Harley-Davidson for most people is all about the loud, authoritative, and sensual vibrations rumored from large V-twin engines. These large, cumbersome machines have been the classic ‘American Motorcycle’ for well over a hundred years. But Harley-Davidson is only entering the 21st century with the LiveWire, their first bike with an electric motor, this sounds very imposing. This is a move that marks a significant shift in the company’s history and leaves us all wondering: is the Harley Davidson LiveWire the future of electric motorcycles?
However, after months of riding this incredible beast technologically speaking, of course, let me clearly state that Harley Davidson is heading in the right direction with LiveWire. Now, for the purpose of further understanding LiveWire, let’s take a look at why it is special.
Table of Contents
The Future of Electric Motorcycles
Like any electric motorcycle, and especially the LiveWire, one of the major benefits is the ability to hit zero to full throttle torque in a snap. In other words, that means it’ll accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 3 seconds, which is pretty damn impressive for an electric motorcycle.
A 15.5 kWh lithium ion battery and 105 horsepower, 86 pound feet of torque electric motor power the LiveWire. Not only is the LiveWire the fastest production electric motorcycle, it’s an exciting bike for experienced riders who want torque and horsepower, and that experience will only grow as additional motorcycles ship.
The Unique Sound of Silence
The Harley Davidson LiveWire is the most silent bike that you can ever use. Don’t expect to find a V-twin engine here because all you’ll have is the sound of you and a faint whirring of the electrical motor.
While for some, this can be quite unappealing since the sound of a motorcycle remains what makes it most lively. But as soon as they get acquainted with LiveWire for a longer period of time, people will understand that it is rather liberating not to hear any noise. There appears to be that experience of actually flying in an enviably serene environment in the process of riding.
In addition, it is important to note that the possibility of listening to silence brings out the best of any sound or environment. It lets you keep the noise of your tires rolling over the pavement, feel the wind pass you, and even hear traffic in the distance. That is good news for the riders who like to take their time and analyze some of the remarkable features of their surroundings.
Quick Throttle Control and Balancing of the Car
The Harley Davidson LiveWire is one of the motorcycles that has caught my fancy for several reasons, and one of them is the impressive instant throttle response. The power is not muted when you turn the throttle, which gives every ride a sense of adventure. This is a typical feature inherent in all-electric motorcycles, but in LiveWire, it is taken to a whole new level.
Not only does the LiveWire offer instantaneous torque, but it is also one of the lightest motorcycles in the Bikes lineup, weighing 210 kg. This makes it one of the lightweight electric motorcycles that are available for purchase, which also affects the bike’s controllability. The weight distribution of the LiveWire is nearly ideal with the battery pack sitting low along the longitudinally midline of the motorcycle; this makes it easy to ride at slow speeds and provides extra stability and advanced control when riding at high speeds.
Advanced Tech and Rider Modes
The LiveWire boasts several systems and tailoring features for the rider to offer one of the highest degrees of technological integration on any production motorcycle today. First, and possibly the most important thing to note, is that the 4.3-inch ClearBlack is one of the best displays in business, with intuitive touch controls and good, clear, intelligible graphics and readout capabilities.
It has five levels of power output control: Eco, Normal, Sport, Range, and a user-programmable mode. These modes alter the amount of power that is available on the motorcycle, the regenerative braking system, and even the throttle.
In addition, some of the safety aspects have been provided in the LiveWire, including traction control, ABS, and cornering enhanced stability control systems. Some of them offer you the maximum control over the motorcycle and thus can be considered safe for both experienced and inexperienced riders.
Charging the LiveWire
One of the questions that some riders are asking is where they can charge their electric motorcycles. That, however, Harley Davidson has provided for it in the LiveWire and even incorporated a new charging system. It also includes a J1772 adapter, making the LiveWire capable of charging at any standard Level 2 charging station. This means that you will not be constrained to charging at specialized Harley-Davidson dealers only.
Currently, the LiveWire can be recharged in approximately 3.5 hours by using a 50-amp charging station and 6.5 hours by using an ordinary 240-volt socket. If you are in a hurry or just like to be on the move all the time, there is also an additional LiveWire portable battery charger to charge your smartphone, computer, or any other device that you can plug into a USB slot.
Conclusion
This is a bold move for a company that is synonymous with huge Vtwin engines. It’s a breakthrough in motorcycles and a great piece of creative work, it opens up the possibility of what an electric motorcycle can be.
But you have to remember, LiveWire might not be for everyone, but you can’t deny it, it pushed the bar up seriously when it comes to electric motorcycles. Right now, Harley Davidson is marketing one of the best electric motorcycles with the best design and attitude they’ve built themselves.
It is even more obvious that a modern electric motorcycle would be perfect, and it is yet to be seen what new tricks Harley Davidson can come up with. There is no doubt there’s a lot to look for in the future, and Harley Davidson is certainly stepping into the future with their electric motorcycle models.’
What’s your opinion about this electric motorcycle from Harley? Let us know your words in the comments section below. Thank you!
Harley Davidson LiveWire – Photo Gallery
