Arcimoto and Lightning Motorcycles Partner on Highperformance Tilting EV Trike

Arcimoto, Inc. and Lightning Motorcycles have announced a strategic partnership to develop what the companies describe as the world’s fastest tilting three-wheel motorcycle. The project pairs Arcimoto’s patented Tilting Motor Works TRiO technology with Lightning’s high-performance electric platform, applying a leaning three-wheel system to an electric motorcycle for the first time.

Partnership targets a three-wheel speed milestone

The companies said the collaboration is intended to merge two advanced technologies and advance sustainable transportation. Arcimoto chief tilting officer Bob Mighell, who set the 2013 Bonneville motorcycle speed record in the trike class, said the effort marks the first application of the TRiO kit to an electric motorcycle.

Lightning’s Superbike platform supplies the performance base. The company said the motorcycle holds an SCTA official world record of 215.960 mph and has reached a top speed of 218.637 mph, securing its standing as the world’s fastest production motorcycle. The new project seeks to combine that speed with the stability of a tilting three-wheel design.

TRiO system pairs leaning control with stability

TRiO is a tilting three-wheel conversion kit designed for touring motorcycles. It allows the motorcycle to lean naturally through corners like a two-wheeler while adding the stability and security of a three-wheel layout.

The prototype will pair the tilting kit with an electric powertrain. TiltLock, a balance system, is designed to keep the vehicle upright when it stops, while the electric drive is intended to deliver high-performance output with zero emissions.

Prototype scheduled for July debut

Lightning Motorcycles founder and CEO Richard Hatfield said the partnership combines high-performance electric technology with demand from the three-wheel market. Hatfield said the companies aim to provide riders with a fun and environmentally friendly vehicle.

Arcimoto CEO Mark Frohnmayer said validating tilting three-wheel technology at extreme speeds will help provide stronger safety assurance for future micromobility solutions. The prototype is set to make its public debut on July 26 at the FUV and Friends Summer Showcase at Portland International Raceway.