It wasn’t long after William Harley and Arthur, Walter and William Davidson built their first production motorcycle in 1903 that law enforcement officers began to recognize the advantages of motorcycles for police departments. Just five years after the company began, Harley-Davidson sold its first police motorcycle.

Since 1908, Harley-Davidson® Police motorcycles have seen 100 years of duty – and millions of miles in service to law enforcement agencies around the world. From Toronto to São Paulo, from Seoul to New York City, our police motorcycles continue to build on their legendary reputation by providing superior performance and the reliability needed to withstand the rigors of everyday duty.

During the past century, these rugged models have been continually refined to meet the changing needs of law enforcement agencies in America and around the world. In 2005, Harley-Davidson introduced the first optional Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on the Police Road King® and Police Electra Glide® models. For 2008, this system has been re-engineered and improved with new Brembo® brakes and no intrusion upon the saddlebags. New enhancements to the Police Touring models include a larger, six-gallon fuel tank; electronic throttle control; rubber-dampened final drive rear sprocket; and automatic compression releases for ease of starting.

Other features that help separate the Harley-Davidson® Police motorcycles from the field of imitators are the powerful and reliable Twin Cam 103™ engine, the smooth-shifting 6-Speed Cruise Drive™ transmission and a low-maintenance final belt drive.

Through it all, some things haven’t changed. Like the gleaming chrome, the pure design of a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, and the rumble of the engine. It’s a combination that has been commanding a level of respect unequaled by anything else on the road. In our one hundredth year, it’s no wonder that Harley-Davidson now serves more than 3,500 departments in North America and law enforcement agencies in more than 45 countries.