LiveWire Livewire - rode it, bought it
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 465
Likes: 296
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Livewire - rode it, bought it
This ended up being the easiest decision I have made in owning over 20 bikes. The looks, quality build, absolutely unbelievable riding experience all came together and I new it was coming home with me.
Still love the sporty and the TC103, they scratch a different itch. This replaces the thrill I had on my BMW....but destroys the BMW by a long shot. I am really impressed with what the MoCo has done here and I am fully aware that I am paying to subsidize their investment in this space. It will be worth it to me if they continue to put this electric motor out alongside the ICE models. I want both.
When I was test riding there were curious glances to glares from the HD faithful in the parking lot. Some digs on the electric Harley, but this is when the MoCo needs to stick to their long-term plan and recognize that when the price points can be achieved, this will be the way to bring people into the 2 wheel world. Easy to ride, lots of functional tech (e.g. setting throttle, regen, TC, power, etc. to user preferences) that youngsters like. I can easily see e-bikes dominating more urban/suburban areas where the stop and go helps with regen.
I encourage folks to at least throw a leg over and try it out. May not be for you, but I dare anyone to say it is not an absolute blast to rip around on
Still love the sporty and the TC103, they scratch a different itch. This replaces the thrill I had on my BMW....but destroys the BMW by a long shot. I am really impressed with what the MoCo has done here and I am fully aware that I am paying to subsidize their investment in this space. It will be worth it to me if they continue to put this electric motor out alongside the ICE models. I want both.
When I was test riding there were curious glances to glares from the HD faithful in the parking lot. Some digs on the electric Harley, but this is when the MoCo needs to stick to their long-term plan and recognize that when the price points can be achieved, this will be the way to bring people into the 2 wheel world. Easy to ride, lots of functional tech (e.g. setting throttle, regen, TC, power, etc. to user preferences) that youngsters like. I can easily see e-bikes dominating more urban/suburban areas where the stop and go helps with regen.
I encourage folks to at least throw a leg over and try it out. May not be for you, but I dare anyone to say it is not an absolute blast to rip around on
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 342
From: Virginia Beach
This ended up being the easiest decision I have made in owning over 20 bikes. The looks, quality build, absolutely unbelievable riding experience all came together and I new it was coming home with me.
Still love the sporty and the TC103, they scratch a different itch. This replaces the thrill I had on my BMW....but destroys the BMW by a long shot. I am really impressed with what the MoCo has done here and I am fully aware that I am paying to subsidize their investment in this space. It will be worth it to me if they continue to put this electric motor out alongside the ICE models. I want both.
When I was test riding there were curious glances to glares from the HD faithful in the parking lot. Some digs on the electric Harley, but this is when the MoCo needs to stick to their long-term plan and recognize that when the price points can be achieved, this will be the way to bring people into the 2 wheel world. Easy to ride, lots of functional tech (e.g. setting throttle, regen, TC, power, etc. to user preferences) that youngsters like. I can easily see e-bikes dominating more urban/suburban areas where the stop and go helps with regen.
I encourage folks to at least throw a leg over and try it out. May not be for you, but I dare anyone to say it is not an absolute blast to rip around on
Still love the sporty and the TC103, they scratch a different itch. This replaces the thrill I had on my BMW....but destroys the BMW by a long shot. I am really impressed with what the MoCo has done here and I am fully aware that I am paying to subsidize their investment in this space. It will be worth it to me if they continue to put this electric motor out alongside the ICE models. I want both.
When I was test riding there were curious glances to glares from the HD faithful in the parking lot. Some digs on the electric Harley, but this is when the MoCo needs to stick to their long-term plan and recognize that when the price points can be achieved, this will be the way to bring people into the 2 wheel world. Easy to ride, lots of functional tech (e.g. setting throttle, regen, TC, power, etc. to user preferences) that youngsters like. I can easily see e-bikes dominating more urban/suburban areas where the stop and go helps with regen.
