Curtiss Motorcycle Co., the resurrected motorcycle brand now focused on luxury, electric, hand-crafted motorcycles, today announced its debut flagship two-wheeler called The 1. The company says its introduction changes the way motorcycles ride, look, and feel.

Riders are offered balance and hassle-free control thanks to a patented Axis-Centered Design operating system, which it says for the first time makes a motorcycle completely symmetrical, offering riders a balanced, easy, smooth ride. The “perfectly centered” design will be first used in The 1.

Curtiss is giving investors an opportunity to own a piece of the motorcycle brand through an ongoing direct-to-investor offer to allow “motorcycle, luxury, sustainability, and EV fans” to take part in the company’s journey. According to the company, a key reason to invest include its valuation relative to other makes. Among other advantages of the “true ground floor opportunity” cited by the company is the patent-protected Axis Centered Design being the future of motorcycle architecture. The “protected platform” is modular, scalable, and will be used on every future Curtiss motorcycle.

In its press materials, the company often likens itself to Tesla. Similar to the electric car innovator, Curtiss says it is starting at the top, with the smallest-viable audience, and will work its way “down market” but always “staying luxury” relative to others. The company says it is entering the electric motorcycle market at a time when there is no market leader, nor awareness, by any other brand—and with a clear advantage in technology and design. It also claims its thermal management technology yields best-in-industry efficiency with application to all forms of battery-based electrification.

“Curtiss is offering motorcycle and EV enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own a piece of the company and join us on our journey as the world’s leading electric motorcycle brand,” said Matt Chambers, CEO of Curtiss Motorcycle Co. “The electric motorcycle industry is poised for huge growth, and we are proud to be leading the charge.”

Originally founded by motorcycle and aviation pioneer Glenn Hammond Curtiss, the company began manufacturing motorcycles in 1902, inventing the iconic all-American v-twin engine layout. In 2016, the reborn company was cofounded by Chambers and Jordan Cornille, who is responsible for Strategy and Design. The small team of passionate American road bike experts also includes JT Nesbitt, Head of Innovation and Design. The new company’s mission, “to offer Forever Motoring as a Forever Enterprise,” is based on the team’s foundational “True Sustainability” principle. Its financial goal is to earn the highest gross and net margins “in all of motordom.”

Curtis claims that The 1 introduces seven “firsts” to the motorcycle industry in addition to that perfectly centered construction. Among them is its geometric and ergonomic adjustability; precision-machining from aircraft-grade billet aluminum and titanium; full immersion, liquid-cooled battery pack; and proprietary SLC (super light core) “battery/radiator/backbone singularity.” The company also claims the motorcycle is the “first to be designed for radical scale.”

The 1 has a mass of 475 lb. While overall width including handlebars of 27 in, it is one of the few fixed major dimensions with adjustability including ergonomics such as seat height, handlebar, and footpegs. That means short and long wheelbase extremes of 62-64 in and length at 90-92 in. Seat height is 29-27 in, ground clearance is 8-6 in, and rake is 27°-31°. The number of footpeg positions at 19 for the rider and 8 for the passenger.

Electric propulsion technology is by YASA P400 axial flux motor and BorgWarner’s Cascadia Motion PM100 inverter, with the system at 420 V. The 1 can be upgraded over time, resulting in a better machine over “generations of ownership.” The initial peak power is 82 kW (110 hp), “future-proofed” to 159 kW (217 hp). Torque is up to 200 N·m (147.5 lb·ft).

The modular, fully immersed Curtiss Hex battery pack has an 8.8-kW·h capacity for a range of 120 mi city and 70 mi highway. The 1 comes with one battery upgrade and a full factory service in the first 7 years of ownership—to be scheduled between 2027 and 2030. Additional battery upgrades will be available to owners “in perpetuity.”

Charging by universal SAE J1772 connector is support up to 3.3 kW (Level 2). At 220 V, charge time from 0% to 80% is 2 h, and from 80% to 100% is 40 min.

Customized for Curtiss are the Gates drive and RaceTech suspension. The 19-in Dunlop K180 tires are mounted on 3.5 x 19 in (front) and 3.7 x 19 in (rear) wheels.

Brakes are by Beringer Aerotech 4D units. Regen braking is adjustable, with up to 10 levels of assist.

Enthusiasts can reserve one of the 120 Collection examples of the The 1 at a base price of $120,000 with $12,000 down. The top price can approach $180,000 with “intense individualization mode.” Deliveries begin in the second quarter of 2023.