Harley-Davidson's electric brand, LiveWire, has bought Dust Moto. This move shows LiveWire's plan to enter the growing electric off-road market. Dust Moto is known for its Hightail electric enduro bike.
LiveWire has mostly focused on road motorcycles like the One, Del Mar, Mulholland, and Alpinista. This acquisition is the company's first and signals a shift in strategy.
Expanding into Off-Road
LiveWire wants to be seen as an independent electric motorcycle brand, separate from Harley-Davidson. CEO Karim Donnez said, "LiveWire pioneered the on-road electric motorcycle market, and this acquisition allows us to build on that leadership as we expand into off-road." He noted this journey started with STACYC ten years ago.
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Start Your News DetoxThe idea is for LiveWire to use Dust Moto's electric dirt bike platform. They would produce, sell, and market it using LiveWire's engineering, manufacturing, and global sales network.
The electric off-road market is growing fast. Stark Future, with its Varg motocross and Varg EX enduro models, made €115 million (about US$133.4 million) in 2025. Other brands like Sur-Ron and Talaria offer more affordable options for younger riders.
LiveWire has faced challenges, selling just over 650 motorcycles globally in 2025 and seeing significant losses. Moving into the off-road sector could help turn things around.
Electric drives are often better for off-road riding than city roads. They offer instant power, no gear shifting, less mechanical complexity, and quieter operation for trails.
Dust Moto, a US startup, is well-regarded in the motorcycle community. Colin Godby, Dust's Founder and CEO, said, "LiveWire shares our fundamental DNA as an American brand focused on performance, innovation, and putting riders first." He added that LiveWire's scale and global reach will help bring their electric off-road bike to a worldwide audience.
More details are expected in the second half of 2026. It's unclear if the Hightail will be rebranded as a LiveWire or if a new motorcycle will be developed.
Deep Dive & References: LiveWire Group Acquires Dust Moto Company - LiveWire
