All Tests – Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle test: batteries or prank? – Cultural shock …

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Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle test: batteries or prank ?

All Tests - Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle test: batteries or prank? - Cultural shock ...

What, a battery-powered Harley-Davidson? It’s a joke ? Not at all: the Milwaukee firm, however reputed to be conservative, boldly commits to the “ sector ” of electric motorcycles with the LiveWire prototype. MNC test: the current has passed !

Cultural shock…

Harley-Davidson is not an ordinary motorcycle manufacturer. The Milwaukee firm is particularly keenly aware of its image and cultivates every facet as desired … or to excess, according to taste! With the general public and many bikers, the custom genre is thus inseparable from Harley, from its backfiring V-twin to its "solid chrome" finish, including the timeless lines of some of its motorcycles (Sportster, in particular).

But this status of leader, or even of a generic brand, has a downside: a fairly limited field of action. Especially since harleyists do not particularly taste change … Preserving the house heritage is therefore an obligation for this brand on the eve of more than a century !

As a result, innovation and daring are rarely part of the HD specifications: it took some 111 years for a Milwaukee twin to inherit liquid cooling! And again: this system hated by purists, launched in 2014 on a few, mainly focuses its action around the cylinder heads to remain as discreet as possible.

Fans will retort that the has already been water-cooled for several years, but this engine is a special case since it was developed by Porsche. Moreover, the Harley community has more of a polite curiosity than a genuine interest in it … In this context, the fact that Harley-Davidson becomes the first "great" manufacturer of motorcycles to invest in the embryonic category of the electric motorcycle can – and will! – surprise more than one.

Certainly, BMW and KTM are also "connected" to this "sector". But the first adopts a resolutely urban approach via his scooter, while the second uses the threats weighing on the practice of off-roading to legitimize its and its Supermotard variation..

Harley is therefore the first to draw a "real" road motorcycle, the LiveWire, discovered by MNC on the Michelin private circuit in Ladoux, near Clermont-Ferrand (63). A choice dictated by several constraints: the LiveWire being a prototype – there are only 30, all hand-made in the Milwaukee plant -, it is not approved and therefore cannot be used on open roads..

This is why the American manufacturer asked its partner Michelin – which equips the Sportster and, of course, the LiveWire as original equipment – to organize very, very private tests for three days. France thus becomes the third country to discover the "battery-powered motorcycle" of Milwaukee, after a year of testing tour in the United States and then in England (read our).

About 150 people – selected among other things via a competition – tested it in Clermont-Ferrand, a large part of which are not Harley customers: out of 100 participants on the first day, "only 30 roll in H-D", reveals the staff interviewed by MNC. A voluntary" sorting "aimed at measuring the reactions from bikers foreign to the Harley universe, which the brand hopes to attract thanks to the audacity of its project.

These tests will continue in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada, each time with the same motto: collect the maximum of feedback, feelings, criticism and compliments. Because the future of LiveWire depends directly on the reception that will be reserved for it: if the current does not pass, Harley will not market it..

"In fact, it is no more and no less than a marketing prototype", slips us Didier Courceau:"LiveWire is developed to test the trend, while setting a milestone. It’s a new strategy for Harley", analyzes the after-sales service manager for France.

For now, this trend would be exciting: after 7,000 dynamic tests to which are added the 12,000 tests carried out on the Jumpstart simulator, "86% of reactions"would"positive to very positive". Better:"74%"testers would be interested in purchasing the LiveWire if it was released !

Static: a very polished prototype

First visual shock when discovering the LiveWire: the bike is not only well designed, but above all perfectly built. Its quality of realization and the care taken in its assembly are almost irreproachable, far from the often "rough" aspect released by prototypes – especially electric.

Apart from the grainy treatment of its impressive aluminum perimeter frame and basic hardware in some places, the LiveWire does not make any fault with the finish. In detail, it even exerts an attraction – necessarily magnetic! – thanks to a gaggle of beautiful parts, many of which are rarely or never seen on a Harley-Davidson.

Like its fully adjustable inverted fork from Showa, its mono-shock absorber from the same manufacturer adjustable in preload and rebound, or even its magnificent double swingarm. Its short rear shell accommodates a resolutely sporty LED light in KTM RC8 style, while its round front optic – also with diodes – is surrounded by brackets accommodating the mirrors on one side and the indicators on the other (yes, LED too !).

