The Age of Electric. Harley-Davidson spins off the LiveWire into its own brand (LiveWire) launching this Spring! H-D claims “the best experience for the urban rider, with personality and soul” and drawing a clear “agile disruptor” line in the sand. LiveWire by Harley-Davidson will focus on the urban market and feature a Virtual HQ in Silicon Valley with dedicated EV showrooms starting in California.
This isn’t the first time Harley-Davidson has created a sub-brand, remember Buell (and later EBR when Buell failed?). My staff and I are mixed on why Harley-Davidson would split off the brand but we can agree it is progress and good to see Harley-Davidson trying new things. Although I personally wish H-D would have used Buell technology, V-Rod technology and even XR1200R/X when those models were discontinued rather than have that R&D languish. So they could learn from their past track record if LiveWire doesn’t work out. Somehow this all reminds me of the 1982 movie “Electric Grandma” for some reason.
With eBikes and electric bikes becoming more and more common and with environmental movements pushing for efficiency we will see more of these types of bikes in the future. So cheer or jeer them they are expected to slowly gain market share and if that means our loved sport of motorcycling gets to stay around for decades longer and attracts more new riders, then it is good for all of us, whether you ever own an electric motorcycle or a gas powered one. Personally I don’t want to be forced to choose one or the other so choice is good.
We are expecting a 2021 Harley-Davidson LiveWire this year for a long term review and my staff will put that “personality and soul” to the test and unlike copycat YouTube “motorcycle influencers” who don’t regularly ride we do and you know we will have an unbiased review for you.
We hope the new LiveWire brand inspires you to get out there, try something new and ride!
Total Motorcycle would like to thank Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and LiveWire for inspiring us to bring you this week’s Inspiration Friday: LiveWire by Harley-Davidson. Each week we bring you another Inspiring Motorcycle story to inspire you to get out and ride! Thank you for your support for visiting us and supporting us at Patreon for just $1 a month.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON LAUNCHES LIVEWIRE, THE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE BRAND
Harley-Davidson today announces the launch of LiveWire as an all-electric motorcycle brand. LiveWire is more than a motorcycle.
– Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“Harley-Davidson”) (NYSE: HOG) today announces the launch of LiveWire as an all-electric motorcycle brand.
LiveWire is more than a motorcycle. LiveWire plans to redefine electric, delivering the best experience for the urban rider, with personality and soul. LiveWire creates a unique connection between rider and vehicle. Today, the next chapter in the LiveWire journey begins.
“One of the six pillars of The Hardwire Strategy is to lead in electric – by launching LiveWire as an all-electric brand, we are seizing the opportunity to lead and define the market in EV. With the mission to be the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world, LiveWire will pioneer the future of motorcycling, for the pursuit of urban adventure and beyond. LiveWire also plans to innovate and develop technology that will be applicable to Harley-Davidson electric motorcycles in the future.” – Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson
The first LiveWire branded motorcycle is scheduled to launch on July 8, 2021 and to premiere at the International Motorcycle Show on July 9, 2021.
Unique lineage: LiveWire draws on its DNA as an agile disruptor from the lineage of Harley-Davidson, capitalizing on a decade of learnings in the EV sector and the heritage of the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world.
Motorcycles + beyond: with an initial focus on the urban market, LiveWire will pioneer the electric motorcycle space, and beyond.
Virtual HQ: innovating by design and attracting industry-leading talent, LiveWire will be headquartered virtually, with initial hubs in Silicon Valley, CA (LiveWire Labs) and Milwaukee, WI.
Marketplace: from launch, LiveWire will work with participating dealers from the Harley-Davidson network as an independent brand. An innovative go-to-market model will blend digital and physical retail formats, tailoring the experience to the local market and allowing customers to discover LiveWire on their own terms.
Dedicated showroom: seizing the opportunity to lead in EV and innovating across the customer journey, LiveWire will operate dedicated EV showrooms in select locations, starting in California. Here customers will be able to experience the LiveWire brand in an immersive and innovative way.
Technology focus: with a dedicated focus on EV, LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and to invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling. LiveWire expects to benefit from Harley-Davidson’s engineering expertise, manufacturing footprint, supply chain infrastructure, and global logistics capabilities.
