It’s been a daunting five years since Harley-Davidson first showcased the Livewire electric motorcycle concept. Significant advancements have occurred since then in the realm of electric vehicles, including the Livewire. With just a month remaining before the highly anticipated global launch of the all-electric Hog, excitement is building among customers in the USA, Europe, and Canada, who are eagerly awaiting their chance to purchase this innovative new product. I have to confess that I’m genuinely thrilled.
As the Livewire finally takes its place on the market, Harley-Davidson has unveiled the definitive specifications for their revolutionary production bike, offering an in-depth glimpse into what this industry-shaping motorcycle has to offer.
The introduction of the Livewire represents a significant milestone in the mainstream bike industry, marking a substantial shift towards the adoption of electric vehicles on a large scale. As the bicycle industry has been slow to adopt electric expertise, a major player has finally taken its first step towards an all-electric future.
While the Livewire may diverge from Harley’s typical cruiser-styled motorcycles in terms of design and functionality. While its siblings in the FXDR and Road Glide families are impressive, the Livewire truly stands out with its sleeker, more aggressive design, boasting a longer, more streamlined tail section and proportionate dimensions that collectively convey a sporty aura. The public’s perception of Livewire has been strikingly binary, with strong and divergent views prevailing. Despite my lack of enthusiasm for Harley-Davidson’s brand reputation, I find myself firmly situated in its constructive corner.
Harley Davidson Livewire Energy & Efficiency
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is powered by the brand’s revolutionary H-D Revelation permanent-magnet electric motor. The 78 kW engine yields 105 horsepower and 116 Newton-meters of torque. With its unique selling point being the instantaneous torque delivery, the Livewire sets itself apart from other electric vehicles. With the throttle twisted, the full 100% of torque is delivered and sustained across the entirety of your power curve. This swift acceleration translates to a blistering 0-60mph time of just three seconds, with the added capability to effortlessly leap from 60-80mph for a rapid freeway overtaking maneuver that takes a mere 1.9 seconds.
A liquid cooling system ensures the engine operates within a secure temperature range by maintaining optimal operating conditions. A liquid-cooled radiator is nestled snugly alongside the length of the bike frame within the Livewire’s sleek design, flanked by high-performance batteries. By mounting components accordingly, the bike’s center of gravity is effectively lowered, enabling smoother handling and better overall performance. Energy is transmitted to the rear wheel via a belt-driven system, without the need for a clutch or gear changes. The bike’s suspension package features a collaboration with Harley’s trusted supplier, Showa, which includes a monoshock in the rear and USD forks that are fully adjustable individually. Equipped with Brembo’s advanced Monoblock braking technology and high-performance Michelin H-D Scrocher Sport tyres, the bike delivers exceptional stopping power and confident grip.
Harley Davidson Livewire Vary & Charging
Are variable gears among the most significant sore points with electric bicycles? The innovative Livewire concept, despite its promise, is limited to an underwhelming range of approximately 80km when fully charged. Here is the rewritten text in a different style:
The 2019 Livewire edition boasts an impressive 235 kilometres of varied urban terrain. For the average commuter, a daily round-trip duration of approximately 26 minutes is more than adequate. High-speed performance remains a major constraint for electric bicycles, serving as their most significant Achilles’ heel. With the Livewire, you’ll experience up to approximately 152 kilometers of freeway range, which is roughly equivalent to a 90-minute drive before the batteries need recharging.
Two ways to charge a Livewire exist, allowing users to choose their preferred method: The 15.5-kilowatt-hour batteries require one hour to gain an additional 30 kilometres in range using a standard household outlet. Using the same technique consistently over a day can restore battery power to its full capacity. In the event that an acceptable supply is forthcoming, a rapid cost assessment could potentially be completed leveraging DCFC’s expertise? This technique enables an 80% reduction in costs within just 40 minutes, and a full 100% cost reduction in 60 minutes.
The Livewire features an innovative regenerative charging system that harnesses “off-throttle” energy to extend its range. The effect is akin to engine braking, allowing riders to modulate their speed by adjusting the intensity through customizable rider modes.
Harley Davidson Livewire Options
In addition to offering the latest advancements in electric bike technology, the Livewire boasts innovative safety features. A Reflex Defensive Rider System provides advanced anti-lock brake control, seamless traction management, and precise drag-torque slip mitigation for enhanced rider safety. The seven customizable Rider Modes enable riders to tailor the Livewire’s performance characteristics to their preferences and riding styles. Each trip mode substantially alters distinct combinations of energy delivery, regeneration, throttle response, and traction control settings. The five self-explanatory modes cater to various driving styles: Sport, optimized for performance; Street, ideal for everyday use; Vary, allowing for dynamic adjustments; Rain, designed for increased traction in wet conditions; and a customizable configuration that enables users to tailor these settings to their personal preferences.
The capabilities of the Livewire are adjusted using a user-friendly 4.3-inch TFT touchscreen display. The display boasts a striking visual presentation for optimal daytime legibility, featuring comprehensive instrumentation that includes crucial metrics such as battery performance and varied statistical data. Homeowners can seamlessly connect with their Livewire using a smartphone and the Harley-Davidson App.
The Livewire’s lighting system relies exclusively on energy-efficient low-drain LEDs, spanning from its indicator lights to the Daymaker headlight. Harley-Davidson is offering the Livewire electric motorcycle in three distinct, anodized metallic-look paint finishes. Are you looking to personalise your vehicle’s appearance? Choose from the bold and vibrant options: Yellow Fuse, Orange Fuse, or sleek Vivid Black.
Harley Davidson Livewire Value & Upkeep
Harley-Davidson has yet to make a serious attempt to market the Livewire as a competitively priced electric motorcycle. Given the steep price tag of $29,799 USD, they likely won’t be aggressively marketing these products to a wide audience. Despite these claims, the Livewire appears to be clearing a path for more affordable yet innovative electric designs. As for ongoing costs, Harley claims that the Livewire will be a cost-effective electric motorcycle designed to be affordable in the long term. As modern vehicles increasingly rely on sophisticated technology rather than traditional maintenance items like oil, filters, and spark plugs, the frequency and cost of routine services are likely to decrease. Harley-Davidson is now offering a comprehensive five-year warranty on the Livewire’s most expensive component: its battery.
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire, an all-electric motorcycle, is scheduled to hit the market in August of 2019. I’ll confess that I hardly expected Harley-Davidson to lead the charge in mass-market electric motorcycle production. As a bold move for a model renowned for distinctive sound patterns – often extreme and attention-grabbing – this transfer is an intriguing gamble that I hope will pay off.
HARLEY DAVIDSON
