We're starting to see more electric-powered bikes come out of design studios and manufacturers press departments, mostly from smaller start-up companies pioneering where the large manufacturers fear to tread. That said, KTM are known to be developing an electric bike that will compete with 125/250cc two-stoke motocross machines, perhaps on the market for next year. We've even reviewed an electric Super-Scooter ourselves from Vectrix and loved it.
Most electric bikes we have seen are normally off the mainstream path, or for mass-produce markets like scooters, very few are attempting to break into the Sports Bike market. This 'Mission One' bike is trying though, with common, high-quality chassis components from Brembo and Ohlins, then futuristic styling combined with their own in-house battery and motor technology; surely a good base to start from?
If Mission can deliver on their proposition, then the bike should be very interesting. Weaknesses such as charging time aside, benefits such as a single gear, flat and fat torque curve (more torque as a Ducati 1198R), wireless downloading of telemetry and configuring of the bike (iPhone app, anyone?), minimal moving parts and thus increased reliability, zero noise and carbon emissions and radical styling must surely make it a bike most of us would want to try?
Mission, based out of San Francisco haven't made public any details on availability or price, but as soon as we know more, we'll update the story. For now, enjoy the photos.
We suspect though, ultimately battery-powered bikes won't be the future, just an interesting interim before we get to power alternatives like Hydrogen fuel-cells which can offer performance, zero emissions and features we're used to such as quick refill times.
Here's some words from Mission themselves about the bike:
Lithium Ion Batteries
In the design of battery packs for electric vehicles (EV's), high-energy gives you range while high power gives you performance. The battery pack in a Mission Motorcycle gives you both. For years, batteries have been the limiting factor for EV's. They were heavy, large, and expensive. Lithium-ion batteries have changed that landscape. When customers demanded longer battery-life out of mobile-phones and laptops, lithium-ion batteries responded by getting lighter and cheaper. Today's laptop batteries carry three times as much energy and cost half as much as the best batteries available ten years ago.
High Performance Electric Motor
Mission motorcycles' induction motor provides over 100 foot-pounds of torque. Unlike an engine, however, the torque curve on our electric is completely flat. The rider feels 100 foot-pounds of torque at a standstill, at 60 mph, and everywhere in between. Regular petrol-powered motorcycles require multiple gears in order to provide power at different speeds. The torque curve on this electric motor means that it can achieve regular sportbike performance with no gears. And all that power comes in a package about the size of a football.
Specifications
Powertrain
Battery Pack: High Energy Lithium-Ion w/ Integrated Thermal Management System
Motor: Liquid-cooled, 3-phase AC Induction
Torque: 100 lb-ft @ 0 to 6,500 rpm
Transmission: Single speed
Chassis
Suspension/Front: Ohlins 43mm inverted fork; fully adjustable, 4.5-in travel
Suspension/Rear: Ohlins Single shock w/piggyback reservoir; fully adjustable, 4.5-in travel
Brakes/Front: Dual Brembo 310mm disc; Brembo radial-mount forged 4-piston calipers
Brakes/Rear: Brembo 220mm disc; single-piston caliper
Wheels/tyres/Front: Marchesini forged aluminium 3.5" x 17", 120/70ZR17 - race Compound
Wheels/tyres/Rear: Marchesini forged aluminium 6.0"x17", 190/55ZR17 - race Compound
Target Performance
Top Speed: 150mph
Range: 150 miles per charge (est. EPA drive cycle)
Recharge Time: Under 2 Hours @ 240V (8 Hours @ 120V)
Interactive Feature: Adjustable regenerative rear wheel braking
Interactive Feature: Intuitive / adjustable data acquisition system
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