LiveWire Harley-Davidson's emerging models: HD's first electric motorcycle the LiveWire.

Buying experience is horrendous

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Old Jul 18, 2022 | 05:25 PM
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Default Buying experience is horrendous

Went online for a Livewire. Livewire One has a site with little information; warranty, delivery not mentioned. Credit app attached to the online site. Filled out credit application and was notified in short order that it was accepted by Eagle Financial- H-D’s financial arm and that a member of the online team will be in touch shortly….still no contact information.

I went online and found numerous H-D dealers in the country with Harley-Davidson Livewire in stock. Found one in Jacksonville, Florida, new and never registered, 2020 model. agreed to a price including shipping, well within credit approval. Dealer called back and notified me we had to be physically present at the dealership to sign paperwork, a H-D financial requirement. We’re in Michigan. Dealer in Michigan trying to make arrangements for a dealer transfer only to be told Livewire was the only model that doesn’t apply unless a Livewire dealer - which there isn’t any, only Livewire One dealers and only one Michigan.

H-D customer service provided no solution except buy a Livewire One online and pay that price plus shipping. Transferred to Harley-Davidson Financial, Eagle Bank, and on hold for 78 min before I hung up with out speaking to anyone.

We purchased a Ford Lightning, delivery Jan 1, 23. Truck is at the dealership and must remain there six months before we can take delivery. Our goal was to purchase two Livewire and travel to the national parks out west and British Columbia in ‘23. We’ll be going without Livewire’s.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2022 | 06:26 PM
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Guess they don’t want to sell them bad enough.

curious, why does Ford hold the vehicle for six months?
 
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Old Jul 18, 2022 | 10:35 PM
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One Ford Lightning truck were delivered to most dealers to generate foot traffic. Dealers didn’t get a choice of which Lightning or options. Only requirement was to keep vehicle six months before sale for display. Ford has orders for not quite the next three years to fill and stopped taking orders a couple months ago. Interestingly orders could only be done online using verified personal information and dealers not allowed to order any Lightnings. Vehicle cost is typically 10K over MSRP…..don’t ask how I know. Harley would love to have this problem instead of new technologies not in demand by prospective customers, marketing not geared towards technology and dealers not embracing advance technology. On a related note my selling dealer service technician called my Pan American Special junk…so, should of known better
 
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Old Jul 19, 2022 | 02:27 PM
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They don’t give a damn about the live wire. I was in the Dekalb, IL dealership last summer, the place was dead *** empty and they were BEGGING me to test ride something. Over in the corner by itself, spotlights shining on it and very clearly set up as an attention getter was a live wire…I said ok I’ll take that out. No problem sales girl says, let me get the keys and someone to help me roll it out. She walks back into the offices and then returns to say “it’s broken and not working right now, sorry”. Ok whatever, bye.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2022 | 02:38 PM
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This reminds me of the Volt situation when Chevy first rolled them out... people would go in to try and test drive them and nobody at the dealer knew anything about them and basically shunned them.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2022 | 02:43 PM
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Sounds like when HD tried to sell Buell line of motorcycles. Most dealerships didn't know that consumer market and could sell the Buells.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2022 | 02:53 PM
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Buell's were such great bikes too!
 
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Old Jul 19, 2022 | 06:31 PM
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Tell Ford to keep the truck and HD to shove the live wire.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2022 | 06:41 PM
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The way they exert control over their dealer network tells you they could force the dealers to push and support the electric bike…but they don’t. One town I pass through has a dealership right on the main road with a live wire charging station out front. Never have I ever seen one plugged in. I’m not opposed to the electric phenomenon but h-d is not doing it right. How many three wheelers do you see inside those places these days? Their demographic is dying off. They waited too long to get into the adv bike scene…they just don’t care about the electrics…I’ll keep riding my 97 evo
 
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Old Jul 26, 2022 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by smitty901
Tell Ford to keep the truck and HD to shove the live wire.
That is what a great many people are doing with HD at least and probably the true reason production has been "suspended" in York.
 
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