is there a performance upgrade as in cams and speed limit bumped up on these or is it just folk lore ?

 

No, cop bikes have the same engine as civilian bikes. Some PD's mod them for more performance.

 

Yes and No. from factory the police backs generally have the same basic drivetrain as the regular line bikes. HOWEVER, alot of police departments request that their bikes have different options (cams, heads, charging systems,suspension, etc) so, unless you run the VIN through a dealership to see how that particular bike was requested to be, its impossible to say with 100% accurac