HMCL, A fully owned subsidiary of Hero MotoCorp in the USA, has scooped up 49.2% stake in the US-based superbike company Erik Buell Racing. The buyout has lightened Hero’s account balance by about US $25m (Rs. 148 crores).
Soon after parting ways with longstanding partner Honda, Hero MotoCorp announced a two-wheeler technology sharing agreement with Erik Buell Racing in February 2012. Hero has since been in the process of building up their own R&D base in India, with Erik Buell Racing on-board to help develop new age and cutting edge motorcycle technology to be applied to future Hero motorcycles and scooters.
The first bikes and scooters using EBR tech are still to launch here, but this buyout may help Hero’s case in pushing for new technology sooner than expected. While Hero has already pumped in US $15 million towards this buyout, transfer of the balance US $10 million amount will be completed over the next nine months, in the fiscal year 2013-14.
It’s happy days for MS Dhoni’s Mahi Racing Team India as both its riders, Fabian Foret & Kenan Sofuoglu, finished on the podium in the sixth race of the World Supersport season at Portimao in Portugal. Foret managed to pass two riders in the opening stages after starting from fourth place on the grid and took the lead in the latter half of the race due to the incredible pace of the Mahi Racing bikes. He was overtaken by eventual winner Sam Lowes on Turn 11. Foret tried his best to take back the lead but was unsuccessful in his bid and had to settle for a second place finish.
Reigning champion Sofuoglu had finished the race in third position after qualifying in third place. The Turkish rider however managed to set the fastest lap on lap 12 with a 1: 45.730 minute lap. The result leaves both Mahi Racing riders tied in second place on the championship standings. British rider Sam Lowes leads the table currently with 120 points after four wins on the trot. Nine races remain in the 2013 World Supersport season and both Mahi Racing drivers have enough opportunities to overtake Sam Lowes and win the championship.
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.
