ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Harley LiveWire Forum => Topic started by: protomech on June 19, 2014, 06:40:40 PM
-
Harley is bringing its electric concept bike on a 30 city US tour starting monday. They have a new promo video up.
Harley-Davidson Project LiveWire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6F8O5A__Ds#ws)
Basic stats:
* 74 hp longitudinal motor, 90 degree bevel gear give it the sound signature heard in the videos
* 0-60 in less than 4s
* electronically limited top speed of 95 mph
* excellent handling (for a H-D)
* 53 mile range (likely highway, city / suburban will be longer)
* 3.5 hour charge time from J1772
Equipment is unusual for a Harley. Glass cockpit, LED lighting, lightweight aluminum frame, USD forks. Motor controller was apparently developed (http://www.wired.com/2014/06/harley-davidson-livewire/) with help from Mission Motors.
There are a couple of ride reports up already:
http://www.pe.com/articles/harley-696434-electric-livewire.html (http://www.pe.com/articles/harley-696434-electric-livewire.html)
http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/19/harley-davidson-livewire-electric-motorcycle-first-ride-review-photos-video/ (http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/19/harley-davidson-livewire-electric-motorcycle-first-ride-review-photos-video/)
http://time.com/2899493/harley-davidsons-livewire-goes-electric/ (http://time.com/2899493/harley-davidsons-livewire-goes-electric/)
The specs are pretty clearly aimed at Zero or Brammo instead of Mission Motorcycles, CRP, and Lightning, with a ~3 kW onboard charger and no DC fast-charging. H-D seems pretty clear to stress this is a concept only, but everything on the bike looks and feels production. If it shipped today it probably would be priced around $15-17k.
-
I note that the instrument display in the CW video showed battery voltage as 300V.
-
IWould I be right in thinking that, that would make compatibility with ChaDemo and Telsa superchargers a lot easier.
-
Yes, it would make quick charging possible. No word of that now, but I expect it will be compatible with whatever they think will prevail in 2016.
H-D apparently enlisted Mission Motors for help with the motor and controller.
-
So, the PE.com article says "Log on to ProjectLiveWire.com to register for a demo ride", but I can't see anywhere to sign up. Anyone see something I'm missing?
-
There's a signup link for email updates here:
https://project.harley-davidson.com/en_US/keep-me-posted
Or maybe they will add a signup link when they announce the tour locations.
SEE IT. HEAR IT. FEEL IT.
The Project LiveWire Experience begins a 30-city tour across America starting June 24th in New York City, where riders will be invited to take a historic ride. The first few stops have been announced below and the full 2014 US tour schedule will be announced in the next week.
-
Aye, I signed up at that link. They're coming to my town next week, so I just wanted to make sure I hadn't missed something!
-
I hope they do a UK tour soon-ish, and actually bother to go outside of London... ;)
-
Canada and Europe in 2015.
-
I updated my blog with a summary of specifications and tentative stops for the US tour.
http://protomech.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/harley-davidson-project-livewire/ (http://protomech.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/harley-davidson-project-livewire/)
-
Boo. Looks like Austin is one of the last stops. Maybe I'll plan a trip to visit family in Denver so I can catch it earlier. ;D
The investor video is an interesting watch. I laughed at the bit about "...more like an electric guitar than an electric car."
-
Here is Motorcycle.com's take on the Livewire:
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2014/06/19/design/harley-davidson-reveals-project-livewire/?utm_source=mo06192014&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly (http://blog.motorcycle.com/2014/06/19/design/harley-davidson-reveals-project-livewire/?utm_source=mo06192014&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly)
-
I didn't think about this aspect - Zero could ride Harley's coat tails on this story. HD generates the press and the interest but doesn't yet have a bike to sell. Zero steps in to say, "Like the Livewire? Want one now? Have we got a deal for you..."
This from the AP:
http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/harley-davidson-introduces-electric-motorcycle/ngNxs/ (http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/harley-davidson-introduces-electric-motorcycle/ngNxs/)
-
Riding the LiveWire on the tour is invitation only. See here: http://evmc2.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/hd-project-livewire-experience-tour-rides-are-invite-only/ (http://evmc2.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/hd-project-livewire-experience-tour-rides-are-invite-only/)
-
Here is a short ride review of the LiveWire by Susan Carpenter. I note that she says the bike's range is about 30 miles when in "power" mode and H-D claims the LiveWire weighs 360 pounds. Level 2 charging requires 3.5 hours to fully recharge. Top speed is at least 92mph (indicated). Otherwise no more new info: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/06/26/harley-davidson-livewire-first-ride-review-video/ (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/06/26/harley-davidson-livewire-first-ride-review-video/)
-
Check out this review of the H-D LiveWire by a Brammo Empulse owner who rode 200 miles to the Harley museum on his Empulse, spoke to the H-D LiveWire engineers and went for a test ride. A great writeup and pictures to follow:
http://brammoforum.com/index.php?topic=2572.105;topicseen (http://brammoforum.com/index.php?topic=2572.105;topicseen)
-
Here is a nice article by Ted Dillard regarding his inspection and test ride on the LiveWire:
http://evmc2.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/harley-davidson-project-livewire-hits-boston-and-lets-me-ride-one/ (http://evmc2.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/harley-davidson-project-livewire-hits-boston-and-lets-me-ride-one/)
-
I filed this review by Jay Leno under the News section, but it probably should have been here where it will be easier to find by future historians:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyJr8BoklC0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyJr8BoklC0)