LIGHTFIGHTER V2.0
R I D E R E V I E W
P100
1000cc in its dust for the first half
of the Buttonwillow front straight.
There's no hit of tire sacrificing
power, just smooth, unadulter-
ated torque that feels like you're
getting sucked along in a vortex.
However, more impressive than
the speed at which the Lightfight-
er gains momentum, is how Wis-
mann's mapped the throttle itself.
So many electronic motorcycles
have clunky throttle responses
that ruin the crucial part of the
corner when you slowly begin to
dial in the go. Harley-Davidson
managed to make a break-
through here with the LiveWire,
a motorcycle that has a very well
mapped initial throttle opening.
The Lightfighter takes that trick
a step further—coming through
the Sweeper corner at the back
of the pits, you're on the side of
the tire for a long time, meaning
a deft throttle response is crucial
here if you want to remain on line
for the exit.
The Lightfighter here is closer
to a well mapped gas bike than
any electric machine I've ever
ridden, allowing the rider to wind
the power in fast and smooth
without torturing the rear tire or
running off line.
I found the Lightfighter to be
a touch on the stiff side from the
Ohlins suspension. But taking
a couple of turns of preload out
for the next session helped the
Lightfighter sink into the stroke
a bit more and load up the front
better for heavy braking and the
initial part of the turn.
However, Wismann and Co.
have done a good job reducing
the overall chassis stiffness as
it's about as much as I'd have
wanted. This isn't a Grand Prix
bike, after all, and it doesn't hurt
to have a little extra flex built into
the chassis to give better feed-
back to the rider. As such, side
of the tire feel is excellent on
the Lightfighter—you're always
aware of what's happening front
and rear, and due to the neutral
stance of the chassis, you're able
to change lines easily if required.
Once you're on line and ready
to pull the trigger, look out. The
rush of torque and the lack of
a gearbox mean you're going
faster, quicker, than almost any-
thing else around you. It's only
up to when the 1000cc bikes
hit fourth gear that you start to
lose out. But then, due to vastly
reduced weight, you can brake
later and sail past them before
