Overview
ISO 7116:2011 - "Mopeds - Measurement method for determining maximum speed" is an ISO international standard that defines a repeatable, accurate procedure for measuring the maximum steady speed of a moped (as defined in ISO 3833). The standard establishes standard reference conditions, test preparation, rider parameters, measurement equipment and accuracies, permitted test track types, atmospheric monitoring and the format for presenting results. ISO 7116:2011 is intended to produce comparable maximum-speed data for certification, development and performance benchmarking.
Key topics and technical requirements
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Scope and definitions
- Applies to mopeds defined by ISO 3833; uses terms from ISO 6726 (masses vocabulary).
- Defines maximum speed (v_max) as the highest steady speed of the test moped.
- Specifies moped kerb mass and how fuel/auxiliary equipment are accounted for.
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Standard reference conditions
- Total barometric pressure: 101,325 kPa
- Air temperature: 293.15 K
- Relative humidity: 65%
- Air density: 1.205 kg/m³
- Relative air density: 0.9319
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Test preparation
- Moped must conform to production-series configuration or deviations documented.
- Manufacturer-recommended lubricants, fuels, tyre pressures and run-in procedures required.
- Test mass and load distribution must match kerb mass specification.
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Rider and riding position
- Rider clothing and protective equipment required.
- Rider mass: 75 kg ± 2 kg; height: 1.75 m ± 0.02 m.
- Rider adopts a stable position enabling safe control and attainment of maximum speed; position documented.
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Measurement equipment & accuracies
- Required instruments: electronic time counter, photoelectric cells (or equivalent), distance measurement, thermometer, barometer, humidity meter, anemometer.
- Speed measurement designed to achieve ±1% accuracy; instrument accuracies must be reported.
- Ambient measurement accuracies (examples): wind speed ±10%, temperature resolution 1 K, barometric pressure 0.2 kPa.
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Test tracks
- Accepts multiple shapes: straight (Type 1, 2), loop (Type 3, 4) and circle (Type 5).
- Track must be flat, smooth, dry, with limited longitudinal/transverse slope and adequate acceleration/deceleration lengths.
- Circle tracks require sufficient radius to reach maximum speed and allow natural line without excessive rider input.
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Reporting
- Procedures for measuring, calculating average speed, correcting for atmospheric conditions and presenting results (including test report content) are specified.
Practical applications and typical users
- Vehicle manufacturers validating moped performance and compliance.
- Accredited test laboratories performing homologation and certification tests.
- Regulatory authorities setting or enforcing speed-related regulations and type approval.
- R&D teams benchmarking drivetrain, aerodynamics and rider ergonomics.
- Academic researchers needing standardized, comparable maximum-speed data.
Related standards
- ISO 3833 - Road vehicles - Vehicle categories and definitions (moped definition referenced).
- ISO 6726 - Mopeds and motorcycles - Masses - Vocabulary (terms and mass definitions used).
Keywords: ISO 7116, moped maximum speed, measurement method, test track types, speed measurement accuracy, standard reference conditions, moped kerb mass, rider position, homologation.
