Harley-Davidson LiveWire: electric revolution / revelation [ROAD TEST]

year of production 1903. In a garage of Milwaukee , in Wisconsin, a small group of kids made up of William Silvester Harley, Arthur Davidson and his brothers, after a first failed attempt creates the first, true Harley-Davidson: essentially a bicycle with a reinforced frame equipped with a 405 cc single-cylinder engine. Since that day the American brand has come a long way (in every sense, with millions of motorbikes traveling on the roads all over the world) focusing on the famous V-Twin with unmistakable characteristics: metallic roar, a real trademark, and "good vibrations". But today the story has changed. The American house enters the electric motorcycle market forcefully with an ambitious goal: to become a leader in the sector. He does this by presenting a means at the top for performance and equipment: the new one Live Wire, the first of a future range of zero-emission motorcycles, loses those distinctive features, but it absolutely remains Harley-Davidson and gives us strong but silent emotions. Let's discover it together in this test ride!

Muscular but streamlined aesthetics

With its unique and modern look, but with a strong Harley-Davidson identity (we also see something of Buell), the LiveWire attracts a lot of attention. All the details have been expertly studied and the design is harmonious and refined. In the side view the bike is massive and muscular: the prominent element, in plain sight behind the new aluminum frame, is certainly the Revelation engine, positioned low and dominated byimposing lithium battery equipped with a casing with side fins, which resemble those of endothermic engines and contribute to heat dissipation. In front and rear viewsInstead, the appearance changes completely: the bike appears narrow and slender, thanks to elements such as the fake tank, above which we find the charging socket cap, and the very small tail, with the opening saddle that houses the power supply for the home network. The sample under test sports the tank and fairing Orange Fuse color, which creates a pleasant contrast with the black of the other components. As for the lighting sector, the light clusters are entirely LED, with stop and rear direction indicators positioned on the license plate holder. A large mudguard is attached to the latter (perhaps removable?) which almost entirely hides the rubber: a solution that is certainly functional, but which did not impress us from an aesthetic point of view.

Top technology

The technological equipment of the LiveWire is the most complete ever developed by the Milwaukee company: the motorbike is equipped, in fact, with one 6-axis inertial platform which allows you to precisely control all parameters even when styling. This allowed to implement the advanced RDRS driving aid package (Reflex Defensive Rider System) to the full advantage of safety: we have traction control and ABS, both of the cornering type, drive torque management system, anti-wheelie and anti-lifting of the rear wheel when braking.

Everything can be kept under control via the 4,3 inch TFT touch screen, can also be used with gloves, but only with the motorbike stopped, adjustable in inclination and clearly visible even in conditions of high ambient brightness. The display shows us all the information relating to the state of the motorbike, such as autonomy, battery percentage and riding style, and is Bluetooth connectivity is present to connect your smartphone by installing the dedicated HD Connect app. This allows us to view trip information directly on the motorbike screen, with turn-by-turn navigation, and check remotely vehicle position (located with GPS) and numerous other parameters.

Once in motion, the system is managed via two joysticks on the handlebar blocks, which integrate all the controls relating to lights and riding mode, 7 available of which 4 are preset and 3 are fully customizable:

• Rain (Rain), which maximizes traction and safety on low-grip surfaces, increasing control intervention, cutting power and reducing engine braking;
• Road (Road), a good mix between performance and consumption;
• Sport, to be used with caution, with controls reduced to a minimum and the 105 HP and 116 Nm available instantly as soon as you touch the throttle knob;
• Range (Autonomy): in our opinion the most appropriate driving mode, softens the delivery to avoid unnecessary peaks in battery consumption and maximizes engine braking to promote energy regeneration (system Res)

Finally 3 Custom maps, called A, B and C, fully customizable by the pilot.

cycling

The LiveWire is equipped with a new aluminum frame coupled with effective ones Showa suspension fully adjustable: the Fork is a SFF Big Piston with 43 mm upside down stems, while the monoshock a BFRC. The system works well in all conditions although, due to the rather sporty calibration, on uneven surfaces the response is a bit dry. Braking is guaranteed by an effective Brembo branded braking system, with two discs from 300 mm at the front bitten by monobloc calipers with 4 pistons and radial connection, while al back we find a disk from 260 mm and two piston caliper. The tires, in sizes 120/70 and 180/55 mounted on 17-inch rims, are Michelin Scorcher Sport specially developed for Harley-Davidson and are valid on the road. This is also thanks to the refined electronic controls, which optimally manage the high power and torque values ​​and correct any driver errors. Better, however, not to overdo it to avoid exceeding the limit of the tyres, which are sporty but still have a road compound.

