MIC Adopts New Standard for Measuring Electric Motorcycle Top Speed

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

The Motorcycle Industry Council announced a new procedure for measuring the top speed of electric motorcycles so consumers can fairly compare the performance of different models.

Until now, electric motorcycle manufacturers used a variety of testing methods to calculate maximum speeds, some more accurate than others.

“Manufacturers have used a variety of means for calculating top speed, presenting a challenge for shoppers interested in what an electric bike can really do,” says Tim Buche, president and CEO of the MIC. “Some methods used right now may not give an accurate measurement, even under similar test conditions. The more that electric motorcycle makers adopt this protocol, the more it can help buyers who are taking a good look at this emerging segment.”

The MIC’s new “Top Speed Test Procedure for Electric Motorcycles” is based on the European Union’s procedure and was penned by the group’s Electric Vehicle Subcommittee which consists of 15 representatives of on-highway electric motorcycle manufacturers and other industry members. The new procedure tries to standardize different variables that could affect an electric motorcycle’s top speed such as road conditions, weather, and rider weight.

“As more and more electric motorcycles appear on the market, having standards we can all agree on is vital to manufacturers and to our customers,” says Abe Askenazi, chair of the Electric Vehicle Subcommittee and chief technology officer at Zero Motorcycles. “The new top speed test procedure is just one of the many standards the subcommittee has already published or is working on.”

Under the new standard, motorcycles will be tested as they are equipped when delivered to the consumer. Removable luggage may be taken off before testing, but that has to be specified when publishing the results. Tires must meet OEM specifications and be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and must have more than 50% of its original tread depth. Any speed-limiting devices installed must remain activated.

The exterior of the motorcycle may not be modified to reduce drag, such as by removing mirrors or covering seams. Adjustable windshields may be set to their lowest positions however.

Manufacturers use different batteries, so the new testing method tries to even the playing field by establishing a preconditioning procedure for the battery.

Test riders must weigh at least 80 kg (176.4 pounds) fully clothed and stand at least 1.7 m tall (about 5’7″). Riders must adopt a standard upright riding position with hands on handlebars and feet on pegs, though the rider may assume a tucked position at speeds over 120 kph (74.6 mph).

The road surface must be clean, smooth asphalt or concrete and with little slope. The top speed will be measured over a segment that is at least 50 m long, with additional room allowed for acceleration and run-off.

[Source: MIC]

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Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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