Having been produced since September 2008 by Electric Motorsport of Oakland, Calif., a company that’s been turning out e-bikes since the early years of this millennium, it is arguably a grandfather among the new crop of U.S.–made electric street motorcycles.
And unlike most companies in the fledgling industry, Electric Motorsport is operating profitably and developing its Native line of motorcycles and scooters with its own money, while others seek government grants and venture capital.
Working under a modest budget, Native has no PR agency representing it, doesn’t chase motorcycle events around the country with a demo fleet, and has only a basic website.
However, nothing has stopped it from making motorcycle history.
Last year, using a hotrod version of the Native S, Electric Motorsport won the Open class in the world’s firstTTXGP electronic motorcycle race at the Isle of Man. In doing so, Native also became the first American motorcycle manufacturer to win a race there since the Indian Motocycle Company did in 1911. (Team Agni took victory in the TTXGP’s more prestigious Pro Class.)
Native’s name was selected to acknowledge its American grassroots heritage. Having one Native American partner in the company, plus enthusiasts for vintage Indian motorcycles, its name was also chosen out of respect for the American company that came before it.
To be continued...
source: http://motorcycle.com
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