Ohio State Highway Patrol Makes It Official: "Nice Bike!"

[hschisler]

Mrs. hschisler and I were on the way to Monroe, OH this afternoon to pick up our Unigo trailer. During rush hour traffic on I-71 in downtown Columbus an Ohio State Highway Patrol motor officer came out of nowhere on our right side, taking a position about 50 feet ahead, and then slowed down. I was in the #1 lane; when I saw him slow down and look left at us I backed off, thinking he wanted to merge left in front of us for some reason. (hey, who am I to argue with a State Trooper? :) )

Instead of merging, State Trooper waves me up to his side. We were wondering what was up -- something wrong with the bike? Instead, he gives us a thumbs-up and yells from lane #2 (and this is a direct quote): "Nice bike! It's the same thing I have at home!" Wifey gave him a thumbs up in return, I saluted, and he took off to continue his duties.

We laughed about that for an hour. Traffic around us had no idea what that was about, and we think it's one of the neatest things to happen to us with the LT. :cool:

The best part? We recognized him as one of 4 OSHP motor officers who escorted the A.D. Farrow Toys For Kids event last winter. (I have his business card but will withhold his name here in an effort to be Politically Correct.) We were part of that menagerie. When we pulled into the HD parking lot to begin the escorted ride, he came striding over to us to tell us the same thing: "Nice bike! It's the same thing I have at home!"

I think he likes the LT. Too bad he has to ride a HD on the job.

[PMitchell]

Very Cool Howard! :thumb:

[bowlesj]

Great Howard, you got your trailer. So, how is it?

[gpolakow]

would recognize they'd be a lot happier on LTs than HDs!

[astuber]

While I haven't had any LEO's pull up beside me and say anything, I do get a lot of waves from LEO's when riding, expecially from the motorcycle officers.

[gerryrenstrom]

would recognize they'd be a lot happier on LTs than HDs!The State of Ohio would probably go bankrupt if their Highway Patrol rode LT's.

[hschisler]

Great Howard, you got your trailer. So, how is it?A write-up is forthcoming. The short version: Nice. :cool:

[hschisler]

would recognize they'd be a lot happier on LTs than HDs!Funny you should mention that! When I first met this motor officer last December, he said he lobbied real hard for the RT-P when the unit was being put together. His CO is a diehard HD fan, however, and the rest is history... :(

[hschisler]

The State of Ohio would probably go bankrupt if their Highway Patrol rode LT's.Not if you keep in mind that our State Patrol has a well-deserved reputation for enforcing traffic laws; I'd think they could generate enough income to pay for the LT's maintenance bills!

[dpaz]

HD has a $1.00 a year rental on the police bikes (unless they changed that recently) but all maintenance must be done through the dealership. Just a note.. That is why they went the HD route.

[gerryrenstrom]

Not if you keep in mind that our State Patrol has a well-deserved reputation for enforcing traffic laws; I'd think they could generate enough income to pay for the LT's maintenance bills!
I don't know how the State of Ohio works. But in California, none of the citation revenue goes to the highway patrol. All of it goes to the city or county where the tickets written. The CHP is funded by vehicle registration only. Thats why you will never see a CHP officer pass by a vehicle that has overdue registration where a city or county officer could care less.

Just food for thought........

PS- If BMW didn't give such a lucrative purchase and buy back package and incentives to the the law enforcement agencies who ride them, you wouldn't see them at all. Their expensive to buy, maintain and they have huge warranty costs. It not just about which is the best bike, its more about cost over the life of the unit. BMW is doing the same thing Harley Davidson did back in the early 90's to try to take the police market back from Kawasaki.

[UncleMark]

If BMW didn't give such a lucrative purchase and buy back package and incentives to the the law enforcement agencies who ride them, you wouldn't see them at all. Their expensive to buy, maintain and they have huge warranty costs. It not just about which is the best bike, its more about cost over the life of the unit. BMW is doing the same thing Harley Davidson did back in the early 90's to try to take the police market back from Kawasaki.
Interesting... Rumor mill around here says that Sac County PD will be trading in their current BMW rides for an LT-P version... Seems the Leo's have to get rid of the long hip holster as a consequence. My take??? NICE!

[gerryrenstrom]

Interesting... Rumor mill around here says that Sac County PD will be trading in their current BMW rides for an LT-P version... Can you imagine moving thru heavy traffic at very slow speeds on an LT trying to get to the scene of an emergency. That I would like to see. The RT-P is the ideal police motorcycle except that it doesn't having foot boards.

[Ridesalot]

and I thought you were a scofflaw out causing general mayhem and mischief

I to had a HD mounted leo in down town indy do the same

acted more like a pull over but we chatted for 30 min on the side of the
road

he may be at the MOA in july with us

later DUDE

[Ted Shred]

Interesting... Rumor mill around here says that Sac County PD will be trading in their current BMW rides for an LT-P version... Seems the Leo's have to get rid of the long hip holster as a consequence. My take??? NICE!

Sac County rides RTP's. They just took delivery of 27 R1200RTP's. Sac City also rides RTP's. There are no plans for LT's. Wonder who started that rumor??