This week presents one of the biggest news of the year. The Harley-Davidson will arrive at the end of this 2019 and will do so to become a turning point for both the brand itself and the market for large electric bikes.
Now that the definitive revelation is about to fall, the Milwaukee house has published the definitive data of its first and ambitious electric motorcycle, the amount that updates its data and promises an autonomy of up to 235 kilometers with 105 HP and 116 Nm.
In Harley-Davidson, they need a change of course, and they are willing to do anything. Apart from the new range with trail bikes and sports streetfighter cutting, those from Milwaukee want to put the nets in more mainstream fishing grounds than in their traditional large premium segment custom niche. Clinging to that niche they know that they will continue to lose sales quota, just as it has been happening for several years.
Harley-Davidson’s own statement says that “their electric bike is the first of a wide range of two-wheeled electric vehicles designed to establish Harley-Davidson as a leader in the electrification of motorcycles,”
The bike has its own original design, the electric motor has been called Revolution and get figures of 105 hp (78 kW) and 116 Nm of torque available from 0 revolutions, with which it achieves a performance of 3 seconds in the 0-100 km / h a recovery of 1.9 seconds at 100-130 km / h. It also incorporates a regenerative braking system especially useful in the city.
Also in HD says that despite being a 100% electric motorcycle have introduced a kind of heartbeat that generates the engine when starting and that remains “idling.” In March, American engineers have worked on the sound that produces electrical mechanics to provide a differentiating touch.
The battery pack of the is a 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, to which is added a second additional battery of 12 V for the start-up and recognition of the key. With it, the first electric motorcycle of Harley-Davidson can reach a range of 235 km in an urban environment or 152 km in mixed driving under WMTC approval.
For the recharge, the LiveWire can be connected with a 220 V level 1 charger integrated into the motorcycle with which it obtains 20 km of autonomy for each hour of recharging. You can also choose a fast DC charging point with SAE J1772 connector with which you can reach a 0-80% battery in 40 minutes or 100% in 60 minutes. The battery is offered a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.
The chassis that surrounds the battery is made of aluminum and is associated with a Showa SFF-BP inverted fork and a BFRC monoshock from the same Japanese manufacturer, while the breaking uses a double disc in front of 300 mm bit by clamps Four-piston radial anchor Brembo. The tires are Michelin Scorcher Sport developed specifically for this bike in measures of 120 mm in front and 180 mm behind.
All these functions, in addition to the connectivity with a smartphone, are managed through a new 4.3-inch TFT touch screen located on the top of the handlebar that is customizable. The connectivity service HD Connect will be standard on all LiveWires and will allow you to check the status of the motorcycle from the phone, receive alerts on handling, positioning or maintenance reminders.
