Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019

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Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019

18th pictures

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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The production version of the electric Harley will roll onto the German market in September 2019. It costs from 32,995 euros.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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In addition to KTM (Freeride E-XC), Harley is the only major motorcycle manufacturer to offer an electric motorcycle in addition to its combustion models.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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Test editor Rene Correra sends clear lines from the first driving appointment: “This heavy metal from Milwaukee bangs in a way that has never been seen in the world of lazy shaking irons.”

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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“The motor pushes forward with an immediacy that only the power of electricity can do, always and everywhere.”

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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The brakes come from Brembo and work pleasantly well, the Michelin Scorchers are designed for durability rather than handling.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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The frame is made up of cast aluminum profiles.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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The LiveWire has a small panel around the round spotlight.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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The range should be around 180 kilometers, for pure city use Harley speaks of a range of up to 240 kilometers.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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Under the “Filler neck” is the charging socket.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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This is where connectors of the CCS Combo 1 and 2 standard can be connected.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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The cockpit consists of a touch-sensitive, 4.3-inch TFT screen.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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The Showa suspension elements at the front and rear are fully adjustable.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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The LiveWire is available in black.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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Alternatively, the color yellow is also possible.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Harley-Davidson

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Orange is offered as the third color variant.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Markus Biebricher

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At the 115th anniversary party in Milwaukee, Harley-Davidson had already shown a fairly advanced version of LiveWire.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Markus Biebricher

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LiveWire is to be offered in the USA from August 2019.

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019
Markus Biebricher

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And roll onto the German market in September 2019. Price: from 32,995 euros.

counselor

technology & future

Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019

Harley-Davidson LiveWire
Details, price and pre-order start for Germany

With Project LiveWire, Harley-Davidson launched an electric test balloon in 2014. Now it is clear: The production model is expected to come to Europe in the fourth quarter of 2019 and will cost 32,995 euros in Germany. It can now be pre-ordered.

Johannes Muller, Slawomir Niewrzol, Uli Baumann

04/16/2019

Most likely the electric motorcycle plans by Harley-Davidson hardly have on the screen. In February 2018, however, Harley-Davidson CEO Matthew Levatich revealed that a Harley electric bike is no longer a long way off. The first Harley-Davidson electric motorcycle is due to go into production in 2019. In August 2018, these suggestions were confirmed once again as part of the anniversary celebration on the occasion of the 115th birthday in Milwaukee. Now it is clear: The Harley-Davidson LiveWire will start in August 2019 and will be offered at prices starting at $ 29,799, initially only in the USA. The company said at the CES in Las Vegas. As is customary in the USA, taxes have to be added to the price. Pre-orders can be made now. The electric Harley will be available in black, yellow and orange. In the lead picture (above) the orange version is shown in a very near-series condition. But it’s not quite finished yet.

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The driving report of the production version is available here.

E-Harley from 32,995 euros

Market entry in Europe is expected to follow in the quarter of 2019. In addition, Harley-Davidson has also commented on the price in Germany and Austria. At the Geneva Motor Show it was announced that LiveWire will cost 32,995 euros in Germany. In Austria, 33,390 euros must be invested. The electric Harley can now be pre-ordered via the Harley website. Pre-orderers are asked for a deposit, how much is not yet known.


Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019


Harley-Davidson

In Germany, the LiveWire will cost 32,995 euros.

Further key points were also presented at the innovations fair in Geneva. The LiveWire is supposed to achieve the sprint from zero to 60 mph (96 km / h) in 3.0 seconds. When pulling through from 60 to 80 mph (96 to 128 km / h), the US manufacturer specifies 1.9 seconds. Harley has also commented on the range. 140 miles (225 kilometers) should be possible in the city. In the combined stop-and-go and on country roads, 88 miles (142 kilometers) should be possible. The battery should be able to be charged from 0 to 80 percent in 40 minutes. The charging time from 0 to 100 percent should be 60 minutes. The LiveWire should be linked to the smartphone via a special app. A 4.3-inch touchscreen opens up in the cockpit. The frame of the LiveWire is formed from cast aluminum profiles, the spring elements from Showa at the front and rear are fully adjustable. Brembo provides the braking power. The LiveWire will roll on Michelin Scorcher tires as 120 / 70-17 front and 180 / 55-17 rear. The bike has Electronic Chassis Control with cornering ABS and traction control as standard. In addition, there should be an extensive range of accessories. There is also sound, artificially generated, but supposedly typical of Harley.

