in many ways. For one, I like how their bid does not rape a government institution like many other companies most likely did on some of the bids. Kutter is selling these bikes at what it would cost you and I if we were to buy a bike tricked out as these will be. Seriously, some of you are not that money wise.
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:22 p.m.
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They could consider the Ural Motorcycle...its a side-car motorcycle, and can be ridden year round.
www.ural.com
I own and ride a Ural, its a great bike and very dependable. I formerly rode harleys...no more though.
Feb 22, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
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PT,it's their not there. There is also a ? at the end of a question.
Feb 22, 2012 at 6:27 p.m.
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"In other words,a motorcycle is alot easier to hide than a police sedan". Can you say speed trap?
Feb 22, 2012 at 6:22 p.m.
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As a former supervisor once pointed out, it's not if, but when, you'll crash. So we get to pay the medical expenses for motorcycles used half the year. Great.
Feb 22, 2012 at 6:20 p.m.
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Rain,snow,sleet,hail.We live in Wisconsin. How many days will they be using these in a year? In the mean time, they will be driving the regular cars when they are not on the bikes. That means that they will have to retain the current squads and all of the expenses that go with them. Sounds like an excuse for a taxpayer provided motorcycle ride.
Feb 22, 2012 at 5:50 p.m.
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Didn't take long for the "haters" to start there Rhetoric did it...
Feb 22, 2012 at 5:17 p.m.
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They couldve bought 2 used sport bikes for 4500 a piece and gotten 55+ mpg! Noooo Gotta ride the Harleys! What a joke
Feb 22, 2012 at 5:15 p.m.
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Spending 28000 on motorcycles is going to save us money?
Feb 22, 2012 at 5:14 p.m.
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$14,000 is about the cost of a small car! And 40 mpg is average for that size of car. Where is the savings? Whose bright idea is this?
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