British boutique motorcycle marque, Langen will crowdsource investment to accelerate production of its first machine – the Two Stroke. The marque also plans to take its new Lightspeed cruiser global with an ultra-exclusive variant, the LS12 Turbo – intended to be the world’s fastest production bike.
Langen Motorcycles LS12 Turbo Unique Funding Round
Langen is not your typical motorcycle brand. Soon it will invite fans and riders to fund its next development phase through crowdfunding.
Crowdfunding is, of course, a tried and tested way to uncover demand for products before launch, it’s just not what you’d expect from a motorcycle brand. Yet, it perfectly aligns with Langen’s philosophy of doing things slightly differently – going against the grain.
The marque intends to fund four key areas with the raised funds:
- Accelerate the deliveries of the Two Stroke – 81% of the 100-production run has been reserved, with 32 handcrafted machines delivered so far (at the time of publication).
- Build final production tooling, complete testing and begin production of the new Lightspeed model by the end of 2025 (Q4).
- Achieve homologation of the Lightspeed, to expand into the lucrative luxury bespoke European, US, Australasian and Middle Eastern markets… and China
- Build the ‘World’s Fastest Production Bike’ – The Langen Turbo
Christofer Ratcliffe, Founder & CEO of Langen Motorcycles, said, “It had been a dream of mine for many years to invest in a British motorcycle company… which eventually resulted in the creation of Langen Motorcycles. It is this sentiment that has led to us opening up the opportunity for everybody who is passionate about motorcycles to become a Langen shareholder and… a part of motorcycle history.”
Langen Lightspeed: New British Muscle Bike
Announced in November 2023, the four-stroke Lightspeed muscle cruiser is the follow-up to Two Stroke. The bike is set to take on heavy-weight rivals, the Ducati Diavel V4 and Triumph’s Rocket III.
Lightspeed Specifications
Langen has a leaner vision of a muscle cruiser. The Lightspeed is dressed in carbon fibre from nose to tail, contributing to a lightweight 185 kg (dry) weight.
Powered by a 1,190cc V-twin, the bike achieves 185hp at 10,600 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 8,200 rpm. It’s actually a Buell ET-V2 – a Rotax-developed engine managed by Langen’s in-house ECU. It achieves a staggering 1000 bhp per tonne.
Top End Components
The Lightspeed has all the top-end components you’d expect to find on a machine of this pedigree. Up at the front, you’ll find Öhlins FGRT 301 USD 48mm forks, paired with twin 320mm floating discs and HEL Performance 4-piston radial calipers for serious stopping power.
The bespoke Smiths UK instrument cluster blends classic analogue dials with a modern OLED multifunction display, while the high-tensile steel space frame keeps the chassis rigid yet responsive.
At the rear, a Langen forged and CNC-machined aluminium wheel is fitted, heeled with a 240/45-17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III, working with twin Öhlins 36mm STX piggyback shock absorbers to ensure stability and control.
The launch edition, priced at £37,000 + VAT (approx $46,000 / €44,500), will be limited to 185 units — deftly echoing the Lightspeed’s weight and power.
Langen LS12 Turbo – World’s Fast Production Bike?
An ultra-exclusive derivative of the Lightspeed has been designed using 90% of the original Lightspeed. It’s set to become the world’s fastest production motorcycle.
The plan could be written off as a marketing ploy… or a genuinely bold attempt by a small brand to push the engineering envelope. The truth is likely somewhere in between. Regardless, it’s easy to root for Langen.
The marque says it’s solved the typical problems associated with past turbocharged motorcycles, lag, uneven and unmanageable power and weak off-boast power.
A custom ECU and physical control system paired with twin ride-by-wire throttle bodies offer better low-rev performance and boost transition. Combined, it means the Lightspeed’s turbo power delivery is precisely controlled.
Dyno tests have been promising with the bike outputting between 250 bhp to 300 bhp. The plan is to showcase and break records with the pre-production LS12 Turbo bikes at the Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire, England at the end of 2025.
If successful, this small British brand could hold the coveted crown for the fastest production bike. That would be a remarkable feat.
How to Get Involved
Langen has already secured ~£440,000 in orders for the Lightspeed. However, you can still invest in the crowdfunding round which will launch on Republic Europe, in February 2025.
About Langen Motorcycles – An Unconventional British Motorcycle Marque
It’s an understatement to say Langen’s first machine, the neo-retro Two Stroke, was well received. The brand unveiled the bike in 2020 at the Salon Privé, Blenheim Palace Concours. It’s an audacious machine – a revival of the two-stroke engine in an era of ever-tightening emissions regulation.
The last two-stroke motorcycles laid rubber on the streets nearly three decades ago, so the Langen Two Stroke launch was almost a two-finger-salute. Despite that, it has Euro 5 approval.
Langen Two Stroke: A Two-Wheeled Rebellion
Langen’s first machine takes full advantage of the inherent power and weight advantages of two-stroke engines. Its 249.5cc, 90° V-Twin engine (developed by Vin Motors, Maranello, Italy) produces a remarkable 76 HP and 46 Nm of torque at 11,700 rpm. And weighing in at 120 kg means an insane power-to-weight figure of ~600 hp/tonne.
Two-stroke aficionados, obviously, love the bike and so do journalists. It’s garnered industry recognition, receiving a Highly Commended from the Automative Alliance in its Design and Innovation category in 2021.
At £29,400 plus, VAT it’s an exclusive machine but one many riders may desire.
📌 Investment Disclaimer: This article is not financial advice – I’m not an investment expert. Investing in any venture, motorcycles or otherwise is risky. You could lose some or all of your money.
