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Tokyo Show debut for TT Zero contender

Mugen reveals the Shinden Roku

Written by Ben Purvis , Date 3:16 PM
Mugen Shinden Roku

Few would bet against Mugen winning again at this year’s TT Zero for electric bikes and the first glimpse of its 2017 contender – the Shinden Roku – confirms it as favourite.

As well as having a winning record, unbeaten at the TT Zero since 2014, the Shinden Roku will be ridden by favourites John McGuinness and Guy Martin. No doubt McGuinness will be keen to add to his tally of 23 TT victories while Martin must rank as the most successful TT rider never to take to the top step of the podium. It’s likely the battle between the two of them will be the closest in the TT Zero field, with no other emerging contenders currently looking likely to challenge the Mugen on sheer pace.

Mugen Shinden RokuThe 2017 Shinden Roku, the sixth generation of the Shinden theme, is a relatively mild development of last year’s bike, the Shinden Go. The carbon fibre chassis is basically the same, with just mild aerodynamic tweaks to the nose and tail. Its dimensions are unchanged, as is the power at 120kW.

Weight drops a fraction from 250kg to 248kg. That sounds a lot, and compared to petrol-powered racers it is, but it’s nothing like as hefty as the first generation of electric race bikes.

New-generation Showa suspension and Nissin brakes will further add to the Shinden Roku’s chances of beating the elusive 120mph average speed over a race lap at the TT Zero. For the last three years Mugen has come within spitting distance of that record, managing 117mph in 2014, 119mph in 2015 and 118mph in 2016. Many expect that this year the team could even go past the 125mph mark.

As usual, the TT Zero is scheduled for a mid-week slot, with the race taking place on Wednesday 7th June after the 2nd Supersport TT and the Lightweight race.

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