The age of all-electric motorcycles is upon us and
the Lightning Strike is one of the most exciting we’ve seen so far. Created by Lightning Motorcycles,
the Strike is an aggressive sports bike which will be sold in three different
configurations. It look like a traditional,
ICE-powered motorcycle, with a twin-spar frame, upside-down forks and a modern
double swingarm. There is, however, no exhaust in sight; if you take off that
aerodynamic fairing, you’ll discover it doesn’t need one as it has an electric
powertrain.
The Strike family kicks off with the entry-level
‘Standard’ model that’s outfitted with a 10 kWh battery pack which offers up 112 km of range on the highway and 160 km in the city.
Prices for the Strike Standard start at US$ 12,998, with power sitting at 90 hp
and 244 Nm of torque.
Next in the line-up is the ‘Mid-Range’, which
utilizes a larger 15 kWh battery that offers up to 169 km of
highway driving and 241 km of driving in the city. Like the
Standard, the Mid-Range has 90 hp and 180 lb-ft of twisting force. This model will
set customers back US$ 16,998.
Topping out the Lightning Strike range is the
long-range Carbon Edition, outfitted with a 20 kWh battery that provides 321 km of range in the city. Power for this model sits at 120 hp and
180 lb-ft of torque and it starts at US$ 19,998.
Lightning will sell the entry- and mid-level models
with a 3.3 kW charger as standard, but for an extra US$ 1,500, this can be
upgraded to a 6.6 kW charger. Level 3 fast charging can be added for another US$ 1,500. The Carbon Edition comes standard with the 6.6 kW charger. The bike can
also be optioned with a Performance Package which adds Ohlins suspension,
Brembo brakes and an AIM Strada racing dash. Even though we don’t know their
price, we’d go for the Ohlins and Brembo combo, as they should further improve
the bike’s dynamics.
The company says that the sleek design of the Strike
makes it the most aerodynamically efficient electric motorcycle on the market.
Production of the Carbon Fiber will start in July 2019, with lesser models to follow
shortly after.
