Electrifying Numbers for the 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire
#21
I am bringing a small bottle of used motor oil with me on Friday.
Now I'm thinking about rigging up an oil bottle in my pocket with a hose running down my pant leg so I can place the oil without being seen.
Last edited by VAFish; 08-28-2019 at 04:38 PM.
#22
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Enjoy you test ride.. Artificial vibrations and computer generated engine sounds is nothing like the real thing IMHO..There are plenty of naturally asperated gas powered motorcycles out there that make more torque and horsepower if that is the only thing people want. I got nothing against electric power but to me anyway, it's more of an electric appliance than a true motorcycle. Maybe Harley should build a diesel powered machine ? Plenty of torque there.
In short, they're ALL the "REAL THING". If you don't like the looks, sound, or smell of a given motive source, why, that's on you- tough darts. Physics, Engineering, and Economics will determine what's used for a given application.
Now a little science lesson: electric motors are in the range of 80+% efficient, and have ONE moving part. ICE engines (yes, even diesels) are in the range of 30% efficient-that other 70% is wasted as heat and goes out through the radiator-and have hundreds of moving parts, every one of which has to be individually manufactured and can break.
Electric motors produce torque by passing electric current through a coil (technically called a solenoid) which generates a magnetic field at ALMOST the speed of light (for all practical purposes instantly) and can maintain that pull more or less indefinitely as long as the current continues. No normally aspirated, turbocharged, or supercharged Internal Combustion engine can do, that, not even a diesel. This is why "Diesel Locomotives" are in fact "Diesel-Electric Locomotives", in which diesel engines turn generators which in turn supply current to electric motors to create a magnetic field to produce the kind of torque it takes to move a mile-long freight train from a dead stop.
All that said, electric propulsion is in it's market infancy, and it's ONE and ONLY disadvantage is charging and energy storage (battery) which is improving almost on a daily basis. The day will come (probably sooner that we think) when you'll need a special permit to run an ICE powered vehicle-not necessarily saying that's a good thing-I'm against almost anything that limits choice. Get used to it.
The definition of a motorcycle is a powered vehicle with two wheels. The Livewire most certainly has a motor and it has two wheels, so it is indeed a "true" motorcycle. It's just not to your liking, that's all, and that's fine.
As for the Livewire it's just priced way too high for what it is, and that is going to give it a very hard time succeeding in a market with the likes of Zero.
As for the Livewire it's just priced way too high for what it is, and that is going to give it a very hard time succeeding in a market with the likes of Zero.
Last edited by shorelasHD; 08-28-2019 at 04:51 PM. Reason: typo
#23
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#26
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Interesting vehicle. Electric vehicles are certainly in their infancy and I'm not one to judge the concept based upon what we've seen thus far. At the birth of the automobile many of the same comments were heard from folks who looked at those early vehicles and laughed. Likewise the airplane and I'm not inclined to pile on with a lot of "get a horse" kind of comments.
The numbers I haven't seen yet on the "Livewire" are: how long does the battery last, and what is the cost to replace it.
At this point in the development of the market I doubt anybody really cares what those answers are because folks aren't buying these to actually use extensively but that will have to be answered at some point.
The numbers I haven't seen yet on the "Livewire" are: how long does the battery last, and what is the cost to replace it.
At this point in the development of the market I doubt anybody really cares what those answers are because folks aren't buying these to actually use extensively but that will have to be answered at some point.
#27
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Mattbastard (08-29-2019)
#28
I rode a prototype. It was an extremely fun bike to ride. Most everything on two wheels would be.
At the time of the original Livewire campaign, NOBODY from the MOCO would speculate on the price. However, journalists and dealers were expecting in the high teens or low 20's at the time. I think the industry is shaking their head at the price of the livewire. It's just too much money. Much like their touring line up. I payed 20k for a fully loaded (mostly) FLHTCU in 2010. Expecting to charge more than a small SUV for a proper touring bike or this "experiment into the future" is foolish.
I guess we'll see what the next generation to the next generation of motorcycles brings. Hopefully more miles for WAY less money.
At the time of the original Livewire campaign, NOBODY from the MOCO would speculate on the price. However, journalists and dealers were expecting in the high teens or low 20's at the time. I think the industry is shaking their head at the price of the livewire. It's just too much money. Much like their touring line up. I payed 20k for a fully loaded (mostly) FLHTCU in 2010. Expecting to charge more than a small SUV for a proper touring bike or this "experiment into the future" is foolish.
I guess we'll see what the next generation to the next generation of motorcycles brings. Hopefully more miles for WAY less money.
Last edited by Toe Knee; 08-29-2019 at 06:26 AM.
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