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Lightning Motorcycles has revealed the full and final specifications for what it claims is the fastest production motorcycle ever built.
With the right gearing the Lightning LS-218 will hit 218 mph courtesy of a 200 hp electric motor that develops 168 lb-ft of torque. A prototype version evidenced that ferocious speed at Bonneville in 2011.
Riding on 17-inch forged magnesium alloy wheels, the bike weighs in at 225 kg. Keeping that weight in check are dual 320mm Brembo brake discs, while the rider can set the level of regenerative braking.
Three battery pack options are available, with the smallest 12 kWh unit delivering a range of between 100 and 120 miles. Next up is a 15 kWh pack boasting up to 150 miles of range while the top-spec 20 kWh pack allows riders as much as 180 miles autonomy. Lightning says that the LS-218 will travel 100 miles at highway speeds when equipped with the 12 kWh battery pack.
The LS-218 can also quick charge – presumably to 80 percept state-of-charge – in just half an hour, while a standard charge using a 220-volt outlet take two hours.
All bikes are built to order, with a starting price of $38,888. As such only one real rival exists: the $58,999 Mission RS.
Top speed aside, the two bikes are evenly matched on paper, with Mission claiming a real-world range of 140 miles for its limited-edition machine.
Just 45 examples of the LS-218 will be built initially, with deliveries during the third quarter of this year.
— source ecomento.com