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Harley-Davidson launches ‘Serial 1’ a gorgeous new electric bike
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https://tagterritory.com/harley-davidson-launches-serial-1-electric-bike/
The bike producer is spinning out its e-bike division as a separate enterprise by unveiling Serial 1.
It’s been nearly a year since we’ve final heard from Harley-Davidson’s nascent electric bike venture, however based mostly on what the corporate is asserting at present, it might have been effectively well worth the wait.
Harley-Davidson unveiled a beautiful new electric bike that it says will go on sale in March 2021. And the bike producer can also be spinning out its e-bike division as a separate firm called Serial 1 Cycle.
First and foremost, that is a nostalgia play. The title Serial 1 is a reference to “Serial Number One,” the nickname for Harley-Davidson’s oldest recognized bike inbuilt 1903.
The bike’s design, with its white tires, leather-based saddle and handgrips, and modern black body, are supposed to harken again to that first prototype.
Harley’s new firm sprung out of the corporate’s skunk works Product Development Center, the place a small group of “passionate motorcycle and bicycle enthusiasts” have been engaged on designing and growing an e-bike “worthy of the Harley-Davidson name,” Harley says.
Harley-Davidson wouldn’t provide up any specs, so we are able to solely speculate on energy ranges, battery dimension, vary, and value.
Just based mostly on the photographs, Serial 1 has a mid-drive motor, a belt drive system (presumably a Gates Carbon system that's recognized to be lengthy lasting), a frame-integrated battery, frame-integrated headlight and taillights, and a leather-based accents.
Just after the turn of the 20th century, bicycles had been in vogue.
Inexpensive, quiet, refined and extra elegant (and much much less “maintenance” intensive) than the present widespread approach to get round - the horse and buggy - bicycles had been promoting like bowler hats and monocles because the calendar ticked over from 1899 to 1900.
But a noisy new invention was additionally making itself recognized: the interior combustion gasoline engine.
By the early 1900s, it was already pretty refined and dependable, and in addition sufficiently small to fit into a bicycle body, giving rise to the primary useable - and sellable - bikes.
Some fellas in Wisconsin determined to get into the motor-making enterprise, and the corporate we all know so effectively at present was formally born in 1903 because the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
But lengthy earlier than a V-Twin cruiser ever noticed the sunshine of day, H-D’s first merchandise had been small motors made for varied purposes, together with a beefed-up motorized bicycle, which turned recognized internally by the nickname “serial one.” It even had pedals.
Serial 1 makers
117 year later, historical past appears to be repeating itself, after a trend.
Bowler hats are nonetheless round, monocles maybe much less so, however bicycling is experiencing one other renaissance, this time with “ebikes” benefiting from the motive energy of electricity as a substitute of gasoline.
And as soon as once more, Harley-Davidson is seeking to get in on the motion.
After a number of years of hints, prototypes, and a CEO change that left H-D’s ebike efforts in query, The Motor Company has debuted a new ebike sub-brand, Serial 1 Cycle Company ( https://www.serial1.com/ ), and a prototype mannequin that factors towards that pedelec future…
…whereas paying homage to the corporate’s roots.
First issues first: The good-looking Serial 1 machine seen right here almost certainly won’t be in showrooms anytime quickly, as Serial 1 Cycle Company Brand Director Aaron Frank says he and his staff constructed it as a “one-off prototype” showpiece in simply the final couple…
…of weeks.
But it seems to be constructed on the bones of different prototypes H-D has proven together with a number of variants seen at EICMA Milan bike present in 2019, so never say never and make no mistake: electric bicycles are coming quickly from Harley-Davidson, with Spring of 2021…
…set because the launch window, in line with Frank.
If the title Aaron Frank rings a bell, it doubtless as a result of he headed up Motorcyclist journal for a spell earlier than transferring to the advertising and marketing sphere, the place he labored with Indian and Victory (each beneath the Polaris umbrella) in addition to…
…Ferrari and Nissan. The man is aware of his Harleys as effectively, having penned The Harley-Davidson Story: Tales From the Archives ( https://amzn.to/3kCJHHs ).
He’s been engaged on the Harley ebike venture for about two years and talked with http://Forbes.com in regards to the Serial 1 bike forward of at present’s launch.
Frank reaffirmed that the bike featured on this story and seen within the video beneath is a “cosmetic tribute” to that authentic bike, and is probably going not going to be the machine (or considered one of a number of fashions) consumers will doubtless be supplied subsequent…
…yr from Serial 1. It was assembled by his staff to announce the Serial 1 model and to tie the ebikes to the beginning of Harley-Davidson throughout the span of greater than a century.
Still, the sharp-looking machine jogs my memory of another ebike I rode recently, so right here’s hoping it will definitely finds its method into manufacturing.
So what's going to the new ebikes really appear to be? Frank mentioned that slightly than the tribute bike seen right here, the prototypes proven the 2019 EICMA Milan present (beneath) hew nearer to future manufacturing kind components.
As of but, tech specs and particular costs haven't been introduced for any upcoming fashions, however past hints have put the value level within the $2,500 to $5,000 vary, which is to be anticipated for an upper-level product from a model marque like Harley-Davidson.
However, Frank did affirm that H-D might be partnering with an skilled however as-yet unidentified firm to provide the ebikes, however the design work might be carried out on the residence base in Milwaukee by Serial 1 engineers.
Franks mentioned the Serial 1 bikes is not going to be “badge slaps,” the place a bigger firm simply places their title on an present line of merchandise.”This could be very a lot a ground-up, 100 % particularly designed” venture by Harley-Davidson.
Additionally, some broader tech specifics had been confirmed to http://Forbes.com , together with a design that includes a mid-mount motor (versus a rear hub setup), an built-in battery and built-in lighting, in addition to pedal help on all upcoming fashions.
Keen eyes can even spot a belt drive as a substitute of a chain, one thing rising in popularity on upscale ebikes.
A Harley-Davidson spokesperson added that “Serial 1 expects to offer a complete portfolio for every category of eBicycles.” That’s a broad assertion, and whereas we wait to substantiate extra particular info alongside these traces, that will point out that design plans embrace…
…entries throughout the present three classes of ebikes within the U.S. and the Eurozone, which embrace fashions with freewheeling “throttle only” talents (Class 2), and bikes with prime speeds of 28mph (Class 3).
Class 1 bikes function pedal help solely (no throttle) with a prime velocity of 20mph within the U.S. Frank mentioned he’d have extra details about the upcoming fashions forward of the springtime launch.
But simply the reveal of the Serial 1 model and the idea bike hopefully bodes effectively for the ebike phase within the U.S. and by extension, Harley-Davidson’s bike sales, which have not been a reassuring as of late.
In a recent story across the surprising surge of bicycle and bike sales through the COVID-19 pandemic, bike business insider and advocate Robert Pandya mentioned he felt electric bicycle gross sales might have a sturdy impression on bike gross sales as ebike riders uncover an…
…expertise past expectations.
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