Technology sharing: Harley-Davidson and LiveWire intend to cooperate and share their technological advancements to ensure an industry leading application in their respective core segments.
2012 Harley-Davidson XR1200X Review
Drawing inspiration from Harley-Davidson’s legendary race history, the XR1200X™ model takes that performance and style off the track to give riders the finest, street-legal roadster around.
Street-smart performer built to push limits, with menacing blacked out looks, adjustable suspension and pinpoint braking.
Wrapped around a high-torque, 1200 cc Evolution® engine, Michelin® Scorcher® tires, and fully-adjustable, high-performance Showa® suspension, the XR1200X™ is a meticulously honed machine with premium handling and a commanding riding position that leaves the rider with a feeling that can only be described as “aggressive fun.” Bold, racing heritage, perfectly tuned for road performance, the XR1200X™ stands out like no other Harley® model to date.
With a tank and tail section designed to evoke the legendary Harley-Davidson® XR750™ – the king of the gritty American flat-track scene – the XR1200X™ puts its mechanical character on display. Wide flat-track bars and rearset footpegs position an assertive rider for active control. The XR1200X has a blacked-out powertrain and exhaust, revised tank graphics, and black wheels with an orange rim pinstripe.
2017 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle
It sends massive horsepower and low-end torque directly to your adrenal gland when you unleash the engine. The V-Rod Muscle® motorcycle doesn’t stutter when it makes its statement…
There’s a quarter-mile of asphalt in its family tree.
Our deep racing heritage comes screaming to life in the V-Rod Muscle®. It starts with a liquid-cooled 1250cc 60° Revolution® V-Twin engine featuring dual overhead cams and 120 horsepower to the fat rear tire. Coupled with high-performance features, like Brembo® dual disc brakes, assist and slip clutch, drag style bars and inverted front forks. You get a look that’s pure, streamlined, American muscle. Just like you’d expect from its name.
A brawny bruiser with off-the-line power, the V-Rod Muscle® motorcycle is built for riders who want a little extra beef with their horsepower. It offers big, meaty air scoops, musclebound mufflers, 240 mm rear tyre, and the powerful 1250 cc liquid-cooled Revolution® engine.
V-ROD®
The VRSC motorcycle features sleek, radical drag-bike styling powered by a liquid-cooled 1250 cc Revolution® engine producing 125 horsepower transmitted through a massive 240 mm rear tyre. The range comes with factory-installed ABS and hydraulic clutch control with a slipper clutch.
2010 Buell Firebolt XB12R
The innovative design of the Buell® Firebolt® XB12R breaks all sportbike convention. Its light weight, razor-sharp agility and torque-rich V-Twin powerplant make it a potent canyon carver that looks and feels like no other motorcycle on the road.
Buell® sportbikes strike a unique balance of real-world and race track performance. Their unique styling, aggressive ergonomics and premium components combine to deliver the ultimate, intuitive sport riding experience.
Each Buell model is designed utilizing the Buell Trilogy of Technology™ – chassis rigidity, centralized mass, and low unsprung weight – to produce a motorcycle which responds instantly to rider input.
2014 EBR 1190RX
EBR Motorcycles are unlike anything else on the road or track. What makes them so different is what makes them so distinctly better.
More than three decades of racing, engineering, and manufacturing experience goes into every motorcycle we make. You won’t be disappointed upon setting eyes on our newest creation: The 2014 EBR 1190RX. It has been built from start-to-finish with pride, joy and a relentless passion to bring you another world-class sport bike from the heart of America.
The new, street-legal high performance motorcycle carries EBR’s model designation 1190RX and is a direct descendant of EBR’s race-bred limited edition 1190RS Super Bike. While the 1190RX shares its sibling’s 1190cc engine and many of EBR’s exclusive performance and handling-enhancing features, it is a new design created to tame the wildest roads and rouse the most demanding riders.
“This is the culmination of decades of dedication, innovation and teamwork,” said EBR founder Erik Buell. “We have been working to create a pure rider’s machine and a true world brand.
From the heartland and the heart of America, these are extraordinary motorcycles that discerning riders everywhere will be passionate to own.”
