Harley-Davidson invests in California electric bike company

Harley-Davidson Inc. has acquired part of Alta Motors, a California company that’s been manufacturing electric dirt bikes for eight years, and plans to collaborate with the firm on future Harley electric motorcycles.

“Earlier this year, as part of our 10-year strategy, we reiterated our commitment to build the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders, in part, by aggressively investing in electric vehicle (EV) technology,” Harley CEO Matt Levatich said in a statement.

“Alta has demonstrated innovation and expertise in EV and their objectives align closely with ours. We each have strengths and capabilities that will be mutually beneficial as we work together to develop cutting-edge electric motorcycles,” Levatich said.

Milwaukee-based Harley says its first electric bike will be available for purchase in 2019.

Meanwhile, Alta, based in northern California, has been making electric dirt bikes and enduro bikes since 2010. The company's Redshift MXR will travel about 60 miles on a battery charge that takes about 90 minutes to complete.

The Redshift comes in two models — a street-legal "supermoto" and a trail-ready motocross. Alta says the bikes could change the way people commute during the week and how they ride on the weekend.

“We believe electric motorcycles are the future, and that American companies have an opportunity to lead that future. It’s incredibly exciting that Harley-Davidson, synonymous with motorcycle leadership, shares that vision and we’re thrilled to collaborate with them,” Alta Motors co-founder Marc Fenigst said in a statement.

Financial terms of the deal with Harley, announced Thursday, weren't made public.

Another company, Logos Technologies of Fairfax, Va., has used an Alta Motors bike in its work to develop an electric motorcycle for the U.S. military.

The SilentHawk is designed to produce minimum engine noise for use by soldiers behind enemy lines.

RELATED: Harley-Davidson more focused on bikes than concerts for 115th anniversary in Milwaukee

RELATED: Harley-Davidson launches two new 2018 Sportsters

Harley-Davidson might be using the name Revelation for the engine of its new electric motorcycle, according to a trademark application.

Harley isn’t confirming it, but the company has filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office for the name "H-D Revelation," in a listing that includes electric drives for vehicles, engines for motorcycles and batteries for vehicles.

Other Harley-Davidson bikes have similar sounding names for the engines, such as Evolution for Sportsters and Revolution X for the Street 750.

One thing for sure: The new electric motor won't have the syncopated "potato, potato, potato" rumble that resonates from Harley V-Twin engines, a sound the company once tried to trademark.

The bike ought to be quick, with the prototype showing that it could go from zero to 60 mph in under four seconds. Earlier, however, Harley said it wouldn't bring an electric bike to market until the battery technology improved to allow for longer driving distances.