Police and federal law enforcement agencies use specialized vehicles such as the commonly used and iconic Chevrolet patrol cars and SUVs to accomplish their missions. Police now drive some of the fastest vehicles on the road, many of which are specially equipped to carry specialized electronic equipment, weapons, and even detainees. Police forces have also been using motorcycles since the early 20th century, but riding them can be dangerous, especially during high-speed chases and on unpredictable roads.
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That’s where the trike comes in. Three-wheeled vehicles like the Harley-Davidson Tri Glide and Freewheeler are more stable and more visible to other drivers, making them a little safer to protect and serve. Trikes also have a shorter learning curve than two-wheeled vehicles for inexperienced officers, are less maneuverable than traditional motorcycles, and are not as safe as enclosed vehicles such as cars or SUVs.
Can-Am introduced the Spyder in 2007 and by 2015 had sold more than 100,000 trikes. Can-Am is a division of Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), which also manufactures the Sea-Doo personal watercraft and the Ski-Doo snowmobile. BRP also introduced a special police edition trike, the Spider F3-P, based on the earlier F3-S in 2015.
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(Featured image by Thomas Vogt via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC-By SA 2.0)
F3-P is equipped with a 115 horsepower engine
The F3-P and its parent, the F3-S, are similar to the Spider RT, which first appeared in 2010. Both are powered by a Rotax 1330 three-cylinder engine that produces 115 horsepower, and those horses drive the rear wheels in both models through a six-speed semi-automatic transmission.
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The F3-P’s distinguishing feature is its single-pedal braking system, which outperformed all other products in Michigan State Police testing in 2015 and 2016. The F3-P also included additional features such as the necessary sirens, lights, and additional cargo. Space and 12 volt and USB outlets.
At the time of its release, the F3-P was also loved by law enforcement agencies. In a press release, BRP Senior Vice President Ann Berek touted the bike’s safety features and the peace of mind it provides police officers. James Mills, chief of police in Benbrook, Texas, praised the F3-P’s resistance to tipping over and its ability to be easily seen by motorists in traffic. The New Bern, North Carolina, Police Department added one to its police fleet in 2017, hoping to take advantage of its stability and visibility.
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