Motorcycles

Lito announces first production run of 190 km/h Sora electric motorcycle

Lito announces first production run of 190 km/h Sora electric motorcycle
The Sora has a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and produces 90 Nm (66.37 ft-lb) from the get go (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The Sora has a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and produces 90 Nm (66.37 ft-lb) from the get go (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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Lito is set to show the Sora in a World premiere at the Montreal Motorcycle show later this month (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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Lito is set to show the Sora in a World premiere at the Montreal Motorcycle show later this month (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The Sora has a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and produces 90 Nm (66.37 ft-lb) from the get go (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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The Sora has a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and produces 90 Nm (66.37 ft-lb) from the get go (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The Lito Sora electric motorcycle (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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The Lito Sora electric motorcycle (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
A carbon fiber fairing and aluminum chassis help to reduce weight (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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A carbon fiber fairing and aluminum chassis help to reduce weight (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
Lito has developed a power management system with three control modes – performance, normal and safe range (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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Lito has developed a power management system with three control modes – performance, normal and safe range (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The Sora features 12 kWh lithium-polymer battery modules and a maximum range of around 200 km (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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The Sora features 12 kWh lithium-polymer battery modules and a maximum range of around 200 km (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The Lito Sora electric motorcycle (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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The Lito Sora electric motorcycle (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The Sora has a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and produces 90 Nm (66.37 ft-lb) from the get go (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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The Sora has a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and produces 90 Nm (66.37 ft-lb) from the get go (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
A "safe range" mode latter enables the rider to plug in a destination and manages the amount of energy required to get there (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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A "safe range" mode latter enables the rider to plug in a destination and manages the amount of energy required to get there (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The design includes an integrated GPS and touchscreen mounted on the tank, along with a compartment that allows you to store and recharge your mobile phone (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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The design includes an integrated GPS and touchscreen mounted on the tank, along with a compartment that allows you to store and recharge your mobile phone (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
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"By Odin we'd love to ride it." That's what we said when we first came across the outrageous Sora electric motorcycle, and it looks like that wish could now come true. Lito Green Motion, the Canadian company behind the Sora, has announced the official start of production for the battery-powered streetfighter.

The specs listed for the production version of the Sora don't quite match up to those floated when the bike was at concept stage, but in the main they come very close, and still add up to an impressive set of performance figures.

Driven by a liquid-cooled 3-phase AC induction motor and deriving power from 12 kWh lithium-polymer battery modules, the Sora has a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and produces 90 Nm (66.37 ft-lb) from the get go.

Lito has developed a power management system with three control modes – performance, normal and safe range. The latter enables the rider to plug in a destination and manages the amount of energy required to ensure don't get stranded in transit. This feature isn't totally unfettered of course – the company states a maximum range of 100 km (62 mi) on the highway and more than 200 km (124 mi) in urban environments, which falls short of the 300 km (185 mi) range originally envisioned, but should still prove ample for the majority of riders. When the battery indicator does dwindle away, you can expect to wait nine hours for a full recharge.

The Lito Sora electric motorcycle (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The Lito Sora electric motorcycle (Photo: LITO Green Motion)

A carbon fiber fairing and aluminum chassis help to reduce weight, but with all that battery grunt in tow the bike still comes in at a rather hefty 260 kg (573.2 lbs.)

There's also some interesting new technology on board, including an integrated GPS and touchscreen mounted on the tank, along with a compartment that allows you to store and recharge your mobile phone. The bike is also designed to cater for those of stockier (and lankier) stature via the "world's first ever electric motorbike seat" which allows the rider to adjust the seat height, even when the bike is in motion.

The design includes an integrated GPS and touchscreen mounted on the tank, along with a compartment that allows you to store and recharge your mobile phone (Photo: LITO Green Motion)
The design includes an integrated GPS and touchscreen mounted on the tank, along with a compartment that allows you to store and recharge your mobile phone (Photo: LITO Green Motion)

When we first looked at the Sora we also made the point that it's not likely to come cheap ... and it isn't. Prices start at CAD$46,399 (approximately US$42K at the time of writing).

Lito is set to show the Sora in a World premiere at the Montreal Motorcycle show later this month. It will be produced in Longueuil, Quebec.

Product page: Lito Green Motion

Ed's note: this story was amended on May 5, 2014 to correct an error in the range specifications. The correct maximum range 100 km (62 mi) on the highway and 200 km (124 mi) in the city. We apologize for this error.

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1 comment
1 comment
The Skud
Still hampered by range and charging times problems! Get the range up to at least 300Km+ - limiting top speed to 130-140Km/h might be all that is needed. Get the charge time down to 4 hours by adding a 240V circuit and they might have a winner. If they cannot get these goals, I'm afraid IC motorcycles will always sell many, many more units. It is no good having a fast ride somewhere if you cannot get back again!