Electric bikes will eventually become the norm, but I don't think anyone expected
Harley-Davidson to be a pioneer in the field. But with the new LiveWire, it has become just that,
and this exciting new machine might be the start of a major revolution. Let's take a closer look.
When Harley-Davidson announced its first electric motorcycle, it came as a shock to many,
especially rusted-on Harley on highly fans who feared the brand was losing its soul. Since its
birth in 1903, H-D has been lauded for its iconic American V-twin cruisers and touring machines,
while developing a colourful, loyal and feverish fan base in the process. But despite its foothold
in worldwide popular culture, the Milwaukee firm has been struggling in recent years,
and recognised a need for change, much to the dismay of its loyal fans. Enter the LiveWire.
The LiveWire is the first all-electric bike from H-D,
and it's also the first all-electric bike from a major manufacturer.
And it might just be the most radical thing Harley has ever done in its history.
While some startup companies such as Zero have been able to produce quality electric bikes,
no major manufacturer before Harley has been game enough to test the waters.
But despite this being new ground for the company, the LiveWire is no
gimmick. It is a genuinely capable machine that will rewrite the electric rule book.
At first glance, the LiveWire looks like your typical naked Roadster,
but your eyes are very quickly drawn to this massive battery and the electric
motor underneath, which is your first sign that this is not your average motorcycle.
The LiveWire is powered by what Harley calls the Revelation Motor,
as well as a 15.5 kWh rechargeable battery. When plugged into a standard wall outlet, the LiveWire
will get a full charge overnight, but a Level 3 DC fast charge will give you 80% charge in 40 minutes
or 100% in one hour. Electrification aside, the highly-specced machine features Brembo brakes,
adjustable Showa suspension, Michelin tires and a full suite of electronics,
including four ride modes, traction control, cornering ABS and drag-torque slip control.
The LiveWire is a very well-equipped machine, and there are loads of cool little features.
Firstly, you've got this ChargePoint here where the fuel cap would normally be.
The charger itself is stored in a little compartment underneath the seat. And finally,
you've got this brilliant TFT touchscreen, which is full of valuable information and customisation.
The flipside to all of this is that the LiveWire checks in at an eye-watering $50,000,
which makes it one of the most expensive production motorcycles on the market.
That massive price tag is a lot to take in, especially when you consider
the current limitations of electric technology. But there's something
incredibly exciting about this machine, and the only way to find it is out on the road.
A common criticism of electric bikes is that they lack the soul
and thrill that internal combustion bikes offer, but from the moment you
open the LiveWire's throttle, it is hard to wipe the grin from your face.
While figures of 116 Nm and 105 horsepower may seem rather basic on paper, the nature of the
electric motor means that it accelerates like few other motorcycles in the market.
Of course, there is no clutch or gear lever, but once you get used to it,
you'll begin to enjoy the simplicity of the LiveWire. The bike handles very well,
too. In fact, it may be the best handling bike Harley has ever built. It fits somewhere
between a naked bike and a power cruiser. And despite its heavy weight, it is very agile and
light to turn. It zips around like a fighter jet. And guess what? It sounds like one, too.
As a motorcycle, my only real complaint with the LiveWire is that the suspension
wasn't very confidence-inspiring. But a little adjustment, especially at the rear,
should fix this issue pretty quickly. Another common complaint for electric bikes is battery
range, and this is arguably where the LiveWire falls over. H-D claims a city range of 235 k,
but the max range is realistically below the 200-kilometer mark.
And that figure drops significantly when you start to ride with a touch more spirit.
Urban commuting and shorter day trips are definitely possible, but you'll struggle to
achieve anything more, especially with Australia's current lack of suitable charging infrastructure.
Once that battery range gets low, you'll need to either get
home or find one of the few DC fast chargers available in the country.
There might still be some limitations with electric bikes, and the LiveWire is not perfect.
But if this is a glimpse of what the future looks like, then I, for one, am very excited.