Mission RS: The Electric Superbike of the Future

I know a lot of people will hate on this as always happens with electric bikes, but besides from the price and the range I see mainly positives in the development of battery powered bikes. They are super fun to ride, and if they can sort out the battery technology, the charging infrastructure and where all the energy will come from to charge them I see a place for them in the future. Either that or it’s all out mad max!:

As compared to their gasoline counterparts, electric motors have near-instant torque and linear power delivery, both important qualities when pushing a motorcycle to the limits of grip. Motherboard recently got to see just how effective the electric RS could be when we were given a demo by a former pro racer around a private race track in upstate New York.

Given the slow growth of the electric vehicle market and resultant charging infrastructure—it’s about as straightforward a chicken-egg scenario as one can get—can high-end electric vehicles break the stalemate? That’s been Tesla’s plan, with a goal of not just building electric cars, but better cars. Mission’s plan is similar—build the best electric bike possible, and those that can afford it won’t have to worry about compromises. For EV builders, it’s important to prove to the market that electric vehicles can compete, something the RS does well. But the huge question is when the technology will trickle down to cheaper models and more potential buyers.

Ken Box Crazy Cart Gymkhana - A Tribute to Ken Block! (funny gorilla)

Ken Box Crazy Cart Gymkhana: a Tribute to Ken Block
Created by Todd Grossman and Ali Kermani


We are such huge fans of the original Gymkhana videos that we just had to make one of our own! Ken Block's Gymkhana 5 drifting in San Francisco was unreal so we decided to ask the warehouse team at Razor if we could spend our Saturday in the warehouse filming the original first of it's kind Ken Box. And of course, what's a Gymkhana video without a gorilla and a ladder?

Union Garage NYC X Vanson Leathers 'Robinson Jacket'

Take the rich heritage of a world renowned leather jacket and race suit maker and cross it with the youthful ingenuity of a dialed-in Brooklyn moto-shop and something good is sure to come out. The proof is clear with the 'Robinson Jacket', a collaboration between Vanson Leathers and Union Garage NYC. The American made jacket, produced in Fall River, Massachusetts, is a waxed cotton motorcycle jacket built with everyday use in mind. The Robinson is made with a rugged 10.10 oz Martexin water-resistant waxed cotton shell making this an heirloom quality jacket that your kids will fight for. 

Aside from style, the jacket is loaded with technical features, each one with the comfort and safety of the rider in mind. While the addition of hidden leather panels in the jackets' elbows and shoulders offer extra abrasion resistance, added protection is provided by removable CE-certified D3O armor for the shoulders, elbows and back making this a jacket that classically blends timeless style with modern day safety. The Robinson is only available from Union Garage NYC. 

Look for the Robinson jacket to be featured Issue Eleven of Iron & Air Magazine. Subscribe here to get the latest issue.  

Image Credits: Blaine Davis (studio) | Ryan Handt (lifestyle) 

Farmer’s Racer SR400

Lars Gustavsson is founder of a small company in Sweden called Farmer’s Racer, a one-man brand making pack-bags and backpacks the old fashion way in waxed cotton with leather details sewn with vintage sewing machines.

The company started making bags a year ago when Lars realised there was a  gap in the market between the high-tech Goretex/Kevlar/Carbon kit and Leather chopper accessories. Cool bags for trackers and cafe racers were hard to find so Lars decide to make them himself. As a testament to their success, one year on Farmer’s Racer has been chosen by Gestalten as one of the 60 designers written-up and featured in The Ride.

As a bike-centred brand they needed a signature bike, and the chosen machine is this 1984 Yamaha SR400. The inspiration for the build comes from the old Swedish gravel racers and hill climbers of the old school variety. It was an era of experimentation and tactics designed to inspire confidence in the riders, so anything and everything was tried to add greater performance, better traction, improved cooling, etc. The numbered forward-mounted side panels pay homage to that idea.

Lars’ bike draws a lot of attention; “the motor vehicle inspectors, police and old men share the same question: Do you race this thing?” “No. I made it to celebrate the era when farmers and industrial workers raced their bikes through the spruce forests and meadows.”

It’s a very nicely put together bike with a no-nonsense shortened rear-end and tucked-in headlamp, and as you’d expect from an apparel designer the finish and paintwork is also top-notch. Thanks for Sharing Lars. See more about Lar’s bike and his gear on Farmer’s Racer.

via The Bike Shed