For many years the Harley-Davidson Motor Company was seen as a slumbering giant that stirred only occasionally and then released a slightly modified bike (or bikes) as new models. Innovation and Harley-Davidson did not work very well in the same sentence.
Well the giant has leaped into action – in fact almost frenetic action – over the past couple of years, moving with all the speed, grace and skill of a champion young athlete. First there was Rushmore, a huge revamp of the touring range, which is both very impressive but still generally unappreciated by those who haven’t ridden one.
Then, before the dust had settled on that surprise, then out of left field they presented the Streets, undoubtedly bikes for the times, bikes ready to take on the huge sales potential in countries such as India and China.
And now, while we old white guys are still reeling backwards from the effects of the Rushmore’s and Streets, from much further out on left field comes the LiveWire to further shock and surprise us.
Electric motorcycles are not new. In fact the first patent application goes back to 1895. And Harley-Davidson is by no means the first to join the modern trend toward them. According to Wikipedia, electric motorcycle manufacturers include Brammo, Zero Motorcycles, Lightning, Energica, Quantya, Motorsport, Hollywood Electrics, Yo and Lito. And Yamaha plans to enter the market shortly with at least two models while the Spanish company Bultaco intends to enter the electric motorcycle market in 2015.
Well that’s okay for those other guys, but when Harley-Davidson steps up to the plate where it has never batted before, we can expect something very special. And that’s what they have delivered with the LiveWire. Somehow, by a combination of design and engineering skills to which I lifts me lid, they have managed to create a sexy, exciting-looking motorcycle that is still clearly and unmistakably a Harley-Davidson.
With this ride, the Motor Company seems to have achieved the long desired goal of alchemists through the centuries that of transmuting lead into gold. Though just how much gold they will get depends upon their acceptance in to the marketplace. Which is where we old white guys must step aside for younger people who are for the most part educated, smart, equipped with technology and well informed through various media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, podcasting, YouTube and various blogs. Put simply the younger generation are not just a modification of the older generations, they are a new species altogether and their tastes, values, and likes and dislikes are different.
With these aspects considered let’s look at the LiveWire situation closely. Firstly, these are not yet production models and are unlikely to be available for a year or two. What they are is part of Project LiveWire, called the Experience. Project LiveWire Experience will invite select customers to learn more about the initiative and test ride the electric motorcycle.
A cross section of riders will lead feedback, alongside non-riders who will have the opportunity to trial the new technology through a JumpStart simulated rider experience.
A 2014 U.S. Project LiveWire Experience tour – kicking off this month with a journey along Route 66 – will see the initiative visit more than 30 Authorised Harley-Davidson Dealerships. In 2015, the Project LiveWire Experience will continue in the U.S. and expand into other regions.
The company says that “Blending Harley-Davidson’s styling pedigree with the latest technology, the exciting new motorcycle will offer a dynamic riding experience with instantaneous acceleration and an unmistakable new sound”. “The sound is a distinct part of the thrill,” according to chief marketing officer Richer. “Think fighter jet on an aircraft carrier. Project LiveWire’s unique sound was designed to differentiate it from internal combustion and other electric motorcycles on the market.”
The LiveWire’s powerplant is a longitudinally mounted three-phase AC motor, which is rated at 74 horsepower and 52 pound-feet of peak torque that allows it to hit 60mph (96.56kms) in less than four seconds. US journos who have already ridden these prototypes speak of smoking the rear tyre on launching, and very quickly reaching its electronically limited peak of 95mph (152.89kms).
With no gearbox or clutch to deal with, riding the LiveWire is simply a matter of hitting the start button and twisting the right grip to launch the bike. Harley-Davidson apparently worked long and hard to develop the distinctive sound the bike makes, a sound which comes from the bevel gear that changes the longitudinal motor’s output ninety degrees to send it to the final belt drive.
The LiveWire for the most part, is pretty well state-of-the-art with its cast aluminium frame and swingarm, upside down forks, cantilever rear shock and its 18 inch front and 17 inch rear wheels. Styling wise I’m not much taken with the CNC milled mirror brackets/turn signals but others with whom I have spoken were very taken with them, so there you go.
The potential buyer of an electric motorcycle has a number of questions that need answering. How much does the bike cost? How far will it go on a charge? How long does it take to charge? What does it cost to charge? How long does the battery last? What is the cost of a replacement battery? At this stage the only information we have on these questions is that the lithium-ion unit in these prototypes takes three and a half hours to recharge.
However, for now these questions are not really relevant as we are a couple of years away from production models hitting the showroom floors. With the speed at which battery technology is improving, by the time the bikes are ready for sale we’d expect battery prices to have dropped, range to increase and increased longevity.
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