Motorcycles

Rebranded Livewire electric motorcycle rides out with cheaper price tag

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The Livewire One officially launches at IMS North California on July 18
Livewire
The Livewire One comes with the same 15.5-kWh battery and 105-hp motor as Harley-Davidson's original Livewire, but now wears spin-out branding
Livewire
Plugging into a DC fast charger can juice the battery from 0-100 percent in an hour, or to 80 percent in 45 minutes
Livewire
The Livewire One loses the orange and olive color options, now available in white or black only
Livewire
The 105-hp Revelation powertrain offers a top speed of 110 mph
Livewire
Harley-Davidson spun out the Livewire brand back in May, and the One is the first release to sport the new name
Livewire
The Livewire One officially launches at IMS North California on July 18
Livewire
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After spinning out its Livewire electric motorcycle project into its own standalone brand earlier this year, Harley-Davidson has revealed the first model to wear the new name. The Livewire One only really comes with one surprise, a significantly lower starting price.

Harley-Davidson first revealed its plans for an electric motorcycle way back in 2014, with a Project Livewire Experience tour taking in dealerships in the US to gauge interest and offer riders the chance to take a prototype for a spin.

A production-ready Livewire was launched at EICMA in 2018, followed my a CES appearance in Las Vegas early the following year – together with two ebike concepts – before going on sale in the middle of 2019 for a whopping US$29,799. Key specs included a 15.5-kWh battery for 146 miles (235 km) of per-charge city range or 70 miles (113 km) on the highway, a 105-hp (78-kW) motor producing 86 lb.ft (116 Nm) of torque, standstill to 60 mph (0-98 km/h) in three seconds, and a top speed of 110 mph (177km/h).

October 2020 saw the ebike idea spin out into its own company with a first look at the Serial 1 prototype, officially launching as four pricey models a month later. Then the Livewire electric motorcycle spun out into its own brand in May of this year. And the first ride to wear the new branding is the Livewire One.

The Livewire One comes with the same 15.5-kWh battery and 105-hp motor as Harley-Davidson's original Livewire, but now wears spin-out branding
Livewire

The spec sheet appears to be a carbon copy of the Harley Livewire, and other than the new logo and black or white color options only, the look of the One also follows familiar lines. But what is markedly different is the launch price of $21,999, before federal tax credits, representing a significant reduction on the original moto.

The sales model is also a little different. Initially, there will be only 12 brand dealers concentrated in California, New York and Texas – though other locations are expected to be added in the (Northern Hemisphere) fall. A "state-of-the-art Livewire brand experience gallery" is also due to open toward the end of the year, though there's no mention of where that might be.

As well as the in-person retail experience, buyers are also being invited to head online and configure their dream ride via an interactive bike builder – with a bunch of optional accessories on offer. A new mobile app is also available to do the same while on the move.

The Livewire One is expected to debut at IMS North California on July 18, but is up for order in the US now. International market availability will follow in 2022. The video below has more.

Source: Livewire

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6 comments
guzmanchinky
I think it's great that they are pushing into these new areas. Watching "Long Way Up" convinced me that electric is still a bit off for an adventure bike, but perfect for bopping around urban areas.
BlueOak
Cool stuff. And that they didn’t design the guts to look like a boring melted ice cream bar - it shows various bits and pieces. Price gradually coming down to earth - at least for a premium bike.

And a promo video, that while loaded with music, also includes a few moments of what at least appear to be authentic product sound track! Good to see the folks involved in the project highlighted in the video as well.
Mac
Of course it will come with a 100 decibel speaker system blasting Harley engine sounds so it's just as ridiculously annoying as other Harleys. Motorcycles can be as quiet as cars but many owners prefer to be annoying. Miles away.
wolf0579
Harley deserves to die in their own waste products. Overpriced crap for over fifty years.
David V
This is really good news. I've ridden this bike and it's fantastic. Only the high price tag has stopped me from looking seriously thinking of buying one. It's perfect for the urban ride. Glad to see the Moco going this direction.
It's so asy to ride and so quiet. Totally silent when started but sounds like a Star Wars fighter at speed. And @BlueOak - yes it looks and feels like a motorcycle - a gutsy motorcycle.
I agree that many Harley riders add unnecessary loud pipes but don't blame Harley for that. But not this one and this bike will not come with any speaker system either. It's a real new departure.
ljaques
Cops will like these. At least the public won't be able to hear the cyclist outrun the siren every single time. But the prices. Jeeze, Louise!