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I ran a dealership for over 30 years here in OZ , so I am in contact with dealerships and riders in the US and world. It's the internet I know nothing about not bikes.lol
Peace.
OK, so you have first or second hand reports.
Looking on paper the Zero claims a greater range, but when you start comparing specs it's hard to believe in actual use that it will have a greater range. The Zero has a 14.4. KW battery, The Livewire has a 15.5 KW battery. The Zero weighs 50 lbs less, but it's motor is rated at 25 more HP and 40 ft lbs more torque and it has a higher top speed. It would seem to me that a more powerful motor with a smaller battery would have a shorter range if the weight was equal. I've also seen more than a few complaints about Zero motorcycles not getting the range they are supposed to get.
I'd love to have access to both a Livewire and a Zero SRF for a couple weeks and really do a good comparison between them. I would hope that eventually one of the motorcycle web sites would get both for a comparison ride. Put some of this idle speculation to rest.
Looking on paper the Zero claims a greater range, but when you start comparing specs it's hard to believe in actual use that it will have a greater range. The Zero has a 14.4. KW battery, The Livewire has a 15.5 KW battery. The Zero weighs 50 lbs less, but it's motor is rated at 25 more HP and 40 ft lbs more torque and it has a higher top speed. It would seem to me that a more powerful motor with a smaller battery would have a shorter range if the weight was equal. I've also seen more than a few complaints about Zero motorcycles not getting the range they are supposed to get.
I'd love to have access to both a Livewire and a Zero SRF for a couple weeks and really do a good comparison between them. I would hope that eventually one of the motorcycle web sites would get both for a comparison ride. Put some of this idle speculation to rest.
I do not know enough about electric motors to comment but that sounds correct what you typed, though I know not if it is. Drag is very important though the lower the drag coefficient the better the range. Tesla's cars have all gained range from initial production model release, Tesla has learned power curves and gained more range though the ECU on every model the Livewire will do the same. Harley has undersold it's range but over delivered in the real world that's a good marketing strategy one which I have always used myself.
I would assume this style of bike is designed for commuting. How much of a range is necessary? You cant carry anything with you and with the seating position I would assume you wouldn't want to go much over 75-100 miles or so before a break?? Back & forth to work 20-40 miles each way would be perfect.
I would assume this style of bike is designed for commuting. How much of a range is necessary? You cant carry anything with you and with the seating position I would assume you wouldn't want to go much over 75-100 miles or so before a break?? Back & forth to work 20-40 miles each way would be perfect.
Mate I'm with you on that. I want one of these things so bad I can taste it.I'm not a bah humbug HD guy, I see it's value.I live 20k(12M) from the closest city,I have 3 ranges/twisties at my doorstep and one of the best coastal roads to another wicked range/twisty just there and I'm retired so this bike would be awesome here for me. Trying to do a deal with corporate for one of the initial numbered 500 run bikes and it's not going well, as they're all allocated but if a deal falls through i might get one.May have to buy a 2nd hand bike of the first run of 500 IRL.
Mate I'm with you on that. I want one of these things so bad I can taste it.I'm not a bah humbug HD guy, I see it's value.I live 20k(12M) from the closest city,I have 3 ranges/twisties at my doorstep and one of the best coastal roads to another wicked range/twisty just there and I'm retired so this bike would be awesome here for me. Trying to do a deal with corporate for one of the initial numbered 500 run bikes and it's not going well, as they're all allocated but if a deal falls through i might get one.May have to buy a 2nd hand bike of the first run of 500 IRL.
Peace.
I lived in Alice Springs for six years.
I've been to the ACT and Adelaide, never made it on the roads in between.
I don’t know what the production range on the Livewire actually is but when I test rode one a few months ago IIRC Harley was saying something like 140 city, 95 highway— the higher mileage for city was due to the regenerative braking system. With a claimed 80% charge in 30 min in my mind isn’t bad for a commuter bike. The saddle absolutely sucked but the bike was a blast to ride! If it was $12-15K less I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
Last edited by auburntsts; Jan 4, 2020 at 06:04 PM.
...To those who think that the only measure of a motorcycle is how far you can go before refilling, the Sportster with the little tank provides comparable range and a 2-minute refill vs. the 40-60 minute refill of the Livewire.
Originally Posted by auburntsts
...With a claimed 80% charge in 30 min in my mind isn’t bad for a commuter bike. The saddle absolutely sucked but the bike was a blast to ride! If it was $12-15K less I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
All "official" charge times as stated by HD are on the DC Fast Charger at your local LiveWire dealership. Charging a LiveWire in your garage takes 12 hours.
There is no chance whatsoever that ANYONE is getting 130 miles at constant freeway speeds on a Livewire.
That is almost 40 miles MORE than what Harley specs the bike out for COMBINED city/highway range!
freeway speed is where electrics get the worst range. 130 sounds like the reality for their city range (below 45-55mph). also, that number is in line with their claimed city range anyways.
vaporware claims will do nothing for the bikes reputation.
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