01-08-2019, 09:07 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 228
Thanks: 144
Thanked 84 Times in 61 Posts
|
HD Livewire
Hello,
If you have not seen, price, date, and pre-order has started for the Harley Davidson Livewire.
I have very mixed emotions about this motorcycle. It was the first EV motorcycle I ever test rode. It is a full-size EV motorcycle by a major manufacturer...
But, spec wise it does not hold up to the top of the Zero Electric models, and costs almost twice as much.
I figured HD would price it too high, but at $20-$25k US, but $30k starting price? Do they want it to fail?
I do hope it spurs other major manufacturers into releasing full-size production EV motorcycles.
I just want a simple, reliable cruiser style that can go about 200 miles with my fat butt and gear. It does not need a sub 4 second 0 to 60 time. It does need a comfortable seat and some luggage.
Anyone else have high hopes for the EV motorcycle market over the next year or two?
|
|
|
Today
|
|
|
Other popular topics in this forum...
|
|
|
01-09-2019, 04:35 AM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
EcoModding Newb
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 8,579
Thanks: 2,927
Thanked 3,300 Times in 2,458 Posts
|
Sounds exactly right; HD delivering less performance for more price.
I'll probably have an EB (Electric Bike) someday, but I'm not all that thrilled about it. My bike already does 0-60 in 3 seconds, has a 200 mile range, and gets 45 MPG.
__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator
Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. -H.L Mencken.
|
|
|
01-09-2019, 09:02 AM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 228
Thanks: 144
Thanked 84 Times in 61 Posts
|
I have a gas motorcycle, but now that I have owned an EV for over a year, the reduced maintenance, the ease of charging at home, and the expanding charging infrastructure... my next motorcycle will be an EV!
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to ldjessee00 For This Useful Post:
|
|
01-09-2019, 11:17 AM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
Eco-ventor
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: sweden
Posts: 1,453
Thanks: 62
Thanked 573 Times in 363 Posts
|
This is the prototype for the motor:
__________________

2016: 128.75L for 1875.00km => 6.87L/100km (34.3MPG US)
2017: 209.14L for 4244.00km => 4.93L/100km (47.7MPG US)
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to jakobnev For This Useful Post:
|
|
01-10-2019, 12:28 AM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 1,226
Thanks: 65
Thanked 217 Times in 180 Posts
|
Livewire sounds like an electocution hasard.
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to teoman For This Useful Post:
|
|
01-10-2019, 02:16 AM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
EcoModding Newb
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 8,579
Thanks: 2,927
Thanked 3,300 Times in 2,458 Posts
|
LoL, I didn't think of it that way until you pointed it out. That name must have just edged out "The HD Electrocutor" and "The HD Electric Chair".
__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator
Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. -H.L Mencken.
|
|
|
01-10-2019, 07:26 AM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
In the fasting lane
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
Posts: 3,857
Thanks: 1,611
Thanked 2,127 Times in 1,371 Posts
|
Guilty as charged 
__________________
2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut.
 lifetime FE over 0.17 Gmeter or 0.1 Mmile.
“We all know that light travels faster than sound. That's why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.” ― Albert Einstein
|
|
|
01-11-2019, 03:25 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
AKA - Jason
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PDX
Posts: 1,737
Thanks: 97
Thanked 988 Times in 660 Posts
|
1. I expected the LiveWire to be overpriced but I thought they would at least match the performance of the Zero SR. I was expecting 200 miles of range for $30K. 110 miles for $30K is just embarrassing. The Zero SR 7.4 + Power Tank give the same performance for $14K
2. Electric motorcycles aren't a good fit for the typical motorcycle usage in the USA. Most US rider use their bike for longer weekend rides instead of daily transportation. So I don't expect to see rapid adoption in the USA. I see a huge market for E-scooter and smaller E-bikes in the rest of the world where motorcycles are transportation.
3. I test rode a Zero SR last year and loved it. I just can't see myself buying one though.
|
|
|
01-11-2019, 03:33 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
EcoModding Newb
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 8,579
Thanks: 2,927
Thanked 3,300 Times in 2,458 Posts
|
I kinda agree about EV motorcycles not really being a good fit. If you're not commuting on it, then there's not much point because the miles aren't getting racked up, which is among the main strengths of an EV.
200 miles is a normal range for motorcycles though, and I wouldn't want to go any longer than that without a break, so perhaps it wouldn't be all that bad to stop that often for a recharge.
I'll probably own one someday when they are outperforming gassers at a lower price point.
$30k though... you could buy a Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf for that kind of dough. Does it qualify for a federal tax credit?
__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator
Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. -H.L Mencken.
|
|
|
01-11-2019, 05:18 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
AKA - Jason
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PDX
Posts: 1,737
Thanks: 97
Thanked 988 Times in 660 Posts
|
The EV motorcycle tax credit expired in 2017
The problem with even a 200 mile range is the limited charger network. Some friends of mine both own a Tesla Model X. Yes the can travel on major interstates and city to city but they still plan all their trips based on where they can charge. In Oregon that puts about 2/3rds of the state off limits.
|
|
|
|