Admittedly, the effectiveness of the mirrors located under the upper triple clamp is frankly limited, but what a look! Mention also for the successful integration of the electrical unit and its components, from the water-cooled electronic control module to the batteries installed vertically instead of the tank.

No cables or pulleys are visible: everything is hidden behind covers. In this way, the "factory watt" side sometimes given off by electric motors is elegantly avoided. What is more, this induction motor has chromed casings of the most beautiful effect: the Harley-Davidson touch is present, for our greatest pleasure. !

Undoubtedly, the engineers and designers in "charge" of LiveWire took advantage of this project "against the grain" and its iconoclastic aspect to let go. Result: with its stocky and dynamic roadster look, the first "battery-powered H-D" is really very attractive. !

Under the spell, MNC suggested to the team on site not to abandon this base, even if it is not entering the marketing phase. Because for the drafting, the same motorbike driven by a "good old" tumbled twin would be perfect for opening up to a new type of clientele, in particular the djeunz … more effectively in any case than the unconvincing one …

On the engine side, precisely, the officials of the American manufacturer were rather discreet about its specificities: "this is a prototype, all its peculiarities cannot be communicated", boot in touch Xavier Crepet, marketing director of the French subsidiary…

It is therefore impossible to know the origin of this motor delivering three-phase alternating current, just like that of the batteries. By insisting, MNC will nevertheless succeed in knowing that there are two batteries: a lithium-ion flat cell block and "high tension"(power and amperage not given) connected to the motor and another 12.5 V, located at the rear, which supplies the peripherals such as the headlights, the indicators and the very modern and readable instrumentation type color tablet with touch screen.

Recharging the motorcycle – estimated between "3:05 and 3:30"when the batteries are completely empty – can be done directly from a 220 V socket, provided you have the specific external charger. This means that as it is, the LiveWire must be recharged before leaving … or that you have to carry your charger in a backpack !

Another reason for questions and progress to be made: autonomy. Harley considers him to be "85 km"in" Eco "mode and"between 47 and 63 km"in" Power "mode, on which the motorcycle freely delivers its advertised 74 hp and 70.5 Nm of torque. This is not much, even in the perspective of exclusively urban use…

"Due to its prototype status, the characteristics of LiveWire are likely to evolve, especially with regard to autonomy and charging time.", objected Xavier Crepet, explaining that if the brand takes its time and does not plan for immediate marketing, it is also to improve these specific points. Weak points, for once…

In dynamics: the severe "watts" electric H-D !

Second surprise when passing the LiveWire handlebars: the bike is pleasantly compact and its ergonomics are roadster-like, with relatively high footrests and fixed back. Quite distant and a bit low, the handlebars induce a significant inclination of the bust. Blindly, it looks like riding a late Buell !

The narrow false tank and the pleasantly low – but unpleasantly hard saddle! – provide excellent accessibility: a pilot between 1m70 and 1m75 easily touches the ground. Obvious to grip despite a high turning radius, the LiveWire is all the more easy to handle as its weight is only 210 kg, or a trifle of 45 kg less than a !

Thanks to this contained mass (thank you for the new aluminum frame weighing only 6.3 kg!), The LiveWire is the lightest Harley-Davidson, in addition to being the first to trade the cult twin fueled from petroleum. transformed against an engine whose energy comes mainly from nuclear power plants (73.3% of the electricity produced in France in 2013, according to EDF).

Speaking of sound, Harley-Davidson insists that LiveWire has a sound all its own, "unlike other electric motorcycles", assures Xavier Crepet who compares the noise emitted by this American" connected "to that of a"airplane turbine"…

Our readers will decide by listening to the recording below, but once powered up from the right stalk – identical to that of a Sportster, like the one on the left – the LiveWire first emits a buzz reminiscent of a bathroom. computer servers.

Then, while driving, this sound transforms into a hiss similar to that of a golf cart, accompanied by a kind of hissing which becomes more and more shrill as the engine revs. At full load, the sound can then be assimilated to intergalactic ships from science fiction films, such as Star Wars. Finally, with a little imagination anyway !

