First outing: the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle shouts out its raw power

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This weekend I had the opportunity to test Harley-Davidson's highly anticipated new electric motorcycle, the LiveWire. As excited as I could finally use the LiveWire before it came out, I did not have the highest expectations. I thought the LiveWire would be a bike that looked better than it was. But it turns out that the LiveWire is a beast of great power that asks only to be released.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire Trial

Harley-Davidson invited a select group of reporters in Brooklyn this weekend to test the LiveWire on the Formula E track. The narrow, curvy track was designed for low-end, sticky race cars – not for motorcycles.

But even with zero runoff and walls that shut me off at every corner, I did my best to push the LiveWire hard. And little boy, I was surprised by what this electric bike could do!

This weekend, we finally learned the important technical specifications that Harley-Davidson kept secret for so long. More importantly, we learned that the engine is rated at 78 kW (105 hp) and that the battery capacity is 15.5 kWh. These are two huge for an electric motorcycle and were the first clues that the Harley-Davidson LiveWire is not just for the show.

Harley Davidson LiveWire test test

The smile of an Electrek writer who is on the verge of becoming one of the first LiveWire pilots

But you do not really understand what 78 kW looks like in a 249 kg (549 lb) vehicle until you really open it up.

And luckily, I had some simple ideas to make, as you'll see in my video tour below.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire Video Tour

The LiveWire can reach a maximum speed of 177 km / h.

However, I reached a maximum of 140 km / h (87 mph) before breaking down and I had to rely on these Brembo Monoblock brakes to drop the anchor before breaking down.

Fortunately, the driver assistance systems on the LiveWire work wonders. The ABS brakes and rear wheel anti-lift system worked perfectly when you stopped screaming. Traction control is also a nice feature, although I was not about to test it in these tight corners. Keep this for when you accidentally need it on the highway. And thanks to the anti-roll system, I could make the most of the powerful acceleration of the LiveWire without fear of having to lower the front wheel.

With a time of only 0 to 60 km / h (0 to 97 km / h) and only 1.9 seconds to reach 129 km / h (80 km / h), the LiveWire accelerates like never before. And part of the thrill of this senseless acceleration is that there is no gear to be feared. By turning your wrist (and trying to hold on), you go forward listening to the soft whine of the transmission.

Speaking of this moan, be sure to watch the video above to hear it. This LiveWire sound does not come from an artificial noise generator. This is the combined sound of 90º bevel gears and a single longitudinally mounted motor, plus a belt strand for a good measure. And to be honest, it looks pretty nice. The bike is quiet, do not get me wrong. But this is not at all silent. Anyone who appreciates audio feedback from engine start-up will understand the pleasure of hearing and feeling that LiveWire responds to your inputs.

The sound is not really "Harley", despite what the company will try to tell you. And I think that's okay. The LiveWire is designed for a new generation of young (and wealthy, true riders) who do not necessarily connect with the harleys of old throat, chrome. And this new generation will probably be better connected than a century-old gasoline engine with a powerful high-torque electric motor. The LiveWire just seems to connect with the rider in a way that gas bikes can not. Instead of sitting on a screeching and vibrating bike, silent idling and electric screaming create a more intimate bond. And as a person who uses both gas-powered Harley-Davidson motorcycles and electric motorcycles, I certainly feel more in touch with them.

Another way LiveWire connects with the cyclist is to "feel the pulse of the heart". This one went through for a loop when they described it in the presentation, but the feeling that it made all the difference. Essentially, when you stay still but the bike is ready and ready to roll, the handlebar produces a slight haptic reaction in the form of pulsation. It's not overwhelming, but you feel it. And the goal is to let the rider know that the bike is running and able to fly at any time, lest the lack of engine noise will lead to a false sense of security. For the most part, it's a nice reminder that the bike is ready to flex, even if you do not hear anything.

Is this a necessary feature? No, but it's a very cool touch that I liked, and anyone who does not like it can turn it off in the settings.

Speaking of settings, there are four driving modes and three customizable modes. I probably should have tried Rain mode and Eco mode, but I was having too much fun in Road and Sport mode to forget that everything that existed before existed.

On the contrary, there are almost too many settings and buttons to the point of being overwhelming. It may be a Harley affair, I do not know. I'm not a Harley guy, at least not yet (although LiveWire would probably change that if I could afford it). But each handlebar is adorned with an almost overwhelming number of buttons and switches. I half waited for two different keyswitches to be operated simultaneously to launch the nuclear weapon.

All right, it was probably not as complicated as the deck of a nuclear submarine, but there were certainly a lot more to it than the standard headlights, the horn, the indicators and the fashion buttons I'm used to .

But LiveWire is also more connected than I was before, with the H-D Connect system that offers all kinds of interesting improvements such as on-screen navigation, data telemetry, and more.

Combine these smart features with high-end components such as Brembo brakes, fully adjustable Showa suspensions, Michelin Scorcher sports tires and touch screen, and you get a well-crafted machine that has more power than most people will not know what. do with.

Harley-Davidson is not wrong about the target audience of LiveWire. This is a premium bike for a premium customer. If you do not already have designer brands and do not buy top quality brands, chances are you're not cycling for yourself.

And that's why it's not the bike for me either. At least not yet.

Do not get me wrong, I'll do it j & # 39; love own a LiveWire. I would do it everywhere, every day and tell it to the whole world.

But I just will not be able to buy one anytime soon. Like most people, I simply do not have $ 30,000 to spend on a motorcycle, no matter how much I enjoy driving. And before you get tired of the old H-D motorcycle for building an overpriced bike, be aware that this is the only gas bike business to offer an electric bike yet. Others, such as Yamaha, Suzuki, Triumph and BMW, are still at the patent or concept stage, and none of them has made a firm commitment to build what be it even close to the LiveWire. So at least Harley walks on the board and sways himself hard enough.

But with the new portfolio of five different Harley-Davidson electric motorcycles, including smaller options that do not even require a motorcycle license, people like me will have many more opportunities to afford an electric Harley. And if the upcoming versions of the electric scooter, electric dirt bike, e-bike and light electric motorcycle look a lot like LiveWire, they will be well built and high performance machines. And assuming they're more affordable, I'll definitely buy an electric Harley-Davidson in the future.

What do you think about the LiveWire Electric Motorcycle? Let us know in the comments below!

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