I encourage folks to at least throw a leg over and try it out. May not be for you, but I dare anyone to say it is not an absolute blast to rip around on
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 465
Likes: 296
From: Grand Rapids, MI
I did not pay anywhere close to asking. I had another HD to trade, but my approach is to give an OTD price. I don't care if they give me a dollar for my ride and discount the snot out of the new bike - I only care about the check that I am writing. I am happy with what I got. It ended up being almost 4K more than what the Zero SR/S ZF14.4 would have cost me (comparing OTD prices on both with the same trade bike), but it was worth it to me - if you have a chance to compare the two bikes, the LW is such higher quality build. In fact, as I look over this bike in more detail, I am impressed in new ways by what HD has done....I keep thinking, this is the same company with [allegedly] all the issues with the M8? Clearly a completely different set of engineers! If Harley can hold on through this tough period and continue to invest in this space, I think they could be dominant in the electric market while still innovating (as much as they can) with the ICE models. Clearly battery powered bikes are not ready for routine highway distances, but for local riding I see this exploding if they can get more people to ride.
Harley - if you are listening.....remind folks how you have innovated since 1903...this is just another branch of that long history of innovation. It is not death to the potato-potato, but a really cool cousin that can bring more people into this all american brand.
Harley - if you are listening.....remind folks how you have innovated since 1903...this is just another branch of that long history of innovation. It is not death to the potato-potato, but a really cool cousin that can bring more people into this all american brand.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
I did not pay anywhere close to asking. I had another HD to trade, but my approach is to give an OTD price. I don't care if they give me a dollar for my ride and discount the snot out of the new bike - I only care about the check that I am writing. I am happy with what I got. It ended up being almost 4K more than what the Zero SR/S ZF14.4 would have cost me (comparing OTD prices on both with the same trade bike), but it was worth it to me - if you have a chance to compare the two bikes, the LW is such higher quality build. In fact, as I look over this bike in more detail, I am impressed in new ways by what HD has done....I keep thinking, this is the same company with [allegedly] all the issues with the M8? Clearly a completely different set of engineers! If Harley can hold on through this tough period and continue to invest in this space, I think they could be dominant in the electric market while still innovating (as much as they can) with the ICE models. Clearly battery powered bikes are not ready for routine highway distances, but for local riding I see this exploding if they can get more people to ride.
Harley - if you are listening.....remind folks how you have innovated since 1903...this is just another branch of that long history of innovation. It is not death to the potato-potato, but a really cool cousin that can bring more people into this all american brand.
Harley - if you are listening.....remind folks how you have innovated since 1903...this is just another branch of that long history of innovation. It is not death to the potato-potato, but a really cool cousin that can bring more people into this all american brand.
Just courious,
When you say it was $4K out the door more than the Zero SRF. Were you pricing the SRF with the extra 6KW charger to get it close to the Livewire's charging speed? That second 6KW charger adds $2,300 to the price.
Not to mention the Livewire has the liquid cooled motor and controller which gives you more power when run hard and hot.
And I agree with what you wrote in your first post, I took a couple Demo rides on the Livewire back in August. It is a great bike. It is a better bike than the Zero.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
I kinda find the concept cool but i also compare it to the golf cart craze of today. We don't have any charging stations around my neck of the world and well there is no real support for electric charge vehicles nationwide in the US be it 2 or 4 wheeled. I just can't worry about having to find a place to fuel up on the road.
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 12
Congrats Spartan! The LW is an awesome bike; I'll take a serious look once they can wring a bit more mileage out of a charge (and hopefully lower the MSRP a bit).
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Verdad Gallardo
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 465
Likes: 296
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Just courious,
When you say it was $4K out the door more than the Zero SRF. Were you pricing the SRF with the extra 6KW charger to get it close to the Livewire's charging speed? That second 6KW charger adds $2,300 to the price.
Not to mention the Livewire has the liquid cooled motor and controller which gives you more power when run hard and hot.
And I agree with what you wrote in your first post, I took a couple Demo rides on the Livewire back in August. It is a great bike. It is a better bike than the Zero.
When you say it was $4K out the door more than the Zero SRF. Were you pricing the SRF with the extra 6KW charger to get it close to the Livewire's charging speed? That second 6KW charger adds $2,300 to the price.
Not to mention the Livewire has the liquid cooled motor and controller which gives you more power when run hard and hot.
And I agree with what you wrote in your first post, I took a couple Demo rides on the Livewire back in August. It is a great bike. It is a better bike than the Zero.
besides the cooling, the Livewire gives you all the power until the very last drop....Zero goes into a sort of limp mode with 10% left
The more I experience the LW, the happier I am that I have it
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 465
Likes: 296
From: Grand Rapids, MI
I kinda find the concept cool but i also compare it to the golf cart craze of today. We don't have any charging stations around my neck of the world and well there is no real support for electric charge vehicles nationwide in the US be it 2 or 4 wheeled. I just can't worry about having to find a place to fuel up on the road.