Harley Davidson Livewire - Harley's new electric bike

July 18, 2019, 02:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
Funny how these motorcycle (HD) threads trend, predictable, consistently LOL

There are threads where everyone give HD shit for not catering to the newer/younger buyer, so they will die off.

So HD builds those bikes,

Then we have threads about the new bikes, Livewire, Adventure sport bikes, that are created for the new non traditional HD rider, and HD always get it wrong, even if the product is on par with the market, for whatever reason its wrong, so they will die off.

Of course all the faults, problems, and issues are well known before the product even hits the showroom.

Sounds like someone that hates their spouse, they won't leave, everything is a problem and nothing the other does will be good enough, ever.

And yet they survive each year.

They could build a 500 mile electric bike with a loud speaker for exhaust so it sounds like a vtwin, costs $5K to buy with free service, free battery replacement, and a big tit horny hot bikini and leather wearing hottie that will wash and iron your shirts, rub your back and can cook like a 5 star chef.....

and Y'all probably bitch she passes gas in her sleep too

Just a quick question. How many "young" folks have $30k to part with for one of these? I think the young guys dig tech and want something different than a V Twin, but I still think this particular bike falls way sort of what the "young" guys are looking for.

July 18, 2019, 03:00 PM

Prefontaine

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
Funny how these motorcycle (HD) threads trend, predictable, consistently LOL

There are threads where everyone give HD shit for not catering to the newer/younger buyer, so they will die off.

So HD builds those bikes,

Then we have threads about the new bikes, Livewire, Adventure sport bikes, that are created for the new non traditional HD rider, and HD always get it wrong, even if the product is on par with the market, for whatever reason its wrong, so they will die off.

Of course all the faults, problems, and issues are well known before the product even hits the showroom.

Sounds like someone that hates their spouse, they won't leave, everything is a problem and nothing the other does will be good enough, ever.

And yet they survive each year.

They could build a 500 mile electric bike with a loud speaker for exhaust so it sounds like a vtwin, costs $5K to buy with free service, free battery replacement, and a big tit horny hot bikini and leather wearing hottie that will wash and iron your shirts, rub your back and can cook like a 5 star chef.....

and Y'all probably bitch she passes gas in her sleep too

That's hilarious and all bullshit.

First HD bought this electric bike company. They acquired it. It's not like this bike came from deep in the HD R&D department.

Most people are talking about the range. Nobody is calling Harley Davidson Hardley Ableson.

They aren't building 500 mile range electric motorcycle. They are building a 100 mile range version that you'll be lucky to get the range. And it costs 30 grand.

Do you own a Harley? Is that where these comments stem from? A valid question. And for me, I don't care who built this thing, HD, Honda, BMW, whatever, I'd say the same exact thing about it. It's pointless with the range and current charging times. It won't be some stellar seller, it will be a loser.

July 18, 2019, 03:05 PM

slabsides45

Do they make them in adult sizes too?

July 18, 2019, 03:07 PM

Oldrider

So they're expecting some kid who works at a fast food joint living at home going to college for a degree in professional sensitivity to fork out $30,000 for that? Somebody needs to wake up.
By the way, yes Harley's "mature" customer base is getting older. I've rode for some 50 years and at 70 I still ride. Something like this is what I view as a Harley:

That's what I own and ride. Proudly.

July 18, 2019, 03:34 PM

GCE61

I've watched the videos many times because I like the technology aspect of it. The support infrastructure to charge these bikes is what would concern me, and the time necessary to fully charge during a ride.
My RoadKing gets gassed up every 150 to 200 miles during a trip to keep it topped off whenever we see a gas station during a ride.
I couldn't imagine taking a ride on a weekend with the group of guys I ride with and trying to find an electric charging station to recharge the battery. You'd have to sit and wait (how long?) to get it back to 100%.

When it all comes down to it, I like loud pipes and oldschool conventional bikes, I'll stick with my bike.

July 18, 2019, 04:18 PM

HRK

quote:
Do you own a Harley? Is that where these comments stem from?

Q1) Yep several over the years and one currently. To point I've ridden rice as well, brand wise no issues with German, Italian, Japan's offerings, Yep I'm old, white, male, and like my cruisers/baggers.

Just label me a rice racist! LOL MAGA!

Q2) No they stem from the consistent bashing of HD's attempts (some valid, some not) whenever a post comes up about them, such as the "does it leak oil" comment that harkens back to poor qc in the 60's and 70's.

Most of the points on why some wouldn't buy are valid, $30K, low range, but then again, all E bikes have low range, and all of them have ranges that vary based on throttle position.

BTW Gas bikes have the same problem, like when you get a rider that states they just increased the engine size, added cams, pipes and a tune and now they get less MPG. Throttle position..

It remains to see who the buyers will be, and it may get younger people into showrooms, it might be good in cities in CA where incomes are high and e-wareness is a social notch...

July 18, 2019, 05:04 PM

GWbiker

Does the HD Livewire come standard with a very long extension cord?

July 18, 2019, 05:18 PM

parabellum

quote:
Originally posted by Sigmanic:
With acceleration of 0-60 in 3 seconds these bikes are pretty fast!

And the rider's skirt woud look so good fluttering in that wind!

July 18, 2019, 05:48 PM

bigdeal

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
BTW Gas bikes have the same problem, like when you get a rider that states they just increased the engine size, added cams, pipes and a tune and now they get less MPG. Throttle position..

