The new Serial 1 RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU ebike powered by Harley-Davidson in review – Born to be… mild?

Harley-Davidson are iconic around the world. For lots of people, even outside the USA, the muscular motorbikes are the embodiment of freedom and the American Dream. How does an electric city step-through bike fit into the picture? We tell you in our first ride review of the Serial 1 RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU ebike powered by Harley-Davidson.

“We don’t sell bikes, we sell a lifestyle.” We can hardly imagine a better description of Harley-Davidson’s recipe for success. The iconic American brand from Milwaukee manages to imbue feelings of freedom and boundless possibility in their products like no one else. We were correspondingly excited to test the RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU ebike from Serial 1, an ebike startup powered by Harley-Davidson. Does the € 4,599 step-through ebike with its Brose Drive-S Mag motor manage to embody the same sense of freedom as the V-twins from Milwaukee?

The Serial 1 RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU powered by Harley-Davidson in detail

To understand the connection between the RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU with a Harley-Davidson, you have to go far back into the history of the American brand. The first widely known Harley-Davidson motorbike, lovingly known as “Serial Number One”, stems from 1905 and had to be started by pedalling. Nowadays, it more strongly resembles an ebike than the current Harley-Davidson range. This is the model from which startup Serial 1 takes its name as inspiration.

The RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU has an aluminium frame with a deeply drawn step-through section. The RUSH/CTY range is also offered with a traditional diamond frame. In the United States, an S-pedelec model providing assistance up to 45 km/h, will be available too. Our test bike is powered by a Brose Drive S Mag motor that sits centrally and low in the frame. With a maximum torque output of 90 Nm it ensures powerful propulsion and, on paper at least, isn’t all that far removed from the 139 Nm of a Harley Sport Glide 2021. The integrated 529 Wh battery has unusually square measurements and sits on top of the motor in the down tube. It can be removed for charging or plugged in directly on the ebike via the well-protected charging port next to the cranks. As a result of its square dimensions, the upper section of the down tube remains unused, allowing the designers to integrate a lockable storage compartment in the frame. This provides space for a 100 ml can of two-stroke oil, a pair of leather gloves and some chewing tobacco. Unfortunately, there’s not enough space for a 0.33 l coke can.

The E-drive is controlled with the Brose Display Allround on the bars, which also serves as a practical remote. The buttons offer good ergonomics and are easy to actuate by thumb. The high-resolution colour display, nicely presented data fields and bright backlight of the display make it a pleasure to use. The cable runs in the cockpit have also been considered carefully, with brake hoses running through the bars and all other cables routed inside the frame.

Like the frame, the rigid fork is made from aluminium and has integrated mounts for the rattle-free mudguards. The head tube is emblazoned with the manufacturer’s signature in the form of an illuminated logo. The rear end is shaped with peculiarly thin stays that don’t harmonise visually with the bulky proportions of the front and massive motor housing in the middle. A cutout in the bottom bracket area allows the rectangular battery to be removed upwards, though in combination with the missing top tube of the step-through design, results in noticeable flex in the frame when loaded. That said, this doesn’t have a negative effect on the handling or ride.

There are no obviously unique or standout characteristics to distinguish the RUSH/CTY from the rest of the market. However, that’s not absolutely necessary for the young brand, which has the history and reputation of one of the most prestigious motorbike manufacturers behind it. A Harley-Davidson isn’t more interesting for the target market because it’s packed with the latest technologies or gadgets. Instead, Harley-Davidson is about lifestyle and being able to express your individuality. That’s exactly what the Serial 1 ebike could achieve: making a statement that embodies mobility, freedom and independence.

The spec of the Harley-Davidson bike

The RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU offers an encompassing and comprehensive package with several spec highlights that are usually only seen on high-end ebikes. Instead of a chain, the drivetrain is based on a GATES Carbon belt, requiring significantly less maintenance. In combination with the quiet Brose motor, this also means that the RUSH/CTY is one of the quietest ebikes currently on the market. When the wind of change blows through your flannel shirt with no bike noises to disturb the experience, you know exactly what the US brand means when they talk about selling a lifestyle.

