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If the motorcycle industry follows a well-ridden road of advancements coming from the race track, the world of electric motorcycles are getting faster with the new Victory RR bike delivering amazing numbers for the upcoming TT Zero race.

Being used by Victory Racing, the electric racing motorcycle has hit the tracks in the first of three practice sessions ahead of the TT Zero race, beating the fastest lap speed set by the team last year. The new Victory RR electric motorcycle has been developed over the past year using data gathered during last year’s TT Zero and will be ridden by William Dunlop.

William Dunlop rode one lap of the course, achieving an average speed of 112.85mph, some 8.7mph faster than his 104.18mph lap last year. His laptime was 20:03:630, just three seconds over the 20 minute mark. William was 18mph faster through the Sulby speed trap compared to last year, hitting 158.3mph.

And the Victory RR bike was the fastest machine through the Grandstand at the end of the lap hitting 142.52mph compared to John McGuiness’ 125.90mph.

According to press releases, much of the increase in speed has come from the upgraded Parker GVM electric motor coupled to a more advanced battery, developed by Brammo.

Whether readers follow motorcycle racing or not, these results are important. The Victory RR bike forms part of Victory’s international R&D development program. This machine as well as the Empulse RR and Project 156 that are being raced at Pikes Peak later in June, are test beds for the technology that will be used in the firm’s future products.

Team manager Brian Wismann said the Victory RR has a new battery with a higher energy density compared to last year as well as an upgraded Parker GVM electric motor with new windings.

“The newly developed battery in the Victory RR leverages the lessons learned from our entry in last year’s TT Zero event,” Brian Wismann explains. “The battery is a ground-up new design with the help of our technical partners at Brammo and necessitated a big change in the chassis design, from an extruded aluminum twin spar to a steel trellis frame.”

Some enhancements have also been made to the electric motor too. Developed in partnership with Parker Hannifin, the motor is called the Parker GVM. It boasts world-class specific power, the power to weight ratio, producing a peak of over 170hp from a package that is only eight inches in diameter and five inches long. With peak efficiencies topping 97 percent, it is clear to see why Victory gets excited about the potential of this powertrain for future products.

“As you know, lithium-ion battery technology is improving every year and with the Victory RR we are leading the way to batteries that will provide more performance, greater range and less cost in future vehicles,” Wismann explains.

The next TT Zero practice session will be on Saturday 4th June with the third and final practice session on Monday 6th June. The TT Zero race takes place at 16:25 on Wednesday 8th June.