Mission Motorcycles Launches R and RS Electric Superbikes

Little known manufacturer Mission Motorcycles has announced the launch of two electric superbikes, the R and RS. This means that for about Rs. 17 Lakh (before duties) you can now ride at speeds comparable to 600cc racing bikes albeit using the power of electricity only.

Mission R

Mission Motors was founded in 2007 with the goal of building and selling high performance electric motorcycles. However, when its original design, the Mission One, didn’t achieve enough demand, the company switched to selling electric components and drivetrain development. It was during this time that the idea for the Mission R was conceived, a new entity called Mission Motorcycles was born and now the R and RS have reached the production line.

Mission RS

The motorcycle industry seems to have stagnated, where the biggest headlines are filled with the smallest of improvements. Only by combining the cleanest expression of raw power, provided by an electric powertrain, with the connectivity we’ve come to expect, can anyone truly evolve the motorcycle into the 21st century. And this is precisely our goal.

– Mark Seeger, Mission Motorcycles president

The Mission R comes with an option of 12, 15 & 17 kWh batteries good for 169, 193 and 225 kilometres respectively. It also features fully adjustable Öhlins RT suspension, Brembo monobloc calipers, and Marchesini forged aluminum wheels. The Mission R will set you back a cool $29,999 after federal tax credit (or Rs. 17 Lakh before duties for us here in India). It develops 160bhp, 120lb/ft of torque and can reach over 240 kmph.

Mission R

The Mission RS is a little heavier on the wallet at $60,000 (or Rs. 34 Lakh before duties) but also promises performance to match. The RS is a replica of the bike that set the electric lap record at Laguna Seca  in July 2011, while winning the only TTXGP event it was ever entered in and will be limited to 40 units globally. It has the same drivetrain as the R model, but features an Öhlins FGRT fork and BST carbon fiber wheels. It will come with a battery capable of a 225 mile range.

Mission R

The bikes also come with something never seen on a production motorcycle before: an Internet-connected operating system integrating turn-by-turn navigation, an HD video camera with telemetry overlay and integration for wireless HUD. The R will go into production when all 40 of the RS have been delivered.

[Autoblog]