Another brand entering the e-bike industry is a well-known Harley-Davidson. The brand is known for its high-powered hogs. Now, it is getting into the electronic bicycle business. However, instead of having a sub-division under the name Harley-Davidson, the e-bike business will be a spin-off of the same. The company is calling its spin-off business the Serial 1 Cycle Company, taking inspiration from its first-ever motorcycle in 1903, Serial Number One.
The E-bike Prototype and Design
Harley-Davidson first teased prototypes for its newest project in November 2019 at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. According to the information already available, the e-bike shall include a sleek black frame, leather saddle and grips, and white tires. The latest prototype released by the company takes elements from Harley-Davidson’s original 1903 motorcycle. The brand describes it as a styling exercise and even mentioned that it is not necessarily intended for mass production.
Based on the available images, enthusiast site Electrek mentioned the following features.
- A mid-drive motor
- A belt drive system
- Frame-integrated headlights and taillights
- Thru-axle wheel hubs
- Tekro dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes on 203mm rotors
- A Brooks leather saddle
- Leather handgrips
Aaron Frank’s Statement
The Brand Director for Serial 1 Cycle Company, Aaron Frank, stated,
The formation of Serial 1 allows Harley-Davidson to play a key role in this mobility revolution while allowing Serial 1 to focus exclusively on the e-bicycle customer and deliver an unmatched riding experience rooted in freedom and adventure.
Further, he told The Verge,
Great steps are being taken to make the bikes as easy and intuitive to operate as possible, which includes key features like a mid-mounted motor with an integrated battery, integrated lighting, and internal brake lines and wiring.
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Harley Davidson e-bike Price, Availability, and Release Date
The first e-bike from Harley-Davidson is expected to hit the markets sometime in spring 2021. The price is still unknown. According to the company, the global e-bicycle market was estimated to be over $15 billion in 2019 and projected to grow at an annual rate of more than 6 percent from 2020 to 2025.
BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and Jeep are some other well-known brands looking to enter the electronic market.