Harley-Davidson, the famous motorcycle manufacturer, has been teasing its first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire to fans for many years and has finally showcased close to the production-ready version at the International Consumer Electronics Shows (CES) 2019 that is currently underway in Las Vegas.
The much-awaited motorcycle has impressive performance specifications: it offers a range of 110 miles for both city and highway driving and discards the clutch, gears and V-twin engine in favor of a battery and an electric motor. The battery capacity and motor power are not known yet since the company refuses to reveal it. The values are subject to change before the start of production.
However, we do know that the motorcycle will be able to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. We can predict that the LiveWire will be able to charge from a DC Level 1, Level 2 and even Level 3 charging dock, as having a DC charging dock is mentioned as a prerequisite for all dealerships looking to stock the motorcycle.
The closest market product to the LiveWire is the Zero SR offering a 120-mile range both in the city and on the highway. It has a battery capacity of 14.4 kWh and a motor power of 52 kWh. We expect the LiveWire to have a similar capacity and power.
The electric motorcycle from Harley is equipped with high-quality Brembo brakes, a flexible Showa suspension system, sports tires by the tire-maker Michelin, anti-lock brakes and traction control. All of these promise to provide the rider with a refined motorcycle driving experience.
Built at the Harley-Davidson production factory in York, Pennsylvania, the motorcycle will retail at $29,799, excluding the company’s destination charges. It is currently available for pre-order on the Harley-Davidson website, although deliveries will start in fall 2019.