7moore7

Whoa!

Project LiveWire

pchrist

That's the electric bike from the new avengers movie!!!!

An Electric Harley-Davidson Spotted on a Hollywood Set?

captainchaos

Where do the drag pipes go? Seriously though I welcome any time Harley tries something new (still wish they'd build some sportbikes), though even if they sold it I don't think I'd see any local Black Pistons riding around on one anytime soon.

mikstr

Apparently they are already working on the accessory catalogue: Oil Dripper, Engine Imbalancer, Sound System (with optional loud backfire track)...... should be fun

7moore7

I'm sure this one had those installed, they just fell off on the trip to the studio.

mikstr

Good point

captainchaos

Wonder what the Harley designation is going to be? VRSCRLW-E?

CruxGNZ

This sucker is going to be at the Harley Museum next Thursday for bike night. I'm hoping I'll have time to get down there and check it out. Looks cool!

7moore7

Awesome! Feedback if you do! Sounds like they're touring the country; if they come through Phoenix I'll put a decent effort in finding them.

CruxGNZ

The only thing is, it sounds like you need an invitation?

7moore7

Man Milwaukee is full of future folk and high class customs. In the wild wild west, if you're alive and not at large, you're invited. At least that's what I pretend everywhere I go.

Wolverine

Wow! I'd love to try out an electric & that's a nice example.

NHSH

I can't see beer belly bearded dudes on E Harley.... Imagine hell Angels on E Harley wuuu... really scary that will never take off, they will find another alternative fuel, like corn, to make the noise and vibrations they need to show off.

CruxGNZ

Due to work, I wasn't able to make it to the Harley Museum tonight for bike night. However, I had a buddy go down there and check it out. Him and his wife waited for 45 minutes to sit on the bike and run it up on a dyno. Supposedly, there is a lottery for those that want to take the bike out on a very small parking lot road coarse.

Here's some figures.

-GVW 836 lbs. (frame weighs ~40 lbs.)
-74hp 53ft.lbs.
-54 miles per charge
-Progressive braking charges battery on deceleration
-Governed at 92mph
- 0-60 under 4 seconds
-Helmet with media like, GPS, 3D HUD, reading texts, phone connect, pictures, and video. All voice command.

I guess they have been building this bike for the past 4 years. Not projected to be released to public (if ever) for another 2 years. Apparently, they are 2 years ahead of schedule.

You can check it out on foxsixnow.com
I haven't checked it out yet. This is all from my buddy. Just thought you guys would be interested.

Here's some pictures he took:

7moore7

Well, I can tell you how I'd extend the range right there! That's nearly twice what other electrics are at!

ren

Well it IS a Harley haha gotta stay consistent

7moore7

So these guys are in Phoenix right now and I test rode the Livewire today. Some comments:

Don't know what the 836 lbs GVW number was reporting b/c our bikes they said were 430 lbs. (they looked and felt it as well).

1. RE-diculous acceleration. Damn it was fun, and smooth, and they really had it dialed for a working prototype. Very street friendly; had somewhat of a Ducati Monster sitting position and handling. Scary amount of torque.
   
2. With no motor vibrations or sound, the experience was new; almost like the first time getting on a motorcycle. Vehicles driving by with the windows down? You can hear conversations from inside of them. Catches you off guard at first, but also lets you "feel" the suspension and the ride.
   
3. Regenerative breaking was like extreme engine breaking. Almost to a fault. It's all through the rear wheel and I could see it causing problems on the street in certain situations. It would take a little adjustments to riding style to maximize breaking traction, but it would definitely be doable.
   
4. IMO Harley is on the right track with this; similar to Tesla. Electric motorcycles are just too far away from being an efficient one vehicle daily commuter so going in the direction of a luxury toy makes more sense. It was very fun, probably wouldn't last more than 80 miles per charge. It is likely to cost $20k plus (way above my budget), but Zero and Brammo are also overpriced compared to their equivalent gas powered counterparts. I looked into a $12,000 Zero as a commuter and is is so far away from competing with a $3000 used Ninja that it just didn't seem like the company would last until the prices even out

Anyway, it was better than expected. I walked all through the showroom for an hour while waiting to ride and all of the bikes in there just don't interest me in one bit, but somehow the same company made the Livewire.

captainchaos

That's awesome to hear. Thanks for a great review. I don't know about everyone else but regardless of what you think of Harleys I would MUCH rather this bike be innovative and be much better than expected than be a disappointment.

xeris

Thanks for the good laugh this morning. Funny stuff.

Forgot about the tour. I would have been there if I had been paying attention.
Thanks for the report. Confirms some of the other ride impressions of E-bikes I've read. The silence must be very strange.
I didn't catch it at first either. GVW different than, curb weight. Put a couple of big beer guzzlers on the bike and you'd be at the 836 mark. Though I'm not sure there is enough room on that seat for two XL asses.

CruxGNZ

After talking to my buddy again, that 836lbs. is what that bike currently weighs. Most all the weight is very low, making the bike feel light between your legs. Maybe that 430lbs. is where they eventually want to be? Not sure man. All that information I got was second hand from a HD guy working the event.

7moore7

Oooohhh.. GVW I didn't know about. Yeah, vehicle weight was around 430 lbs... I remember because they specifically said it was the lightest bike in their lineup. Sportster is at 565 so it has to be lighter than that...

Edit: Wicki says 460lbs, 52ft lbs of torque, 74 bhp.

CruxGNZ

I think it's cool you got to ride it! Did you have to go through the lottery B.S., like what was done here in Milwaukee?

Just saw this. 54hp liquid cooled motor, six speed with a hydraulic clutch Brammo Empulse, which is for sale. I like the looks of the Livewire bike better, but I think I would lean towards the Brammo bike, because it is almost on par with a gas powered bike...almost.

7moore7

Not really a lottery, but I did have to sign up a couple of months ago. They closed registration on the 1st of October, but me and my two buddies made it into the same time slot so it couldn't have been too crowded. Others there were able to get in on the day of if someone no-showed.

In all honesty, for what I would use an electric bike for I can get much more out of a gas bike. I don't really buy new vehicles, especially commuter ones, so I'm out of the demographic for awhile. But I'm just excited that Harley made such a good effort on the prototype bikes. With no noise and no vibration it is way off of their normal mark and I'd be stoked to see them gain more ground. If I had to buy one, I like the Zero bikes, but if I could ride one it would probably be this one again.

I've read criticism and the internet is full of individuals who aren't really putting all of the pieces together. Electrics have no range, too expensive, and all of that jazz like gas powered vehicles haven't had a 100 year head start on refining their technology. Just me venting through the keyboard I guess.

CruxGNZ

I'm with ya on that point. One could only imagine what the world would be like if gasoline engines didn't take off and early electric cars continued to evolve.

xeris

Maybe HD will continue to take some of the profit from selling $52K matte orange 900lb paint shakers and invest it in the tech to bring E bikes closer to their fossil fuel equivalent. They have the dealer network (free charging stations at dealers), the advertising budget and the name recognition (for some) to move the E bike demand forward. If HD can absorb some of the cost of scaling up production and get the price where johnny lunch bucket can afford one, maybe there is a chance that this will become something. Hopefully they will decide to make this a reality and people show up to lay down their money.

RobertLever