Battery-powered Lightning LS-218 is now the world's fastest production motorcycle
Yes, the styling is rather nondescript and you probably haven't heard of Lightning Motors. But the Lightning LS-218 can hit a top speed of 350km/h!
What's the world's fastest production motorcycle? If you said the Suzuki Hayabusa, Kawasaki ZX-14R, BMW HP4 or Ducati Panigale 1199 Superleggera, you'd be wrong. Believe it or not, it's the battery-powered Lightning LS-218, which was recently unveiled at the Quail Motorsport Gathering held in Carmel, California, that's the world's fastest production motorcycle in the world right now.
"To have broad acceptance from the motorcyclist community,we need to provide design, performance and value that competes head to head with the best gasoline motorcycles on the market. Lightning’s R&D team has developed electric vehicle technology through years of competition at racing events around the world. We believe that the LS-218 offers consumers the best of design, performance and value in today’s market," says Richard Hatfield, CEO, Lightning Motorcycle.
The Lightning LS-218's liquid-cooled electric motor, which can spin at up to 10,500rpm, produces more than 200 horsepower and 228Nm of torque. One a full charge, range is more than 240km, while top speed is a barely believable 350km/h!
"Consumers are no longer required to pay more for less performance to support green technology. The Lightning LS-218 can compete with the best internal-combustion engine alternatives today. Lightning achieved the goal we set in 2009, to compete against and win against the best gasoline race bikes. In June 2013, at Pikes Peak, Lighting won first overall, competing against 93 other motorcycle teams (electric and gasoline), by over 20 seconds," says Hatfield.
The Lightning LS-218 is not just about sheer performance, it also has a full complement of fancy bits, including a digital, fully programmable, Android-powered instrument panel, carbonfibre chassis and swingarm and even titanium fasteners. For more details on how you can own one, visit the Lightning website.
Lightning LS-218: Tech Specs
Powerplant: IPM liquid-cooled electric motor, 200+ horsepower, 228Nm torque
Transmission: None (direct drive motor)
Battery pack: 380V, 20kWh, full charge in 30 mins on quick charger
Kerb weight: 224kg
Front suspension: Öhlins FGRT inverted fork, NIX30 cartridge internals, TiN surface treatment, fully adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension: Billet aluminum swingarm with linear Öhlins TTX36 shock and linkage system, adjustment for preload, ride height, high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping
Front brakes: Twin Brembo 320mm discs with radial-mount forged 4-piston calipers, user-programmable regenerative braking
Wheels and tyres: 17-inch forged-magnesium Marchesini, 120/70 (front), 190/55 (rear)
Yes, the styling is rather nondescript and you probably haven't heard of Lightning Motors. But the Lightning LS-218 can hit a top speed of 350km/h!
What's the world's fastest production motorcycle? If you said the Suzuki Hayabusa, Kawasaki ZX-14R, BMW HP4 or Ducati Panigale 1199 Superleggera, you'd be wrong. Believe it or not, it's the battery-powered Lightning LS-218, which was recently unveiled at the Quail Motorsport Gathering held in Carmel, California, that's the world's fastest production motorcycle in the world right now.
"To have broad acceptance from the motorcyclist community,we need to provide design, performance and value that competes head to head with the best gasoline motorcycles on the market. Lightning’s R&D team has developed electric vehicle technology through years of competition at racing events around the world. We believe that the LS-218 offers consumers the best of design, performance and value in today’s market," says Richard Hatfield, CEO, Lightning Motorcycle.
The Lightning LS-218's liquid-cooled electric motor, which can spin at up to 10,500rpm, produces more than 200 horsepower and 228Nm of torque. One a full charge, range is more than 240km, while top speed is a barely believable 350km/h!
"Consumers are no longer required to pay more for less performance to support green technology. The Lightning LS-218 can compete with the best internal-combustion engine alternatives today. Lightning achieved the goal we set in 2009, to compete against and win against the best gasoline race bikes. In June 2013, at Pikes Peak, Lighting won first overall, competing against 93 other motorcycle teams (electric and gasoline), by over 20 seconds," says Hatfield.
The Lightning LS-218 is not just about sheer performance, it also has a full complement of fancy bits, including a digital, fully programmable, Android-powered instrument panel, carbonfibre chassis and swingarm and even titanium fasteners. For more details on how you can own one, visit the Lightning website.
Lightning LS-218: Tech Specs
Powerplant: IPM liquid-cooled electric motor, 200+ horsepower, 228Nm torque
Transmission: None (direct drive motor)
Battery pack: 380V, 20kWh, full charge in 30 mins on quick charger
Kerb weight: 224kg
Front suspension: Öhlins FGRT inverted fork, NIX30 cartridge internals, TiN surface treatment, fully adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension: Billet aluminum swingarm with linear Öhlins TTX36 shock and linkage system, adjustment for preload, ride height, high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping
Front brakes: Twin Brembo 320mm discs with radial-mount forged 4-piston calipers, user-programmable regenerative braking
Wheels and tyres: 17-inch forged-magnesium Marchesini, 120/70 (front), 190/55 (rear)
And I don't want an electric car either!
