Confederate Motors was established by former trial lawyer H. Matthew Chambers as a personal Skunk Works Division, aimed at developing a series of distinctly American next-generation motorcycles. Their initial creation, the Hellcat, firmly positioned them as a major player in the high-end motorcycle industry.
Following the success of the Hellcat, Confederate subsequently developed the even more radical Wraith. This new motorcycle sought to achieve increased luxury, reduced weight, extreme lean angles, superior front-to-rear weight distribution, and a lower center of gravity. Similar to the Hellcat, the Wraith featured a Harley-esque 45-degree V-twin engine, referred to as a ‘radial twin’ by Confederate, which utilized a balancer shaft to minimize vibration. The 1,967cc Wraith engine delivered 125bhp to the rear wheel through a belt primary drive and a five-speed gearbox.
The aircraft-inspired Wraith chassis, surpassing the conventional concept of a ‘frame,’ consisted of a carbon fiber spine flanked by aluminum bulkheads that enveloped the engine. The fuel tank was located under the motor, drawing inspiration from Buell’s design. On the suspension front, the Wraith’s front end featured a blade-type girder setup rather than traditional telescopic forks, while the rear boasted a single-sided, monoshock-suspended aluminum swinging arm.
Confederate’s commitment to high-quality components, regardless of cost, was exemplified through the use of FD four-pot brakes at the front and a Brembo two-piston caliper at the rear, in addition to lightweight Marchesini wheels.
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