Harley-Davidson has today announced that European pre-orders for the all-new electric LiveWire™ motorcycle are now open. Interested parties can visit the Harley-Davidson website to discover their nearest authorised LiveWire dealer and place a pre-order deposit at their selected dealership. With limited availability for 2019 and strong interest already shown the company advises swift action to prevent disappointment. Only those dealerships nominated as authorised Harley-Davidson® LiveWire™ retailers will be able to take a deposit and secure a pre-order motorcycle from the initial European allocation. First deliveries are due in autumn of 2019.
Steve Lambert, Harley-Davidson International Marketing Director: “We’re really excited to announce that pre-orders for LiveWire will open in Europe on the 15th. We’ve had an unprecedented level of interest in the bike with so many people wanting to be first to get their hands on it. We’re looking forward to delivering the new LiveWire to those lucky owners in autumn.
“LiveWire is such an exciting new product for the company and an incredible riding experience. We’re confident that demand will outstrip initial supply so urge anyone who does want one of the first bikes in Europe to make sure they contact their nearest authorised dealer as soon as possible to secure their bike.”
The LiveWire motorcycle represents the future of Harley-Davidson, bringing high-performance electric propulsion, evocative design, and cellular connectivity to today’s rider. The LiveWire’s H-D Revelation™ powertrain delivers extreme power in a seamless rush while the simplicity of operation allows the rider to focus more completely on the real thrill of motorcycling – the dynamic sensations of acceleration and motion. LiveWire can accelerate from 0 to 60mph (0 to 100kph) in 3.0 seconds and 60 to 80mph (100 to 129kph) in 1.9 seconds. The high-voltage battery provides 140 miles (225km) of city range or 88 miles (142km) of range combined, measured using the MIC City and MIC Combined use cycle at 70 mph.
The LiveWire’s dynamic capability is maximised with a chassis designed to deliver nimble, agile handling for confident control on urban streets and a thrilling ride on curving backroads. Premium high-performance SHOWA® front and rear suspension is paired with an extremely rigid lightweight cast aluminium frame to give precise, responsive handling that makes the LiveWire model exciting to ride in any situation. Brembo® Monoblock front brake calipers further contribute to the precise control available and deliver a crisp feel for confident braking performance.
Completing LiveWire’s riding dynamic is an Electronic Chassis Control (ECC) system that utilises the cornering-enhanced Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS) and Drag-Torque Slip Control System (DSCS) to monitor and manage front and rear brake torque as well as motor torque to the rear wheel to enhance rider control and balance vehicle performance across diverse riding environments. The system is fully electronic and features the latest six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and ABS sensor technology. The separate functions of the ECC work together to give the rider more confidence and control in less-than-ideal situations.
LiveWire’s power is replenished through a number of charging options. An on-board Level 1 charger plugs into a standard 120-volt (or 240-volt) household outlet with a power cord that stores below the motorcycle seat. Level 1 RPH (range per hour) of charging time is 13 miles for each hour of charging; the LiveWire motorcycle is expected to get a full charge overnight with Level 1 charging. Alternatively, a Level 3, or DC Fast Charge (DCFC), may be used to charge the LiveWire motorcycle through a SAE J1772 connector (CCS2 – IEC type 2 charging connector in European and some other international markets). All Harley-Davidson dealers who retail the LiveWire motorcycle will offer a public DCFC charging station. Level 3 RPH (range per hour) of charging time is 192 miles for each hour of charging. That is 0-80% DC Fast Charge in 40 minutes. 0-100% DC Fast Charge in 60 minutes.
The LiveWire motorcycle is equipped with H-D™ Connect service technology to provide cellular connectivity that can link a LiveWire owner with their motorcycle through their smartphone using the latest version of the Harley-Davidson™ App. H-D Connect allows owners to connect remotely to their LiveWire motorcycle and allows for viewing of key vehicle health information. It also provides the owner with the reassurance of being able to remotely monitor their motorcycle’s security, including tamper alerts on the H-D app and stolen-vehicle assistance.
Leading in the electrification of the sport of motorcycling is part of Harley-Davidson’s comprehensive More Roads plan focused on new products, broader access and stronger dealers. LiveWire is one of many new products designed to unlock new markets and new segments and build the next generation of riders globally.
