Electric perfection?

Electric motorcycles - Everyone has an opinion and lots of it negative. Chief concern is the range, which often tops out at about 200km before needing a charge - More if you are (like most) spirited with your throttle.

Mission is trying to push that with the 200mile (about 320km), 160bhp Mission RS (race special). It's derived from the bike Steve Rapp rode at Laguna Seca in 2011, but with the addition of lights, signal and mirrors.

While the 160bhp isn't a "huge" amount by today standards, the fact it delivers 120ft/lb of torque is - that's about 50% more pulling power than the current Fireblade. That range is also somewhat misleading - Ride it like Steve did and there's no way you'll get close to 200miles. Mission concede real world range is about 140. A couple of chargers on the bike suggest that a two- hour recharge is possible - batteries also may be swappable.

At $59.999, you're going to have to be a fanatic though. You could get a couple of Pannigales and change for the same money. Still, that price does buy exclusivity - Only 40 will be made.

A more affordable version will follow soon, called the Mission R. It won't feature quite the same trick Ohlins WSBK-spec suspension, GP-spec Brembo brakes and carbon wheels, but it will come with various battery pack options that trade range for weight.

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One very exciting development is the MissionOS, which features a touchscreen dashboard, GPS directions and LTE internet connectivity. There's also a bluetooth HUD (heads up display) helmet planned. Perhaps most impressively, there's a stabilized 1080p camera installed directly into the nose - no more safetying a Go-Pro to your fairing.

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Expect to see both the RS and R come out during Summer 2014