The Harley Davidson LiveWire has been coming for a long time and we’ve been discussing it already, and now with tech specs, performance figures and a price tag we know where it’s supposed to fit into the overall picture, but there are some interesting plans for a charging infrastructure, too.
According to the Motor Company, the LiveWire is equipped with the H-D Revelationâ„¢ all-electric powertrain, making the trip from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and 60 to 80 mph in 1.9 seconds. No clutch, no shifting, it’s twist and go. When the powertrain is activated, there’s a slight pulsing, a heartbeat, to let the rider know it’s on which goes away as soon as you begin to move and returns when you come to a stop, it’s the feel of an idling engine for those Harley riders who miss the throb of a V-twin, but also a gentle confirmation the bike really is activated. They’ve also developed a signature sound when the LiveWire is under way perhaps creating new connections in the rider’s mind to what a high performance machine of the future is supposed to sound like.
So, how far does the LiveWire go on a single charge?
Performance and Range are Optimized for the Urban Rider: The high-voltage battery provides 146 miles of city range or 95 miles of combined stop-and-go and highway range as measured using the MIC City and MIC Combined tests and 98 miles using World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC). DC Fast Charge (DCFC) technology provides a 0-80 percent of battery charge in 40 minutes or 0-100 percent charge in 60 minutes.
When you need to recharge, Harley wants you to find a charging station nearby:
Harley-Davidson has committed to lead in the electrification of motorcycling and creation of a strong network of charging stations globally is part of that commitment. Harley-Davidson is focused on providing ample opportunities for riders to charge their motorcycles – at home, at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships, and at other convenient places. All participating authorized Harley-Davidson dealers selling the LiveWire model will offer a DCFC charging station at their dealership.
What wil the bike cost?
Base model MSRP is $29,799.
Harley Davidson looked into the future and a lot of what they saw was electric. Not everywhere and not for all riders, but in the brave new world of “urban mobility” the rechargeable bike is a major player. Of course, the Motor Company’s faithful, the core of their market, may not see the same future through their sunglasses, but it’s no secret a lot of that demographic is aging out. So Harley developed their “More Roads to Harley Davidson” plan to attract new and younger riders. The LiveWire is key to a big segment of that plan. Will it work and be a big success? We’re about to find out.
UPDATE: Since Todd brought them up in a comment below, here are a couple more Harley Davidson electric concepts, both aimed at the urban mobility market. What looks like a mountain bike minus pedals is promising, the scooter, too. Maybe going this route seemed like a step too far as their initial move into the electric segment. What would people think? What do you think?
Be sure to check out the Harley Davidson LiveWire listings
Paul Brooks says
Waaaay too expensive!
Electric is the future though.
Paul Crowe says
For the younger riders they’re trying to attract, I tend to agree.
Is it? A lot of people who live in the cities keep saying so, but there’s a lot of country and a lot of riders outside the city, who read “Performance and Range are Optimized for the Urban Rider” as telling everyone beyond the city limits to look elsewhere. Some companies might get away with that, but I’m not sure Harley can both sell enough of these to firmly establish themselves in the electric motorcycle marketplace while writing off all of the non city dwellers. It’s a big gamble.
I like the LiveWire, but whether Harley can afford to sell it, build out the charging infrastructure and hang on long enough to build more electric models is an open question.
Chapman says
Buying a harley is like buying anything made by Apple. You pay more for the name.
Electric is the future, but without a comprehensive network of compatible chargers nationwide, we won’t get to that future.
The_Ogre says
Agreed. The difference being that Apple products tend to be cutting edge; HD products are, by definition, not.
I don’t really see a way forward for HD, honestly. Their market is just getting too thin, and a nicely built, non-cruiser, $30k E-Bike isn’t likely to generate much in the way of new Harley riders.
Dude says
Design & the complimentary management team are the way forward. Apple proves that everyday they remain in existence after being revived.
stephen bogert says
I doubt many riders want an E bike at any price considering the short range. An urban only bike should be especially cheap, essentially disposable too. I literally would not bother registering one if it was given to me.
Iplaypearldrums says
Could be good for a rental market in a city.
todd says
Fortunately, for Harley, this bike is not much of a gamble at all. Harley paid Mission Motors to design this bike and have it manufactured somewhere over-seas. Harley has not dedicated any production resources to this bike. The sale of each bike covers its cost and also helps fund their tiny LiveWire Labs in Mountain View California. You’ve probably seen what has come out of there, a number of conceptual e-bike renderings. They are using this bike to test the waters and draw attention to see if they should commit any production resources to e-bikes.
Paul Crowe says
Photos of the concepts you’re referring to are added in the article above .
Harley’s in a tough spot, they want more and younger riders who won’t be able to afford this. The city dweller with above average income who also wants an electric urban-only motorcycle is a pretty small niche. This is a nice second bike for that urban rider who still rides longer distances, but in that case the price makes even less sense and as an urban vehicle only, it’s overkill.
Oddly enough, I think Erik Buell can beat them in this game.
The FUELL Fluid electric assist bicycle looks like a smart choice in a this-or-that comparison, you get all of the city mobility at a much lower price and if the battery runs down away from a charge point, you can still pedal to your destination. FUELL also has the upcoming Flow if you want a little more electric urban performance and it’s one third the cost of the LiveWire. If you need something for longer trips, you can choose from an almost limitless selection of nearly new gasoline powered motorcycles and still have a lot of money to spare.
Now, try to imagine a Harley Davidson branded electric pedal assist bicycle sitting in a Harley dealer. It may be coming. Picture those last two concepts I added in the article above, sitting somewhere near an Electra Glide. It’s quite a shift. Harley is facing tremendous change and dealers and their sales personnel are going to have to adapt.
Bob Horn says
I think the Livewire is going to lead to a lot of success – for others. It sounds like the motivation behind the Curtis Psyche. It’s difficult to find a favorable comparison of the Livewire to the new Zero SR/F. A lot of people like the Livewire due to the dealership experience – can’t help but wonder how many people feel the other way.
Whenever I see pictures of H-D’s other lightweight electric bikes and such, I can’t help but wonder if H-D is down the same path as Schwinn – just a brand name of stuff sold at Big Box stores. Only this time, it’s probably planned that way at some level that sees this as the easiest way to make the most money for the fewest people.
Michael Clark says
The only thing electric will power in the future is public transportation and it’s still not free energy or safe for the enviro like they would like you to believe , most of society will be priced out of the market hell a lot of people can’t afford a new car anymore and it’s just getting worse , sorry for being a downer but the future planners are right this minute trying to figure out how to outlaw everything, HD is just whiseling in the wind and grabbing at straws there bikes are so high priced and for that matter the whole market is that soon only the rich will be able to play. When the law makers finally burie me the are going to have to pry my old two stroke from my dead hands. 1989 RMX and 350 RD harley spanker
steve says
There is a market segment for e-bikes, but they wont replace IC bikes just like cars.
Suits the inner city type rider to a T I think.