A Little About CurtissThats because on January 8th, 2018 this maker of literally unique V-twin motorcycles changed its name, while also formally signalling its intention to abandon the use of internal combustion engines in its products. Thats the day the company which today is based in Birmingham, Alabama, after being expelled from its New Orleans home by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and is still headed by Matt Chambers as President/CEO, was renamed the Curtiss Motorcycle Co., named after the legendary American motorcycling and aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss. His most notable achievement on two wheels was to set a World Land Speed Record of 136.36 mph (219.45 km/h) in January 1907 at Ormond Beach, Florida on a 40bhp 269ci/4,410cc V8-powered motorcycle which hed designed and built himself, before thereafter totally transferring his attention to airplanes, and to emulating the feats of the Wright Brothers. His record would stand for another 23 years before it was beaten. But whereas Confederates various models have hitherto all featured muscular engines that were as loud in action as they looked likely to be at rest, the born-again Curtiss brands debut model, the Hercules thats scheduled to be unveiled on May 5th at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel, California, will waft along to the sound of silence while delivering much-needed designer looks to the electric bike marketplace. Itll be powered by two electric motors made by Californias Zero Motorcycles, linked together in a patented modular system to deliver massive torque and vivid acceleration. Curtiss Motorcycle Company will focus exclusively on producing a range of electric-powered two-wheelers which Matt Chambers says will fit every pocketbook. He intends this should translate into a sub-$30K sticker price, which contrasts still further with Confederates status as the mucho expensivo boutique brand of two-wheeled choice for Americas rich and famous. Serial celebrities ranging from Hollywood A-listers Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Nicholas Cage, through to rock idols Bruce Springsteen and Steven Tyler, and country music star Tim McGraw, are to be found in Confederates roster of high-profile owners, often with more than one of these exquisitely crafted and consequently costly two-wheeled works of art in their garages.. Its a two-wheeled status symbol.