But, as you are well aware, if those guys run short on petrol, they simply swing through any number of fuel stations on their way and spend maybe two minutes fueling up. Then they're home eating dinner before the Livewire is even 1/3 recharged, assuming its owner can find a fast charge hook up.

I also find it interesting that a few of the "younger" guys I know that would likely be part of the target demo for this bike look with a bit of disdain on the Harley brand and its owners. So I don't think the Livewire is going to sell any better based upon the HD on the tank.

July 18, 2019, 05:48 PM

bigdeal

quote:
Originally posted by parabellum:
quote:
Originally posted by Sigmanic:
With acceleration of 0-60 in 3 seconds these bikes are pretty fast!
And the rider's skirt woud look so good fluttering in that wind!

That was just mean. Funny as hell, but mean.

July 19, 2019, 07:20 AM

kramden

The thing that will keep me from buying ANY electric vehicle is the resale value 5 or so years down the road. With the outrageous cost of the batteries who is going to want a used "whatever".

July 19, 2019, 10:33 AM

Sigmanic

quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
quote:
Originally posted by parabellum:
quote:
Originally posted by Sigmanic:
With acceleration of 0-60 in 3 seconds these bikes are pretty fast!
And the rider's skirt woud look so good fluttering in that wind!
That was just mean. Funny as hell, but mean.

Yes....Hells Angels probably aren't the likely demographic for this bike...

July 19, 2019, 10:39 AM

HRK

quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
But, as you are well aware, if those guys run short on petrol, they simply swing through any number of fuel stations on their way and spend maybe two minutes fueling up. Then they're home eating dinner before the Livewire is even 1/3 recharged, assuming its owner can find a fast charge hook up.

I also find it interesting that a few of the "younger" guys I know that would likely be part of the target demo for this bike look with a bit of disdain on the Harley brand and its owners. So I don't think the Livewire is going to sell any better based upon the HD on the tank.

True, just pointing out the similarity in riding hard, gas or electric, the range decreases. E cars/bikes all have the same issue of range and recharge times as well as access to charging stations.

If E bikes are the future as some here thing E cars are the future, either from restrictions on fossel fuel vehicles, consumer demand, whatever then all manufacturers will have to start sometime.

You'd be surprised how many people buy into the brand because of the brand. HD's brand is the draw, you don't see people with Kawasaki tat's very often do you LOL.

Millineals like Tats
HD Tats are Cool
ie Millineals with money get HD tats
Then they get e-Bikes

Zero has a good bike that nobody knows about, HD now has one, everyone will know about, I hope they do well.

Agree though $30k seems high but then again HD bikes are not known for being inexpensive.

July 19, 2019, 11:40 AM

Aglifter

OK, so I'm probably about in the demographic they are aiming for.

Upper-middle class professional.
Late 30s.
Tesla owner (and an old pick up.).

I like riding bicycles, and I'm interested in motorcycles.

At their price point, I can easily buy an Indian Chieftain, or any BMW, or some sex-on-wheels Japanese/Italian Sport bikes.

Might even fit a few. (I'm 6'4", so the BMW and the Indian are probably the better fit.)

The thing is, Tesla offers a cheaper cost of ownership and incredible performance. I bought it because of the speed, and the comfort. The lower cost than what I usually bought, helped.

I think Harley would be better off trying to improve the performance and reliability of their bikes, and their image.

I have NO desire to be that asshole, with loud pipes, trying to force everyone to look at him, especially not the one revving his engine late at night, in town, or driving through a residential neighborhood.

It could be my cohort/could be that most of my friends are military or lawyers, but no one I know is looking to "identify" themselves with their hobbies. To me, failures become worked up about being yogis, or bikers, or bicyclists, etc. Functional people just happen to be into motorcycles, or yoga, or bicycling.

July 19, 2019, 11:48 AM

Sigmanic

quote:
Originally posted by Aglifter:
OK, so I'm probably about in the demographic they are aiming for.

Upper-middle class professional.
Late 30s.
Tesla owner (and an old pick up.).

I like riding bicycles, and I'm interested in motorcycles.

At their price point, I can easily buy an Indian Chieftain, or any BMW, or some sex-on-wheels Japanese/Italian Sport bikes.

Might even fit a few. (I'm 6'4", so the BMW and the Indian are probably the better fit.)

The thing is, Tesla offers a cheaper cost of ownership and incredible performance. I bought it because of the speed, and the comfort. The lower cost than what I usually bought, helped.

I think Harley would be better off trying to improve the performance and reliability of their bikes, and their image.

I have NO desire to be that asshole, with loud pipes, trying to force everyone to look at him, especially not the one revving his engine late at night, in town, or driving through a residential neighborhood.

It could be my cohort/could be that most of my friends are military or lawyers, but no one I know is looking to "identify" themselves with their hobbies. To me, failures become worked up about being yogis, or bikers, or bicyclists, etc. Functional people just happen to be into motorcycles, or yoga, or bicycling.

Do you wear skirts?

July 19, 2019, 11:55 AM

Sigmanic

As someone mentioned before, I can see this model being attractive as a commuter bike. Short runs, cruising around town, charging daily. Whether the target buyers will step up and pay 30 grand for a commuter bike remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see how Harley's attempt at adaptation to changing markets and demographics will be accepted. It's definitely a departure.