Harley-Davidson LiveWire ELW

Built:2020-2420202021202220232024

The Harley Davidson LiveWire is not only harley's first electric motorcycle, but also the first electric motorcycle from a mass-produced manufacturer. Volker and Dietmar learned how it rides and what distinguishes an electric motorcycle from normal combustion engines during their test drive.

This is how she stands

That's supposed to be a Harley? Where is the V2? Where is the fat double exhaust? Long-established Harley fans are likely to find the LiveWire a real imposition. In this respect, it is astonishing that Harley-Davidson in particular is the first established manufacturer to venture into the venture of electric motorcycles. Sure, Zeros and Energicas have been around for a long time, but these are new companies that have jumped into this adventure from the beginning. Honda, Yamaha, KTM, BMW & Co.? So far, no indication.

 

Of course, there is a reason for this: electric motorcycles are expensive to develop and this is also reflected in the purchase price. The LiveWire costs just under 33,000 euros. Whew. The second problem is the limited range compared to combustion engines. Harley states this at the LiveWire with 150 km to 235 km. This is not bad for the 15.5 kWh battery, but compared to classic motorcycles just very little. And what do I do if the battery is all? Load. Okay, but that takes at least 40 minutes even at a fast charging station. Although this is actually not a bad value, but compared to refueling a really long coffee break. Nevertheless, it is commendable that the CCS charger is included as standard on the LiveWire. With the Schuco plug (also located below the bench), charging at a normal socket takes a whole night.

This is how she drives herself

Before we leave, a short sentence about the operation. This is okay, but it takes a certain amount of time to understand the functions of the many switches. Surprise: The controls hardly differ from those of a Road Glide. Okay, then we leave the engine on - oh no, we drive the system up - that probably fits better.

The colored 4.3 inch color TFT shows "0 km/h", which means nothing else than: Now it's ready to go. We prefer to start in rain mode on wet roads. The LiveWire has a total of seven driving modes, four of which are preconfigured and three are freely adjustable. The rain mode is reduced in power and the traction control and the wheelie control works extremely sensitively - just the right thing for the first few meters.

Later, fortunately, it gets dry and we go into sport mode - and Volker experiences his blue miracle. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is done by the machine in 3 seconds - physically more is hardly possible and powerful combustion engines can do that too. But when passing from 60 to 100 km/h, the wheat separates from the chaff and the LiveWire drives away from everyone. In no less than a good second, she completes our pull-through test. The brain always lags a little behind and only sorts itself back into its usual place when you come to a standstill. This is madness!
 

Again! And again, and again. It's addictive and really fun. However, we have to keep reminding ourselves that there is unfortunately a speed limit on most roads. You are constantly driving at the limit with the LiveWire and this has two reasons: A) the monkey-like acceleration just described and B) the (non-existent) sound! The sound of the LiveWire is described by the opponents of electric motorcycles, of which there are still many, either as a vacuum cleaner, tram or spaceship. Electric proponents, of whom there are hardly any so far, emphasize the "performance" of these motorcycles. In any case, Tyrolean residents should be happy if more of these bikes jet through the area in the future - you can hardly hear them, which should not be harmless for other road users. Funny point: The Harley pumps barely perceptibly when standing like a heartbeat. This should probably remind you that the bike starts when you turn the throttle.

Otherwise, the LiveWire drives similarly to other roadsters. The Brembo brakes pack properly and the Showa suspension does a very good job. Our test machine was a little tight at the back, but you can easily change that with a screwdriver and a few clicks to the left. Surprising actually, that the chassis is not electronically adjustable. Well, the LiveWire is not exactly a bargain.