Harley-Davidson LiveWire Electric Motorcycle

Originally debuted as a 2014 prototype, the forward-looking Harley-Davidson LiveWire has now appeared in production form. It's powered by an all-electric powertrain, including a magnetic electric motor that produces instant torque, and replaces the venerable V-twin as the centerpiece of the cycle. It's mounted low on the frame to help lower the center of gravity and improve handling, the latter of which is also boosted by a fully adjustable Showa suspension and Brembo brakes. A color touchscreen above the handlebar provides access to a wide range of information, and the bike is compatible with an array of chargers. Pricing and other specs will be revealed in January, with deliveries set to begin later in 2019.

Arc Vector Electric Motorcycle

UK-based Arc released their first production motorcycle to the public at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy, and brought game-changing technology to the world of two wheels. Billed as a "neo-cafe racer", Arc's Vector is a fully-electric motorcycle with very impressive specs. The carbon fiber flyer boasts 120 miles of range, a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of 125 MPH, so it has the performance numbers, but it's Arc's Human Machine Interface that looks to the future of riding. The Vector has no screens or gauges. The proprietary Zenith helmet contains a fighter jet-inspired HUD, giving a readout of everything from telemetry readings like speed and range to navigation. Couple that with the Origin armored gear with haptic feedback and the Vector melds man and machine together in one complete package.

Ronin x Uncrate 47 Motorcycle

Designed by Uncrate and built by Ronin, our collaboration includes two identical blacked-out motorcycles. Offering a 160 MPH top speed and 130 rear-wheel HP, the limited Uncrate versions receive a satin black airbox cover and black paint on the front and rear main springs, front fork links, and subframe. Smoke gray was used to replace the taillight lens, the cast rearsets replaced with black anodized billet parts from vintage racers, the muffler endcaps repainted in black cerakote, and the entire exhaust wrapped with black header tape. As a finishing touch, the seat was reupholstered in black leather by Clint Wilkinson, giving this unique, limited bike a menacing look worthy of its fierce namesake. Each bike weighs in at 425 lbs. One of the two identical bikes is still available for purchase.

As seen in Uncrate Issue 04.

Read more about the collaboration.

Email service@uncrate.com to order.

Zero FXS Electric Motorcycle

Zero is no newcomer to electric motorcycles, and their FXS dual-sport shows that experience is an important part of a good product. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the FXS is a solid bike with an electric heart. The FXS has an improved front suspension thanks to Showa forks and stopping power by J.Juan calipers. Two battery options are available, the 3.6 kWh system that can be swapped in for a fresh charge, and a 7.2 kWh battery that can do up to 100 miles of city driving. Both batteries power a 46 horsepower motor with 76 lb-ft of torque, all available instantly at the flick of a throttle. A smartphone app allows you to customize a number of motor parameters and usage statistics. All this is packed into a bike that weighs just under 300 pounds, making the FXS a real performer and not just basic transportation.

Ural Air Motorcycle

Ural makes one motorcycle, and they do it very well. Reverse-engineered from the BMW R71 in the early 1940s for the Russian Army during WWII, Ural has been refining the basic design for over 70 years. The latest special edition of Ural's classic sidecar bike is the Air that comes with a DJI Spark drone that stores in a 3D-printed bin from StrataSys in the nose of the sidecar. The package includes a drone controller by Ram Mounts, USB charging system, LED lights, and a windsock. All the rugged standard features from Ural are there too, like two-wheel-drive, a spare tire, shovel, and jerry can. Only 40 are being made worldwide, and a $500 deposit saves yours until they arrive at dealerships in November 2018.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro Motorcycle

When Ducati's Multistrada was released for the 2018 model year, the range-topping Enduro wouldn't be far behind. While the base Multistrada is an excellent on or offroad machine, the Enduro has a slew of features that make it more suited to riding that ventures further off the pavement. The Enduro gets 19" front and 17" rear spoked wheels, along with Ducati's Skyhook semi-active suspension with an increased 7.3 inches of travel. The 1,262cc Testastretta DVT engine has been remapped to provide more torque across a broader RPM range, and the Ducati Quick Shift system lets you shift up and down through all six gears without using the clutch. Electronic aids include Vehicle Hold Control that keeps the bike stationary on up to 24.5-degree grades, Bosch six-axis inertial control, and ABS. Expect to see the Enduro in showrooms in early 2019.

