2018 EICMA: Harley-Davidson LiveWire

Four years after Harley-Davidson first revealed its all-electric LiveWire prototype, this week it unveiled the production-ready version at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

While the American brand is still remaining tight-lipped regarding the electric motor's power and range capabilities, the EICMA unveiling has uncovered some previously unknown specifications.

We already knew the mystery powertrain will be employed as a fully-stressed member of the aluminium chassis, but suspension duties have now been confirmed, with Showa's high-spec and fully adjustable Big Piston Separate Function Fork up front matched to the Balanced Free Rear Cushion Lite monoshock at the rear.

Brembo is supplying the braking package, with a pair of ABS-equipped monobloc calipers biting the 300mm front discs.

As well as ABS, the 2020 LiveWire will boast a traction control system – though no word yet as to whether it will be a lean-angle-sensitive system – and the electric motor will offer four switchable pre-set riding modes as well as three customisable options, accessed through the bike's full-colour TFT touchscreen dash.

An extra 12-volt lithium-ion battery will power the lights and instruments, while the main battery (or, as Harley calls it, the Rechargeable Energy Storage System) solely looks after the grunt.

Charging is by way of an inbuilt charger that plugs into a standard wall socket via a cord housed under the seat, or a faster charger can be added as an optional extra.

The LiveWire is expected to be released next year as a 2020 model and, like the battery capabilities, there's still no word on price. Though with battery technology changing so quickly, we wouldn't expect the battery to be in the bike now to be the same unit that will eventually power the LiveWire in 12 months' time.