Mission RS: The Electric Superbike of the Future (Teaser)

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.

Black Bike Week | Documentary | VICE

Black Bike Week is an annual bike rally that takes place in South Carolina over Memorial Day weekend. Up to half a million predominantly African American bikers and revelers descend on the seaside vacation town of Myrtle Beach for several days of riding and partying. Each year the traffic comes to a standstill as the streets fill with brightly customized sports bikes, their riders taking advantage of the state's "no helmet" law to perform burnouts and stunts up and down the main strip along the seafront.

Hordes of women—known as "huggers"—also flock to Myrtle Beach for the event, hoping to be picked up for a ride, and maybe something more. A girl will often perform the "pillion clapping" move as a passenger—essentially twerking on the back of the bike. Unfortunately, the combination of partying and biking without a helmet isn't an especially safe one, and every year there are people who don't make it home. The event also attracts a ton of prostitutes, but more and more women are starting to ride their own bikes and each year an increasing number of female biker gangs show up for the party.