LiveWire acquires Dust Moto

LiveWire Group said on May 19 that it had acquired the assets of Dust Moto, giving Harley-Davidson’s electric-motorcycle unit an entry into the electric off-road segment. The Milwaukee-based company described the deal as its first acquisition and said it would use LiveWire’s engineering, manufacturing and distribution capabilities to move Dust’s dirt-bike platform toward production. Terms were not disclosed in LiveWire’s release or the SEC filing that carried the announcement. The transaction surfaced more widely on May 24 in EV-focused social-media roundups, but the companies’ formal announcement was dated May 19. LiveWire said the purchase adds “deep off-road knowledge and expertise” and broadens its strategy beyond on-road electric motorcycles. ### What exactly did LiveWire buy? (investor.livewire.com) LiveWire said it acquired Dust Moto’s assets, not the whole company in the wording of its announcement. The company said the completed transaction would let it advance Dust’s electric dirt-bike platform toward production using LiveWire’s manufacturing scale and global sales and service network. (investor.livewire.com) Karim Donnez, LiveWire’s chief executive, said the acquisition lets the company “build on” its on-road electric position as it expands into off-road products. Donnez said the move continues a path that began with STACYC, the electric balance-bike business tied to Harley-Davidson’s broader powersports strategy. (investor.livewire.com) ### Who is Dust Moto? Dust Moto’s website describes the Bend, Oregon company as an American electric-motorcycle startup focused on a lightweight dirt bike. LiveWire’s release said Dust launched with the goal of offering an affordable, high-performance electric dirt bike in the United States. Colin Godby, Dust Moto’s chief executive, said joining LiveWire gives the startup access to greater scale, resources and global reach. (investor.livewire.com) Godby said that would help bring Dust’s off-road bike to market “with a worldwide audience.” ### Which bike is at the center of the deal? Dust Moto’s website currently markets the Hightail as its lead product. (dustmoto.com) The company says the bike has a swappable 4.4-kilowatt-hour battery, peak output of 32 kilowatts, or 42 horsepower, a top speed of 75 mph and weight of 235 pounds. Dust’s site also says the Hightail is “built in the USA” and available with a $100 refundable pre-order deposit. (investor.livewire.com) The homepage lists shipping as “mid-2026,” indicating the product page remained active after LiveWire announced the acquisition. ### Why does this matter for LiveWire’s lineup? LiveWire said the acquisition is meant to expand its product portfolio and addressable market beyond on-road electric motorcycles. (dustmoto.com) In its announcement, the company said the off-road market is being driven by riders looking for torque and performance, along with lower noise, lower maintenance and simpler operation through single-speed drivetrains. (dustmoto.com) Harley-Davidson remains LiveWire’s majority stockholder, according to the company’s investor materials. LiveWire said it is focused on electric powersports, and the Dust deal gives it a product category distinct from its street-focused electric motorcycles. ### What happens next? LiveWire said on May 19 that it intends to share more information about the product launch in the second half of 2026. (investor.livewire.com) Dust Moto’s consumer site, meanwhile, continues to point buyers to Hightail pre-orders and mid-2026 shipping, leaving the next formal update likely to come from LiveWire’s launch plans or investor communications.