How Tesla could rescue the US motorcycle market

The are several electric motorcycle brands in the US that aren't Harley-Davidson — California's Zero Motorcycles, for example — but the overall market for electric bikes remains very small. It could grow in the coming years, but a best-case scenario would be electric cycles taking up 5%.

It's possible that Harley's LiveWire, when it goes on sale in 2019, would capture a huge percentage of that market and that growth. But the LiveWire is going to be a $30,000 motorcycle — extremely expensive. That's a good initial strategy, as it almost ensure LiveWire's profitability. But if Harley, along with Zero and others, can build a serious market, it could could use Tesla's help.

If Tesla jumps in, Harley's efforts would be validated, and the US electric motorcycle market could achieve staying power.

Motorcycles are intimidating. Plenty of folks might have considered riding, but they can't overcome their anxieties, and the main brands in the US have been around for a long time and cater to committed customers who aren't afraid to ride.

Tesla could change that, and not incidentally encourage a host of Silicon Valley millennials to give motorcycling a shot.

On top of all that, I'd expect a Teslacycle to be ferociously cool, ferociously fast, and ferociously fun.

No gas, no noise, no gears to shift. Everybody I know who used to ride but gave it up has told me that electric motorcycles could get them back in the saddle.

I think the process of getting certified to ride a motorcycle in many states is too onerous. Yes, it's necessary. But electric bikes, being easier to ride, could streamline the process. Governments could also expand tax incentives and other enticements to encourage motorcycle buyers to go electric.

Tesla would be well-positioned to grab some of that action.