The Mission RS promises to be the first electric motorcycle to compete with gas bikes on outright performance. Two years ago, it set a new lap record at Laguna Seca with 1:31.3, good enough that it would have qualified fifth on the grid of the AMA Daytona Sportbike race happening the same weekend. That's with a top speed restricted to just 130 mph to conserve battery power, mind you.

For years, electric powertrains have held much promise for motorcycles. They should deliver more performance than their internal-combustion equivalents. But they haven't, until now.

It's common for a gas-powered superbike to exceed the Mission's 160-hp figure, but 120 lb-ft of torque is 20 or so more than even the most powerful Ducatis. And all of it is available all the time, with no need to chase revs or gears. Thrust is simply a function of how far you twist the throttle. And you'd better hang on—this bike is powerful enough to wheelie on full throttle or, if you're more restrained, run 0–60 mph in around three seconds. It'll keep running all they way to a top speed of 150 mph. (It's limited to that in the interest of range conservation.)

Without the reciprocating inertia and vibration of a traditional internal-combustion engine, the Mission delivers a level of feedback hitherto impossible. Rider inputs are better informed, and the bike reacts more immediately than ever before.

Five hundred and forty pounds is a lot of weight to push around a driveway, garage, or parking lot, but clustering the heavy components (the batteries) around an ideal center of gravity pays huge dividends. Once underway, the Mission's heft simply disappears, creating a bike with rapid steering, yet excellent stability.

The Mission features a bespoke operating system and a huge, touchscreen interface. It's also connected to the Internet, allowing you to record and share 1080p image-stabilized video of your ride, along with a Google map of your route and telemetry data like lean angles, acceleration, and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

Recharge time on a standard 110-volt outlet is so bad that Mission doesn't disclose it. When plugged into a 220-volt line with the available twin-charger system, the 17-kWh battery recharges fully in under two hours. Operating range is around 140 miles highway (Mission calls it "real world") or 230 miles in the city.

Finally realizing the promise of electric motivation, the Mission RS is superior to every performance motorcycle yet created. On real roads, it's faster and better handling than any conventionally powered bike, delivering unprecedented feel and control while connecting emotionally with its rider in a whole new way—it sounds like a TIE Fighter on an attack run.

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This $58,999 RS model is limited to just 40 units. Once it's delivered, the Mission R will enter production starting at just $32,499 (before a $2,500 federal tax credit), blunted only by a slightly lower-quality (but still extremely nice) suspension and wheels.

On two wheels at least, gas power just became obsolete.

2014 MISSION RS - KEY SPECS

MSRP: $58,999

$58,999 Electric Motor: Liquid-cooled, 3-Phase, AC Induction

Liquid-cooled, 3-Phase, AC Induction Battery: Lithium-Ion, 17 kWh

Lithium-Ion, 17 kWh Power: 160 hp

160 hp Torque: 120 lb-ft

120 lb-ft 0–60: 3 seconds

3 seconds Range (Highway): 140 mi

140 mi Range (City): 230 mi

230 mi Recharge Time: Under 2 hours

Under 2 hours Weight: 540 lbs

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