Photo: Evmirai
The Mugen Shinden Go is the fifth incarnation of the electric Shinden prototype the Japanese team fields in the Isle of Man TT, and it was unveiled recently at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show. Now, one of the many advantages that come with electric bikes is that they don't generate exhaust gasses, therefore they can be revved all the way to the redline in the show. And this is exactly what happened with the Shinden Go.
Mugen appears to become stronger by the year and benefitting from John McGuinness' huge TT expertise, and things can only get better. Aside from displaying noticeable changes in the shape of its bodywork, the Shindemn Go ("go" means "five" in Japanese) also appears to run with a different swingarm and a new monocoque frame.
The new Shinden is said to have better aerodynamics thanks to a smaller profile, with a narrower cross-section in the front half, allowing it to cut through the air better.
For 2016, Mugen added even more power as they promised, with the oil-cooled three-phase motor now capable of producing 161 hp and 154.8 lb-ft (210 Nm) of torque. The laminate-type Lithium-Ion battery delivers 370V, but there's no word yet regarding its capacity. Most likely, Mugen packed just as many cells as needed to provide energy for a fill-throttle TT lap.
The weight is still 552 lb (250 kg), even though the cooling system was changed to manage the power increase and the rear suspension is now a cross-link rocker -type.
Just like in 2016, Mugen will field a two-rider team with TT legend John McGuinness alongside Bruce Anstey. Though less of a "king of the Mountain" than Mr. Pint, Anstey is no stranger to success. Back in 2014, he broke the lap record. His best lap took the New Zealand native north of 130 mph, with a top average speed of 132.298 mph (221.867 km/h).
Currently, the aim of electric bikes is to pass the 120 mph (193.08 km/h) mark and it looks like it will happen this summer. How much faster electric bikes can be is a question that will keep receiving new answers year after year. Enjoy the almost unsettling whizz of the Mugen Shinden Go, in the short video after the jump (the second one).
[TWITTERVIDEO=https://twitter.com/TokyoMotorcycle/status/713243852782448642]
[TWITTERVIDEO=https://twitter.com/TokyoMotorcycle/status/713246363799040001]
The new Shinden is said to have better aerodynamics thanks to a smaller profile, with a narrower cross-section in the front half, allowing it to cut through the air better.
For 2016, Mugen added even more power as they promised, with the oil-cooled three-phase motor now capable of producing 161 hp and 154.8 lb-ft (210 Nm) of torque. The laminate-type Lithium-Ion battery delivers 370V, but there's no word yet regarding its capacity. Most likely, Mugen packed just as many cells as needed to provide energy for a fill-throttle TT lap.
The weight is still 552 lb (250 kg), even though the cooling system was changed to manage the power increase and the rear suspension is now a cross-link rocker -type.
Just like in 2016, Mugen will field a two-rider team with TT legend John McGuinness alongside Bruce Anstey. Though less of a "king of the Mountain" than Mr. Pint, Anstey is no stranger to success. Back in 2014, he broke the lap record. His best lap took the New Zealand native north of 130 mph, with a top average speed of 132.298 mph (221.867 km/h).
Currently, the aim of electric bikes is to pass the 120 mph (193.08 km/h) mark and it looks like it will happen this summer. How much faster electric bikes can be is a question that will keep receiving new answers year after year. Enjoy the almost unsettling whizz of the Mugen Shinden Go, in the short video after the jump (the second one).
[TWITTERVIDEO=https://twitter.com/TokyoMotorcycle/status/713243852782448642]
[TWITTERVIDEO=https://twitter.com/TokyoMotorcycle/status/713246363799040001]
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