Tarform Electric Motorcycle

Electric motorcycle startup Tarform has brought together the US and Europe to release a new electric motorcycle with forward-looking engineering. Tarform is based in Brooklyn, New York, and Stockholm, Sweden, and the design speaks to their roots on two continents. The sleek, uncomplicated exterior draws on vintage cafe racers of the past, with flourishes that accentuate the electric drivetrain and almost make up for the lack of a motor cradled in the frame. Radial-mounted brakes, modern USD forks, and monoshock rear suspension ensure a bike that handles and stops like it should, while the battery and motor is a modular design that aims to be future-proof with the ability to upgrade for more power and range. Tarform also makes extensive use of sustainable materials, making the bike more than just a nod towards reducing emissions.

De Castelli Samotracia Copper Motorcycle

Italian furniture house De Castelli utilizes modern shapes and raw metal finishes in much of its work, creating pieces that are as much art as functional furniture. When the company commissioned a motorcycle that would compliment their design philosophy, Italian industrial designer Mario Trimarchi had something exciting in mind — bodywork made of raw-finished copper. Trimarchi eschewed the usual aerodynamic curves in favor of an almost origami-like design of sharp creases and folds that mimic movement even while at rest. The bodywork will oxidize with the process expected to be complete in a century — making it a perfect fit with Italy's long history of art and design.

Sol Motors Pocket Rocket Bike

Urban transportation should be efficient and fun — but that doesn't mean it has to be dull and uninspiring. Germany-based Sol Motors has a cure for all the lifeless e-scooters clogging urban roads: the Pocket Rocket bike. The Pocket Rocket isn't an e-bike or a scooter, and it's too small to be a motorcycle, and Sol has categorized it as a noped. Packing up to 8.5 horsepower in a hub-mounted electric motor, the Pocket Rocket can hit up to 50 MPH and travel 50 miles. With a weight of 121 pounds, you can store the Pocket Rocket nearly anywhere, and the ultra-modern design won't make you cringe on your trip.

2019 Suzuki Katana Motorcycle

The revolutionary Suzuki Katana was released in 1980 and changed the course of motorcycle design and performance. Team Target, a German design team lead by ex-BMW designer Hans Muth, gave the Katana its sharp-edged lines that would soon become the standard for sport bikes. Suzuki's new Katana uses the famed original as its inspiration with all the modern features and performance riders expect. The heart of the Katana is a 999cc GSX-R1000, good for 150 horsepower, that rides in a twin-spar aluminum frame. Radial Brembo brakes and electronic features like three-mode traction control and ABS. Then there's the styling — an excellent reinterpretation of the iconic original. Expect to see the Katana in showrooms in Spring of 2019.

Impuls BMW K101 Motorcycle

Philipp Wulk and Matthias Pittner build custom motorcycles under the name Impuls in Munich, Germany. Their latest build is a 1985 BMW K100 in collaboration with artist Fabian Gatermann, who uses minimal geometric forms in a variety of mediums, from concrete to stamps. Wulk and Pittner stripped the K100 down to its bare essentials, modifying the rear subframe and cleaning up the wiring, along with new forks, longer rear shock, and a custom exhaust. The single-piece tank and seat were rendered in 3D by Gatermann, who then hand-painted the polygon pattern onto the piece, making this BMW a rolling work of art.

BikeBox 24 Garage

Motorcycles, along with gasoline and electrified scooters, are gaining popularity as the transportation mode of choice among urban dwellers. Their small size, light weight, and fuel efficiency make them a great choice for getting around a densely packed city — and also make them a favorite target of theft. Along with being open to the elements, a dry, secure place to stash your two-wheeled transportation is essential, and BikeBox has an innovative answer. The BikeBox 24 is a portable storage solution made of high-impact plastic that can fit anywhere from the back of a garage to a driveway. The opening is hinged on pneumatic struts and is lockable with a high-grade steel cylinder lock, keeping your bike safe, dry, and ready to go whenever you need it.

