Harley-Davidson Livewire - Hands On at CES 2019

The spread of electrification doesn’t stop at the boundaries of the automotive industry. Harley-Davidson announced bold plans to go electric in 2018 when it revealed the battery-powered LiveWire, and it traveled to CES 2019 to reveal additional specifications about the bike.

Though purists will have a difficult time accepting a Harley without a V-twin engine, the firm did its best to convince its customers to ditch gasoline and go electric. The 2019 LiveWire takes a brisk 3.5 seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop. It’s automatic, so there is no need to release a clutch or shift through gears to reach freeway speeds.

Horsepower and torque specifications remain under wraps for the time being, but the LiveWire delivers up to 110 miles of range in an urban environment.

The motor is a stressed component of the bike’s aluminum frame, which keeps weight down and helps with rigidity. It also lowers the center of gravity. Because Harley, like most bike manufacturers, likes to call attention to its propulsion systems, the low-hung motor has a bright cast aluminum case. Mid-mount driver foot controls and pegs will allow for semi-erect seating, although sportbike riders may angle back and use the fold-down passenger pegs instead. The narrow width bars may require more body lean in turns than wider designs.

The main battery is a lithium-ion unit within a cast-aluminum case. The fins on the battery casing are designed to help with cooling. A standard onboard level one charger can plug into any regular power outlet via an included cable (kept under the seat). Harley-Davidson says the LiveWire can also connect to level two, level three, DC fast charge (DCFC), and CCSE-IEC charging sources. Dealers who sell the LiveWire will have DCFC charging stations for public use.

Harley developed the LiveWire’s chassis for navigating urban streets rather than highway touring. The bike has Showa adjustable suspension components front and back. Upfront, there’s a Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork-Big Piston), while a Showa BFRC-lite (Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite) shock handles the rear. In simpler terms, riders can dial in the amount of comfort or handling they want from the LiveWire. Dual-disc Brembo Monoblock brakes in front work in conjunction with standard cornering-enhanced antilock brakes and traction control systems. The bike rides on co-branded H-D/Michelin Scorcher tires. The LiveWire has seven selectable riding modes; four are factory-preset and three are customized by the rider.

A 4.2-inch color touchscreen serves up bike information and displays the infotainment system. Riders can customize the display, and a purpose-designed smartphone application called H-D Connect lets them remotely check the LiveWire’s remaining range and monitor the charging process. The app also helps users find charging stations, plus it sends alerts if it detects the bike has moved or been bumped.

Select Harley-Davidson dealerships will begin selling the LiveWire in North America and in Europe in the fall of 2019. Additional markets will follow in 2020. In the United States, pricing starts at approximately $30,000 before incentives are factored in. Time will tell whether lifelong Harley riders will be willing to pay Ford Mustang money to go electric.

SUBSCRIBE FOR THE LATEST VIDEOS

VISIT DIGITAL TRENDS

DT Series---
Behind the Wheel:

Awesome Tech you can't buy Yet:

Innovators:

Connect my Crib:

FOLLOW US!

[constantinosschinas]

very handy bike. for 110miles, only 8 hours to recharge.

[unforgivingsamurai]

They should've included loud pipe digital speakers

[choiboix]

HD is out of their f’in mind to sell this thing at $30k for what the specs are. It’s gonna be a huge flop. I have a electric motorcycle with similar specs that cost me half the cost of this, let alone Zero motorcycles currently offering similar specs on their bikes for half the price. Dumb move for HD.

[King_of_Africa]

15-20k would've been really nice.

[badimpulses]

HD lost there fucking minds, Zero bikes are half that price.

[doctorgadgetix]

Get a Tesla Model 3 for 5000usd more.. 😏