curtiss motorcycles has unveiled the latest addition to its growing electric bike motorcycle lineup – a pistol-like model it describes as ‘the ultimate expression of two-wheel minimalism.’ legendary designer JT nesbitt is responsible for the striking design, which features a hammer-like seat, framed casing and a bullet-shaped battery pack.
images courtesy of curtiss
as you’d expect the hades accelerates like a bullet too. the hades packs a 16.8-kwh battery in an underslung cylinder, which rungs at 399 volts and is expected to make a monstrous 217 hp (162 kw) an 147 lb-ft (200 nm) of instantly-available torque.
curtiss motorcycles designed the bike around the idea of using as many parts as possible for more than one purpose. the silhouette features a lot of open space, most notably between the battery box and the backbone of the frame. hollowed-out fang shapes hold and front axle at the front end and the swingarm at the rear. the brake lights have also been built into the undersides of the buttock-rests.
according to curtiss CEO matt chambers, nesbitt, who is perhaps best known for his confederate wraith and confederate hellcat motorcycles, joined the company’s design team this time last year. in that time, nesbitt set out to design and develop the ultimate expression of two-wheeled minimalism from his studio in new orleans.
‘we have a deep and abiding respect for materials. our goal with hades is to build the least wasteful machine possible,’ explains nesbitt. ‘this not only applies to how the motorcycle operates, but also how it is constructed. most of the parts on the machine serve more than one purpose. like miles davis, we’re playing the fewest possible notes to convey the emotion. that’s minimalism.’
curtiss recently unveiled its ‘radial v8’ concept or its zeus cruiser. the newly re-imagined zeus model showcases an all-new skeletal space frame anchored to a unique powertrain architecture inspired by glenn curtiss’ legendary 1907 v8 motorcycle.
the hades will go on sale in 2020 for $75,000. curtiss is also asking interested parties to buy stock on wefunder to help speed development along and get the hades from the CAD stage into the flesh.
project info
company: curtiss motorcycles
model: hades
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I’m a product designer not a transportation designer so take this with a grain of salt, but to my eye this looks like portfolio filler by an undergrad student. Definitely something I would suggest weeding out in a serious portfolio review.
I see some art deco-inspired pinstriping reminiscent of BMW’s 1937 R7 concept. Only here they seem hastily applied and lack what the BMW concept nails with long, sweeping lines that could have helped tie together this jagged cluster of disharmonious volumes. It is quite successful in nailing aesthetic though, if that were the primary thrust of this exercise.
Very phallic looking. I guess it’s for the guy who doesn’t have everything….
It’s a rad design, and compared w/ bmw’s motorrad vision dc roadster, cleaner lines. I’d ride this TRON inspired bike for sure…but for now I’m aboard my Kestrel RT-1000 Flatbar Shimano Ultergra .
Must say it looks like a tumescent male street dog.
Looks like a knock-off Transformer toy with a built in egg vibrator.
If by pistol you mean sex toy then yes. Unfortunately it’s hideous as any of the three.
“buttock-rests”? I guess I’m not up on the current motorcycle design terms.
Am i the only one who sees a dog’s red rocket? I’m not knocking the design, just an observation.
Not exactly minimal looking, there are SO many shapes to look at. Also, “bullet-shaped” is a nicer way to describe the battery than what came to my mind
The v8 model is better than this one, but I guess it’s good that they can offer two drastically different products.
I don’t like it, but I am not the target audience. I suspect there is even a tipping point for them.
Jim