Shifting is taken care of by the ebike itself. The rear hub contains a continuous Enviolo AUTOMATiQ gear hub. The transmission is adjusted automatically to keep your pedalling cadence at a steady level that you can set at the desired value. For lazy shifters, it provides real relief. Even if the system doesn’t always hit the perfect gear, the overwhelming majority of the time it allows stress-free cruising. Roll towards inclines and the gear hub will recognise the reduction in speed and gear down automatically. Pick up speed on the way back downhill and it shifts to match. However, for sporty riders who want more control of their cadence depending on the situation they’re in, the drivetrain won’t work. To change the target cadence, the gear hub first has to be paired with your phone where it can be configured in the Enviolo AUTOMATiQ app. The Canyon Precede:ON CF 9 has solved this in a better way and lets you control the same Enviolo AUTOMATiQ drivetrain directly via the bar remote and Bosch Kiox display.

The Serial 1 RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU rolls on voluminous 27.5 x 2.4″ Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires which are mounted on 35 mm wide aluminium rims. They might not come close to the enormous 7″ width you’ll find on a LiveWire, Harley Davidson’s first E-motorbike, but nonetheless, the Schwalbe tires lend the Serial 1 a certain moto flair. They also contribute significantly to the stable handling and are responsible for most of the comfort of the rigid ebike.

Braking is taken care of by TRP C2.3 four-piston brakes paired with 203 mm, extra-thick 2.3 mm rotors. That should provide enough stopping power even for long descents when fully loaded. With its everyday-friendly spec and features, the RUSH/CTY is designed to make both freedom and leisure riders as well as everyday riders and commuters happy. To do that, it comes fitted with a light system as standard with rear lights integrated into the dropouts that indicate when you are braking. Luggage will find room on the front and rear rack, which can both be loaded with up to 10 kg. For large shops, the limit at the rear might be quickly reached. Up front, that capacity will usually be enough, though the short 15 cm length of the rack could lead to some compatibility issues with bags. Mudguards and a side stand round out the package and make it ready for everyday use. The side stand’s height can be quickly adjusted allowing the RUSH/CTY to be parked securely on topographically awkward terrain (read hills :D).

The geometry of the Serial 1 RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU

The RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU is available in sizes S, M and L and, according to the manufacturer, is suited to people from 1.58 to 1.80 m tall. Riders taller than 1.80 m or with an inseam longer than 84 cm should consider the diamond frame versions of the RUSH/CTY which are available in sizes up to XL. These are listed as suitable for riders up to 1.98 m tall. Our test bike in size L offered sufficient space for our 1.85 m tall testers. The riding position is relaxed, upright and doesn’t tire out your hands or back on long tours. For smaller riders around 1.76 m tall, the suggested size L bike in the test was already too big. That’s why we recommend that you also try out a smaller size at your local Harley-Davidson dealer.

Everyday rebellion – Out and about on the Serial 1 ebike

The RUSH/CTY fulfils all requirements to be a comfortable commuter or to go shopping. Riding comfort is good, the ebike handles stably and thanks to the large tires and damping inherent in the frame, doesn’t transmit uneven surfaces unfiltered to the rider. However, if you mainly want to cruise with the Serial 1 on poor roads or even off asphalt, you’ll quickly reach the comfort limits of the bike. Steering input is transmitted directly without the ebike feeling nervous, with the handling intuitive and easy to master. Once the automatic shifting is set up properly, you don’t have to worry about very much: accelerate, brake and steer. Done!

With the RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU, Serial 1 don’t deliver an ebike that you would initially expect from a brand like Harley-Davidson, if you’d even expect Harley-Davidson to produce an ebike at all. Where’s the spirit, individuality, self-expression and rebellion that Harley-Davidson embody? It’s in the freedom that you can enjoy aboard the RUSH/CTY. It’s not in the loud design of chromed motorbikes but encompasses something more important. The Serial 1 frees you of obligations like frequent or routine servicing thanks to its low-maintenance components. It makes you independent of bus, train or car and with its powerful motor and automatic shifting delivers riding fun and enjoyment without demanding much input from the rider. The RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU doesn’t rebel against societal norms but nor does it conform to any requirements or restrictions. It fulfils no expectations other than the expectation to break free from expectation. It’s neither, “Born to be wild” nor “Born to be mild” but “Born to be alive” making it 100% a Harley Davidson.

Serial 1 RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU conclusion

Serial 1’s RUSH/CTY STEP-THRU hasn’t inherited Harley-Davidson’s rebellious and wild genes but is nonetheless in equal measure unconventional. Thanks to its easy use and easygoing ride, the ebike transports the brand’s reputation for freedom and unrestraint into the 21st century. If you’ve always wanted to be able to call a Harley your own, you get the chance here. For € 4,599 you’ll get a well-equipped ebike with clever features and easy operation, which will provide you with enjoyment on everyday rides or relaxed cruises and let you get away from the world.

For more information head to serial1.com.

Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Philipp Schwab