Hardly-Ableson introduces electric motorcycle

[Xist]

Originally Posted by kYLEMtnCRUZr

^ In 20 years the self driving HD won't have handlebars, but they will have gloves with leather grips stitched in that will bluetooth air throttle position to the exhaust subwoofer. Which will of course make the rider feel all warm and fuz...I mean big and bad so nobody messes with him!

Will they have a pommel like a horse saddle or such a strong mount for your smart phone that you will be able to hold onto that?

[bennelson]

Harley did their official Milwaukee reveal of the LiveWire last night at the Harley-Davidson Museum.

I was there and shot photos and video of people's thoughts on the bikes.

There were 6 LiveWire cycles there, including one on a dyno that people could test out. They raffled off about 20 or so test-rides over the next three days. Alas, I had no golden ticket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_QiUePGkTE

See more on my blog at Harley-Davidson Project LiveWire Electric Motorcycle Reveal



Yes, I'm a big electric motorcycle nerd. But you already knew that.

[Daox]

Doh, I didn't know they had that going on! Lucky you.

[Superfuelgero]

Bad idea. Harley's biggest growth and largest margins have been in touring bikes. With its median age increasing every year, this is simply the wrong type of bike.

Another reason (perhaps more importantly), harley's are marketed on the dream of hitting the open road, and leaving your problems behind. Any restrictions when, where, and how you would have to go to remain charged, kills the fantasy.

[Daox]

Its not like they're discontinuing any of their current bikes. I think its a smart move. It opens them up to a completely new market. And with the age of their average buyer increasing, they need to do something if they want to grow.

[mechman600]

I KNEW Ben would make an appearance!
Thanks for the video, Ben. I agree that this is a fantastic bike. One of the journalists (forget which one) said is was better than a Zero, which is saying a lot, especially since this is still a prototype.

You can see the shift in Harley right now with the new 500 and 750cc bikes. 2014 Harley-Davidson Street 500 & Street 750- EICMA 2013
The LiveWire proves the marketing department has even more tricks up their sleeves.

[Superfuelgero]

New customers like the Buell, and V-rod helped get?
Stick to the formula that works and got you away from bankruptcy, not the amf/aermacchi "try to appeal to everyone" that put you there.

[mechman600]

Harley makes the least attractive motorcycles on the planet. Low tech garbage. Nostalgic filth in its prime 40 years ago. Obviously many do not agree. However, the LiveWire at least gets me interested, maybe even hopeful.

[Cobb]

I have a few neighbors with bikes and co workers. The neighbors use them like on a weekend or holiday to just ride around. The coworkers use them to save gas when its not foretasted to rain.

Originally Posted by xntrx

Bad idea. Harley's biggest growth and largest margins have been in touring bikes. With its median age increasing every year, this is simply the wrong type of bike.

Another reason (perhaps more importantly), harley's are marketed on the dream of hitting the open road, and leaving your problems behind. Any restrictions when, where, and how you would have to go to remain charged, kills the fantasy.

[Daox]

Its been a few years, but it looks like the LiveWire is not horribly far from production. AutoBlog didn't have any additional specs, but its obviously changed a bit. They're hoping the specs have improved in the many years of development. Originally they were:

We rode one in 2014, a 74-horsepower prototype that made 52 lb-ft of torque and could hit 92 mph. It had a range of 60 miles, though. We assume the production bike will do better.

...

The battery will be a multi-cell lithium-ion unit protected by a finned aluminum housing. It'll get juiced by an onboard Level 1 charger (the cord stores under the seat) or a Level 2/3 using the J1772 connector.

...

Harley says we'll have pricing and availability in January. Here's hoping we'll get more specs then, too.

https://www.autoblog.com/2018/11/06/...ic-motorcycle/