Electrical bikes don’t at all times have the perfect fame amongst fanatics. Most of what we’ve seen within the mainstream has been utilitarian, commuter-focused scooters or small runabouts that commerce away the emotion of using for practicality and effectivity.
They’re typically quiet to the purpose of sterile, designed to get you from A to B with out a lot fuss. It’s a system that works for metropolis dwellers and supply riders, however for these of us who reside for the fun of leaning right into a nook or wringing out a motorbike on a straight, it looks like one thing necessary is lacking.
To be honest, firms like Zero and Energica have tried to alter that narrative. Zero’s fashions provide real efficiency wrapped in approachable packages, whereas Energica briefly confirmed us what an Italian tackle electrical velocity might appear to be—earlier than fading away, although there’s hope they might stage a return. Nonetheless, each of these manufacturers construct bikes that sit someplace between sensible and aspirational.
Lightfighter, alternatively, is enjoying a special recreation completely.
This can be a producer that isn’t fascinated with making commuters or all-rounders. Each motorbike they construct is a purpose-made race machine. The model exists solely to push what electrical efficiency can do on the monitor. For on a regular basis riders such as you or me, these bikes don’t even issue into the standard storage buying listing. However that’s the purpose. They’re proof of what occurs when ardour, engineering, and competitors collide.
Take the Lightfighter V3-RS. At a look, it seems to be like another trendy supersport with a pointy fairing, sculpted tank, and minimalist tail. However each inch of it’s designed round its electrical core. A customized chromoly tubular trellis chassis is on the coronary heart, paired with a structural carbon fiber seat and tailframe. On the entrance, you’ve bought Öhlins FGR 252 forks, and out again sits an Öhlins TTX36 shock. Braking is equally critical, with Brembo GP4-RX calipers and 320mm T-slotted rotors up entrance and a CNC-machined Supersport unit on the rear.
Lightfighter’s electrical superbikes are rocking some critical {hardware}.
Photograph by: Lightfighter Racing
Beneath that aggressive bodywork lies the Parker GVM 210 inside everlasting magnet motor, developed with Parker-Hannifin’s superior division. It’s liquid-cooled, compact, and sits in a customized case with a 2:1 direct-drive discount. Peak output is 154 horsepower, with 120 pound-feet of torque proper off the shaft. Issue within the gearbox discount and also you’re taking a look at a monstrous 240 pound-feet on the rear wheel. Motor velocity tops 11,000rpm, which means it pulls exhausting and stays there.
Lightfighter’s bikes rock a light-weight aluminum swingarm.
Photograph by: Lightfighter Racing
Feeding all of it is a chargeable lithium-ion pack operating automotive-grade NMC cells from Farasis Vitality. Nominal voltage sits at 383V, peaking at 440V, with greater than 300A of peak present obtainable. The system is actively cooled and managed by in-house software program, giving it the endurance to outlive full race distance warmth cycles.
Charging takes about an hour, which is fast sufficient for back-to-back monitor classes. At 399 kilos able to journey, with a 56.5-inch wheelbase, 24.5 levels of rake, and slightly below 4 inches of path, the V3-RS is sized and weighted like a contemporary middleweight superbike, solely sharper.
Then there’s the V3-RH, the one constructed to go bar-to-bar in MotoAmerica’s Roland Sands Design Tremendous Hooligan class. Not like the faired RS, the RH wears its aggression overtly. Quantity plates dangle from the entrance, a nod to classic AMA superbikes, whereas its uncovered chassis and excessive bars scream perspective. Painted in shiny orange with uncooked carbon and alloy accents, it seems to be prefer it was constructed to select a combat. That is the one you’ll see competing with OrangeCat Racing, exhibiting the Tremendous Hooligan crowd what an EV can do towards big-twin bruisers.
The V3-RS is an all-electric, race-ready supersport.
Photograph by: Lightfighter Racing
The V3-RH is a unadorned model of the RS, and can race within the MotoAmerica Tremendous Hooligan Class.
Photograph by: Lightfighter Racing
The RH runs the identical Parker GVM 210 motor however tuned to 135 horsepower. Torque is equivalent at 120 pound-feet on the shaft, 240 pound-feet by the gearbox, with the identical screaming 11,000rpm redline. The battery pack mirrors the RS, once more utilizing Farasis NMC cells and Lightfighter’s confirmed cooling and thermal administration. Dimensions are almost equivalent, although the RH suggestions the scales just a little heavier at 410 kilos. It rolls on cast OZ Racing aluminum wheels shod with Dunlop Superbike slicks, whereas the RS will get Pirelli rubber. Each setups are designed for outright grip and precision, no compromise.
Styling-wise, the 2 bikes carry totally different personalities. The V3-RS seems to be each bit like the fashionable superbike it’s, with clean fairings wrapping the orange trellis body and flowing into a pointy tail. It’s clear, technical, and clearly constructed for velocity.
The V3-RH, in contrast, embraces its hooligan nameplate. From the daring quantity boards to the upright cockpit, it feels uncooked, muscular, and able to scrap. Each designs talk the identical message, although: that is no science experiment. These are absolutely fashioned racebikes.
And that’s why Lightfighter is so attention-grabbing. These aren’t bikes you’ll doubtless ever purchase for the road, and so they’re not meant to be. However the reality they exist proves that electrical expertise can carry the soul of motorcycling, not simply the operate. It’s not about constructing the subsequent supply scooter or eco-commuter. It’s about constructing a machine that makes your coronary heart race, whether or not you’re watching from the stands or gripping the bars your self.
Lightfighter’s critical about placing electrical in mainstream racing.
Photograph by: Lightfighter Racing
If historical past is any information, what occurs on the racetrack not often stays there. Traction management, ride-by-wire throttles, light-weight alloys, and aerodynamic methods all trickled down from competitors bikes to those we journey on daily basis. There’s no motive the identical gained’t occur with electrical efficiency.
Lightfighter’s breakthroughs in battery cooling, torque supply, and chassis integration might simply form the EV sportbikes of tomorrow. And possibly, simply possibly, which means we’ll at some point have entry to bikes that provide all of the comfort of electrical with out dropping any of the emotion that makes using addictive.
For now, although, Lightfighter is carving out its area of interest within the purest manner doable. By going racing. By proving that keenness, when channeled into engineering, can construct one thing actually badass.
