After Harley-Davidson unveiled its LiveWire electric motorcycle, the company also teased the possibility of selling electric bicycles to the public. Now, a new company is born to take care of that business from Harley-Davidson. This new company – Serial 1 Cycle – will commence selling its first product line in Spring 2021.
Started As Skunkworks
Harley-Davidson's desire to enter the e-bike market has led it to create a skunkworks within its Product Development Center. The company's e-bicycle project started with just a small group of passionate motorcycle and bicycle enthusiasts. Their goal: design and develop an e-bike good enough to bear the Harley-Davidson name.
As the e-bike project grew, Harley-Davidson found it more fitting to structure the endeavor into a whole new company that would focus only on e-bicycles. Thus, the Serial 1 Cycle company and the Serial 1 brand were born, as led by Jason Huntsman, Ben Lund, Aaron Frank and Hannah Altenburg.
Borrowing From The Past
Why Serial 1? The company and brand name is derived from “Serial Number One,” which is the nickname for Harley-Davidson’s first motorcycle built in 1903 that signaled the famed brand's birth. Serial 1 will be borrowing this fitting name when the company heralds Harley-Davidson’s very first production e-bicycle.
Interestingly, Serial 1's e-bicycle prototype takes after the looks of that original 1903 Harley-Davidson featuring the original motorcycle's black frame, black wheels, white tires, and spring-mounted leather saddle. Of course, this prototype isn't for sale, but Serial 1 is expected to start unveiling its first line of products this coming spring.
Unmatched Riding Experience
According to Serial 1, its eBicycles will allow its riders to go farther and faster while exerting less effort, marrying the benefits of a bicycle with the advantages of electric power. Serial 1 promises to deliver an unmatched riding experience that is "rooted in freedom and adventure.”
Source: Serial 1