Next month will see the start of a rather intriguing two-wheeled battle, that of electric versus gasoline, as the world’s most powerful electric superbike goes head to head against conventional gasoline-powered race bikes in a professionally organised road race in the US.
The Swigz Racing bike will compete against the likes of racing superbikes such as the Ducati 1198 and KTM RC8 at the Auto Club Speedway in California in January, though it will make its track debut later this month in a private test.
By February next year, the 194 hp and 400 Nm electric superbike – which features a bespoke KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) among the host of tech on board – should become the most powerful road racing motorcycle of any kind being actively campaigned.
Excluded from the FIM and TTXGP Championships for electric motorcycles, which set a new 250kg maximum weight limit for 2011 (the bike weighs 266 kg), Swigz Racing’s owner Chip Yates, who is also the bike’s rider, said the decision was made to take the platform forward in the competitive environment of gasoline bike racing.
With a power to weight ratio that is slightly better than 600cc bikes, the machine will begin the 2011 season by competing in the WERA Pirelli Sportsman Heavyweight Twins Superbike class, where its power to weight ratio puts it in the middle of the field, though a more than 20% increase to its current 194 hp has been planned after the first race.
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the rear looks like a bit too ugly. but anyways, I support this project! Go Green Earth!!!
That is where the battery is…
and most likely would upset the handling…
can’t they use Range Extender engine to charge a smaller battery pack while in race???
sweet ride … loike it …
this is one heavy SBK –> surely because of power cell. I wonder how’s the handling.. Does engine braking exist on electric bike?
too heavy then need Hulk to handle.. Rossi, Pedrosa, Stoney, Lorenzo also may not have the muscle to switch left right.. MY Mat rempit sure cannot exit corner with it.. hehe
i bet the century sprint will be much faster than conventional bikes…but no doubt that is one fugly bike
It’s more for drag racing…
So… does it do drag race, or does it do a 60-lap sprint?
Then Sepang track soon will be very silent. No fun at all.
HP and weight looks not very good but the torque is quite huge (400nm)….corner exit speed will be instant (nature of electric motor…max torque from idle) but lose out on its nimbleness and maybe entry speed due to its weight
surely because of power cell. I wonder how’s the handling..
400NM off idle. Wonder how it manages to keep the front wheels on the ground
i wonder…. if the bike will look uglier after or before it crash??? LOL
paul, macam mana dengan skuter solarin turtle…
tahun depan dah leh duk kat jalan raya…
apa jadi dengan skuter solar elektrik ini
aiyoo very dangerous lah chain not covered..sangkut wooo
Just reading anything new.