Author Topic: My Dreams Come True? A Production Electric Harley?(photos and article links inc)  (Read 10346 times)

Brammo Rider Wannabe

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That's some good pics but I didn't notice any place to plug in.

If you look at the pic just above the footrest/brake pedal, there is a round piece that I believe is big enough to hide a L2 plug connector.

Brammo Rider Wannabe

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Found this online a few minutes ago. Link here...http://www.ocregister.com/articles/harley-622608-electric-livewire.html

HARLEY- DAVIDSON LIVEWIRE CONCEPT
• Price: N/A

• Powertrain: 3-phase AC induction electric motor, lithium-ion batteries, direct drive

• Horsepower: 74 @ 8,000 rpm

• Torque: 52 lb.-ft.

• Top speed: 92 mph

• Range: About 53 miles

• Recharge time: 3 1/2 hours

• Charge port: 220-volt

• Wheels: 17-inch rear (180mm), 18-inch front (120mm)

• Lights: LED

• Suspension: Monoshock rear, adjustable front fork

• Frame weight: 18 pounds

Gavin

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74 hp...should have higher speed than 92 mph...regulated?

8000 rpm is high....

Range sucks...I thought the center battery seemed "narrow"...

Still, a nice city cruiser for short people.

G

Virtually Yours

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Found this online a few minutes ago. Link here...http://www.ocregister.com/articles/harley-622608-electric-livewire.html
Well from my experience reading Susan Carpenter articles is she doesn't always have the facts straight. So I'm gonna wait for official specs from H-D.
The range could be hwy miles, the charge time at a L2 could mean around 10kWh battery capacity, and it seems that most electric drivetrains have more torque then bhp. Which I'm sure is by design and one good reason for going electric vs. gas.
Of course we love to speculate  ;)
« Last Edit: June 18, 2014, 11:53:31 PM by Virtually Yours »
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protomech

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Found this online a few minutes ago. Link here...http://www.ocregister.com/articles/harley-622608-electric-livewire.html
Well from my experience reading Susan Carpenter articles is she doesn't always have the facts straight. So I'm gonna wait for official specs from H-D.
The range could be hwy miles, the charge time at a L2 could mean around 10kWh battery capacity, and it seems that most electric drivetrains have more torque then bhp. Which I'm sure is by design and one good reason for going electric vs. gas.
Of course we love to speculate  ;)

Article is either gone now or behind a paywall.

I remember some of her articles for LATimes about the Empulse. Funny in retrospect. But I assume those came off a press sheet, and it was published early.

Agree, I think 9-10 kWh battery capacity is right.

With a relatively short range, there's no need for huge top speed. This bike probably weighs about 500 pounds (since Harley), but it's geared short enough that it should haul ass. That range sure is disappointing though, even if it's highway. 53 miles highway, 100 miles city? Still, it'd be fine as a commuter bike.

52 ft-lb = 70 Nm. 70 Nm at 8000 RPM is 59 kW, or 79 hp .. so it has only fallen off slightly in torque by the peak power point. Very linear.

Very much in the Empulse / Zero category of bikes, as opposed to say Lightning / Mission / Brutus. I expect it'll be quicker than the Empulse, on par with the Zero SR.
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Mithion

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IMO you don't buy the first generation product ever. Just the fact that Harely is making an electric bike is reason to be excited. Give it a few years and a few iterations and the bike will have the numbers it needs. Beautiful looking machine.

Mithion

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Apparently this person has tested the bike already-

http://m.pe.com/articles/harley-696434-electric-livewire.html
« Last Edit: June 19, 2014, 06:47:15 AM by Mithion »

protomech

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Susan is a girl. A little disappointing that it is concept-only, and that the range is smaller than what either Zero or Brammo is offering. Without riding it, I think most riders will dismiss it on the range alone; hopefully Harley can get enough bikes out there to change people's minds.
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Mithion

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http://project.harley-davidson.com/en_US

Seems like they are doing an experience tour to get feedback before it actually goes to production.

Mithion

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Virtually Yours

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Cycleworld has tested it as well-

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/19/harley-davidson-livewire-electric-motorcycle-first-ride-review-photos-video/


This was the best article so far and the video interview gives some really good insight. If they're looking for feedback I would say that they need slightly more battery capacity. Although I'm sure that at the same time H-D wants to keep the cost down but 53 miles is not enough range. It's either that or reduce the power of the motor. I would love to see the wife on this bike but a 0-60 time in 4 seconds may be too much bike for her. I know that EV's power output in general can be programmed or governed and I would hope that if I was to get this for her that we would be able to that...
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protomech

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There is a range mode that reduces power, and you could likely fit a smaller rear sprocket to reduce acceleration further.
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Mithion

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Harley is def going to get feedback during this experience tour and I bet we can all guarantee the number 1 thing is going to be range. The bike looks good, 92mph is more than fast enough IMO so range and price will be what people talk about the most. Hopefully the final product, whenever it comes, will be a well rounded package of price, range and performance.

EmpulseRider

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It looks polished but not quite as sexy and unique as the Empulse. 50 miles range is not bad but with a supposed 14kW battery... that's gotta be way off.

Honestly I have never been a fan of HD, but this looks like a neat bike.

Unfortunately I think price and range are gonna kill this bike... after all, its a Harley, this would never make it up to Sturgis. Looks like they may be marketing this thing to women so they may be limiting their market right off the bat.
« Last Edit: June 19, 2014, 09:20:20 AM by EmpulseRider »

Mithion

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Watch the Cycleworld video, they are not marketing it to any specific group. That video really gives a lot of insight on their way of thinking. People need to give it a chance and that is why they are doing this experience tour and why it is still only a concept. They seem very open to customer opinion. The Empulse is a damn sexy bike but I think the Livewire is a different category, as you would expect form Harley it is a cruiser more than a street bike. Time will tell but I think they will take their time and wait to put out the right product.