1984 Moto Guzzi Bazooka 110 Le Mans R Motorcycle

Italian manufacturer Moto Guzzi's trademark motorcycles — transverse v-twin engines and shaft-drive — have been enjoying a renaissance in the custom bike scene for several years. The beauty of Moto Guzzi machines is that they don't need much to stand out, as attested to by this 1983 Le Mans Mk3. Found in the north of Italy, custom shop Ruote Fiere brought it home and rescued it from a bad attempt at customization in the 1990s. The work was intensive but comes together perfectly with the Guzzi's lines. The frame was modified to mount the engine from above, and new electronics and ignition were added. A new twin light fairing and a single-piece combination tank and seat make this Guzzi look ready for the track it was named after.

Ronin x Uncrate Motorcycles

In 2009, the middle of the worldwide financial crisis, Harley-Davidson announced it was killing their Buell line, effective immediately. While most saw tragedy, Mike Mayberry and Richard Fitzpatrick of firearms accessories company Magpul Industries saw an opportunity. They'd been impressed by the liquid-cooled Rotax V-twin engine and fuel-in-frame of Buell's final offering, the 1125, and set about building a pared-down, aggressive new bike using it as the base. Essentially building what they thought the 1125 should have been all along, while adding their own spin, drawing from their background in rifle chassis, stock, and sight design.

It began as a prototype, stripping away the unnecessary 1125 bodywork while adding a custom monoshock linkage suspension system, ram air intake, high-flow exhaust, and signature front-mounted radiator. It was only after this bike was finished that they learned of Buell's demise, and, reminded of the Japanese samurai legend Ronin — in which 47 samurai commit to avenging their lost master — they set about buying up 1125s to make their own pack of warrior-worthy bikes.

Our collaboration involves two of the 47, nos. 46 and 40, which received a satin black airbox cover and black paint on the front and rear main springs, front fork links, and subframe. Smoke gray was used to replace the taillight lens, the cast rearsets replaced with black anodized billet parts from vintage racers, the muffler endcaps repainted in black cerakote, and the entire exhaust wrapped with black header tape. As a finishing touch, the seat was reupholstered in black leather by Clint Wilkinson, giving this unique, limited bike a menacing look worthy of its fierce namesake.

Purchasing will be through Uncrate Supply, with two identical bikes available.

As seen in Uncrate Issue 04.

Photos: Aaron Brimhall / Zach Jenkins / Steven Clouse / Uncrate

Atelier Medusa Honda Dominator 650 Motorcycle

The Dominator isn't one of Honda's best-known bikes, especially in the US. The dual-sport has become very popular on the custom bike scene, and relatively new French builder Atelier Medusa has used the Dominator as the base for one of their latest builds. Stripped down to the essentials, Atelier Medusa ditched the fairing and plastic bits while radically shortening the subframe and adding a handmade leather seat. Blacked out and carrying a weathered Honda XLS 500 tank, Atelier's take one the Dominator can actually perform as well as it looks, on or off the road.

Droog Moto 12 Motorcycle

Droog Moto is a husband and wife team that specializes in custom bikes made for surviving the collapse of society. Short, brutal proportions, knobby tires, and an overall vibe that says post-apocalyptic is Droog's trademark, and their latest work has that design philosophy in spades. Starting with a Kawasaki Ninja 650, Droog stripped the bike down to the bare essentials. A fully-custom rear subframe carries a handmade solo seat and LED brake light, while the front gets a tracker-style front plate and a swap to heavier-duty forks. Solid aluminum wheel inserts and a trick two-into-two exhaust with slash-cut tips complete the look. If Mad Max is your hero, Droog has the bike for you.

2019 Polaris Slingshot Grand Touring Autocycle

Polaris' three-wheel Slingshot is getting a new top-end model for 2019 — the Grand Touring. The Grand Touring has a complement of new features that make for effortless long trips. The most noticeable change is the Slingshade, a semi-enclosed hardtop with hinged t-tops above the rider and passenger. A 7" glove-compatible touchscreen is included with navigation, backup camera, and a 100-watt audio system by Rockford Fosgate. And to make sure that trip is as comfortable as possible, new softer, quilted seats are inside. The Slingshot might is one of the quirkiest, most smile-inducing vehicles on the road, and now it's ready for cross-country travel.

1949 Vincent Black Lightning Motorcycle

Before Triumph or Ducati or Honda's CB750, if you wanted the fastest bike on the planet, there was only one manufacturer to go to — UK-based Vincent. 33 Black Lightnings were built between 1948 and 1952, and only 19 all-original examples are believed to exist. The most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction was a Black Lightning that set a land speed record and went for just under $1 million, for an idea of how important these bikes are. This Black Lightning is the second one ever made and has a fully-documented history since new. Powered by a 70 horsepower, 998cc v-twin, this Black Lightning will command a premium when it comes across the auction block in Birmingham, AL this October.

