A California company, Mission Motors, has shown images of an electric sportbike that promises performance equal or better than the best gas-powered supersports motorcycles available today.
The Mission One uses a liquid-cooled AC motor and lithium-ion battery pack to supply power, with 100 lb-ft of torque available from 0 to 6,500 rpm. Transmission is a single-speed unit and top speed is a claimed 150 mph (240 km/h), and range is 150 miles per charge — which takes two hours to complete using a 220V circuit, or eight hours at 110V.
Components are top-notch: Brembo brakes, Ohlins fork and shock, Marchesini wheels. The frame is manufactured out of aluminum and the weight of the production unit is claimed to be about 40-50 lb (20 kg) heavier than a similar sports bike.
"The electric motor’s linear torque curve provides peak torque at zero rpm … the motor delivers faster acceleration than most gasoline sportbikes without ever having to shift gears," the company says in its e-mailed press pack.
Mission One models will be available in 2010, according to the company, and the first 300 units will sell for $68,995 US.
Can it be true? Yes, it can. Is it true? We’re just a little skeptical. Like you, we’ll have to wait and see.
What happens if there is a POWER OUTAGE!!!!!! LOL, and you battery is not recharged!!!! LOL, I guess there is always the BUS Transit, LOL
The article makes no mention of weight or acceleration. The claimed range is only possible because it has ~200 kg of batteries. Top speed probably takes minutes rather than seconds to get to. Range probably means constant speed on flat ground at 70 km/h. Electric motors are great but current battery technology is heavy, expensive, impractical and not very environmentally friendly due to short lifespan and materials.
…wait, I think I know. It’s the same reason the Prius looks so damn goofy: so everyone knows you are driving something different. Sigh.
I think an electric bike would be great, but why (WHY!??) must they look so damn goofy?
Loud pipes?! I never bought into the loud pipes save lives. Sorry. If you just like the sound of loud pipes, then use a MP3 with a recording.
The price and range are the most limiting aspects for now.
At $69K it BETTER have one wallopin’ sound system !
How much is the sound system to simulate LOUD PIPES, and how much will it affect the range????
And TK: Range is irrelevant to the Coffee House Hangout Crowd.
The bike will not exactly be mainstream (price and range) but its a good step in the right direction. And the company has supported by Tesla (electric sportscar) so the technology is there. And 100 lbs/ft torque right the crack of the throttle is what fantasy is all about.
Who knows – maybe in 3-5 years we may be silently sailing along! 8)
No range and too long to recharge, I’m not getting in line…