Last week we showed you a simple YouTube video entitled: “Electric Motorcycle 160 MPH”, and now we know the story behind that 160 mph hour run, and can report that the Mission One electric motorcycle is the fastest production electric motorcycle in the world with an official land speed record of 150.059 mph. Video and more after the jump
Mission Motors was indeed present at the Bub Week motorcycle event at the Bonneville Salt Flats earlier this month. With their “race fairings” on the Mission One, Mission Motors was indeed able to reach the 160 mph mark on a single-pass run. But in order to achieve a land speed record, a return pass must be completed, in order to compensate for any windage that may have occurred on the first pass.
Under gusty cross winds and with poor salt conditions, the Mission One achieved an AMA Top Speed record with a 150.059 mph two-pass average run, under the Bonneville timed mile. Compare that to the 173 mph single-pass run of the Norton NRV588 wonderbike, and you can begin to better assess the level of power that the Mission One is achieving as a production prototype. Mission Motors states that the record breaking powertrain found on the prototype will be exactly the same as the one found on the final production motorcycle.
Running on the salt present its own set of unique challenges to riders and teams. One of the most surprising facts is that racing on salt is actually slower than racing on asphalt, which would make running at Bonneville seem counter-intuitive. The salt pack can vary greatly in its resistance, depending on the level of water present, and a rough 10% velocity reduction is often assumed when trying to compare the two speeds.
Contending with the salt factor was Mission Motors’ very own Jeremy Cleland, the AMA and AFM racer who shares duties as both Product Manager and Test Rider at Mission Motors. Jeremy seemed to be all smiles after the event, saying, “The Mission One is just an incredible motorcycle.”
Mission Motors plans on selling 300 Mission One electric motorcycles next year, with the first 50 Premier Limited Edition models available for reservation now.
watch the video:
YouTube - 150 mph Electric Motorcycle: Mission Motors Electric Superbike Sets Bonneville Landspeed Record



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