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| My 2010 FLHTP |
The used 2010 FLHTP was purchased from Manchester Harley-Davidson Buell. It had the factory color option - only available for the Police model - of black with birch white panels and double silver pinstripes (detailing looks very sharp up close). This color schema is know as the Houston style - reportedly because that Texas police department initially order it. The bike was very well maintained.
The model was based on the Electra Glide (FLHT) with the following Police modifications (some due to removing police equipment to make street legal):
- Deluxe solo air saddle, special police type, breathable material covering, single air bladder suspension with reservoir and integral gauge: able to adjust air for desired ride comfort. In my opinion this is the most desirable feature of this model bike.
- Saddlebags utilizing police style speed latches - the hockey puck latch and outer hinges which make it easy to access content while seated - protected by chrome guard bars. This feature may reduce appearance but greatly improves usability of the bags - grabbing a water bottle from a bag while at a stop light is a simple process.
- The luggage rack is topped by a flat stamped steel plate, intended for mounting the (absent) police radio box, under which is mounted the reservoir, gauge, and fill tube for the air seat. This is a detraction from the bikes appearance, but something that can be address later.
- No radio/police radio removed. According to dealer it would be a "big deal" to drop in an HD radio but a generic maritime (cuz bikes get wet) radio would be easier and less than half the cost.
- Additional "red" hand controls supporting the (altered/absent) pursuit lights and sirens - made me expect to find the switch to fire rockets from the side bags or toggle the afterburner.
- Long stem true image mirrors - no "objects appear further away in rear view" here.
- No Harley Davidson emblem on the fuel tank (and yes, because of that I'd been asked what kind of bike it is - I quickly found emblems to put on the tank). The air cleaner, at least, included the Harley Davidson branding and even the "Police" model.
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| "Police" on air cleaner |
The 2010 FLHTP had the traditional Harley Davidson air-cooled V-Twin, upgraded to 103 inch displacement and integrated oil-cooler. Drive train was a 6-Speed Cruise Drive with final ratio of 2.875. Weighed in excess of 794 lbs. With a ground clearance of 5.1 inches, and the higher than normal air seat height of 27-31 inches, this was definitively a "big" bike - a flat footed stance was possible but only advisable when engine/pipes are cool.
Handling and performance was excellent. Initially handling - likely tuned for a much lighter rider than I - was soggy, but a few quick adjustments of the air suspension and air seat resulted in a firm but comfortable ride. Low speed handling was excellent due to well tuned suspension/throttle/clutch/breaks - no bucking/jerking and easily supporting slow creeping turns. High speed cruising felt solid and connected to the road and the air seat help eat the occasional bumps. Power was good and what I'd want for a touring bike; strong off of the line - necessary to play in traffic with confidence - while long legged enough to be conformable at highway speeds. Advancing up to sixth gear was often an after thought. Always enough "umph" in the tank to get up and go.
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