Motorcycles

The Phoenix rises: Mission R returns, and now it's road-legal

The Phoenix rises: Mission R returns, and now it's road-legal
The Mission RS electric motorcycle
The Mission RS electric motorcycle
View 11 Images
Both the RS and R bikes sport a custom electric drivetrain, labelled "Infinite Drive"
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Both the RS and R bikes sport a custom electric drivetrain, labelled "Infinite Drive"
The Mission RS and R are powered by a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
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The Mission RS and R are powered by a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
The bikes have a maximum range of 140 miles (225 km)
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The bikes have a maximum range of 140 miles (225 km)
The track- and road-ready RS is produced in an ultra-limited edition of 40
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The track- and road-ready RS is produced in an ultra-limited edition of 40
The Mission RS electric motorcycle
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The Mission RS electric motorcycle
Both the RS and R bikes are hand-built in the US
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Both the RS and R bikes are hand-built in the US
The Mission RS and R each feature a fully digital instrument cluster with an on-board computer system dubbed "Mission OS"
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The Mission RS and R each feature a fully digital instrument cluster with an on-board computer system dubbed "Mission OS"
The Mission RS will begin shipping in mid-2014
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The Mission RS will begin shipping in mid-2014
The on-board charger is the same for both models and is reckoned by Mission Motorcycles to be "the most advanced on-board charger ever designed for two wheels"
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The on-board charger is the same for both models and is reckoned by Mission Motorcycles to be "the most advanced on-board charger ever designed for two wheels"
Both the RS and R bikes sport a custom electric drivetrain, labelled "Infinite Drive"
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Both the RS and R bikes sport a custom electric drivetrain, labelled "Infinite Drive"
The Mission RS and R are powered by a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
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The Mission RS and R are powered by a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
View gallery - 11 images

San Francisco-based Mission Motorcycles has unveiled two brand-new electric bikes which it bills as the most advanced on the market: the Mission RS and Mission R. The track- and road-ready RS is produced in an ultra-limited edition of 40, but the R will be manufactured in larger quantities at a cheaper price, while still retaining the key specs of its edgier sibling. However, if the name Mission R seems familiar, well that's because it is ...

What's in a name?

The Mission RS is a direct descendent of the Mission R prototype race bike that snagged Mission Motors a win at Laguna Seca’s 2011 FIM/TTXGP electric-vehicle race event. It’s sold in a run of just 40 to celebrate the 40-second lead that rider Steve Rapp enjoyed when crossing the finish line.

However, confusingly, this original Mission R was produced by Mission Motors, not Mission Motorcycles – so what's going on here? It's more than a name-change, as Mission Motorcycles is a wholly new, independent company that's taken the technology developed by Mission Motors and ran with it.

Whoever is in charge, the result is a bike that looks much the same as the one we were drooling over back in 2010, but with updated 2013 specs.

The on-board charger is the same for both models and is reckoned by Mission Motorcycles to be "the most advanced on-board charger ever designed for two wheels"
The on-board charger is the same for both models and is reckoned by Mission Motorcycles to be "the most advanced on-board charger ever designed for two wheels"

Infinite Drive

Both the RS and R bikes are hand-built in the US, and sport a custom electric drivetrain, labelled "Infinite Drive." This provides 133.4 ft lb/180.9 Nm (0 – 6400 RPM) torque, and over 160 hp (150 kW), to push each machine to a top speed of around 150 mph (241 km/h). Acceleration from a standstill is similarly healthy, with 0 - 60 mph (96.5 km/h) clocking in at three seconds.

The Mission RS and R are powered by a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers a 140-mile (225 km) range, though lower-capacity 12 kWh and 15 kWh iterations are also available for the Mission R to enable a lower retail price.

The on-board charger is the same for both models and is reckoned by Mission Motorcycles to be "the most advanced on-board charger ever designed for two wheels." PR spiel aside, the optional twin charger system does offer impressively quick charging times, and can have the bikes fully-juiced within two hours.

Mission OS

The Mission RS and R both feature a fully digital instrument cluster with an on-board computer system dubbed "Mission OS." That system makes use of a touchscreen-based UI to offer turn-by-turn navigation, communications, ride telemetry data, and track-mode setup.

There’s also GPS and Bluetooth integrated within the dashboard, and support for a heads-up-display (HUD). The unit receives free automatic over-air software updates, via free cellular data.

Arriving next year

The flagship model Mission RS will begin shipping in mid-2014, and prices start at a U$56,499, depending on which extras you choose to splurge on. The Mission R is said to be slated for release soon after the RS has sold out, and will in turn be available from $29,999 – though be aware that both quoted prices are based on a US tax credit reduction of $2,500.

Further details and an option to pre-order are available via the source link below.

Source: Mission Motorcycles via Uncrate

San Francisco-based Mission Motorcycles has unveiled two brand-new electric bikes which it bills as the most advanced on the market: the Mission RS and Mission R. The track- and road-ready RS is produced in an ultra-limited edition of 40, but the R will be manufactured in larger quantities at a cheaper price, while still retaining the key specs of its edgier sibling. However, if the name Mission R seems familiar, well that's because it is ...

What's in a name?

The Mission RS is a direct descendent of the Mission R prototype race bike that snagged Mission Motors a win at Laguna Seca’s 2011 FIM/TTXGP electric-vehicle race event. It’s sold in a run of just 40 to celebrate the 40-second lead that rider Steve Rapp enjoyed when crossing the finish line.

