Ryvid Collaborates with Sosa Metalworks to Create Custom Electric Motorcycle

Ryvid, the California-based electric motorcycle manufacturer, has partnered with renowned custom bike builder Cristian Sosa of Sosa Metalworks in Las Vegas to unveil a remarkable interpretation of the Ryvid Anthem Electric Motorcycle. This collaboration marks Sosa's first venture into battery-powered motorcycles, resulting in an impressive blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern electric technology.

Cristian Sosa, known for his expertise in metal fabrication, established Sosa Metalworks in September 2012 with his brother, Roberto. The company specializes in creating unique metal pieces for custom projects, particularly motorcycles. Sosa’s reputation led to his role as the lead metal fabricator at Count’s Kustoms for Discovery Channel’s “Counting Cars” series.

The collaboration began at the 2023 One Motorcycle Show, where Sosa encountered the Anthem and met Ryvid's founder, Dong Tran. Sosa was intrigued by the Anthem’s steel frame design, which he felt provided a perfect canvas for his creative vision. “I had the opportunity to speak to Dong and he explained some of the features. What really stood out to me was the steel frame design,” Sosa recalled. “I’d been interested in building an electric bike and knew I could do something cool around the frame, so the Anthem was a perfect fit.”

Sosa approached the project with the challenge of designing around the Anthem’s folded steel frame and removable battery pack, rather than the motor and transmission. This required a departure from his usual curved designs to incorporate sharper, straighter lines. Despite these challenges, Sosa found the process enjoyable and creatively fulfilling. “Stepping outside my comfort zone was what made this challenge so much fun,” he said.

The custom Ryvid Anthem features a body crafted primarily from aluminum, chosen for its lightweight properties and modern aesthetic. Sosa utilized a combination of traditional hand fabrication techniques and modern technology, including a fast-cut CNC table, to create the bike’s components. The build process took approximately three weeks, during which Sosa meticulously shaped each part by hand. “Hammering requires a lot of time but it’s my favorite part of the process because I can get into my zone,” he stated.

One of the Anthem’s standout features is its removable 4.3kWh battery with an integrated charger, powering a 72V air-cooled, brushless DC motor. The bike also boasts a unique height-adjustable seat, which Sosa seamlessly integrated into his design, ensuring the bike remained fully functional. The custom seat unit flows from the central spine and can be easily adjusted with the Anthem’s electronic system.

Following the success of the custom Anthem, Ryvid launched its second model, the Outset, at the 2024 One Motorcycle Show. The Outset, based on the same frame, battery, and motor as the Anthem, is a scrambler-style machine with features tailored for multi-road use.

Both the Anthem and Outset are available for order from Ryvid’s website. The Anthem is priced at $6,495 and available for immediate delivery in six colors, while the Outset is priced at $5,995 with deliveries beginning in Summer 2024. Both motorcycles share a rigid steel backbone frame, removable 4.3kWh battery, and 72V air-cooled, brushless DC motor, offering a top speed of over 75mph and a range of up to 75 miles for the Anthem.

Cristian Sosa expressed his enthusiasm for future electric projects and praised the Ryvid team for their collaboration. “Let’s make something happen with the new Outset!” he laughed, adding, “I want to thank the Ryvid crew for the ride; it’s been fun.”

For those interested in recreating the Sosa Anthem, Sosa Metalworks offers custom builds tailored to the client’s budget and specifications, ensuring a unique and meticulously crafted motorcycle.