But the most interesting thing is not there: whether it "rings" true or not, the electric motor of the LiveWire watts especially severe! Perfectly manageable thanks to an accelerator with surgical precision, the acceleration of HD surprises with its liveliness and immediacy.

The maximum torque, transmitted to the rear wheel via a belt, is available from the first revolutions / minutes, which gives the bike an astounding responsiveness. A frank rotation of the right grip literally pulls it off the ground, to the point of slightly relieving the front wheel if you hang on to the handlebars !

Linear but muscular, the acceleration maintains the same force with the engine revs. The revivals between 40 and 90 km / h are particularly exciting, especially as the absence of vibrations and the electric hiss propel the "e-biker" in a unique sensory environment !

Despite its engine performance similar to that of an MT-07, the LiveWire seems more energetic at low and mid-range. After the 120 km / h mark, its thrust subsides slightly but nevertheless remains vigorous enough to reach maximum speed in a "flash", electronically restricted to 153 km / h.

On the other hand, the consistency of its power curve is not the tastiest: it lacks the "peaks" so appreciated on a heat engine, a feeling reinforced by the absence of clutch and gearbox. So impossible to play with the reports, like on a traditional motorcycle…

When slowing down, the fairly substantial engine braking surprises. In "ride" mode, just cut the gas – sorry, the watts – to negotiate a curve without touching the brakes. This is due to the energy recovery system installed on the motor: the rotor spins even when the throttle is off, thereby continuing to drive the stator which returns the additional electricity to the battery..

Even when the pace increases, the two-piston front caliper is more than enough to stop the bike, especially as it offers bite and satisfactory power to the right lever. Note that this braking device does not have an energy recovery system, as is practiced on certain electric cars and in Formula 1.

On the other hand, the rear brake – activated via the right pedal, as on a traditional motorcycle – must be used with care, otherwise the Michelin Scorcher "11" (180/55/17) may be blocked due to the high engine braking and masses mainly concentrated on the front…

Added to the high center of gravity perched – due to the placement of the main battery – and the "big" front wheel (18 inches), this perfectible mass balance results in a certain heaviness and a tendency to engage at low speed. Nothing crippling though: those used to the generous hunting angles of Milwaukee customs will probably not even pay attention. !

Once launched, the LiveWire reveals astonishing agility, coupled with a very healthy behavior when setting the angle. Despite its drooping steering in small corners, the bike tilts with ease and in one piece. The rigidity of its chassis helping, the American remains riveted on its trajectory, including at high speed.

Thanks to the central position of the footrests, the ground clearance is also sufficient to take advantage of all its qualities, to which are added first-rate traction despite the lack of respite offered to the rear tire by the instantaneous torque. Impressive … especially for a H-D !

Finally, despite a shock absorber set too flexible, the suspensions turned out to be in "phase" with the program finally quite sporty of the LiveWire. Because not content with being electric, this battery-powered roadster made in Milwaukee breaks the codes a little more by demonstrating an exhilarating dynamism … or rather, electrifying !

Verdict: Harley ready to electrify the market … in 2020 ?

Unfortunately limited to less than 15 minutes, including photo stop (!), This first contact with the electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire turned out to be full of good – even excellent – surprises. In the end, no, the LiveWire is not a "joke", even if MNC would have liked to have additional driving to appreciate its side "batteries"…

Of course, its autonomy, its mode and its loading time constitute obvious brakes to a hypothetical commercial success. But the base is really promising, so much so that we even come to think that the main flaw of this bike is … not to be marketed !

It is however logical that Harley take the time to weigh the pros and cons, in order not to risk the electroshock with the "guardians of the temple" … Attached to preserving their substantial heritage, the American engineers assure besides "continue to believe that our traditional projects have a solid future. The LiveWire is just one of the avenues we are exploring to grow and diversify the Harley-Davidson family.".

Cautious, the Milwaukee firm does not comment when asked about a possible release date, nor on a price range: "our CEO assured us that Harley will produce an electric motorcycle before 2020, maybe or maybe not in the form of the LiveWire", just explains Gerard Staedelin, …

This vague positioning brings us back to the reality exposed in the introduction: Harley-Davidson is not a manufacturer of motorcycles like the others … Because the hardest part for the brand was ultimately not to build an electric motorcycle, but indeed to dare to market it !

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