Lightning Motorcycles LS-218Lightning Motorcycle LS-218During this year’s Quail Motorcycle Gathering at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, Calif., Lightning Motorcycles will unveil its LS-218 – an electric super bike that produces more than 200 horsepower.
Lightning says the LS-218, which will debut on May 17 at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, will be the “most technologically advanced and highest performing street-legal production motorcycle in the world.”Lightning is no stranger to speed; the San Carlos, Calif., manufacturer impressed during the 2013 Pikes Peak Hill Climb when Carl Dunn set the quickest motorcycle time on a Lightning electric-powered motorcycle.“Since 2006 the Lightning team has been dedicated to developing electric motorcycles that meet and exceed the performance of the best ICE alternatives”, says Richard Hatfield, CEO of Lightning Motorcycle.“To have broad acceptance from the motorcyclist community, we need to provide design, performance and value that competes head to head with the best gasoline motorcycles on the market. Lightning’s R&D team has developed electric vehicle technology through years of competition at racing events around the world. We believe that the LS-218 offers consumers the best of design, performance and value in today’s market.”The Lightning Motorcycles LS-218 is powered by an IPM liquid cooled 10,500 rpm electric motor that can produce in excess of 200 horsepower and 168 ft/lbs of torque, Lighting says. Part of the performance arrives from Lightning’s proprietary Ultra High Power Density Drive system, which allows max power setting without any concerns of overheating.As for range, the Lightening claims 100 miles per charge with the standard battery package. And the batteries will accept standard power outlets for charging, and at public fast-charging stations, it takes less than 30 minutes for a full charge, Lightning reports.The Lightning LS-218 is a direct street legal version of the same bike that won AMA and FIM races and set landspeed records. Customers can purchase a Lightning LS- 218 and have the same opportunity to win an FIM EPower race or set a land speed record themselves while still using their LS-218 as daily commuter bike, Lightening reports.“Consumers no longer are required to pay more for less performance to support green technology,” says Hatfield.“The Lightning LS-218′s can compete with the best ICE alternatives today. Lightning achieved the goal we set in 2009 to compete against and win against the best gasoline race bikes. In June 2013, at Pikes Peak, Lighting won first overall competing against 93 other motorcycle teams (electric and gasoline) by over 20 seconds.Many upgrades will be available for the LS-218, including a fully programmable Android display, carbon-fiber swingarm and frame, titanium fasteners, custom graphic wrap and seating.For additional about the LS-218, visit lightningmotorcycle.com.
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory + Steve ’Stavros’ Parrish
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly podcast—Motos and Friends. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.
——————
The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
——————
In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.
But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!
