2019 Isle of Man TT: Team Mugen Blitzes New Lap Record For Electric Bikes

Electrics are getting quicker by the day. At this year’s Isle of Man TT, Michael Rutter managed to pull nearly a whole second out of the bag to better his own record in the TT Zero class. Rutter won his fifth TT Zero crown riding the Mugen yet again. His feat is even more special as his lap record of 121.91mph (196.2kmph) was just a shade under the record for petrol-powered bikes with a 650cc parallel-twin motor participating in the Lightweight class. The record in the Lightweight class is 122.75mph (197.56kmph) set by the legendary Michael Dunlop on a Paton 650, a Kawasaki 650-derived motorcycle.

It is telling to remember that the lap record set at the inaugural running of the electric TT Zero class in 2010 was just 96.82mph (155.8kmph). Nine years on and the class is looking to knock on the doors of the bigwigs of the Lightweight class, which is phenomenal considering the winning bike, Mugen’s Shiden Hachi, is nearly 80kg heavier than its gasoline-powered counterpart. 

Rutter’s fifth win for Mugen was made sweeter as the team claimed a 1-2 finish in the class thanks to another legend of the course, John McGuinness.

What does the future hold for electric bikes at the Snaefell Mountain Course? Probably even more electrifying times ahead and who knows if electrics could soon compete for the outright honours. Until then stay tuned to ZigWheels.com as we will be bringing a consolidated Isle of Man TT report soon.

Image credits: iomtt.com