Electric motorcycle takes charge at Pikes Peak race, shames even gas-powered rivals

Need more evidence that electrically-powered cars and motorcycles will eventually supplant their gas-powered forebearers?

How about this: According to Ashpalt and Rubber, at this years Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, an electrically-powered sportbike from Lightning Motorcycles (above) took home the gold for fastest motorcycle up the hill with a time just an eyelash over 10 minutes. Lightning’s bike wasn’t just the fastest electric motorcycle on the course, it was the fastest motorcycle period, besting the next bike – a no-joke gas-powered Ducati Multistrada S – by a solid 20 seconds.

And had the weather been better, it’s not a stretch to say Lightning’s entry could have grabbed the overall all-time motorcycle record of 9:52 or even given the overall record for any vehicle a run for its money. But rain-slicked pavement and even some snow at the top of the peak obviously meant Lightning rider Carlin Dunne had more interest in self-preservation than crushing more records on the truly treacherous 12.42 mile course. Good for him and congrats to the Lightning team.

While the all-time record of 8:13 for any vehicle (cars included) traversing the now fully-paved road to Pikes Peak’s 14,115-foot summit seems like a distant goal, it’s not as far off as many might think. With the instant-on torque, car-crushing acceleration rates and ever-increasing output of electric motorcycles, it won’t be long until a skilled rider on a well-set up bike riding in good conditions dispatches that record as well.

While gas-powered cars and bikes continue to thrill and fascinate owners (self included), the Pike’s Peak win by Lightning Motorcycles is yet another trophy for electric vehicles.

With the Tesla Model S dispatching gas-powered rivals in numerous straight-line races, it’s only a matter of time, maturing battery technology and figuring out charging infrastructure issues before more riders and drivers understand what real “power” is and recognize the future of racing success may measured in kilowatts and not in cubic centimeters.

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10 car maintenance checks you’ve probably never done

Just about everyone knows to check their oil regularly. Here are some less-common maintenance checks that might not be on your radar, but should be:

1. Most people occasionally check tire pressure, but completely ignore the spare – as will mechanics unless you ask.  All pneumatic tires lose pressure over time.  After a few years of neglect, the high-pressure compact spare is typically underinflated, sometimes dangerously so, if ever required.

2. Check all lights.  Don’t let a broken bulb lead to a collision.

3. Check battery “eye” if equipped.  Some batteries have an “eye” to visually indicate charge condition.  Any colour besides green means trouble.  But note that green can also be a false positive where battery output only becomes insufficient under load due to bad cell.

4. Check coolant level and condition.  If discoloured or foul smelling, a flush-and-fill may be due.  An inexpensive coolant tester (syringe) can verify freeze-up/boil over protection.

5. Visually check air-con “eye.”  Bubbles in the A/C sight-glass indicate low refrigerant, and oil streaks spell trouble.  Watch for refrigerant flow to avoid confusing a completely discharged A/C system for a full one.

6. Clean debris from fins of radiator, air-con condenser and power steering cooler, if equipped.  Obstructed airflow can lead to overheating of these systems.

7. Pull out tranny dipstick and sniff it.  Really.  Fluid should be clear, bright red, and have no burnt odour – which indicates overheating.  Check fluid level while engine is running.  (Of course, it’s also good to check oil, brake, power steering and washer fluid levels.)

8. Visually inspect tires.  That is, look at them once in awhile.  Uneven tread wear, bald tires, or damage to sidewalls or tread require attention.  A nail in the tread can typically be mended if caught early (i.e. tire looks unusually low), but can lead to a high-speed blowout if ignored.

9. Check jack and spare.  Don’t find out at roadside that the jack is missing in your used car, or that you need special tools (e.g. for wheel locks).  In my old Jeep, some fasteners were mixed up at the factory so the spare couldn’t be removed without a wrench.  Fortunately, I discovered and corrected this problem at home – where I had access to the right tool – rather than on the road in the middle of nowhere.

10. Lift foot mats in an older car and inspect floor.  Salt water running off your shoes in wintertime can pool beneath mats and corrode metal.  Holes in the floorboard will allow potentially deadly exhaust fumes to enter vehicle.
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