Electric bike breaks speed record
American rider Chip Yates has piloted his 240 horsepower electric superbike to a new world speed record in the Californian desert
Deep within the arid Mojave desert which borders with California, Chip Yates has set a brand new land speed record, touching 306.7km/h (190.6mph) on his custom made Swigz.com Pro Racing Electric Superbike.
The previous record was set at about 273km/h (170mph) so the new record has not just eclipsed the previous fastest electric motorcycle, it has blow it out of the water.
Even so, Chip Yates says the bike is capable of hitting the magical 200mph (321.8km/h) mark: "I’m disappointed about not reaching 200 mph today," Yates said, "but I know we can do it next time out and for now I have to be happy with establishing our superbike as the fastest electric motorcycle in the world."
The record was set at the Mojave Desert raceway during the Mojave Mile Shootout event, and comes on the back of two podium results earlier in the year for the massively powerful 240hp electric race bike, which was against established petrol V-twins such as the Ducati 1198 and KTM RC8R.
Chip Yates has also signalled his intention to contest one of America's most prestigious races, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which takes place in Colorado on June 26. The grueling hill climb snakes its way into the clouds up a 20km (12.42 mile) course and is regarded as one the most important motor sports events in the USA.
Yates revealed that for the Pikes Peak event the electric race bike would be regeared for "lower speeds comminsurate with the tighter course we will face."
Read the latest Bikesales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at
. Or download the .Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
