Did You Know? In 1974 Mike Corbin Established An Electric Motorcycle Land Speed Record Of 165.397 MPH.

corbinelectric1corbinelectric2From The Electric Garage. In 1974 Mike Corbin (from Corbin Seats & m0re) set the Electric Motorcycle Land Speed Record at Bonneville with “Quicksilver”, a bike that, in 1972 set the previous Land Speed Record running lead/acid batteries.  

The 1974 record of 165.397MPH  stood for over 30 years. ‘Quicksilver” was running silver-zinc batteries, thus the name. The bike was the first electric vehicle raced with battery technology beyond simple lead/acid.

That year silver zinc batteries represented a 8x “more available power” advantage over lead/acid batteries. Silver-zinc is a well known chemistry that has been used in space and still in use today.

5 Responses to “Did You Know? In 1974 Mike Corbin Established An Electric Motorcycle Land Speed Record Of 165.397 MPH.”


  1. 1 Rodent Jan 9th, 2014 at 9:37 am

    40 years later Mike is still known to ride at similar speeds!

  2. 2 Aloha-Terry Jan 9th, 2014 at 10:09 am

    I remember this and years ago it was viewed the same a setting world record in the 50cc sidecar class. Now you look back and say, “Dude, you were way ahead of your time.” I view Mike Corbin and Craig Vetter much the same way. Look at what they did in 20 or 30 years ago, and then go to the garage start working on the future.
    These guys were always ahead of the curve. Cyril thanks for reminding us of these forward thinkers.

  3. 3 Jay Horton's Private Shop Jan 10th, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Well said Terry! Hope all is good with you, Brother. Later Jay

  4. 4 BigAlyts Jan 10th, 2014 at 11:57 am

    I am still Loving those 3 Wheeled Bikes/ Cages that Mike was selling about 10 or 15 Years ago. I think they were ahead of their time also. They didn’t sell well and I thought they were very reasonably priced. These Vehicles should be Reintroduced. Did you hear that Mike??? I always said you run a Class Act. Maybe the very Best of all the Vendors. Great Hospitality, great Service and Great Quality. I have never seen a Worn out Corbin Seat
    .. Cyril you are a Tribute to anybody who Loves Motorcycles. Your Blog is way over the Top!!!!
    Like I always say you are the TMZ of the Motorcycle INDUSTRY……..period.

  5. 5 Steve The Hog Radio Show Producer Jan 10th, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    Great info I didn’t get that from him when I met him back in 2008. Time to get Mike on the show for another interview.

    Rodent – I think we met at his Wizard Café summer of 2008 when I rolled in for a walk through interview with Mike and he ended up spending 3 hours with me and my family sharing with us touring the shop and treating us to launch. The picture of you two in front of the wizard sign sits in my office!

    Thanks Cyril for showcasing Mike great guy and supporter of the industry for decades.

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Cyril Huze