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[alko]

I'll be looking very close at this bike as I may be trading my Zero for one. Price will certainly matter but is not the deciding factor. Mostly range, ergonomics and quick charging options.

BEWARE.! BIKE IS MADE IN CHINA.

https://www.cyclenews.com/2019/03/article/lightning-strike-prototype-review/

From this review though, I'm not as impressed as I was hoping. Delivery won't start till June.

[GrantMeStrength]

Oooo. Was expecting a Street Fighter, not an electric CBR600. Interesting!

[flattetyre]

Lightning's whole thing is they are faired and have high top speed.

I think the Lightning Strike is pretty damn cool but if I was getting one I would keep my other electric bike. That way you're more likely to have a functioning ebike when one or the other has issues.

[Doug S]

BEWARE.! BIKE IS MADE IN CHINA.

That's probably a wise decision. They don't have any manufacturing capacity (to speak of) that I'm aware of, and it comes cheaper and faster in China than just about anywhere. Trying to build that capacity here in the states would take as long as it's taken Zero.

As an EE, I know that it IS possible to source quality manufacturing in China -- hell, the iPhone is made there. I'm 100% sure there are good people in China that know how to produce great electric motorcycles affordably. But you really have to know what you're doing and who you're talking to. Whether or not Lightning is successful at navigating that maze remains to be seen.

[flattetyre]

Yeah don't be dumb about China. They have a space program and are capable of making some of the most precise shit in the world.

Also it's not possible to do mass production here like it is there, so good on Lightning for doing something smart.

[Richard230]

I was surprised to see that the Lightning Strike uses a 150V power system. I expected something higher.

Speaking of manufacturing, I believe that most of Zero's parts are manufactured in China, including the motor, batteries, controller, frame, wheels and maybe even the Showa suspension.  The bike is just assembled in Scotts Valley from these and other various components made in Asia.  I don't even want to think what those assemblies would cost if they were made in the U.S., where they are not even available.

[ultrarnr]

With a 150 volt system the DCFC will be CHAdeMO as CCS doesn’t go below 200 volts.

[alko]

With a 150 volt system the DCFC will be CHAdeMO as CCS doesn’t go below 200 volts.

Of the 8 dc chargers at my local station, only one is a 50 kw CHAdeMO. Does that mean there will be a lot fewer of compatable chargers for the Strike?

[NEW2elec]

It says there are 2 options. The cheap one is 150 volts and the high one is 300 volts.

I want to see this guy get an SR with a power tank AND and charge tank for $22k because he thinks you can.


Time to make a Lightning section on the forum.  Because this isn't a 13+ Zero thread.

[MVetter]

According to the article they have produced 40 of the LS-218 bikes in the last 7 years. Any evidence at all of happy Lightning owners?

[Richard230]

According to the article they have produced 40 of the LS-218 bikes in the last 7 years. Any evidence at all of happy Lightning owners?

I never heard of any owners at all - period.  You would think that at least Jay Leno would own one.  Has anyone seen a video of him reviewing the LS-218?  I would imagine that one or two of those claimed LS-218 owners would have commented on their rides sometime during the past 7 years.   

And I agree that there should be a dedicated Lightning sub-forum - along with one for the Zero SR/F platform.

[NEW2elec]

It took a lot of digging, I mean a lot, but I found the only video I remember of a LS218 going to a customer.
Richard, Jay Leno took one for a test ride and talked with Hatfield but I don't think he bought one.  Gizmag did a very entertaining video review and was gushing about the torque.  Translogic did one and though he liked it they showed footage of the bike shutting down mid ride and needing to be rebooted.  The guy said it happened a few times so they took it back in.  He felt it was a thermal issue but that was all he said about it.   That was the last ride review video from any "media" that I know of.

[Haag13]

Regarding the manufacturing in China, this is not necessarily something to be feared.  China will manufacture to your specifications, i.e., if you want total crap, they'll build that, and if you want high quality, they can build that too.  They can do both cheaper than we can in the US.  Many of the "manufactured in China" quality issues stem from buying products manufactured in China by Chinese companies competing solely on price, but they are completely capable of manufacturing high end quality items that you specify and inspect.

[JaimeC]

Regarding the manufacturing in China, this is not necessarily something to be feared.  China will manufacture to your specifications, i.e., if you want total crap, they'll build that, and if you want high quality, they can build that too.  They can do both cheaper than we can in the US.  Many of the "manufactured in China" quality issues stem from buying products manufactured in China by Chinese companies competing solely on price, but they are completely capable of manufacturing high end quality items that you specify and inspect.

Remembering the Chinese-made engines in the BMW C650 Maxi-scooters whose porous castings required complete engine replacements by BMW.

Or the euthanasia drugs found in Chinese-prepared pet foods...

[GrantMeStrength]

Here are some comments from Lightning regarding the article linked to above. Seems very odd that the magazine would publish their story just before the official launch, knowing (but not explicitly stating) that the bike they rode was really nothing like what would be shipping: according to the company, the bike tested was really just a "mule" with the new drivetrain.

https://electrek.co/2019/03/25/lightning-strike-electric-motorcycle-specs-leaked/

So we'll have to wait a few days more to see what the Strike is ACTUALLY going to be like.