Sports Cycle

2014 Lito Sora Preview

2014 Lito Sora Preview

Like any pleased father, Jean-Pierre Legris, Lito Green Machine's author and president, appreciates discussing his children. The name Lito is, truth be told, a blend of the names of his kids, Eli and Teo. For this situation, nonetheless, we're talking about the Sora (Japanese for "sky"), Lito's first generation bike from the organization's mechanical park address over the St. Lawrence River from Montreal in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada.

I utilize the expression "generation cruiser" in the loosest sense, as the Lito Green Machine organization is embodied only five individuals. Five inwardly, fiscally, committed to-the-reason individuals – the quintessential fixings to any start-up. In sharp difference to the BRP generation complex I likewise went to while in Quebec, Lito's office is without computerized mechanical production systems pushing many models out the entryway consistently. Every Sora is hand-gathered from a bed of extraordinarily planned parts, and chances are Legris has been straightforwardly included with the get together of every Sora sold hitherto.

The bicycle Lito is creating is not at all like those of other electric bike organizations. Where Zero and Brammo are buckling down at developing mass-delivered electric bikes reasonable to the masses (think Model T), and Energica and Lightning are centered around crushing ICE-fueled superbikes (regardless of what the expense), Lito's Sora is to a greater degree a neo-craftsmanship deco outline that is not one or the other the speediest or slowest electric cruiser nor the most or minimum costly one, either. Legris depicts the Sora as a magnificently planned, delightfully made cruiser that simply happens to be electric.



With bodywork built from carbon fiber, and an edge and swingarm of 6061-T6 aluminum, the Sora, at 573 asserted pounds, still endures a weight issue normal to all electric cruisers (damn those substantial batteries). Relatively, Energica's Ego weighs in at 584 pounds, however the Sora's no race bicycle, so how about we match it to an alternate, ICE-fitting roadster, for example, Moto Guzzi's Griso, which tips the scales at 556 wet pounds, just 17 short of what the Sora. The Griso is absolutely no lightweight, however this puts the Sora in a more suitable point of view.

Proceeding with the Griso/Sora examination, we find that the Sora, at 59.0 inches, is two short of what the Griso's 61 inches between tire contact patches. The Sora likewise brags a steeper guiding rake of 25.0º versus Griso's 26.3°. Considering these figures, and having as of late ridden the Griso in our Retro Roadster Comparo, I can sincerely say the Sora is faster to turn in than the Griso, yet the Sora fails to offer a tiny bit of smoothness when transitioning from upright to hung over.


My estimate is, its the situating of weight in the Sora's suspension (a bit beat overwhelming, perhaps?), however the Sora accomplishes the cornering occupation. On the off chance that so slanted, you can incline the Sora sufficiently far to discard footpeg sensors and start crushing endlessly at the sidestand (Lito is chipping away at a more withdrawn sidestand plan).

Quickening from the 12-kwh lithium-polymer batteries and fluid cooled three-stage AC actuation engine is lively, however not overpowering. Guaranteeing 66.4 lb-ft of torque, the Sora is moving 8.63 pounds of mass every lb-ft of torque. The Zero SR Zf12.5 with 458 pounds and an asserted 106 lb-ft of torque parts the Sora's number to 4.32 pounds of mass every lb-ft of torque. The Griso is insignificantly superior to the Sora moving 7.59 pounds of mass every lb-ft of torque.

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To recreate smooth grasp engagement, its the undertaking of the engine controller to properly meter out force in understanding to what's generally requested at the twistgrip. The Sora performs this assignment almost perfectly, with a little however discernible postpone in the middle of appeal and deliverance. While insignificant in a straight line, its the few milliseconds holding up for force to drive out of a corner when the postponement is clear. The Sora characteristics a CVT transmission for achieving a higher top rate without yielding increasing speed. Possibly the deferral can be found here, as this is the first electric bicycle with a transmission (other than Brammo's customary six-rate gearbox) that we've ridden. Gotta concede, base end snort is solid, and Lito claims a 118 mph top velocity.

We've gotten to be usual to Ride Modes on ICE-fueled cruisers, and despite the fact that the Sora is electric, it excessively offers Ride Modes. Three of them, really. Alongside Performance and Normal, Lito additionally provides for you a Safe Range mode that will compute the separation left to your picked goal and keep enough power available for later for you to get there (inside reason, obviously).

Placed on the right half of the fake fuel tank is a touchscreen where battery utilization, Ride Mode determination and a GPS screen can be seen and got to. The GPS presently does not give turn-by-turn direction, yet Legris says they are working hotly to embrace this innovation and will have it accessible on 2015 models, and being retro-upgradable to 2014 models. At the point when completed, a Sora holder will have the capacity to Bluetooth his telephone and/or head protector specialized gadget to the Sora's electronic interface.

Novel and novel to the Sora is the electrically customizable seat. From 29.5 inches to 33.5 inches, and anyplace in the middle of, the Sora's seat can, by method for a left handlebar-mounted switch, be set to suit individual inclination or riding conditions. Were the Sora ready to travel long separations on a solitary charge, this engineering would be monstrously useful. However even with an asserted scope of just 124 city miles and 70 expressway miles, a rider can modify the seat lower and utilize the bicycle as wind assurance, then raise the seat around town for a raised perspective.

Current model year Soras are fueled by a fluid cooled 3-stage AC instigation engine. Accuse time of 110-volt outlets is roughly nine hours from 0 to 100%. One year from now's 2015 model Soras are generally moved up to fluid cooled controllers and battery chargers. The new models will be accessible with a decision of J1772 connectors for 110-volt or 220-volt outlets (or both). Picking the 220-volt connector lessens charge time from 9 to pretty nearly 3.5 hours.

At $49k the Sora is a long way from cheap, be that as it may, as said prior, its not a race bicycle or a Model T. We see the Sora as an interesting offering dissimilar to whatever else might be available accessible in the domain of electric bikes. It's a bicycle for the Jay Leno sorts who as of now have a carport brimming with ICE-controlled machines for different events. The Sora befitting the event to journey around on a particularly styled electric bicycle that other Jay Leno sorts don't effectively own.

Electric bikes have opened the avenue to trend-setters, for example, Lito, Zero, Brammo, Energica, et al. Like the turn the earlier century, where cruiser trend-setters were characterizing two-wheel transportation, new businesses, for example, Lito are investigating what electric bikes can be. Anticipate that an alternate energizing model will go with the Sora within a brief period of time.


2015 Lito Sora Specifications
MSRP $48,500
Motor Type Liquid-cooled                 3-phase AC induction
Battery Type 12-kWh (nominal) lithium-polymer battery modules with integrated Battery Management                          System, on-board charger, J1772 compatible
Controller Lito                                   Software, integrated computer, regenerative braking, 3 control modes                                                          (performance, normal, safe range)
Transmission CVT
Final Drive Belt
Frame 6061-T6 aluminum
Front Suspension Fully adjustable 43mm inverted cartridge fork
Rear Suspension Fully adjustable Elka shock
Front Brakes Dual semi-floating 310mm discs with radial-mount 4-piston calipers
Rear Brakes Single 250mm disc with 2-piston caliper
Front Tire 120/70-17
Rear Tire 180/55-17
Seat Height 29.5 inches to 33.5 inches
Wheelbase 59.0 inches
Rake/Trail 25.0°/3.74 inches
Curb Weight 573 lbs
Colors Black, White and Maroon. Custom colors for extra cost.