Eighty-six horsepower doesn’t sound very impressive for a superbike, but TTX GP founder Azhar Hussain hopes it will change the way people think about electric motorcycles. He showed off his TTX01 Electric Superbike in England this week, and explained that the bike is capable of 120 mph with the right gearing, uses twin 43-horsepower Agni Lynch electric motors and was built to stir up buzz about the upcoming Isle of Man TTXGP, the world’s first zero-emissions motorcycle roadrace.
Aside from its wild graphics, the bike (built with an older GSX-R chassis) looks pretty ordinary, but it’s what’s inside that’s interesting. The twin motors-designed for water-vehicle applications-are light, small, and run at 93% efficiency. And if 86 horsepower doesn’t impress you, maybe the 92 ft.-lbs. of torque (essentially available at the crack of the throttle) will. Less impressive is the battery pack, which weighs in at over 160 pounds, and will only sustain the TTX01 at road speeds for around 50 miles. But it’s all a testbed for a future model-available in 2010 for around 20,000 pounds, says Hussain-with regenerative braking, carbon-fiber chassis, and a longer-range battery pack that’s “hot-swappable” for quick battery changes at pit stops (or maybe your spouse can follow you around with fresh batteries).
I’ll believe that bike when I’m riding it, but what will very likely happen is the Zero-Emissions TT race on the Isle in June. It will be one lap around the famed 38-mile Mountain Course for each of the two classes. The first class, called the “Professional Class” will be open to electric motors, internal-combustion engines that are using non-carbon-based fuel, and zero-emissions hybrids. The second class, “Open”, is for electrics only, and every bike is subject to sale post-race for 20,000 pounds. Over 60 teams have expressed interest in competing so far, according to Hussain.
Will this be a new era in two-wheeled racing? Or just a publicity stunt? It’s hard to say until it happens, but a successful race could change the way we view electric vehicles, on two or four wheels.