Electric drive is called Revelation

The basis for Harley’s first e-bike is provided by the Harley-Davidson Project LiveWire, which was presented in 2014 and which we were able to try out at a first driving presentation. With the Harley e-bike, there will also be a new family of motors – this time an electric one. After evolution and revolution engines, there will probably be the Revelation engines. At least that’s what a new US patent suggests, according to which the motorcycle manufacturer has adopted the brand name “Revelation” for electrical drive components has had protection. The target group is primarily aimed at commuters and drivers in urban areas who have little experience with the technology of conventional motorcycles. The E-Harley should also be easier to ride than a bicycle.

MOTORRAD test editor Johannes Muller attested that the Harley electric bike was already quite advanced in development. The following driving report from 2015 shows how the Harley Davidson Project LiveWire fared on the first test drive.

Prototype of the E-Harley in the driving report

Harley-Davidson, that’s V-Twin. For generations. Powerful displacement, full bubbling and soul-massaging vibrations belong to the Harley like processed cheese, bacon and onion rings to the hamburger. That’s the way it was, and that’s the way it should stay. But times change. After years of global success, sales at Harley-Davidson have stagnated. Whoever has one usually has it for a long time. That speaks for the brand and is actually a good, sustainable thing. But bad for business. Milwaukee knows that too, and that’s why new models are needed for new customers. Harley-Davidson Street 500 and 750 should fix it in the world market, but for some time now people have also been thinking in a completely new, unexpected direction.

50 prototypes toured around the globe

When the first videos and announcements of an electric Harley-Davidson made the rounds, many were amazed, and many long-established Harley disciples may have frowned.


Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019


Harley-Davidson

Narrow line but wide slippers. The seating position and ergonomics of the single-seater are somewhat reminiscent of the Harley-Davidson Street 750, so they are on the sporty side for a Harley.

After all, the electric drive completely breaks with the cruiser core competencies of displacement, sound and vibration. In any case, it is quite brave that Harley-Davidson of all people is taking this step, since the established motorcycle manufacturers are noticeably cautious when it comes to electric, apart from niche products such as the BMW C Evolution electric scooter and KTM Freeride-E.

So that there are no misunderstandings – LiveWire is not a production vehicle. Rather, the currently around 50 prototypes are touring the globe in order to obtain feedback from journalists, dealers and a few hand-picked applicants during test drives. A little toe in the cold water of the electronics store, if you will. Not earth-shattering, but at least far more than you can see from almost all other manufacturers in this regard.

LiveWire looks very coherent and elegant

So now she is guest “Experience LiveWire”-Tour at the Hockenheimring. First contact. At first glance, the LiveWire may seem futuristic with its LED light and idiosyncratic rear-view mirrors as well as the rough light metal cast frame. But if you consider that the design of an electric motorcycle gives the designers far greater freedom than a combustion engine (as some small series impressively show), the design appears almost restrained. In any case, the LiveWire looks very coherent and elegant in nature – and constructed down to the last detail. There is nothing here with rustic pre-series charm. Unusual: the engine is located lengthways in the vehicle, which makes it easy to put in the limelight.


Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019


Harley-Davidson

Show what you have: The electric motor has an output of 55 kW (74 PS) and is installed lengthways for the sake of appearance.

The squat visual impression is confirmed when you sit up, the single-seater is beautifully narrow and compact. The seating position and ergonomics are somewhat reminiscent of the Harley-Davidson Street 750, so they are on the sporty side for a Harley. Narrow tank dummy (under it the water-cooled power electronics are hidden), narrow, forward-moved handlebars, central footrests – this makes the LiveWire from Harley-Davidson more of a small power cruiser than a highway glider.

Charging time should be 3.5 hours

There is no need to leave it on. We set up “run”, the touchscreen acting as a cockpit comes to life. Two driving modes are available, in range mode the range should be 85 kilometers, in power mode around 60 kilometers. Harley-Davidson does not provide any information about the capacity of the batteries, probably also with regard to an expected increased range in a possible series production. The charging time should be 3.5 hours. We select the power mode, hold the start button, the Stromer is ready to go. Because the LiveWire schedule is full, there is no more than a small photo tour on the access roads around the Hockenheimring, so the driving impressions are just as preliminary as the motorcycle itself.

Calibration of the drive was an excellent success

The drive has been calibrated extremely well, and the propulsion can be perfectly metered. Still linear and beautifully supple for the first few millimeters, the LiveWire shoots violently forwards when the power handle is further opened. 74 PS, 70 Nm, that corresponds almost exactly to the values ​​of a Yamaha MT-07. But because the electric motor delivers its maximum torque from the first turn, the impressive performance is available at the push of a button. When the throttle is closed, the motor brakes hard and thus recovers energy. After a little getting used to, the LiveWire can be driven very relaxed and almost without braking.


Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019


Harley-Davidson

So far there are only 50 copies of the prototype. Especially in the area of ​​battery and range, a lot is likely to change with a possible production bike.

The chassis of the prototypes is fully adjustable, the setup was chosen quite tight. So the Elektro buzzes over the bumpy roads around the Hockenheimring. It turns in a little inharmoniously, but is very handy overall due to the very low weight of 210 kilos, which is favorably placed at the bottom. The lean angle is sufficient, ABS and traction control do not yet exist. And the sound? The installation position of the motor requires a bevel gear to divert the driving force. This is precisely interlocked, which creates a characteristic howling – and that doesn’t even sound that soft. Doesn’t sound bad, but of course not at all “Potato, potato”.

Too early to draw a conclusion

Conclusion? Much too early for that. After all, the first impression of LiveWire is convincing. With it, Harley-Davidson shows that they can electric when they want. Sure, the range is a joke at the moment, but for the time being it shares this fate with the electric competition. It’s a shame, because no matter what prejudices or justified concerns you have about the practicality of an e-motorcycle – almost everyone who has ridden one gets off again afterwards, fascinated. The future may still be a little off, but Harley-Davidson shows that they want to play.

Technical specifications

Technical data: Harley-Davidson Project LiveWire

  • Three-phase AC motor
  • 55 kW (74 PS) at 8500 rpm, 70 Nm
  • Toothed belt drive
  • Light metal bridge frame made of cast aluminum
  • Upside-down fork, fully adjustable
  • Front disc brake, rear disc brake
  • Weight: 210 kg ready to drive
  • Wheelbase: 1486 mm
  • Range: 63 to 85 kilometers (factory specification)

Interview with Frank Klumpp

MOTORCYCLE:  What is Project LiveWire?

Frank Klumpp: Project LiveWire is about finding out how people imagine an electric Harley. What do you expect in terms of look, sound and feel? It is important to us to get direct feedback from customers, dealers and the press. So we tour the world with the 50 or so prototypes built so far, let people drive them and then ask for their opinion. After the USA and Southeast Asia, the tour is now visiting Europe.

MOTORCYCLE: How does this feedback look like so far?

Frank Klumpp: Extremely positive. After more than 7,500 test drives, more than 80 percent of the drivers have a positive or very positive view of the project. Almost three-quarters say they could imagine buying an electric Harley.


Harley-Davidson Electric Bike LiveWire 2019


markus-jahn.com

Frank Klumpp, Marketing Director of Harley-Davidson Germany, about Project LiveWire, and why Harley is now trying it out electrically.

MOTORCYCLE: So far, Harley-Davidson is not necessarily known as a technology-oriented manufacturer. Where does the electric advance come from now??

Frank Klumpp: This project has not just been running for a short time. We started looking into the subject four or five years ago. We want future generations to have the opportunity to ride a motorcycle 30 or 40 years from now. And in our opinion, the electric drive plays an important role here. Harley-Davidson does not shut itself off from modern technology and progress. We want to show that we can do more than the classic Vau-Zwei cruiser. It’s an important part of Harley, of course, and that’s a good thing, but we can do a lot more. We can also innovate.

MOTORCYCLE: This also means that you have a slightly different target group in mind for an electric vehicle?

Frank Klumpp: Quite possible. The customer base here is of course much broader than we have been up to now. But these are not mutually exclusive at all. In my opinion, it doesn’t have to be: either gasoline or electric. The two can coexist well. In all honesty, when we got the information that there was development in the direction of electric drive, the first thing I thought was: Who needs an electric Harley? Then I got the chance to try LiveWire in Milwaukee and my mind changed. We have managed to combine design, technology and innovation in this vehicle. I was particularly impressed by the engine. This thing is just fun. 

MOTORCYCLE: How do you rate the chances that the LiveWire will come as a series vehicle in one way or another?? 

Frank Klumpp: I can’t say at the moment whether that will be exactly the case. Personally, I would be delighted, and we have received signals that the vehicle may be implemented by 2020. When and how exactly depends on the feedback we are getting now. How do you like the design? What do people say about the sound? What about the range, and what can it cost? We’re just finding out all of that.

MOTORCYCLE: A very democratic form of product development …

Frank Klumpp: We have learned a lot there in recent years. 15 years ago a motorcycle was developed and put in the showroom, and that’s how it turned out. Today we are much closer to the customer. Because their feedback then helps us to build a better motorcycle according to the wishes of the riders.

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