Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[NEW2elec]

Livewire starts around 5:50. 

[Richard230]

That was interesting. Thanks for posting the video. From a distance the LiveWire looks OK, but it would be nice if it came with a luggage rack or someplace to mount saddlebags. I am really looking forward to reviews of the bike. The prototype seemed to have enough power, although the range left something to be desired. This version looks to have the same motor and 90 degree gearbox, but it doesn't appear to have a whole lot of extra room for a large battery pack. Also, I didn't exactly see the dealers jumping for joy when the LiveWire was announced. 

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

The streetfighter pitch was simple and clear. I could understand it, and I don't care for streetfighters.

The adventure bike pitch was insulting to that market, implying that the HD adventure bike has a signature style that that market lacks. It looks like a giant brick, and probably will find its own weird market accidentally, but the pitch itself doesn't help the dealers figure out what to do with that bike.

The Livewire pitch was terrible by contrast; justifiably, the dealers do not seem to know what to do with these. They kept nebulously focusing on the existence of the EV market in an abstract way, using words like "city" and "urban" repeatedly while not even alluding to motivations or market opportunity. No one seemed to give an impression of what or who this motorcycle is *for* or even how it will make the rider feel.

A Harley without saddlebag mounts is just a show bike. Those exist - but AFAICT they're not what gets Harley paid.

[ultrarnr]

Harley sells more than just motorcycles. Harley sells a culture, a way of life. I am not sure how or where adventure bikes or electric is going to fit into that culture. I am a big fan of adventure bikes and street fighters and it is that culture that Harley sells that would keep me from seriously considering either of these bikes. Maybe the 20 somethings out there can see past all of that easier than I can though. 

[Badness]

I've ridden Harley's for over 30 years and I'll be buying one for sure.
The statement about HD's with saddlebags is bogus AF I've never had one with saddle bags in over 30 years of ownership.
So suck it and see.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

I've ridden Harley's for over 30 years and I'll be buying one for sure.
The statement about HD's with saddlebags is bogus AF I've never had one with saddle bags in over 30 years of ownership.

Fair enough. What do you own and how would the Livewire fit into your life?

[Badness]

I have an awesome range(canyon?) road near my place AND I live about 20K's(12M) from the closest city.
So in my world it would be an awesome bit of kit.

[msilveus]

Would love to see it come with forward foot rests instead of streetfighter style. For older bad knees it would be a more comfortable riding position.

Mike

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

I should probably clarify my take on the LiveWire pitch:
- I don’t mean that people won’t or shouldn't want it.
- I mean that dealers need a motivation to sell it, and I don’t see one, aside from the sales commission.


The lack of vocal support to the LiveWire pitch in the presentation video concerns me, and the lack of focus in HD's message to dealers.


Dealers want to sell accessories and charge for service performed. We've seen this problem with Zero dealership relationships. HD has a unique slant on this problem; at least they can put a lot of money into solving it.

[nevetsyad]

It got about what the Pan-America unveil got. It got more clapping also. The crowd was pretty sedate through most of the presentation really.

The only Zero dealer near me that's decent is a HD dealer primarily. Great service, great techs, they're up front and honest. I welcome trading my Zero in for their new EV.

[Richard230]

Speaking of Harley electric motorcycle plans: I just heard on the news that they plan to open an office in Silicon Valley to design and develop electric motorcycles. I guess they weren't allowed to do that in Milwaukee.   

[Doug S]

I have to admit the Livewire (both the latest prototype and the one Scarlett Johansson rode in "The Avengers") is a beautiful bike to my eye, by far the most interesting of the lot so far. I'm not big on full-plastic sportbikes, though I do think the Lightning is beautiful as well, and I'm just drawn to the overall Livewire design. It's not trying to be a hog, or a crotch rocket, a retro bike or a cruiser. It kind of reminds me of a beach cruiser bicycle -- clean, simple and elegant. Maybe like an old-school "cafe racer" before they went all gonzo and destroyed the whole gestalt.

It is a shame that it's almost certainly going to be priced out of any reasonable market share. It's not going to be a viable alternative for the huge majority of riders, and a tiny niche market isn't going to help Harley (or the motorcycling community) at all. More's the pity.