 Revelation electric motor, battery, charging mode

Revelation: this is the name of the beating heart of the LiveWire, a liquid-cooled permanent magnet electric motor incredible performance. His 105 CV of power ei 116 Nm of torque are available at 0 rpm and give away accelerations perhaps comparable only to the latest generation super sports bikes with over 200 HP: in numbers, from 0 to 100 km / h in 3 seconds, from 100 to 130 km/h in 1,9 seconds, with a sound unique, a characteristic hiss that rapidly increases in frequency, reminiscent of a plane taking off. Completely at odds with the dark roar of the V-Twin, but unexpectedly exciting.

La full speed it is, however, self-limited to 177 km/h. Power is provided by 15,5 kWh high voltage lithium ion battery (guaranteed by the house for 5 years with unlimited mileage) which it can be recharged from a normal domestic socket or via Fast Charge columns direct current. The first option, called Level 1, allows you to earn 15 km of autonomy per hour connection (same times for alternating current columns), while using rapid DC they're just enough 40 minutes to go from 0 to 80% of battery e one hour for full charge. It should be noted that Harley-Davidson recommends performing a Fast Charge every three “slow” charges, this is in order to prolong the life of the battery.

Despite the very high performance, the zero-emission engine it does not need maintenance periodic: a truly interesting aspect that electric vehicles have in common. On the LiveWire the only components subject to wear are, in fact, the braking system, tires and drive belt.

Road test

We immediately get on the saddle, a really easy operation given theheight from the ground of only 78 cm. Thanks to low center of gravity and to aexcellent weight distributionFurthermore, you have full control even when stationary, despite the 249 kg in running order. The handlebar-saddle-footpeg triangulation is good: the position is comfortable and relaxed even if the arms are a little too extended, especially for those who, like me, are not tall. The motorbike also offers the possibility of carrying a passenger, even if the saddle not particularly soft e the absence of grips they only make short trips in pairs preferable.

Gripping the handlebars you immediately realize that something is missing: being a single gear, the LiveWire has no clutch lever. The gear shift pedal is also absent, while the brake controls are positioned on the right side, like a "traditional" motorbike. Speaking of brakes, shame about the lack of a wheel locking system (a handbrake): it would have been useful for securing the motorcycle once parked on the side stand, especially on a slope.

But let's get to the point: thanks to keyless system just press the On button to turn on the display and make it immediately available Revelation engine (never a name could have been more appropriate), which emits a noise when the bike is stopped slight pulsation similar to a heartbeat. By rotating the accelerator the "magic" begins: the first "open" accelerations literally leave you breathless. There's no messing around with LiveWire: starting and resuming are crazy, the brutality with which one is thrown forward is impressive, especially in Sport mode. The driving dynamics are excellent, probably the best I've ever experienced on a Harley-Davidson, with rapid direction changes and a slight tendency to understeer. You can really have fun on mixed terrain, thanks to the excellent chassis and refined electronic controls; only the braking, although high level, could have been a bit more incisive, perhaps with a nice front radial pump equipped with an adjustable lever. As for the mappings, the most appropriate for a city ​​use, the area for which the electric naked was designed, they definitely are Rain e Range: the first allows you to overcome even the most slippery surfaces such as cobblestones without risk, while the second maximizes energy recovery during the deceleration phases, to the benefit of autonomy.

Finally, let's talk about consumption: the house declares a mileage of 235 km in the city need 152 in the combined cycle (city/highway) on a single charge. From our test ride we, However, found a maximum autonomy of approximately 180 km, good for urban use, but not sufficient for trips out of town, unless you plan the journey based on the charging stations.

Price and fittings

With top performance and equipment, the price of the LiveWire certainly couldn't be within everyone's reach: the revolutionary electric Harley-Davidson costs, in fact, well 34.200 € for the black version Vivid Black e 34.400 € in Yellow and Orange Fuse colors (the one in our test). The price could rise further if you choose to personalize it with various aesthetic accessories, which will be presented shortly, and will allow owners to make it even more exclusive.

 What we like and what we don't about the new Harley-Davidson LiveWire

Finally, what we liked and what we didn't like about the new LiveWire.

We were pleasantly impressed by the performance, with breathtaking acceleration and recovery: there really isn't any for anyone at the traffic lights. Furthermore, plus points are agility e dynamic driving, the technological equipment at the top and the absence of maintenance of the Revelation engine.

Against the absence of the gearbox and the sound, however particular, make it worthwhile in the long run drives a little monotonous. A system of handbrake it would certainly have been useful, especially on slopes Autonomy is limiting for trips out of town, with the constraint of charging stations, and the pricefinally he is very tall.

Would you like to try the new LiveWire? It will be enough for you book a test ride at this link to live emotions…Electrifying!

Used helmet: Scorpion EXO Covert-X

Photo: Lorenzo VE Bellini