Mission One Sports Bike, Electric at Its Best

Good looks, best performance, awful price

In a world where, besides some talk of hybrid cars, news of hybrid two-wheel vehicles almost never come, a small Californian company managed to built a zero emission motorcycle that not only works, but can compete with pure breed racers. Mission Motors, a San Francisco based company, has unveiled the world’s fastest production all-electric motorcycle.

The Mission One Electric Sports Bike uses a lithium-ion modular battery pack to power an electric motor that offers 100 lb-ft of torque when idle. It has a single speed transmission, so unlike gasoline bikes, where you have to shift gears, match speeds and drop the clutch, on this bike there is no need for all that work. It has no gears or clutch, allowing the motor to give faster acceleration than usual motorcycles.

Having no combustion engine, servicing it means no oil or oil gaskets changes, no timing belts, no valve replacements or spark plugs. It does mean however the rider must be computer literate and not some fat bold redneck from Kentucky riding a chopper. The Mission One is the first wireless enabled motorcycle and it allows riders to download data, check bike status, and update bike settings via a laptop. It's like tweaking your Mac!

During braking, the Mission One recaptures the kinetic energy and turns it into electrical power to be stored into the batteries. The motorcycle tops at 150 mph (241 km/hour). and has a 150 miles range before it runs out of power. Recharging takes 2.5 hours from a 220 V outlet and 8 hours from a 110V one.

The 2010 model will come equipped with Ohlins inverted front forks, 43mm TiN coated tubes, Ohlins fully adjustable shock, Brembo 4 piston monobloc calipers, Marchesini wheels, and race compound tires. The manufacturers say it will be a limited edition and it will cost $68,995, a very steep price to pay even for this high tech gadget.



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