Remember those big 500cc Honda motorcycles used by Punjab’s Dolphin Police Force? They were once one of the most recognizable sights on Punjab’s roads.
The Dolphin Force was launched in Lahore in 2016, inspired by motorcycle policing models used in Turkey. Its officers were equipped with Honda 500cc motorcycles, commonly identified as the Honda CB500X/CBX 500. The original plan involved around 300 bikes, while later reports mentioned a fleet of around 600 heavy motorcycles. Later they were deployed in different cities of Punjab.
However, keeping these bikes on the road proved difficult. Maintenance costs, expensive specialized tires, spare-parts availability, and a shortage of trained mechanics became major problems. By 2018, reports suggested that 155 out of 600 heavy motorcycles were already off the road because of maintenance and funding issues.
So, Where Are They Now?
The bikes didn’t simply disappear overnight. Some were likely taken off active patrol duty, while others may have been redeployed or left awaiting maintenance. There is no solid public evidence that the entire fleet has been officially auctioned or scrapped.
As Punjab Police continues to restructure its units and policing responsibilities, the future of these large motorcycles remains uncertain. Some could return to service, while others may eventually be disposed of through an official government auction.
For now, the legendary Dolphin Police 500cc Hondas have gone from being a common sight on Lahore’s streets to becoming a rare reminder of an ambitious experiment in motorcycle policing.
