WE SHOWED YOU HARLEY’S Livewire on display at EICMA, a burnt orange electric beast, unlike any other the Milwaukee manufacturer has churned out previously.
And at CES in Las Vegas yesterday, Harley-Davidson announced that it will begin taking orders in the US for the $29,799 (£23,376) bike, with deliveries to begin in August this year. UK order books are expected to open next month, with price yet to be confirmed.
The stylish, eye-catching machine is powered by a permanent magnet electric motor that produces instant torque from zero revs, with an artificial tone that increases in pitch and volume with speed.
It will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and as with any electric vehicle, will deliver all of its torque from zero revs. According to Harley-Davidson, it will be able to travel 110 miles on a single charge, thanks to a RESS (Rechargeable Energy Storage System, or the main battery), which is composed of lithium-ion cells surrounded by a finned, cast-aluminum housing.
There are various charging solutions, including an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard household outlet, and Level 2 and Level 3, or DC Fast Charge (DCFC) options. All Harley-Davidson dealers who sell the LiveWire motorcycle will offer a public charging station.
The powertrain is mounted low (and as a stressed member) in the rigid aluminium chassis in keeping with Harley’s usual low centre of gravity, and this set-up promises stable and agile handling.
Suspension is accounted for by fully adjustable monoshock at the rear, and a Separate Function Fork-Big Piston up front, while Brembo Monoblock front brake calipers on twin 300 mm discs provide adequate stopping power. ABS and TCS are standard features, while seven selectable riding modes allow the rider to tailor the bike to their personal preferences (four are standard from factory and the other three modes can be defined by the user).
A tilt-adjustable colour touch screen TFT display sits above the bars, and displays a range of info, as well as acting as an interface for Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, music and more.
