[ad_1]
Harley-Davidson gave the world a lot more information about its upcoming fully electric Livewire production bike at the EICMA motorcycle show in Italy on Tuesday. This excites us a lot because it could be what will save America's longest running motorcycle manufacturer.
C & # 39; was a few years since Harley-Davidson launched its Livewire electric motorcycle concept. When it came out, battery-powered motorcycle technology was in its infancy and mass production would not have been possible. Now, thanks to investments in Alta Motors and thanks to the availability of more sophisticated battery technology at lower costs, the Livewire is about to be ready for the exhibition halls.
Livewire production is almost identical to the bike concept we saw back in 2014and make no mistake, it's a good thing. The bike avoids Harley's usual casual driving position, which seems to be really sporty, although it remains relatively straight to provide some comfort to the rider.
Harley-Davidson has been promising Livewire production for years, but it looks like it's finally happening.
Harley Davidson
In its announcement, Harley-Davidson confirmed that the Livewire will receive a fully adjustable Showa suspension and no less than seven driving modes. This suspension, in particular, seems to indicate that Harley really wants to make the Livewire fun to drive. This is similar to what we would find as standard equipment on high end Japanese sport bikes. Harley also chose to install Brembo monobloc brake calipers and 300mm front discs on the Livewire, both of which should offer significant stopping power to what might be a heavy motorcycle.
Make no mistake, the Livewire is destined for the street, and it's probably for the better. With a low-maintenance belt-driven final drive and single-speed transmission, it would be rather difficult to change gear to suit a specific track. The nature of this bike, focused on the street, is also found in its vertical handlebars and foot controls mounted halfway up.
The heart of the Livewire is a lithium-ion battery pack encased in an aluminum winged case, although details about the block's capacity have not been revealed. We know that the Livewire will have a built-in Level 1 charger and will support both Level 2 and Direct Current Loads with the appropriate adapters. Harley also insists that all of its dealers who sell the bike have on-site chargers for public use.
These chargers will not only be for the Livewire either – in the Tuesday announcement, the company promised a "complete wallet of electric motorcycles by 2022". Harley has invested heavily in electrification, which represents a big risk, especially for a company that has not been in good financial health lately. That said, the Livewire and his offspring seem to be a brave bet on the company's long-term future.
For the moment, we do not yet know the performance and scope of Livewire, but we expect big things considering the long gestation of this project and the partnership with Alta Motors, one of the leading developers of electric motorcycles in the sector.
Harley tells us that the Livewire will go on sale in 2019 and that pre-orders will open in January.
Prices have not been announced yet.
Look at this:
The electric bike Zero SR offers more comfort than …
3:16
Zero SR: An all-electric firecracker at short range.
GM wants your help to name its new electric bike brandYou could win $ 10,000.
Source link
