Harley-Davidson's first electric bike priced at Rs 21 lakh

Iconic 116-year-old American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson has taken the covers off two new concept electric two-wheelers, announced the pricing and pre-order availability for LiveWire, its first electric production motorcycle at CES 2019.

The 2020 LiveWire is available for pre-ordering in the US for $29,799 (Rs 21 lakh) with deliveries expected in the second half of CY2019. The company will announce the availability for select global markets at a later date.

Harley-Davidson has been working for over five years now on its electric motorcycle project, LiveWire, which it says represents the future of the company that brings high-performance electric propulsion, evocative design, and cellular connectivity for the rider. The first of its new electric portfolio of motorcycles, LiveWire is claimed to deliver higher acceleration, agile handling, premium materials and finishes, and a full suite of electronic rider aids and interfaces for a connected experience. This is the first product in the company's portfolio to feature a no-clutch in the line-up of future electric products.

The American two-wheeler maker also showcased two additional, electrified future concepts that further explore the potential of urban mobility. In keeping with LiveWire, both concepts bring Harley-Davidson’s expertise in expressive two-wheeled experiences and push boundaries in design and technology. These motorcycles are a significant part of the 'More Roads to Harley-Davidson' plan to accelerate building the next generation of riders through new products in additional motorcycle segments, broader access and a commitment to strengthen dealers globally.

Speaking at CES 2019, Matt Levatich, president and CEO, Harley-Davidson, said: “We’re at a historic juncture in the evolution of mobility, and Harley-Davidson is at the forefront. Innovation that moves the body and soul has always been at the heart of our brand, and this next chapter in our history is about creating products and opportunities for existing and aspiring riders of all ages and walks of life. Our vision for the future is all encompassing,”

“For all ages, from urban professional to exurban retiree, and from commute-minded to thrill-seeking, we are creating the products and opportunities for existing and aspiring riders to feel the transformative power of the two-wheeled riding experience. These two concepts are further statements towards that our commitment to lead in the electric mobility space that begins this fall with the production 2020 LiveWire,” said Levatich.

The LiveWire will get to 60mph/96kph in under 3.5 seconds. The company claims the instant torque provided by the Harley-Davidson's Revelation electric powertrain can produce 100 percent of its rated torque the instant the throttle is twisted, and 100 percent of that torque is always available.

Following the trend of connected services, the company says the LiveWire electric bike is equipped with Harley-Davidson Connect Service, which pairs motorcycle riders with their bikes through an LTE-enabled Telematics Control Unit, which also comes with connectivity and cloud services using the latest version of the Harley-Davidson App. This technology makes the LiveWire motorcycle the first North American mass-market cellular-connected electric motorcycle. With H-D Connect, data is collected and transferred to the app to provide information to the rider’s smartphone about: Bike status - battery charge status and available range from any location; locate a charging station; tampering alert and vehicle location; service reminders and notifications.

The company claims the electric bike can travel an estimated 110 miles (177km) on a single charge. In terms of handling and control, the LiveWire Revelation powertrain sits low in the motorcycle to lower the centre of gravity and help the motorcycle handle well at all speeds and make it easier to balance when stopped. The motorcycle also features standard cornering-enhanced Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Traction Control. The systems are fully electronic and utilise the latest inertial measurement unit and ABS sensor technology.