Most motorcyclists associate the historic Harley-Davidson brand with roaring American V-twin engines, timeless styling and good times. Serial 1, Powered by Harley-Davidson, is a new e-bicycle brand reflecting the revered American cruiser brand’s tastes and aesthetics.
Aimed at urban commuting cyclists, Serial 1 has unveiled four unique pedal-assist models, including the Rush/Cty, Rush/Cty Speed, Rush/Step-Through and Mosh/Cty.
There are plenty of features shared between each model. Still, all of the current Serial 1 models utilize a hydroformed aluminum frame and fork with an integrated lithium-ion battery and a powerful Brose mid-mounted electric motor, producing 66 lb-ft of torque. Gates carbon drive belts have a thematic connection to Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Also, four ride modes (Eco, Tour, Sport and Boost) are available on every Serial 1 e-bike and a push-button “walk-assist” function. Integrated LED lighting is also standard. Also, all models except the Mosh/Cty feature an Enviolo Automatiq intelligent auto-shifting hub. Let’s take a look!
2021 Serial 1 Mosh/Cty:
The Serial 1 Mosh/Cty is a stripped-down single-speed urban e-bicycle that great for shorter trips in the city. The 250W motor will provide pedal-assistance up to 20 mph. It features a smaller 529Wh li-ion battery that can reach a full charge in 4 hours and 45 minutes, ranging between 35 and 105 miles, depending on the mode and terrain. Claimed weight is 48.3 pounds. MSRP is $3,399.
2021 Serial 1 Rush/Cty:
The Rush/Cty is the premium offering from Serial 1, loaded with every feature the new e-Bike can throw at it. The Rush/Cty is equipped with an odometer display, a small storage compartment, 4-piston calipers and an Enviolo Automatiq intelligent auto-shifting hub, meaning all you have to do is sit back and pedal. The Rush/Cty has a top pedal-assist speed of 20 mph and boasts a higher maximum range of 115 miles, thanks to the larger 706Wh li-ion battery. The estimated full recharge time is 6.6 hours. Claimed weight is 59 pounds. MSRP is $ 4,499.
2021 Serial 1 Rush/Cty Step-Through:
Loaded down with all of the range-topping features of the Rush/Cty, the Rush/Cty Step-Through uses a step-through frame. It also utilizes a smaller 529Wh battery and has a maximum range of 90 miles. It will take roughly 4.75 hours to recharge fully. Claimed weight is 59.5 pounds. MSRP is $4,399.
2021 Serial 1 Rush/Cty Speed:
Exclusively available in the United States, the Rush/Cty Speed kicks it up a notch with a Brose TF Mag motor tops out at 28 mph. For reference, all other Serial 1 models use a Brose S Mag motor. To help with the higher top-speed and greater power consumption, the Rush/Cty Speed is equipped with the 706Wh li-ion battery, with a full recharge time of 6.6 hours. Outside of those changes, the Rush/Cty Speed shares all of the premium features available on the standard Rush/Cty model. Claimed weight is 59 pounds. MSRP is $4,999.
For more information, visit Serial 1.
Let me get this straight. The bikes are “powered by Harley Davidson”. But they use motors and presumably controls from Brose, a well-known supplier of electric systems for the automotive and e-bike industry. So what does Harley have to do with it, other than, apparently, buying the naming rights to a product whose parts are essentially off-the-shelf, and have zip to do with H-D?
Dexter, we shared your comment with Serial 1, and here’s its official statement:
What does “Powered by Harley-Davidson” mean?
The uniquely integrated, mass-centralized battery technology that provides power to the Serial 1 eBicycles is custom and was crafted according to the same principles that guide Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle design. Furthermore, as a new venture in the eBicycle space, the Serial 1 brand is inspired by Harley-Davidson’s entrepreneurial spirit and assisted by Harley-Davidson’s design, engineering, and testing expertise. This provides a different sort of power to inspire new customers and supercharge Serial 1’s growth and progress.
Yes, that’s correct. Harley-Davidson is the parent company, which supplied the startup money. Serial 1 engineers designed the bikes, including their unique and said-to-be very rigid frames. Most e-bikes use “off-the-shelf” components, varying from cheap to very expensive. Motors typically come from either Bosch or Brose. IMO, Serial 1 would be better off not putting the name Harley-Davidson on their e-bikes (or make it less-conspicuous).