It's turbo time! Langen Motorcycles tease turbocharged Lightspeed and launch new investment scheme

Langen Motorcycles have announced big plans for future expansion, teasing a turbocharged version of their incoming Lightspeed muscle cruiser, as well as calling upon investment from the public to help ramp up production and achieve European homologation standards.

• Related: Best cruiser motorcycles as rated by MCN

“We have spent the last 18 months preparing for this stage so that we are ready to go at full throttle alongside an investment injection,” Langen Founder, Christofer Ratcliffe said. “It had been a dream of mine for many years to invest into a British motorcycle company, to feel a sense of ownership of something I am incredibly passionate about, 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 share holder and, not only a part of our journey and growth, but a part of motorcycle history.”

The Wigan-based brand shot to stardom when they launched a 250 V-twin Two Stroke naked roadster for 2022. First seen at the prestigious Salon Privé event in September 2020, it combines a handcrafted frame with licks of carbon fibre, plus a ring-a-dinging liquid-cooled motor first produced for the Italian Vins Duecinquanta sportsbike.

With production of the Two Stroke now firmly underway, it was later followed up in November 2023 by the Lightspeed LS12 – a 180bhp+ concept muscle cruiser designed to go up against the likes of Ducati’s Diavel V4, powered by Buell’s 1190cc 72° V-twin built by Rotax.

Langen say it’s set to enter production in the final quarter of this year, with a turbocharged version now also set to follow in limited numbers in a bid to further boost the profile of the business.

“Since founding the company and developing our first model we have navigated through unexpected and significant political and economic challenges,” Ratcliffe explained. “With each challenge the business and team continued to grow in line with the demand for our bikes.

“We have now entered a significant milestone year where we are ready to move the company to the next stage,” he continued. “The next step up for Langen means increasing production with our second model – the Lightspeed – along with entering new markets outside of the UK.”

Langen say they now have plans to achieve stringent European Euro5+ homologation, to allow them to sell bikes into the rest of the continent. Currently, the firm’s Two Stroke models operate through a Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) process.

• Related: MCN guide to affordable two-strokes

There are also bold plans to achieve homologation in the US, Australasia, and the Middle East – a potential market expansion that’s said to be 2800% larger than is currently available to the firm.

“The fastest and most reliable way to do this is by investing into more complex production tooling,” Ratcliffe said. “Achieving full Type Approval allows us to access markets where there is currently a high demand for our bikes that we cannot yet fulfil due to legislation requirements.”

• Related: Exclusive Langen interview from 2023

In order to achieve these objectives, Langen is now inviting members of the public to become shareholders – with a funding round due to start this month and end in March.

Alongside meeting more stringent homologation standards, the money raised is also hoped to accelerate production of the £29,400 (+VAT) Two Stroke. Over 80% of the 100 available units have now been reserved, with the revenue generated by the model so far said to stand at £2.7million.  

On top of this, there are hopes to complete the tooling and testing of the Lightspeed so it can reach its production target of Q4 2025. To register your interest in the funding scheme, or place an order on a bike, visit their website now.

Watch: Langen Two Stroke video review