Lightning superbike to turn heads

The internet is abuzz with the impending release of Lightning Motorcycles' LS-218 electric superbike – one that produces more than 200hp! The unveiling will take place in California on May 17, in what the company says will be the “most technologically advanced and highest performing street-legal production motorcycle in the world”.

Power for the LS-218, a street-legal version of a machine which has already set land speed records, comes from a liquid-cooled electric motor with a 10,500rpm ceiling and 228N of torque. As a comparison, the Suzuki Hayabusa produces about 155Nm,, and the mighty 2294cc Triumph Rocket III Roadster sits at 221Nm.

Upgrades for the LS-218 will include an Android display, as well as carbon fibre and titanium bits.

“Since 2006 the Lightning team has been dedicated to developing electric motorcycles that meet and exceed the performance of the best ICE alternatives”, says Richard Hatfield, CEO of Lightning Motorcycle.

“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.”

Lightning claims 160km per charge with the standard battery package.

In 2013, history was made in the motorcycle division of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado when 2012 winner Carl Dunne swapping from a Ducati Multistrada to a Lightning Electric Superbike to easily take home the spoils.

Dunne completed the course at an average speed of 115.7km/h.

The American-based Lightning Motors Corporation is a six-year-old company, and in addition to the superbike is also building prototypes of electric commuter bikes, scooters and ATVs.