Curtiss Zeus Radial V8 Electric Motorcycle

Curtiss Motorcycle Company (formerly Confederate Motorcycles) has undergone some changes to its brand identify and website, as well as updated its core design and technology design since we last saw its supposed all-electric flagship, Hera. Well, that’s gone now. In its place is this: a newly reimagined Zeus model, named Zeus Radial V8.

Curtiss Zeus Radial V8 Electric Motorcycle

While the Curtiss Zeus Radial V8 features an all-new skeletal space frame, Glenn Curtiss’ legendary 1907 V8 motorcycle remains the inspiration of its powertrain architecture. Glenn Curtiss’ 1907 V8 motorcycle is, of course, the legendary two-wheeler that set the world speed record of 136 mph (219 km/h) which stood for more than two decades.

If you ask me, the so-called “V8 battery” looks more like a V8 engine compared to the Hera. With the Zeus Radial V8, it has battery cells packed inside eight cylindrical towers, configured in a flaring radial ‘V’ pattern. The V configuration not only pays homage to the legendary bike, but it also functional, allowing maximum battery cooling. In between the “V8 battery” and the YASA P400 R Series motor, is a proprietary controller, completing the electric magic.

Curtiss Zeus Radial V8 Electric Motorcycle

Here are the key specifications of the Zeus Radial V8:

• Chassis: 1.75-inch titanium or chromoly tubular hand-welded and machined 6061 aluminum fusion
• Suspension:
⁃ Front: double-wishbone parallelogram fork with machined 6061 aluminum girders and direct-action, race-proven RaceTech monoshock, fully adjustable for high and low speed compression and rebound damping, 6 inches of travel
⁃ Rear: Machined 6061 aluminum swingarm with centerline RaceTech monoshock with 2-speed compression and rebound damping, 6 inches of travel
• Inverter: Cascadia Motion PM100 Propulsion Inverter
• Brakes:
⁃ Front: 4x 230 mm Beringer floating aeronal cast iron discs with 4-piston Beringer radially-mounted Aerotec calipers
⁃ Rear: 2x 230 mm Beringer floating aeronal cast iron discs with 4-piston Beringer radially-mounted Aerotec calipers
• Wheels/Tires:
⁃ Front: 110/80 R18 on BST Carbon Fiber Wheel
⁃ Rear: 160/60 R18 on BST Carbon Fiber Wheel

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Curtiss Motorcycle Company estimated that the electric drive, which will be paired to 16.8 kWh/399V battery system, produces 217 HP and turns out 147 lb-ft of instant torque. Part of the rebranding also puts Curtiss as an innovative luxury motorcycle maker which brings us to the projected price for the Curtiss Zeus Radial V8 Electric Motorcycle which is a grand $75,000.

Curtiss Zeus Radial V8 Electric Motorcycle

Curtiss Zeus Radial V8 Electric Motorcycle, says Curtiss, is the brand’s first entry into the hyper-luxury motorcycle space (and hence, the bank-breaking sticker). But not to worry, Curtiss has plans to release other models that will be more accessible. Production of the all-electric flagship is expected to happen in 2020.

On a related news, Curtiss has taken to WeFunder to launch an equity crowdfunding campaign where you can choose to invest in the company. A minimum of $1,000 is required. You can learn more at its campaign page on WeFunder if so desire.

All images courtesy of Curtiss Motorcycle Company.