Japanese electric motorcycle manufacturer and Honda partner Mugen has unveiled the electric superbike that will mark the firm's seventh year in the TT Zero class at the Isle of Man. The Shinden Nana, as it's called, will spearhead Mugen's campaign in the 2018 TT Zero event, which has been dominated by Mugen since 2014. It's the seventh generation of the Shinden line of superbikes, with the original Shinden in 2012, then the Shinden Ni, Shinden San, Shinden Yon, Shinden Go and Shinden Roku.
The electric class of the Tourist Trophy was first introduced as TTXGP in 2009, and was won by Team AGNI's Rod Barber. In 2010, the name of the event was changed to TT Zero, and Mugen started participating from 2012, acting as Honda's partner in the electric class, and employing a traditional Honda rider and multiple TT winner John McGuinness.
The Shinden Nana will be piloted by a trio of Mugen riders, including 23-time TT winner John McGuinness
The Mugen Shinden Nana is not a lot different from last year's Shinden Roku. The specs of the bike are near identical to the 2017 Shinden Roku and both bikes share the same dimensions, including the claimed 248 kg weight, same 160 bhp peak power and 210 Nm of peak torque. Like last year's model, the frame is a carbon fibre monocoque and the motor is an oil-cooled, three-phase, brushless design which gets its power from a battery of more than 370 volts. The only visible change in the Shinden Nan is aerodynamics, although the overall shape is similar to the Shinden Roku's.
This year, Mugen will field three Shinden Nana bikes at the TT Zero races. Regulars John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey will pilot the Shinden Nana, as well as Lee Johnston. The TT Zero is a one lap electric motorcycle race at the Isle of Man, and has been more or less dominated by Mugen, and all three Mugen riders are more or less expected to finish at the podium. The only wait is to find out which of the three riders takes top spot, and what order the other two will take at the podium.
