Lightning Motorcycles brought its superbike to the 1.3-mile course that runs downs the El Mirage dry lake bed.
In an effort sponsored by solar technology company SMA, and with LSR veteran Jim Hoogerhyde gripping the handlebars (tightly, we imagine), Lightning flashed down the dusty trail at 189.086 mph. That speed gives the company the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) record for production motorcycles – electric or gas-powered – for that venue.
There two significant things about this achievement. First, the energy for the three runs was supplied courtesy of the sun. Its rays fed a 48-kWh battery pack attached to a mobile solar array, which in turn, fueled the bike's on-board batteries. This is no coal-powered motorcycle.
Second, though wearing a streamlined fairing, the bike is essentially the same machine that the first handful of customers will begin receiving within the next 60 days or so. Yes, Lightning Motorcycles is turning that hard corner from race team and technology developer to actual manufacturer. And that is no small feat.
