Pantagraph.com | News | Motorcycle cop rides on

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Awesome!!!! wrote on Aug 3, 2006 6:43 PM:

" I think this motorcycle idea is a great way to slow some speeders down! Good for the cops. "

1/4 cent wrote on Jul 20, 2006 3:37 AM:

" As a truck driver , a rather recent occupation of the last four and 1/2 years ( thus actually spending much more time on the road ) I too , on occasion , use to have my ribbed little comments of being " monitored " when seeing a patrolman . yet , since then I've become much more aware there are indeed some real maniacs out there . ISP seem to give some lead-way ( unlike Michigan whose govenor , from what I understand , has publicly stated an expectation of several mil. in tickets , and whose drivers seem almost terrified to speed up on an ' on ramp ' when entering the ' freeway ' ) . As for the Harleys' ? , if the costs truely balance out , it seems like a pretty cool idea ... Ride On ! Ride On ! "

Right On!!! wrote on Jul 19, 2006 4:14 PM:

" Harley Davidson...made in America! "

Old Man Titan wrote on Jul 19, 2006 3:49 PM:

" TO "I WONDER" Get the license plate of the squad car or police bike that passed you and call in to complain with your whine. Then you can be told that the Trooper had received a radio broadcast describing a vehicle wanted for (Fill in the crime here) and went to chase down a car which appeared to be the one wanted in the broadcast. They just don't set up roadblocks on the interstate for every DUI, armed robbery, child abduction, ect, ect, ect. "

cyclerider wrote on Jul 19, 2006 3:44 PM:

" heaven forbid they use a motorcycle for patrolling other than a harley davidson. msrp for new FLHT electraglide standard: $16095-$17735 msrp for new kawasaki vulcan 1600 nomad: $12999 this is just an option similar to the electraglide. why not a sport touring option with reliability, options and more power such as the kawasaki concours priced at around $9K new? i just cant see a good reason for law enforcement having to spend the extra cash for a name. dont get me wrong, i like harley's a lot, but when it comes to reliability, performance and options, other manufacturers are just as good or better for less money. extra money for a harley is money paid for style and sound. all there is to it. all we need to do is pay MORE money in taxes. wonderful. "

to contrary wrote on Jul 19, 2006 3:15 PM:

" What are you talking about? "

Harley Rider wrote on Jul 19, 2006 3:06 PM:

" I ride a Harley and I have NEVER been broke down along the highway. I have rode over 70,000 miles. ( a honda i had once broke down). This is one of the better ideas this state has came up with. Hope to see the fleet of motor cycles grow. Good luck to all motorcycle cops. Thanks for the great job you do. "

to the contrary "Please" wrote on Jul 19, 2006 2:44 PM:

" "this stinks wrote on July 18, 2006 7:11 PM: "they get paid to ride a harley that we had to pay for and i can not afford one because my taxes are buying them for the ISP. " " "

$500,000 wrote on Jul 19, 2006 2:41 PM:

" The printed version of the Pantagraph indicated the total cost for this program was $500,000 for roughly 42 motorcycles. This cost included all the necessary equipment and training. "

Harleys? wrote on Jul 19, 2006 2:18 PM:

" I would hope if these Troopers will be issued Harleys they will also be given the trailers to pull them around with. "

Please wrote on Jul 19, 2006 1:38 PM:

" Leave this stinks alone....who hasn't "whined" about their financial situation at one time or another? I suppose all of you make six figure incomes and can afford all of life's luxaries. "

What???? wrote on Jul 19, 2006 12:37 PM:

" As a matter of fact I did look at the web sites, still didn't see where is states that speed limits are not a law. But I did see a page about "Speed Limit Enforement: The Law." So your chewing me out for apparenlty as you see it chewing someone else out for not providing a link to something that they stated as fact. The last I looked the Ill web site has thousands of documents, just thought if someone who had apparently read it before would be able to provide the link. "

