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[porthole]

That means the Harley-Davidson Livewire is good for just over 50 miles of mixed city and highway riding that is limited to 92 mph (we’re not really sure how Harley-Davidson came up with that figure). Expect to go 0-60 in around 4 seconds.

The bike is a proto. I talked with some of the engineers and the goals are for a much better package, starting with a 130 mile range

Not gonna touch the AC/DC deal.   

Hopefully they will be light weight, so the new owners don't have to push a heavy bike to the nearest outlet.....

Since you brought it up. DC Li-ion batteries, AC 3 phase motor.

Prototype weighs 460 pounds

I'd love to have one, wonder what they would cost? I would think that someone could come up with a way to use the wheels rolling to help recharge the battery.

They are not saying the cost but are asking the test riders what they think the cost should be.

Re-gen braking, right down to a dead stop, which it will do without using the brakes.

[porthole]

I went - I saw - I rode - I want one  


http://project.harley-davidson.com/

[porthole]

OK - bit of a snafu just getting on the list, but on the list i did get.

While waiting my turn I tried the "jumpstart" version. Basically a bike on a learn how to shift frame.
Obviously not me, but this will give you an idea of the sound.

Very "Star Warish"

[porthole]

[porthole]

Delivery vehicle

In my conversations with some HD folks it apparently cost HD $45,000 to bring this truck into the city and park it here.

[porthole]

Could have at least let me finish before you moved it.

So - the ride.

They had 5 bikes for an every half hour group ride. Turned out to be a 25 minute ride in the heart of Manhattan. So not much of a real ride.

But, in two words - freakin awesome !

The pre ride instructions included, no running red lights, no wheelies, no endos and if you drop it - leave it - the factory types would pick it up.

We were each given HD's new lightweight riding jacket to wear. These new jackets have all the regular piping replaced with a red LED piping.

The handlebar controls look like standard HD items except there is no clutch lever. No shifter either.
The mirror placement sucked

What is normally the ignition button on our bikes turns the bike on.
Once on the "start" button sets the programing to run. Don't know what it is, but once in run mode there is a barely audible whir and vibration as if the motor is already running.

The slightest throttle roll has you moving.

The bike feels, fits and handles about like an 883 Sporty. Kind of looks like a cross between the Sporty and a V-Rod
It accelerates like nothing I have ridden. Two power modes, economy and power. We were locked in the economy mode.

The specs list it as being able to go from 0-60 in under 4 seconds and I have no doubt about that. Twist the throttle on this thing and you better be hanging on.

For our ride around the city I had a few chances to open up the gap to 100+ feet and roll on the throttle. Seamless, linear and the Star Wars whine.

Stopping - for the most part I did not need to touch the brakes. Backing off the throttle will bring you to a dead stop. When stopped and rolling the bike back and forth you could feel resistance. Regenerative braking is on 100% of the time, even at a stop.
it was also recommended during the pre ride that because the re-gen braking was so effective that it would be wise to still use the brakes to let the rider behind you know.

I did not get to ask the engineers, but when rolling on the throttle hard, there was a kind of unique noise that sounded like the belt trying to climb out of the sprocket.




I want one 

After the ride we got to participate in a lengthy interview (only if you wanted) to get our take. Most of the people I talked, met with were Milwaukee types. The one engineer there was the programmer for the electronics.

There were probably 6 or so bikes in the dealer and another 6 outside for the road test.

All in all an exciting experience. Not to often the common folk can get involved in a real "prototype" type of event. There is plenty of work to be done before we see this on the showroom floor, but I'm looking forward to it.

[porthole]

The after ride questions covered what most of the common concerns would be.

For me, told them I ain't 17 anymore. Bars have to come up, pegs have to go forward, more rake in the front end. But, I sure would like a chance to run this western North Carolina........

220 only charging would be a no go, need the option for 110 like the cars.

To me it was a lot like when I first saw the V-rod. Didn't care for it, didn't like the way it looked and was too radical from what I was used too.
That changed for me after getting to spend the day on a SE V-rod several years ago in Maggie Valley.

Neither would replace my typical V-twin, but I sure would like them in the garage.

[1BdBagr]

Thanks for the very informative post Duane!
Tim

[ChopperPilot]

Thanks for the post, great to hear about the experience on the bike.

[1sharprdkg]

Electric Harley yeah and I want a electric car too! NOT!

[phato1]

Thanks for the great report Duane.  Seems like the new XLEV really impressed you. I wanted to go to NY for the event just to check it out but the scheduling didn't work out.  Again,  thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

[Lever]

Yeah thanks for sharing .... great information

[BigLew]

So Duane did you need to call and set up something or just show up? I try and see the bike in Philla.

BigLew

[TinSpinner]

Good write up, Duane. I hope they come down south at some point, I'd love to have the opportunity you had.

[porthole]

So Duane did you need to call and set up something or just show up? I try and see the bike in Philla.

BigLew

Well - I'm not sure.

I had gotten plenty of emails from HD in the past week since the announcement, as no doubt many of us did.

They all said the same thing - come see the new bike look touch take for a test ride etc.

So that is what i did, just rode over. Turns out that the people there had received email invitations with time slots to ride. That kind of torqued me up, half the people there were not even Harley folks. Especially since I just sat through the traffic getting into and out of the tunnel on a hot morning sitting on a hot SEEG.

As it was, being persistent I got put on a "wait list", got that pushed to a 3 pm slot  and once I saw how things were done got that pushed to 11am, which was good.

They had a schedule, every 30 minutes with four "fill in the blank" slots. They were all filled with the "invited people". My name was just added to the bottom since they were actually using 5 bikes and sometimes 6. The leaders felt 6 was too much in the city though.

I was hoping to go to Brian's for the event but will be in Boston. The Boston event is this weekend.

Go to the Project LiveWire website an design up for notifications. Maybe you'll get an invite. If not, just showed up and be persistent.