Jay Leno rides the Lightning LS-218

THE reaction is always a combination of enthusiasm and scepticism when we run a story about an electric bike here on Visordown. Last week’s news that Lightning had delivered its first 200mph-plus LS218 road bike wan no exception.

Of course we still haven’t had a chance to sample one for ourselves, but when your name is Jay Leno, one of the best-known, wealthiest and most enthusiastic car and bike collectors on the planet, you get a few perks. He’s ridden the LS218 for the latest edition of his Jay Leno’s Garage web show.

Does he like it? Without a doubt, and it looks like a real, well engineered bike, too. Although perhaps we detect a hint that he’d still prefer a ‘proper’ engine.