Lightning Motorcycles

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2009
HQ: Hollister, California, United States
Employees: ~15

Indexes

E-Motorcycles

Overview

Lightning Motorcycles produces high-performance electric motorcycles designed to match or exceed traditional internal combustion engine bikes in speed, range, and charging speed. The company focuses on in-house EV technologies, including fast-charging solutions and modular battery architectures, targeting enthusiasts seeking performance without emissions. Notable for setting land speed records and winning races like Pikes Peak against gas motorcycles.¹²⁴⁶

History

Lightning Motorcycles was founded in 2006 by Richard Hatfield, a former financial executive and racer, to develop electric motorcycles competitive with gas-powered ones using emerging lithium battery technology. Key milestones include breaking the electric motorcycle land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats in 2009, exceeding 200 mph in 2011, winning the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2013 against ICE bikes, and beginning production deliveries of the LS-218 in 2015, Strike in 2019, and Strike R in 2022. The company has also developed the XFC 10-minute fast charge solution and provided EV engineering services during its R&D phase.¹²⁴⁵⁶

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
LS-218 (Superbike)	World's fastest production electric motorcycle	$130,000 - $160,000
Strike (Carbon Fiber Cruiser)	High-performance electric cruiser	$40,000 - $50,000
Strike R (Performance Variant)	Enhanced cruiser with race-proven tech	$45,000 - $55,000

Manufacturing

Products are designed, built, and assembled in-house in Hollister, California, USA, using agile manufacturing techniques. The company emphasizes proprietary EV technologies developed through racing and testing.¹²⁴

Notable Products

LS-218 - Flagship superbike that set 218 mph land speed record and won Pikes Peak in 2013.
Strike - Carbon fiber electric cruiser delivered starting 2019 with extended range and fast charging.
Strike R - 2022 performance cruiser variant incorporating race technology.
Lightning XFC - 10-minute 24 kWh fast charge solution for rapid recharging.

Reputation

Lightning Motorcycles is recognized by enthusiasts for pioneering achievements like land speed records and Pikes Peak wins, validating electric motorcycles' performance parity with gas bikes. Professionals note strengths in fast-charging innovation and in-house tech but highlight limited production scale and high prices as barriers to mainstream adoption. The brand has earned industry awards and media coverage, though small team size constrains output.¹²³⁴

Sources (6)