Harley Davidson, known worldwide for their classic American choppers, has introduced plans for LiveWire, their first purely electricity driven motorcycle. Known to cater to those with a deep-seated love for traditional motorbikes, it seems that Harley Davidson can no longer ignore the fact that the internal combustion engine is slowly on its way out. And while there are many who would consider an electric bike to be an insult to the Harley brand, the company insists that nothing will be lost in the transition.
Jeff Richlen, Chief Engineer of Harley-Davidson, told Yahoo Auto, “We see this as a bike for more urban areas. It’s something that’s appealing to people that perhaps haven’t considered a Harley before, but it still retains our core DNA.” He argues that rather than spurning loyal customer’s preferences, this bike should be considered a completely separate entity.
The bike has a 55-kW motor producing 75 horsepower, in addition to delivering 52 lb.-ft of torque. So for those concerned that an electric motor can’t compete with a traditional one, just know that the LiveWire will take you from 0-60mph in under four seconds. The bike also employs regenerative braking, which automatically charges as the machine decreases speed.
The one drawback of the bike, some are saying, is its very limited range. Even with battery charging brakes, Harley reports that the bike can only go about 53 miles before a charge is needed. This number, however, will most likely change with time.
LiveWire is not available to the general public yet, but has only been developed as a prototype. Harley plans on taking about a dozen of their new bikes on a tour across the U.S., and at some point through Europe, as a way of generating interest. Yahoo Auto quoted Richlen saying, “The response has been phenomenal, but the tech is still maturing. It’s not there yet, and we don’t know what kind of range will be expected – is 50 OK, or will we need 100, 200 or even 300 miles to make it work?”
The answer most likely is yes. In order for LiveWire to be truly accepted, the bike will need to deliver a range greater than 50 miles. But according to Cycle World, Harley Davidson is counting on consumer feedback to answer questions such as this. Kirk Rasmussen, LiveWire Styling Manager, explained to Cycle World that, “We’re out there giving the customers an opportunity to really have greater input, and for us to glean information and use that for the future.”
Harley Davidson’s hope for the bike is that it will attract customers who previously never considered purchasing a motorcycle. There is no gear shift and the bike is reportedly nimble and responsive, perfect for a novice rider. While there are some who would rather see Harley Davidson stick to their roots, the motorcycle giant understands that it must adapt or fall behind.
Photo: Harley-Davidson LiveWire Electric Motorcycle / Courtesy Photo
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