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2017 Police motorcycle testing results.

For the 2017 vehicle tests the following motorcycles were tested:

1. BMW R1200 RT-P,
2. BRP Can-AM Spyder,
3. Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide
4. Harley-Davidson FLHTP Road King
5. Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide Stage 3
6. Zero DSRP (did not finish all tests due to an early crash)

Tests were conducted in the below categories and subject to the test conditions and equipment as outlined. All distance and speed measurements are done in imperial distances. A Race Logic Vbox3i PGS data collection unit was used to collect accurate times.

Dynamics Tests

To determine the overall dynamics of each machine, they are tested for high-speed handling characteristics and performance under a number of different real-world road conditions.

The testing is done on a two-mile (3.22km) road-racing type course containing hills, curves and corners, which are designed to simulate actual conditions experienced in the field by police motor-officers. Each machine is ridden over the course for a total of 32 timed laps, 8 laps by each of four riders.

Acceleration and top-speed tests

The acceleration test is designed to determine the ability of each machine to reach 60mph (96.56km/h), 80mph (128.75km/h) and 100mph (160.93km/h) from a standing start. The machines were all tested by one rider and all the machines were driven for a total of four acceleration tests, 2 each northbound, and 2 each southbound (to allow for wind direction).

The top-speed test is designed to determine the ability of each machine to reach its top speed from a standing start within the maximum distance of the 14 mile course.

Braking Tests
The brake testing is done to determine the stopping distances for each machine from a starting speed of 60mph, using full ABS brakes applied as in a panic stop. The final figure recorded was the average stopping distance for each machine. Again, as with the acceleration testing, the same rider conducted all the tests.

Conclusions
Overall, the best performing machine in all the tests is the BMW R 1200 RT-P, readily and substantially beating all the competitors in dynamics, top-speed, and all acceleration tests, and coming in a very close third in the braking test.

Not surprisingly the BRP Can-AM Spyder easily beat the field in the braking tests, owing to the fact that it’s a 3-wheel machine. It managed to come to a stop 16.1ft sooner than the Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide, which bested the BMW by a mere 0.60 ft. (7.2”). In all other tests it finished in last place.

The full Michigan State Police Vehicle Evaluation results for 2017 model motorcycle is available in PDF format here:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/2017_MY_Police_Vehicle_Evaluation_Test_Book-Final_544109_7.pdf