What is the consensus on the 2019 msrp? Over $25k?

 

I bet it will be somewhere in that range.

 

Discussion stuff from Matt Laidlaw including some of the features and tech stuff:

 

More information and opinions....

 

Perspectives and opinions from the "Harley tech" John Maxwell. Nothing new until you get to his opinions at the 12:20 mark. Interesting take on it being the first ever aluminum frame HD:

 

A look at the Livewire compared to the Zero SR in features and price. This is from Matt Laidlaw from Laidlaw Harley-Davidson so, based on the source, it could be a bit biased and he does start it off a little defensive. A good comparison review however. He does frame the same approach that I personally believe as well; if the Zero were a fueled bike it would be competing at the low end of that market as well....sort of like a Honda CB300 or a Kawasaki Ninja 300 without bodywork.

 

You haven't ridden a Zero if you are comparing it to a Ninja 300. The top of the line SR makes 116 ft lbs of torque, that is more torque, at zero RPM, than any production bike of 1,000 cc's makes at any RPM.

Watch this comparison done by a H2 rider as he tests the Zero DSR. (The Ninja H2 is a $25,000 motorcycle)

 

I am not comparing the two in terms of performance level. Yes, the Zero is quick, no doubt about that. The Ninja H2 is by far a better bike though in terms of suspension, braking, overall handling, usability, etc but too much for my wallet. I love the new SE Sport Touring version though with the bags and much better price point. For me there is way more to a motorcycle than just the power and torque.

 

The 'other' electric commuter...the BMW electric scooter... Why is this one relevant? Weather protection, storage space, better riding position...stuff you may want if you use it to commute with.


Done for now...I need to get some work done.

 

Well after listening and watching the Laidlaw video it appears to me, they are already trying to do damage control!

None of what was said is factual since they have not had a Production Livewire to compare too! Just a test of a prototype bike 4 years ago that would barely go 70 miles! He goes on to talk about charging and that the HD handles all the levels 1, 2 and 3 charging options which is incorrect. Sure, it allows you to plug into all three but the Level 2 which is the most popular is NOT supported by HD, it only charges at the Level 1 rate when plugged into Level 2. He also says the Zero at level 1 takes slightly longer to charge and that is most likely due to it having a larger capacity battery pack to start with than the HD. Next he talks about comparing a Tesla to a Nissan leaf as sort of like comparing a Livewire to a Zero, you've got to be joking! The Tesla, Nissan Leaf and Zero are real and out on the roads, the LiveWire............. well its in someones dreams at this point in time. Then he wants to talk about fit, finish and quality, he has nothing to compare too, again, but a prototype bike and they were by no means anything special. If you want to talk about that, how about all the HD issues over the past say 5 years production on the new HD products, overheating, sumping, oil transfer all come to mind and let's not get into fit and finish of the current product. While I love my bikes, this LiveWire launch is dying before it ever gets produced and out to the market. If HD want this bike to sell they need to get in high gear and get changes made PRIOR to shipping ANY of them out the door. It has to at least support the REAL Level 2 charging and it needs to have increase mileage along with a reduced price point, to even have a chance in the current market place. I'm not saying it has to be a $20K bike like the Zero but it needs to be close. The EV market knows nothing about HD, nor do they care, so the HD tax is not something they are going to pay. If they want to be like Tesla is in the EV car market, they have missed the mark with the LiveWire as it will be dead upon arrival the way it is right now.