However, confusingly, this original Mission R was produced by Mission Motors, not Mission Motorcycles – so what's going on here? It's more than a name-change, as Mission Motorcycles is a wholly new, independent company that's taken the technology developed by Mission Motors and ran with it.

Whoever is in charge, the result is a bike that looks much the same as the one we were drooling over back in 2010, but with updated 2013 specs.

The on-board charger is the same for both models and is reckoned by Mission Motorcycles to be "the most advanced on-board charger ever designed for two wheels"
The on-board charger is the same for both models and is reckoned by Mission Motorcycles to be "the most advanced on-board charger ever designed for two wheels"

Infinite Drive

Both the RS and R bikes are hand-built in the US, and sport a custom electric drivetrain, labelled "Infinite Drive." This provides 133.4 ft lb/180.9 Nm (0 – 6400 RPM) torque, and over 160 hp (150 kW), to push each machine to a top speed of around 150 mph (241 km/h). Acceleration from a standstill is similarly healthy, with 0 - 60 mph (96.5 km/h) clocking in at three seconds.

The Mission RS and R are powered by a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers a 140-mile (225 km) range, though lower-capacity 12 kWh and 15 kWh iterations are also available for the Mission R to enable a lower retail price.

The on-board charger is the same for both models and is reckoned by Mission Motorcycles to be "the most advanced on-board charger ever designed for two wheels." PR spiel aside, the optional twin charger system does offer impressively quick charging times, and can have the bikes fully-juiced within two hours.

Mission OS

The Mission RS and R both feature a fully digital instrument cluster with an on-board computer system dubbed "Mission OS." That system makes use of a touchscreen-based UI to offer turn-by-turn navigation, communications, ride telemetry data, and track-mode setup.

There’s also GPS and Bluetooth integrated within the dashboard, and support for a heads-up-display (HUD). The unit receives free automatic over-air software updates, via free cellular data.

Arriving next year

The flagship model Mission RS will begin shipping in mid-2014, and prices start at a U$56,499, depending on which extras you choose to splurge on. The Mission R is said to be slated for release soon after the RS has sold out, and will in turn be available from $29,999 – though be aware that both quoted prices are based on a US tax credit reduction of $2,500.

Further details and an option to pre-order are available via the source link below.

Source: Mission Motorcycles via Uncrate

View gallery - 11 images
13 comments
13 comments
Australian
Impressive! Can't wait until the prices come down and it's available in a tourer. Love the idea of charging it at home. Does it have regenerative capacity?
The Skud
Sounds great! Anything that is quieter than a Harley gets my vote. I wonder if the gearing or electronics was modified to limit top speed down to 150 or so km/h, (speed limits and radar cops, you know) distance able to be travelled could be lifted somewhat in proportion?
BP
Electric sports bike? Don't people get it that a big part of the enjoyment is hearing the engine? Does it come with playing cards to put on the wheel spokes?
Craig Jennings
With 180 Nm and 150kW the 0-60 time is 3 seconds? How much does it weigh? Thought it'd be sub 3. (My 675 does it in 3.3 if I abuse the clutch ;) ) Anywho, it looks AWESOME! And I'd love a turn!!! And Skud, 150mph
Nairda
U$56,499 ?? Is that Rubles? If US dollars, then they are dreaming.
A Zero DS electric for $15 (somewhat overpriced) with with $5-10k modifications to upgrade breaks/suspension, motor, battery pack and current controller would accomplish the same thing. Granted, the Phoenix looks a little better. ...but not as nice as the zecOO.. :) http://www.gizmag.com/zecoo-electric-motorcycle/22391/
For that matter, its disappointing that electrics still try and look like ICE machines. A lot of the limitations around economically mating an ICE to the wheels is now gone, so the shape of the machine can be substantially redesigned to accommodate the driver. No more lurching over a fuel tank !!
Rocky Stefano
@SKUD - What's the point of an extreme sports bike without the engine noise? At those speeds I would rather that cars and pedestrians alike can HEAR ME when I'm coming.
@BP. Whether I'm riding a sports bike or a Harley, nothing can replace the buzz from hearing the engine. NOTHING.
science ninja
is there a reason that no charger circut isn't built into the front wheel?
Jim Sadler
Why would anyone want to hear a Harley? They sound like two small lawnmowers that are badly tuned and out of sync. On the other hand electric bikes and cars need to make a bit more noise for safety. Too quiet amounts to sneaky and too quiet will cause accidents. One needs just enough noise to let others know that you are there.
nulo
@science ninja truly a pity, but have you ever heard of unsprung weight? that's the reason.
Any idea on total weight ready to rock??
Knowledge Thirsty
@Rocky, This may come a surprise to you, being a rider and all, but the point of extreme sport biking is in the speed and agility of a bike, not in the volume of its noise output...if that were the case, Harleys would be the pinnacle of the sport. We're all glad that you get off on hearing the buzz of your bike, but we're not happy when others (as I'm sure you don't do this) buzz by at 3am and wake us and our families up...that's just rude. But since some people cannot control themselves, we like this trend of electric superbikes and look forward to them replacing the noisemakers. It's actually quite surprising that bikes are not subject to the same noise restrictions that cars are...unless the real problem is in enforcement.
As for this bike...beautiful and inspirational in design and execution...well done! Too bad it and other electrics are so darn expensive still.
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