Development and background
The Lightspeed is based on a concept from 2023 and has since been homologated for British road use. It follows the brand’s familiar trio of numbers: 185 hp, 185 kilograms in weight, and 185 units built. Langen emphasizes that the machine builds on and continues the experience gained with the Two Stroke. Founder Christofer Ratcliffe says: “The Lightspeed has been part of our story since day one. It takes everything we learned from the Two Stroke and builds on it – more power, more range, more refinement – retaining the emotion that defines a Langen.”
Ratcliffe’s career has shaped the project. After working for TVR and spending a long period at CCM, where he worked on the GP450 and Spitfire, among other things, he founded Langen Motorcycles in 2018. The idea behind it was to manufacture motorcycles by hand and source as many parts as possible from the UK. The Lightspeed represents the further development of this philosophy.
Engine and drive
The Lightspeed is powered by a 1,190 cc liquid-cooled V2 engine developed by Rotax and built by Buell. Langen has supplemented the engine with its own electronics. According to the manufacturer, it delivers 182.5 bhp (equivalent to around 136 kW or 184.9 hp) at 10,600 rpm. Maximum torque is 101.8 lb.ft, which is around 138 Nm, at 8,200 rpm.
Power is transmitted via a six-speed gearbox with anti-hopping clutch. The engine is integrated into a steel trellis frame, which is combined with a trellis swing arm. This design allows the wide 240 rear wheel to stand almost free.
Chassis and brakes
The machine weighs 185 kilograms dry, which is equivalent to around 408 lbs. Langen relies on Öhlins for the suspension. 48 mm FGRT 301 forks are used at the front, and two adjustable STX shock absorbers at the rear.
Langen collaborated with HEL Performance on the brakes. At the front, two 320 mm discs with four-piston calipers provide deceleration, while a two-piston brake works at the rear. An ABS system is included in the equipment and is necessary for international markets.
Equipment and electronics
The electronics are entirely in-house developments. These include traction control, cruise control, launch control, and wheelie control. A CNC-milled cockpit with touchscreen TFT completes the equipment.
The silhouette of the Lightspeed is reminiscent of racing machines from the 1960s, but remains clearly faithful to Langen’s modern design language. The tank holds 19 liters, and the body is largely made of carbon fiber. The seat height is 790 millimeters.
Market, presentation, and classification
The machine is scheduled to be delivered starting in summer 2026. Exports to the US and other markets are planned for early 2027. Its first public appearance will be at Motorcycle Live in Birmingham. It has already been shown at a closed presentation.
Compared to competitors such as the Ducati Diavel V4, the Lightspeed could be competitive with its performance data. The Italian rival has 165.7 bhp (around 123.6 kW or 168 hp) at 10,750 rpm and a torque of 93 lb.ft (around 126 Nm) at 7,500 rpm.
For Langen, the Lightspeed is another step toward continuing the craftsmanship of British motorcycles. It combines elements from the brand’s two-stroke era with a more powerful future, which also includes the previously unveiled LS12 Turbo.
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