RMK E2 Electric Motorcycle

RMK is a fresh Finnish startup with an ambitious first product — the E2 electric motorcycle. The E2 looks to be a step forward in the e-bike market, with a minimalist design that eschews the traditional chain drive for a hub-mounted electric motor in the rear wheel, suspended by a trick single-sided swingarm and monoshock. RMK aims for a range of 124-186 miles, with a charge time of two to three hours from empty. The E2 will make its debut at the MP 19 Motorcycle Show in Helsinki, Finland, with deliveries starting after the February 2019 show.

Earle Ducati Alaskan Motorcycle

Alex Earle works on designing cars at his day job with VW America — but builds bikes in his LA in his spare time. Working for Volkswagen means Alex has legitimate chops in both the design and engineering areas, born out by only his second build, the Ducati-based Alaskan. Starting with a Ducati Desert Sled, Alex takes the already-capable dual sport to the next level. Swingarm extenders provide extra stability over rough terrain, and a Kevlar skid plate and crash guards offer extra protection to vital components. A hand-formed tank holds six gallons of fuel, and a two-gallon reserve tank under the tail doubles the time you can spend away from civilization. And to make sure it all works, Alex spent two weeks covering hundreds of miles in the Alaskan wilderness, earning the bike's name.

Alta Redshift EXR Motorcycle

California-based Alta is taking the lead in offroad electric motorcycles, and with a recent investment in the company by Harley-Davidson, is looking to build their on-road presence too. Their Redshift EXR builds on their top-line MXR model to deliver a dual sport, good for pavement as well as dirt. The EXR gets DOT-approved Metzeler tires and street-legal lighting, along with subtle tuning of the WP suspension for street use. But that doesn't take away from the EXR's offroad prowess — it's just as capable as it's MXR sibling. Alta's radical battery technology is all there, offering up to 50 horsepower three-hour recharge times. A clutchless transmission and three engine maps make the most of whatever terrain you're on, and a 273-pound total weight makes the EXR easy to handle no matter your skill level.

BMW x Blechmann R nineT Motorcycle

Chickens aren't your typical inspiration for custom motorcycles, but Bernhard Naumann isn't your typical custom bike builder. Nicknamed the Tin Man, Naumann is known for expertise in turning sheet metal into art — something he's certainly done with this BMW R nineT, regardless of your thoughts on the design. Blechmann's angular, hand-formed bodywork and custom trellis frame would look right at home on the set of the next Blade Runner. The only parts left of the original bike are the forks, rims, and motor, with Blechmann's take on the classic BMW racing livery gracing the tank. Custom in every sense of the word, this R nineT is unlike any other.

NCT BMW R80 Olivera Motorcycle

Based in Austria, National Custom Tech has been making custom motorcycles for a little over two years at a level that defies their experience. Olivera started life as a BMW R80 and now sits as a stripped-down tracker. A rebuilt rear subframe carries the required flat seat, covered in handstitched leather. The frame has been de-tabbed and powder coated, with all new wiring and a low-profile Motogadet gauge cluster. A completely rebuilt engine with a custom exhaust makes this R80 ready to go anywhere the road takes you.

Vagabund V09 1992 BMW R80RT Motorcycle

Based in Graz, Austria, Vagabund have been designing and building custom motorcycles for just over two years — but their work defies their experience. Starting with a 1992 BMW R80RT, Vagabund pulled out all the stops to create a modern cafe racer. Wiring and cables have been minimized, with 3D-printed switch housings, and a handmade rear frame carries a 3D printed seat. Lowered front forks set a low, aggressive stance, and the black paint and solid rear rim recall vintage speed racers. All-in-all, another great effort from the Austrian design duo.

Onyx Electric Motorbike

San Francisco-based startup Onyx has a fully-backed crowdfunding campaign and is releasing a pair of electric mopeds. The RCR is the bigger of the two, packing a 72v motor with speeds up to 60 MPH and 75 miles of range. The CTY is designed for urban riding, with 48 volts and a range of 25-40 miles. Both bikes take styling cues from vintage mopeds and motorcycles while offering full suspension and a rear hub motor. Deliveries are expected to start in early 2019.