While we're at it wrote on Jul 19, 2006 12:16 PM:

" I think there should be cops on horses within the city limits as well. They burn less gas. "

If you're green with envy wrote on Jul 19, 2006 12:12 PM:

" as "this stinks" apparently is, you can always become a cop on a bike too. You just have to go through the background checks, training and the hiring process. Nobody is stopping you from getting your own hog. Whether state funded or privately. "

to:to all wrote on Jul 19, 2006 12:03 PM:

" www.illinoiscyberdrive.com "

jojo wrote on Jul 19, 2006 11:50 AM:

" TO: to:to all Have you never heard of google? Is laziness a custom thing in your lifestyle?...this person tells you where to look and your to lazy to google, but enough energy to chew them out for not putting up a link. In that wasted time you could have all ready been on there website. "

To: To All wrote on Jul 19, 2006 11:35 AM:

" Please provide the link. If you mention something in a matter of fact, then provide proof. "

Hardley Ableson wrote on Jul 19, 2006 11:33 AM:

" Cummon people he wont be catching anyone on that thing it's a HARLEY! He'll spend most of his time sitting on the side of the rode broke down, or it'll be in the shop. "

To All wrote on Jul 19, 2006 11:13 AM:

" Some of you ,in your post's, keep saying " breaking the law". I hope your not refering to speeding as breaking the law, because it is not . Speed limits are not laws,just look it up On IDOT'S web site or, the State of Illinois web site. "

ELAINE wrote on Jul 19, 2006 11:03 AM:

" MOTORCYCLES FOR STATE POLICE WORK IS A TERRIFIC IDEA! HAPPY TICKET WRITING! BE SAFE AND RIDE SAFELY! "

RIDE ON wrote on Jul 19, 2006 10:56 AM:

" WILL THEY RIDE IN COLD WEATHER? WHEN IT RAINS? I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE STUCK ON THAT IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER ALL EITHER. BAD IDEA IN THIS STATE. "

Hey People wrote on Jul 19, 2006 10:50 AM:

" Drive as fast as you can afford to! Those tickets ain't cheap! I for one, endorse this project- it works in Indiana- I bet ,many have gotton ticketed near Crawfordsville by the bike cop there. It slowed me down(in my gas guzzling SUV-that I love and can also afford to drive- because I have a J_O_B!) Get off it whiners and suck it up and just start living! "

Scary wrote on Jul 19, 2006 10:20 AM:

" Being cuffed on the back of a Harley! "

Gee, I wonder if this will work... wrote on Jul 19, 2006 10:05 AM:

" Look at how the increased enforcement in construction zones, school zones, and even handicapped parking spaces has deterred traffic offenses in these areas. Wake up, people. This is as much of a service and protective measure for you as the next guy, so be THANKFUL. Wake up 5 minutes earlier if you have to get somewhere in that much of a hurry. I, for one, am very pleased that I won't have to drive the highways in fear of my mid-size Stratus being clobbered by some huge SUV going 90 "because he can" with little chance of being caught. "

hmmm..... wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:59 AM:

" If nothing else, this makes me want to join the police force! I'll envy them in the nice weather but I'll feel sorry for them in the crappy weather. I think it's a great idea. "

Furthermore.... wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:58 AM:

" just imagine what the highways would look like if there were no "fear" of being pulled over for speeding. The more types of enforcement there are, the less likely people are to take a risk with speeding. At least it might slow some folks down a little. Some call it sneaky; I call it smart. "

Re: cool wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:56 AM:

" Yeah - I, too, can have a heavy foot when it comes to driving. But, if I am disobeying the speed limit and I am ticketed for that, what the heck business do I have complaining about it? I did it - I earned it. It's a risk I take by going over the speed limit. Congrats to "cool" for owning up to this as well. And congrats to the ISP for coming up with more ways to promote public safety (not just being "sneaky" for the sake of making money). "

You got it wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:34 AM:

" Bruce hit the nail on the head. "

wow wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:49 AM:

" you people are ridiclious!!!!!!! This person makes one little comment about how he this police officer gets paid to ride a harley for work and WOW you attack him...You guys are looking waaaaaaay too much into that comment and really need to grow up...it was a funny comment apparently nobody sees the humor in it... "

HD's wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:38 AM:

" I wouldn't think HD's would be the most economical choice in terms of fuel economy and maintenance cost. But, if the manufacturers program is good enough, that might offset the cost. Also, if an officer pulls someone over and has to arrest them, is the arrestee going to ride b*tch? Are the cycles going to be equiped with plexiglass between the driver and passenger seats? Just kidding... "

to this stinks wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:58 AM:

" Taxes suck! BUT If you want something, just work however many hours a week it takes to reach your goals. If you dont want it bad enough to work harder to get it, then dont whine about it. The only person keeping any of us from getting what we want from life is ourselves. There are a lot of ways our taxes are wasted, but this is not one of them. Its saving tax dollars vs. the fuel costs of patrol cars. "

Bruce wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:48 AM:

" Speed traps on the interstate aren't slowing people down and aren't saving lives. They're just a nuisance for those who get unlucky enough to be picked out of all the speeders. Take those cops off the side of I-55 and have them patrol the troubled neighborhoods of our town. Perhaps they would stop some... I don't know... actual crime? "

What happens wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:33 AM:

" when winter comes? Are they going to put heaters and chains on them? "

I wonder.... wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:05 AM:

" ....If these new motorcycle cops are going to drive the speed limit? How many times have you had your cruise set at 65mph, and was passed by a state trooper like you were standing still? Just to find that same cop sitting in the middle of the road 10 min. later looking for people driving to fast. "

cool wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:02 AM:

" Having motorcycles for the police is a good thing. Why are people whining about it? I will admit that I have had a heavy foot at times. In fact, the Officer in this article has given me a ticket in the past. So what? I got what I had coming and this Officer was doing his job!!! I just wish we could get this Governor to understand that there is more to law enforcement than police officers. We still have dangerously understaffed prisons in this state. When is he going to care about Correctional Officers that have to watch the people the police arrest? "

Realization wrote on Jul 19, 2006 6:52 AM:

" Reading these posts are like listening to country music...they'll lower your IQ. To: this stinks, if you can't afford a Harley, your probably can't afford a Ford Crown Vic. Are you jealous of this too? You sound like a real smart person, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you get a free ride in the back of one. As far as everone whining about motorcycles being harder to spot: I would much rather be pulled over by a motorcycle cop than having a network of cameras put up across the state and have a ticket mailed to me. This is a good idea. "

to: this stinks wrote on Jul 19, 2006 6:49 AM:

" if you have a credit union where you work???they take the payments out of your check for you and then you won't have to whine about going and makeing them, I also enjoyed the article, BUT the best part of it is reading the whiners have to say.......LOVE IT "

To WOW wrote on Jul 19, 2006 4:30 AM:

" Are you the same guy who complains about every Pantagraph article? Either stop reading or stop complaining. "

re: this stinks wrote on Jul 19, 2006 4:25 AM:

" George Bush gets paid to fly in a personal 747 I had to help pay for and I can't afford one becuase my taxes are helping pay for his. No fair. "

jimmy b. wrote on Jul 19, 2006 3:40 AM:

" ...for "IHips" and "this stinks"....how old are you guys???? 11 or 12????...another sneaky way???...well, go the speed limit and you'll never have to complain....and as far as paying for them, the manufacturer provides an extremely cheap lease rate and were paid for with traffic safety grants...maybe "stinks" would like to spend a shift in one of the 1995 Chevrolets that are still pounding the road because of the current idiot governor....serve and protect???...what have you done in your life for the good of our state???????????? grow up and get a purpose in life! "

FR wrote on Jul 19, 2006 3:05 AM:

" Wait till one of these cycles is setting at an accident or giving a ticket to someone along the interstate and some one does not see it and runs over it. I was on an ambulance call along the interstate about 2 weeks ago. A car almost ran over the state trooper slowing traffic so it was safe for us. He was standing behind his squad car. The people could not see his flashing lights. How are they going to see a motorcycle? I fear the safety of the trooper. "

Why is it............ wrote on Jul 19, 2006 1:07 AM:

" that there is ALWAYS someone whining and complaing about law enforcement? It just never ends with some of you people. So what if motorcycles are harder to 'spot'! If YOU weren't breaking the law, YOU wouldn't have to worry about them! Harley gives a deal on large purchases of bikes. Become a police officer and YOU can have one, too!! "

wow wrote on Jul 18, 2006 11:26 PM:

" this article is worthless "

Stig wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:41 PM:

" Ride hard, rock free. "

IN the know wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:36 PM:

" Wednesday is national "Ride Your Motorcycle to Work" day. A motor costs about 52% of a car's operational expenses when you factor in fuel savings, repairs, etc. Kawasaki is the other leading cop bike builder. (Jon and Ponch on CHiPs rode Kawa's.) And if you're doing the speed limit, there's no reason to worry about the state "getting your money." Duh..... "

To: a cop wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:35 PM:

" making all motorcyclists more visible would be a great outcome from this. The cops on the bikes need to watch their rear like any other rider becauuse people don't seem to see bikes sometimes. Then you say you are less visible to people breaking the law. Are you creating awareness or being sneaky to get tickets or both? "

About time.. wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:23 PM:

" we have CHPs in California; why not in IL???? IF you people are AGAINST them; that means you love to break the law! "

Otis wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:19 PM:

" to a Cop: Please stop confusing people with logical arguments. These posters are much too busy blubbering and whining to listen to reason and fact. "

a cop... wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:12 PM:

" Before everyone whines about their tax dollars, do some investigating. Harley-Davidson offers a law enforcement "lease" program for police departments. The cost is very minimal. All the departments are required to do is install all the necessary equipment (lights, sirens, etc) that are needed and the motorcycle is basically handed to them for free. The motorcycle will be able to respond to accidents quicker, less visible to people breaking the law, and as mentioned earlier, potentially, make all motorcyclists more visible. Anything that can be done by law enforcement to make the public safer, response time quicker, and create awareness..I am for it. "

Paco wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:55 PM:

" What a bunch of whiners we have in this town. Boo hoo. WAAAAAAA!!!!! The police have motorcycles, let's turn that into a reason to whine!!! "

re: This Stinks: wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:28 PM:

" Join the ISP, dude; put your time in in the squad car then apply for motorcycles. Then you'll be getting your money's worth. "

Harley rider wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:23 PM:

" Nice bike. some are just going to gripe no matter what side you take. "

Lincoln Reader wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:15 PM:

" To IHiPs, Drive the speed limit and you dont have to worry about COPS.!!!! "

motorcycle rider wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:13 PM:

" I think this is great now us bike riders will get more respect on the road. As to the person that can't afford one don't start with a Harley Honda Yamaha and Suksuzi are all great bikes too. You need some cheese with all that whine "

Makes sense wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:01 PM:

" Lower fuel costs. probably less maintenance costs per year. I wonder what other motorcycle manufactures offer service packages for law enforcement. Harley's seem a little pricey for this. "

to: this stinks wrote on Jul 18, 2006 7:56 PM:

" The banks are open 6 days a week, step up to the plate and buy one or quit your whining "

IHiPs wrote on Jul 18, 2006 7:14 PM:

" "Motorcycles also are harder to spot", another sneaky way to get our money. It's a giant fundraiser, no longer to serve and protect but to ticket and fine. "

this stinks wrote on Jul 18, 2006 7:11 PM:

" they get paid to ride a harley that we had to pay for and i can not afford one because my taxes are buying them for the ISP. "

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