Last year, I introduced you to this electric motorcycle prototype. Now that it has been clocked at 150 mph on the Bonneville Salts, the company behind it, Mission Motors in san Francisco, is selling it in limited number for a MSRP price of $68,995. Like most of you, I am not a fanatic of the design and of “silent speed” with no sound, no shifting, no exhaust. Still, I am convinced that electric motorcycles will represent in a few years a significant share of the 2 and 3-wheel market. So a few facts to know.
Mission Motors has equipped Mission One with proprietary battery technology giving riders the freedom to travel 150 miles on a single charge. Built with high-energy lithium-ion batteries that can recharge anywhere. The 2010 model Mission One comes equipped with: Ohlins inverted front forks, Ohlins fully adjustable shock, Brembo 4 piston monobloc calipers, Marchesini wheels, and race compound tires. The Mission One creates a whole new level of rider control. With a fully equipped data acquisition system and wireless communication capability, riders can capture and analyze real time ride data. Riders have the power to adjust throttle maps, tune regenerative braking, and create multiple ride settings, all from their laptop computer. Design (huh) was created by Yves Behar and Fuseproject. Mission Motors.
IF YOU DONT LOOK AT THE PRICE…WHO WOULDNT RIDE ONE?
if you dont look at the bike…who wouldnt ride one?
REALLY? 68K?!!!! I WOULD RATHER WALK ……AT ANY PRICE!!!
The people who can buy these probably don’t care how much those batteries cost! peace
Is that 68,000 or 6,800?
To Busfreak. From their website: We are now accepting reservations for the Premier Limited Edition of the Mission One, limited to 50 numbered units to be delivered in 2010. Complete the form below and a Mission Motor Company sales representative will contact you shortly. Download the reservation terms and conditions. The deposit amount is $5000, and the sales price is $68,995″
Bill Dube owner and maker of the Killacycle created a drag bike that runs in the 7’s at the 1/4 mile mark. I doubt his one up even cost this much. In my mind $68,000 is too much even for a limited edition especially when you consider the restrictions of this bike. But like Cyril I am also convinced the electric bike will become a staple within the next 10 years or so as the battery technology improves for longer rides.
Steve The Producer Johann
I’ll bet Bill Dube spent more like $200,000.00 on his bike!Martin
Good design, and tecnology, good luck for the next years.
Well, that’s just the slickest moped I’ve seen this week.
Future is here….this is a prime example.
Dig the technology, hate the style.
Nice as a test bed or concept bike, but I don’t really see why someone would want to buy that particular bike. DC motors have amazingly good low-end torque so they are well-suited for street-racers, but it’s going to be a while before anything is available in an affordable good looking electric bike. Just like with electric cars, we’re still waiting for yet uninvented battery or fuelcell technology to build a usable electric bike that isn’t just a novelty item.
The cost of the batteries is the thing that has kept electric vehicles in obscurity, in spite of what the conspiracy believing enviro kooks espouse. A quality battery pack will last about 5 years. But after that you’re going to pony up another $10k to $30k to replace it. A third or more of that bike’s cost is in the battery pack and (likely) on-board charger. I would have gone with an AC motor, however.
It is here already……
Brammo Electric bkes out of Oregon has a much more affordable bike at just $7,995 which is being sold at COSTCOs across the US.
Not the high end brake and suspension of the Mission, nor the performance, but it has its applications from a lightweight motorbike on the back of a motorhome and riding around town, to police patroling. It is even freeway legal. Brammo also has a new high performance, long range model coming out in the next few months.
We had the chance to ride one in the twisties of Mullholand highway at the Rock Store this past weekend, and the cornering speed and handling response is amazing, and better than a conventional motorcycle because it is so light (sub 300 lbs).
These new electic motorcycles will never replace 4-stoke motorcycles for motorcycle enthusiasts, but the demand is coming and they will have their place in the future as both very practical and affordable,low maintenace urban transportation, and right now, even their own electric roadracing classes. But without the noise of a racing 4-stroke engine, they just won’t have much fan appeal.
While the Mission bike at $69,000 is expensive, it is already a proven race winner in the TXX electric race classes held in conjunction with traditional motorcycle roadraces like the Isle of Mann. I think they will be running an electric race at the Indy MotoGP this September.
http://www.brammo.com/home
Correction, the Brammo is avaialble for sale at BEST BUY.
Check out their racing bike and video from last year’s isle of Mann Xtreme Grand Prix on thier website.
http://www.brammo.com/home
i hope i will be dead before riding an electric bike
i like my carburator and my polution even the 2 strokes smoke
I’m thinking an AC motor would require a really long cord or a needlessly expensive digital inverter?