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NEWS
Mugen reveals Shinden electric racer
Mugen has unveiled its new Shinden electric race bike, and has confirmed John McGuinnes will ride it in the 2012 Isle of Man TT Zero eventJapanese automotive performance house Mugen recently lifted the lid on its new electric race bike, also announcing the bike will be campaigned in this year's TT Zero Challenge at the Isle of Man by none other than TT veteran John McGuinness.
Known as the Shinden, Japanese for 'God of Electricity', Mugen is hoping the bike will achieve a 100mph-plus lap average at the Isle of Man, and McGuinness - the second-most-successful TT racer in history with some 17 wins to his name (behind the late Joey Dunlop's 26) - has got to be one of the best-equipped people to do the job.
Last year's TT Zero saw Segway Racing MotoCzysz come within a whisker of breaking the 100mph barrier, achieving a 99.604mph lap, but Mugen is confident the Shinden will better that - and claim the £10,000 reward on offer for the first electric bike to do so.
Unveiled at a press conference at Japan's Suzuka circuit by the President of M-TEC Company Ltd, Mr Shin Nagaosa, the Shinden is powered by a brushless three-phase 90kW (120hp) DC motor. While its carbonfibre twin-spare frame and swingarm undoubtedly help keep its weight down, its weighty lithium-ion battery pack pushes the bike's curb weight to a hefty 260kg. It's no lightweight, but Mugen says its motor is good for a stonking 220Nm (162ft-lb) of torque, which should see it rocketing around the TT's mountain course in McGuinness's hands in fine style.
Rumoured to be something of a Honda stealth project - Mugen's founder, Hirotoshi Honda, is the son of Honda's founder, Soichiro Honda - the Shinden will draw plenty of interest at this year's TT Zero Challenge, where it will go up against other electric racers, like Honda's own RC-E superbike, in late May/early June.
SPECIFICATIONS: MUGEN SHINDEN ELECTRIC RACER
Motor: Three-phase brushless DC
Horsepower: 90kW/120hp
Torque: 220Nm/162ft-lb
Battery: Lithium-ion
Battery output: 370V or more
Frame: Twin-spar carbonfibre
Length: 2125mm
Width: 680mm
Height: 1130mm
Wheelbase: 1485mm
Ground clearance: 130mm
Seat height: 840mm
Curb weight: 260kg
Caster: 23°
Trail: 96mm
Front tyre: 120/70-ZR17
Rear tyre: 200/550ZR17
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Written byBikesales Staff
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