Harley-Davidson Trademarks "Rude Boy" for an Electric Bicycle

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Earlier this summer, Harley-Davidson announced plans to get into the electric bicycle business, and a new trademark application gives us a potential name for an e-bike: “Rude Boy“. Harley-Davidson filed the application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 15, for use with “electric bicycles; electric bicycle parts and accessories.”

Harley-Davidson showed three early prototype electric-assist bicycles at its annual dealer meeting this summer, with a production launch tentatively set for 2020-2021. These electric bikes are part of Harley-Davidson’s plans for a range of electric two-wheelers, which will include the LiveWire, a mid-power model and a low-power model both due in 2021-2022, and the currently available IronE children’s balance bikes.

The three prototypes each have a different frame, but presumably share the same pedal-assist system. All three share a similar fork, belt drive and front and rear disc brakes. Apart from the use of Harley-Davidson logos and selective uses of black and orange, there’s not much inherently “Harley” about these electric bicycles, though we suppose a name like “Rude Boy” would try to draw it into the brand’s image.

On its website, Harley-Davidson has this to say about the e-bikes:

“Harley-Davidson’s first electric pedal-assist bicycles are light, fast, and easy for anyone to ride. Designed to shine in urban environments, this all-new line of eBicycles is just one more example of how Harley-Davidson is actively working to inspire a new generation of two-wheeled riders around the world.”

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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  • Jon Jones Jon Jones on Oct 23, 2019

    Named after a prostate-stimulating sex toy?

    Harley is truly losing it.

  • Grimbo Grimbo on Oct 23, 2019

    I googled synonyms for "rude" and "boy"....

    discourteous juvenile
    cheeky lad
    contumelious whippersnapper
    insolent tot
    impudent pickney
    brash rug rat

    Bloody goldmine.

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