Real Motors Names Vance Strader as Chief Technology Officer

Real Motors, a Greenville-based engineering initiative developing what it calls Future Machines, has named former LiveWire CTO Vance Strader its chief technology officer. Strader will help bring the Project: ARES electric motorcycle to market and advance Manufacto, the company’s approach to designing and building its next generation of machines.

Strader brings decades of motorcycle engineering experience and is a trailblazer in EV. He worked on Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle program from its early development through the launch of the first LiveWire motorcycle in 2019, later serving as LiveWire’s CTO. He previously held engineering roles at Buell Motorcycles. At Real Motors, he will guide ARES from prototype toward repeatable production, including the supply chain, manufacturing processes, and quality systems needed to deliver its intended performance and craftsmanship.

“Our mission goes beyond crafting an exceptional motorbike; we are assembling a dedicated group united by engineering excellence and an intuitive grasp of rider desires,” said Trent Dingman, co-founder and head of operations and communications at Real Motors. “Vance adds deep motorcycle development expertise to our lineup. We are thrilled to welcome him as we transition ARES into production and continue our broader quest to construct machines imbued with spirit.”

Founded in 2022 by Dingman and fellow engineer Michael Feng, Real Motors explores humanity’s future through mechanical projects it calls Future Machines. Its first, Project: ARES, is a retro-futuristic electric neo café racer shaped by the company’s Electric Analogue philosophy: using advanced technology to make the connection between rider and machine more visceral and expressive.