Based in Birmingham, Alabama, technology and lifestyle startup Curtiss Motorcycle Company has set out to “lead an all-new golden age of sustainable motorcycles by designing and crafting the world’s best and finest electric motorcycles”.
Formally called Confederate Motors, Curtiss Motorcycle Company is named in honour of Glenn Curtiss, an American aviation and motorcycling pioneer. Curtiss is credited with developing the American V-Twin motorcycle engine and earning the title “Fastest Man on Earth” when on Jan 23rd, 1907, set the unofficial land speed world record of 219.45 km/h (136.36 mph) on his 40 horsepower V8 powered motorcycle.
Following in his footsteps, Curtiss Motorcycle Company has created and begun taking reservations for an electric powered hot rod motorcycle called Zeus and at the 2018 LA Auto Show, unveiled their latest electric powered hot rod motorcycle named Hera that is set to begin production in 2020.
Directly inspired by Curtiss ‘s V8 motorcycle design, Hera is powered by a proprietary battery with eight “cylinders” containing advanced lithium-ion batteries. Featuring a long wheelbase of 64.5 inches, the motorcycle has a ground clearance of 8.25 inches.
“Hera helps to further define our clean, simple, and modern aesthetic, while simultaneously paying tribute to one of history’s most exciting motorcycles,” said Curtiss Design Director Jordan Cornille.
Zeus, the first electric motorcycle created by Curtiss Motorcycle Company, is equipped with a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack that utilizes a set of two high-output electric motors driving a common output shaft to power the rear wheel.
“With Zeus, our goal is to produce an honest Curtiss — one whose form, proportion, stance, and graphics are reductionist by nature, fusing classicism and modernity,” said Curtiss CEO Matt Chambers.
With two versions of the all-electric Zeus motorcycle available for reservation called Cafe and Bobber, each model will be powered by a proprietary powertrain system with an estimated range of 450 km (280 m), 145 pound-feet of torque, and a 0 to 60 time of 2.1 seconds. Set to begin production in 2020, the pricing is set at $60,000 USD each.
To learn more about Curtiss Motorcycle Company, click the link below.
