Lightning LS-218 unveiled

The Lightning Motorcycles LS-218 electric superbike was revealed at the Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel, California,  May 17 – a 200hp, 228Nm two-wheel rocketship which the company claims is as easy to ride as a 250cc commuter bike. That’s a difficult concept to reconcile right now, as we’ve already been gobsmacked enough – this thing has more horsepower, more torque, more speed and more performance than any other production motorcycle on the market.

The who’s who of the LS-218 project was on hand at Carmel, and Lightning CEO Richard Hatfield said: “Since 2006 the Lightning team has been dedicated to developing electric motorcycles that meet and exceed the performance of the best ICE (Induction Combustion Engine) alternatives.

“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.”

The liquid-cooled electric motor in the LS-218 revs to 10,500rpm, and Lightning’s proprietary Ultra High Power Density Drive system allows the maximum power setting to be engaged without any concerns of overheating.

The LS-218 is a direct street-legal version of the same bike that won AMA and FIM races and set lands speed records.

“Consumers no longer are required to pay more for less performance to support green technology,” Hatfield said. “The Lightning LS-218 can compete with the best ICE alternatives today. Lightning achieved the goal we set in 2009 to compete against and win against the best gasoline race bikes.”

There’s no Australian importer as yet, but we bet we’ll be announcing one soon….