We write about all sorts of motorbikes here at Devitt. Some of them major mainstream models, which will sell in the tens or even hundreds of thousands. Some are maybe a bit more niche, but still have a mass-market appeal. This, though, is something a bit different. It’s the new Langen Lightspeed muscle cruiser, designed and built in the north of England by a small-scale bespoke bike maker.
Langen was set up by Chris Ratcliffe, who had previously worked at car firm TVR and British bike maker CCM, as a design engineer. The firm’s first bike was the critically-acclaimed Langen Two Stroke – a hand-made roadster with its own 250cc 76bhp V-twin two-stroke engine.
And now it’s released the second Langen bike: the new Lightspeed, which has gone into production, and was unveiled in final form at a special event this week. We were there for the official unveil, and a chat with the designer himself – and you can see the Lightspeed yourself in the metal at the NEC show this week.
Powered by a version of the 1190cc V-twin engine designed by Rotax for Buell, the Lightspeed has some impressive figures. It weighs just 185kg dry, has a 185bhp peak power output, with a massive 138Nm of torque, and only 185 will be made, priced at £44,000 each.
That Rotax-based engine is a pretty modern unit – a water-cooled 72° V-twin with DOHC four valve heads, a 106mm bore with 67.5mm stroke and 13.4:1 compression ratio.
There are two injectors per cylinder and 60mm throttle bodies with conventional throttle operation rather than ride-by-wire marking it down a little on the tech front. Langen says it has its own tune on the fuel injection, helping to give a flat torque curve from around 4,000rpm upwards.
The engine is housed in a sinuous steel tube perimeter frame, which shows its heritage from the CCM Spitfire and the Langen Two Stroke. It’s a lightweight hand-made trellis design, with a matching steel tube dual-sided swingarm, all finished in a lovely ceramic coating.
The obvious feature is the twin-shock suspension, a deliberate choice by Chris Ratcliffe, both for the looks, and simplicity, as well as the superb performance from the two Öhlins shocks. What’s also interesting is the length of the swingarm: it looks super-long, for excellent stability and handling, though the overall bike is fairly compact in the flesh.
There’s no wheelbase figure in the specs, but Ratcliffe told us that the Lightspeed has a shorter wheelbase than a Ducati Diavel (1,593mm on the V4), as well as being lighter (the Ducati is a chunky 211kg dry).
Running gear is premium, as you’d expect: those rear shocks are Öhlins STX36 units, and the upside-down front forks are massive 48mm Öhlins FGRT 301 parts, with race internals. Meanwhile, the brakes are all-British, with HEL Performance radial front calipers and master cylinders, plus custom EBC discs.
Wheels are Langen’s own design, forged and CNC machined aluminium, and they come with Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres, including a massive 240mm section rear.
The details make the bike though. The bodywork is all carbon fibre, and there are hand-made machined metal parts all round. The switchgear, TFT touchscreen colour dash, yokes, footrests, exhaust headers and end cans are all beautifully turned-out, with a fine finish and sharp lines. It’s lovely stuff – as it should be for the £44k price tag – and even quite practical, with a proper 19 litre fuel tank.
Each Lightspeed will be made to order at the Langen factory in Wigan, and owners are invited to visit the plant to finalise paint, finish and detailing. A £1,000 deposit secures a build slot, with the first customer deliveries planned for Summer 2026. Exports to the US and other markets will follow in January 2027.
“The Lightspeed has been part of our story since day one,” said Ratcliffe. “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.”
We’re hoping to ride the Lightspeed in April next year – more as we get it.
Langen Lightspeed specs
Base Price: £44,400
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 72-degree V-Twin. Developed by Rotax, manufactured by Buell. Langen Technology Electronics
Displacement: 1190cc
Bore x Stroke: 106 x 67.5mm
Compression Ratio: 13.4:1
Fuel Delivery: Langen EFI w/ 2 port injectors. Twin Bosch electronic 60mm throttle bodies
Horsepower: 185bhp@10,600rpm at the crank
Torque: 138Nm@8,200 rpm at the crank
Final Drive: Renthal 520 chain
Transmission: six-speed, hydraulically actuated slipper wet clutch
Rider Aids: ABS brakes, traction control, wheelie control, launch control
Fuel Capacity: 19 litres
Chassis: High tensile steel tubular space frame
Dash: CNC machined. TFT display with touch screen and switch cube interface
Bodywork: Full Carbon fibre V-Weave
Suspension, Front: Öhlins FGRT 301 USD 48mm forks. Split leg compression and rebound damping. Cartridge kit from multiple national superbike championships
Rear: Twin Öhlins 36mm STX shock absorbers. Piggyback pressurised gas system. Adjustable compression and rebound damping
Brakes, Front: Twin 320mm EBC discs, Langen/Hel Performance four-piston radial calipers. ABS
Rear: Single 265mm EBC disc, twin-piston Langen/HEL Performance caliper. ABS
Wheels: Front: Langen forged and CNC machined aluminium, 3.5×17”, Rear: Langen forged and CNC machined aluminium, 6.0×17”
Tyres, Front: 120/70-17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
Tyres, Rear: 240/45-17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
Seat Height: 790mm
Weight: 185kg (dry)
Load Capacity: 400kg