Harley-Davidson known for its loud machines releases their first electric motorcycle
Harley-Davidson, showcased its next generation of two-wheeled transportation at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, unveiling the full product specification, connectivity and pricing for the first time. LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, will be available for delivery later this year in selected markets.
Livewire is priced at US$29,799 (A$41,544) and is expected to reach Australia and New Zealand in late 2020.
Livewire’s electric motor sits underneath a lithium-ion battery. The drivetrain, as Harley calls it, is housed in a lightweight aluminium frame. It’s a sports motorcycle, with premium performance components such as fully adjustable Showa suspension, Brembo brakes and Michelin Scorcher tyres. ABS braking and traction control are also standard. There’s no clutch and no gears. Instead of the Harley V-Twin roar under acceleration, Livewire makes what Harley calls a “new, futuristic sound.” When you release the throttle, the electric motor acts as a brake and switches to regeneration mode, charging the battery. H-D claims a range of about 180km for Livewire. Charging is via sockets on top of the dummy tank. An onboard charger and power cord allow you to plug into a household outlet and charge the bike overnight. Fast charging can be done at a dedicated DC roadside charging station.
HD Connect, also standard (with an annual subscription payable after the first year) connects the bike with your smartphone via an app so you can remotely check its location, range, battery status and service requirements, plus find the nearest charging station. An alert is also sent to your phone if the bike is tampered with or moved.
“We’re at a historic juncture of the evolution of transportation, and Harley-Davidson is at the forefront,” said Harley-Davidson CEO, Matt Levatich. “Innovation that moves the body and soul has always been at the heart of our brand, and this next chapter in our history is about creating products and opportunities for existing and aspiring riders of all ages and walks of life.”
Features include:
• Acceleration 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds.
• No clutch and no gear shifting. Braking effect of the power regeneration mode adds charge to the battery.
• H-D Connect, which pairs motorcycle riders with their bikes through an LTE-enabled Telematics Control Unit coupled with connectivity and cloud services using the latest version of the Harley-Davidson App.
H-D Connect, data is collected and transferred to the app to provide information to the rider’s smartphone about:
• Motorcycle status: Information available through H-D Connect includes battery charge status and available range from any location. This allows the rider to remotely check the charge status including charge level and time to completion.
• Tamper alerts and vehicle location: H-D Connect indicates the location of the parked LiveWire motorcycle and alerts can be sent to the rider’s smartphone if the bike is tampered with or moved. GPS-enabled stolen-vehicle tracking.
• Service reminders and notifications: Reminders about upcoming vehicle service requirements and other vehicle care notifications will be provided to the rider through the H-D App. In addition, riders will receive automated service reminders.
• Travel range an estimated 180 kilometres of urban roads on a single charge.
• The H-D Revelation powertrain sits low in the motorcycle to lower the centre of gravity. Electronic Chassis Control is standard and features a cornering-enhanced Anti-lock Braking System and Traction Control.
