VISORDOWN has been busy visiting Mugen’s Milton Keynes factory to get a closer look at the technology-packed, super fast yet completely emission-free Shinden Hachi bike that will tackle the 2019 Isle of Man TT Zero race.
After reaching almost 122mph in 2018, hopes are high the Hachi (which means eight in Japanese to signify '8th generation') can go even quicker and close the gap further to the fuel-powered TT Superbike and its 135mph ultimate record.
With a run of five consecutive TT Zero wins to its name, Mugen comes into this year's race as hot favourite to make it six-in-a-row. Indeed, it is leaving nothing to chance by recruiting two of road racing's most experienced and decorated riders in John McGuinness and Michael Rutter.
Both have secured TT Zero wins for Mugen, but they have never competed with the team at the same time with the battle between the pair set to become one of the big talking points of this year's TT spectacular.
With electric bikes still proving a significant curio for many, not least in a racing context, the leaps in technology and speed have certainly ensured a captive audience for the Japanese company... and not just amongst motorsport fans!
Indeed, with Mugen sharing factory space with Honda - the 'client' it has enjoyed a long and glittering association with across two and four-wheels over the decades - the Shinden Hachi has been attracting plenty of attention from its neighbours Red Bull Racing, who currently run Honda engines in F1.
Watch the video to find out why even motorsport's top teams are desperate to get a closer look - and listen - to one of motorcycle racing's most interesting and cleverest bikes
