As motorcycles go, the Mission R is a beast of a machine, with a 160-horsepower engine that will rocket you from zero to 60 in three seconds. It has a top speed of 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and a range of up to 140 miles (225 km) without refueling. But unlike most beastly machines, this one has zero tailpipe emissions, no growling combustion engine and a digital touchscreen control panel. With none of the inertial forces produced by clunking pistons, a crankshaft, a clutch or any of the other mechanical parts in a traditional motorcycle, the Mission R has the kind of handling possible only in a vehicle powered by an austere electric motor. You can fuel it up pretty much anywhere that has an electrical outlet—at home or at a public electric-vehicle-charging station.
The 25 Best Inventions of the Year 2013
The Mission R
Full List
Introduction
Wildly Entertaining
Extremely Fun
Compelling
Interesting
Totally Cool
A Major Deal
World-Changing