Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1093741
LIGHTING STRIKE FIRST REVIEW P104 will only be available on the high- end version of the Strike, and priced accordingly, says Hat- field—the much lower-cost entry- level model will most likely have Showa suspension. However, although the top quality Brembo Monoblock brake package on the prototype is also a straight carry- over from the LS-218, Hatfield still plans to use lower spec Brembo brakes on the production version. Climbing aboard the Strike im- mediately revealed a more com- fortable, more rational and indeed more welcoming riding position than on the LS-218, particularly in terms of the width of the front part of the seat and the frame beneath it. On the bigger bike, this wasn't just uncomfortable for any size of rider but meant that anyone of shorter stature would struggle to reach the ground at rest, even with one foot without leaning the bike over, let alone two. On the Strike, however, that's not an issue, for in downsizing the bike to seven-eighths scale vs. the LS-218, Lightning has produced a motorcycle that's immediately more congenial, even though at 32 inches the seat height is unchanged. However, said seat on the Strike was too inclined, so I couldn't help sliding forward along it as far as the rear of the fake "fuel tank" shrouding the batteries. Its clipon handlebars are also set too flat (to avoid rub- bing the bodywork lent it by the LS-218), and this meant I couldn't easily push against them to coun- ter the sliding seat. They need to be pulled back, anyway, which would also mean less of a stretch than at present across the top of the "fuel tank" to reach them. Finally, to complete a full critique of the Strike's ergonomics, the footpegs are much too high even with the excellent grip delivered by the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa rubber fitted to the forged alumi- num wheels made to Lightning's design, expect less costly but still grippy Pirelli Angel GT rubber to appear on production bikes. At 5'10" in height my legs were very cramped on the Strike, which not only compromised comfort but also prevented me moving about the bike as I wanted to do to hustle the Strike through the Glendora bends. It also meant that I could barely reach the front brake lever, instead relying on the rear brake pedal in its conven- tional place rather than on the left handlebar, scooter-style, to slow the Strike down. These criticisms merely amount to suggestions at the prototype stage, and for that reason, it's also pointless to com- The Lightning Strike HQ in San Jose.