Heated Discussion: Harley’s New Electric Bike

After researching Harley-Davidson’s new fully-electric motorcycle, Project LiveWire, I began talking to my close friend Greg Anthony. A Navy vet, Greg grew up working on Hondas, while I grew up working at my father’s Harley-Davidson shop. We started riding bikes together in high school and remained friends ever since. We often don’t agree on things, and when we don’t, it becomes a heated discussion. We decided to actually record some of our recent talk about Harley’s new bike: why we should care, what’s the point, and Harley’s image.

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This is a chain email between Greg Anthony and Jesse Kiser.

JK: Greg! Have you heard about Harley’s new fully electric bike? Project LiveWire, set to be produced for the 2016 model year. This summer Harley will tour the country giving test rides and asking for input that will alter the final production model.

GA: When I heard Harley was making an electric bike, I expected to see a rolling chassis with a huge lead-acid battery and a 104-lb/thrust trolling motor crudely attached. Harleys are for someone who likes cruisers, a brand name, and has the money to indulge. This is usually an old guy, and most old guys are closed-minded over the subject of electricity… even if his wife whipped him into buying a Prius. But this thing looks like some kind of badass sport bike’s evil cousin.

JK: That’s what piqued my interest the most, not the electricity, but the entirely new design, new suspension, new everything … for a Harley that is. I’m not really even curious about the electric part, just more about the bike itself. The rider sits high up on the handlebars rather than down into the bike, like the Harleys I grew up riding.

GA: Yeah and the immense range and speed rivals that of a golf cart. A picture of this thing could replace Webster’s definition of the word “oxymoron.”

JK: Ha! I don’t believe the street numbers are accurate. Harley is sandbagging for some reason. For instance, Tesla’s charge range is grossly underestimated. This style bike is nothing new for import and sport bikes — only the drivetrain, so think about it: What are we talking about right now? Harley-Davidson. What will the old guys be talking about? The new Harley-Davidson. What will the import guys be talking about? The new drivetrain in the electric Harley-Davidson. If the motorcycle is a complete dud, with no power, range, and can’t handle a parking lot turn, then it won’t matter, the job is already done. We are talking about Harley-Davidson.

GA: Designing an electric motorcycle is at an eleventh-grade reading level, and Harley’s designers have been reading coloring books for the past 50 years. If this thing actually makes it past Harley’s board of logical thinkers, then we will have to all group together in shame, as the rest of the world uses its engineers and creates a truly wonderful competitive electric motorcycle market. When it comes to innovation, Harley is David, and Japan is Goliath… with a helmet.

JK: Well, I think we have finally come a point we agree on, sort of. I believe Harley makes a well-engineered product, most of the time. I can’t imagine the next installment of electric bikes looking better than this, but this is all about starting somewhere.

GA: The guy who buys an electric motorcycle is not looking for a long adventure or a joyride; he is looking for the thrill of commuting. A cheap ride, cheap fuel, and practical for its purpose. This bike is like the Google+ of the motorcycle world, and if it doesn’t put out, it will show how well this company fails. Harley has put an American spin on the word practical.

JK: This motorcycle is not meant to be ridden. No one will test it hard on a road course and honestly care. It’s about showcasing what the company is capable of and creating a starting point. From here, maybe we have electric motorcycles on the market and not just a few oddballs like the Zero. Quick, name five electric motorcycles. It’s just a place to start, but it’s not a serious competitor. The guy who is considering a Sportster won’t buy the LiveWire, but the guy who isn’t in the market for a Harley, but curious about seeing the LiveWire in person, will go to the dealership and get roped into buying a Sportster.

GA: One day this thing may make it. Humankind will be blessed with the thought that today might be the day where they get to see the rare sight of a bearded hipster with non-leather chaps and a full-faced helmet pull up on his “LiveWire” at the local fresh market, but for now, all we can do is wait.