Harley-Davidson shocks with electric LiveWire in Australia
Innovative, rapid and expensive, the first mass-produced battery-powered bike in Australia is a divisive – and thrilling – machine.
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For more than a century it was known for its roar.
Made famous in movies including Easy Rider, the Harley-Davidson represented a generation of rebel riders.
But it was silenced this week with the famed manufacturer launching Australia’s first electric version.
On sale from $49,995 ride-away, the electric LiveWire offers a window into the future of motorcycling.
The iconic brand has bet its future on electric motorcycles, investing heavily in the LiveWire and other battery-powered models set to arrive in coming years.
Harley-Davidson deliveries dropped to a 16-year low in the United States last year.
While it remains the most popular road bike manufacturer in Australia, much of its sales stem from learner-friendly models built in India, rather than more profitable full-sized bikes.
Looming bans on the sale of combustion vehicles in the UK, Germany and many other European regions, combined with increasingly strict noise and emissions requirements, will force most manufacturers to turn to electric power in years to come.
Harley-Davidson national sales manager Jessica Riemsdijk said riding on the near-silent LiveWire is “not what we’re used to”.
“I’m letting the neighbours sleep at 7am, and you can hear the birds. It’s insane,” Ms Riemsdijk said.
“I find it quite exciting that us being a loud and proud, noisy brand are doing this.”
She admits reaction to the bike has been mixed.
About half the customers who have ordered one are new to the brand, having never considered noisy American bikes in the past.
Curious onlookers watching the LiveWire’s local launch commented on the lack of engine noise from the bikes, which some said “just isn’t right”.
Brighton-Le-Sands resident and existing Harley owner Wal Milberg said the LiveWire was intriguing.
“These days, the way things are going, this is the future, isn’t it?” Mr Milberg said.
“I’m into electric vehicles. I’ve driven a Tesla before – and I’m into V8s and muscle cars – and you just go ‘Jesus Christ’, it leaves them for dead.
“It should have a bit of noise to it, though.”
The LiveWire’s price represents another sticking point. It costs almost $20,000 more than the Fat Boy cruiser people might picture when they imagine a Harley.
A Nissan Leaf electric car is about $3000 than the compact bike.
Electric cars represent less than 1 per cent of new vehicle sales. Keith Waddell, marketing manager for Harley-Davidson, said electric motorcycles will also be small until they are cheaper, and backed by better charging infrastructure.
While hybrid cars are becoming popular, electric vehicles represent less than 1 per cent of new car sales in Australia.
RIDING THE LIVEWIRE
Forget what you know about motorcycles, the electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire demands a unique approach.
There are no gears, no clutch, or any noise from the motor when you press the start button. The electric driveline offers seamless and shocking acceleration, sending the bike shooting ahead instantly with a whining sci-fi soundtrack. It’s heavier than a normal bike, but a low centre of gravity allows you to tip into corners with ease.
Harley abandoned its traditionally relaxed riding position for the LiveWire, which pitches you forward into an aggressive stance. Powerful brakes and firm suspension contribute to a sporty riding experience fitting a motor that feels much more powerful than its 78kW figure suggests.
A hard seat and relatively short range – around 150km on the open road, or more than 200km when using the bike’s regeneration mode in town – suggests this isn’t a machine for long days in the saddle.
Topping up the 15.5kWh battery through a conventional household outlet adds about 20 kilometres of range for every hour on charge. Commercial fast-charger stations will take the bike from a near-flat state to 80 per cent of its range in about 40 minutes.
Ideal for urban commuting or brief blasts close to home, the near-$50,000 LiveWire is a bold departure from Harley’s catalogue of easy riders.
2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire
Price: $49,995 ride-away
Motor: Electric, 78kW/116Nm
Battery: 15.5kWh, CCS Type 2 charger
Warranty: 2 years (bike) 5 years (battery)
Safety: Riding modes, ABS, traction control
Performance: 0-100km/h in 3.0s, 177km/h, about 200km of range.
Originally published as Harley-Davidson shocks with electric LiveWire in Australia