This document evaluates replacing BMW motorcycles with Honda ST1300 motorcycles in a police department's traffic unit. It finds that the Honda bikes are more cost-effective due to being 12% cheaper, having cheaper maintenance costs like 42-56% cheaper clutch replacements, and requiring less maintenance overall. Interviews with mechanics and officers also found the Honda bikes were more reliable and easier to ride. Research from another police department found annual maintenance costs were 34-44% lower for Hondas compared to BMWs. The report recommends switching to Honda ST1300 motorcycles to save over $20,000 per year in maintenance costs alone.

1. Traffic Program Evaluation Honda ST1300 vs.BMW 1200 RT By Scott Trosper Chino Police Department Traffic Services Unit

3. People do the right thing when they see an officer

4. Maneuverability

5. The ability to go between vehicles on a crowded street to get violator

6. Speed

7. The catch up to the violatorPurpose for use of Motorcycles

9. 2-Corporals (investigators)

11. 5-BMW 1150 RT-PChino Police Department

12. Switch from the BMWs to the Honda ST1300 Proposal to cut 20%...

14. Able to move between traffic

15. Equipped with lights, siren, rifle/baton/lidar holder

16. Electric windshield

18. Able to move between traffic

19. Equipped with lights, siren, rifle/baton/lidar holder

20. Electric windshield

21. Two bolts for saddlebag removalVery functional

22. Specification comparison Est. cost $21,000 (-12%) BMW Weight – 650 pounds 1170cc two cylinder engine 110 horsepower at 7500 rpm 7.1 gallon fuel tank Dry clutch – stiffer clutch not much cushion Equipped with electronic assist ABS Honda Weight – 679 pounds 1261cc four cylinder engine 125 horsepower at 8000 rpm 7.7 gallon fuel tank w/2.2 gallons near chassis Wet clutch – more give or cushion Equipped with electronic assist ABS Est. cost $24,000

23. Service factors Better service factors Honda 120 service locations in California to choose from (price shop) Service done at $90 an hour 3 year unlimited mile warranty $1,702 for regular maintenance service 1st 16,000 miles (-2%) Clutch replacement $700-800 (-42 to 56%) More/bigger parts warehouses Faster service turnaround BMW 120 service location in United States to choose from (price shop) Service done by specified number of “service units” at $10 per unit 3 year 36,000 mile warranty $1735 for regular maintenance service 1st 18,000 miles Clutch replacement $1200-1800 Fewer parts warehouses Slower service turnaround Less option, more cost

24. Example using clutch repair Honda Cost of clutch repair - $700 Time in the shop for repair – 3 ½ hours Frequency of clutch repair – 500 motorcycles serviced = 11 repairs 1 officer 3 clutches 1 officer 2 clutches BMW Cost of clutch repair – as high as $2100 Time in the shop for repair – 2 to 3 days Frequency of clutch repair – 7 motorcycles in fleet = 11 repairs One motorcycle with four repairs One at 51315 miles and next at 53532 miles

25. Seal Beach motor officer prefers Honda Glendale motor officers (2) prefer Hondas Los Angeles School motor officer prefers Honda Newport Beach motor sergeant and officers prefer Honda Paul Muro – Lead motor training instructor at SBSO EVOC “Hands down the Honda is better.” After much research the results were decidedly in favor of Honda. No question, SBSO purchased 16 Hondas as training bikes for grueling motor academy Noted was the smooth clutch, faster pick up, ease of riding and lack of repair Interviews

26. Craig Hunter – Head Mechanic, Huntington Beach Police fleet Honda motor is “bullet proof”, “flawless”, only minor problem is a small battery which is easily remedied Seal Beach Mechanic Honda maintenance is at least half the cost of BMW Craig Hinckley – Head Mechanic Glendale PD Trial on both prior to purchase. Chose Honda even though less driving time. “Honda rode more like a Kawasaki” in maneuvering and clutch. Minor repairs-fast service, less expensive parts quicker to repair. Lowest miles for clutch 10K miles most 40K Mechanic Statements

27. Overwhelming opinion among officers who prefer Honda to BMW when they tried a Honda Loaner for enforcement patrol In 2005 did a study using their BMWs and Fullerton PD’s Honda NBPD cost $4416 per year, per motorcycle FPD cost for highest costing motorcycle $2415 per year Difference of 44% in favor of Honda Follow up report end of fiscal year 2008 $36,573.31 to service four BMWs $24,079.20 to service four Hondas Difference of 34% in favor of Honda Those figures used in Chino Police Department’s fleet Estimated cost savings of $21,864.50 per year, in maintenance cost alone Research from Sergeant Mike James of the Newport Beach PD

28. Motorcycle in the shop less Less time traveling to and from Brown Motor Less time off the motorcycle trying to do enforcement in a patrol car More money spent doing enforcement patrol in a car at 10mpg than a motorcycle at +30mpg Faith in having a more reliable police motorcycle Less money spent on tow services Immeasurable cost savings