2021 Harley-Davidson LiveWire Review

The electric revolution is coming, and the Harley-Davidson LiveWire could be the first legitimate glimpse at what the future might look like.

But take the electric factor away for a moment, and you’ll quickly realise that the LiveWire is a bloody good motorcycle on its own merits. In fact, it is better than good – it is great. Well, almost.

Let’s not beat around the bush – the LiveWire has limited battery range, takes time to charge, and will cost you an arm and a leg. But there is something about this electric bike that gives me hope that an emission-free world won’t be so bad, and it starts with the blistering performance that is like nothing else I’ve experienced.

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The LiveWire is a pioneer in electric motorcycling. First touted way back in 2014, and finally released in 2020, the LiveWire is arguably the first road-going electric motorcycle from a major manufacturer. Sure, there have been electric scooters and electric dirt bikes before, but this was the first production two-wheeler focused on high-end, road-going performance.

Of course, the H-D faithful were up in arms, and the rest of the motorcycling world were perplexed at this radical move from the 118-year-old company. But the Milwuakee firm stuck to its guns and delivered a very fine example of an electric motorcycle.

It's no secret that other brands are working frantically behind closed doors on a variety of electric products, but H-D was the first to dip its toes in the icy cold waters of the post internal combustion world.

Now the firm is ready to take it a step further. The LiveWire has been transformed into a stand-alone brand that will utilise H-D’s resources, but operate separately. As a result, the bike we are now testing is the first and last Harley-branded LiveWire. From 2022, the bike will become known as the LiveWire One under the LiveWire banner. Collectors, take that as a heads up.

You could say that Harley-Davidson (and now LiveWire) are doing for motorcycling what Tesla did for cars all those years ago. It has created a product that is making people take notice. Sure, Zero blazed a path for electric motorcycling, but H-D is taking it to the masses.

It certainly wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the LiveWire is the best example of an electric motorcycle we have seen so far, and it also stands up as a quality bike regardless of what powers it.

So, let’s talk about that performance I mentioned earlier. Given we try to avoid profanity on this website, I won’t say what really came to mind when I first opened the throttle, but let’s just say that this bike is mind-blowing.

Of all the fast motorcycles I’ve ridden, I’m confident the LiveWire sits right at the pointy end of the list. Seriously, this bike is lightning fast (no pun intended).

According to Harley, the LiveWire punches out power figures of 105hp (78kW) and 116Nm. These figures are made possible by the Harley-Davidson Revelation electric motor and a 15.5kWh battery.

On the surface, those figures don’t seem outstanding, but the nature of electric motors is that all of the torque is available instantly. Of course, this means exceptional acceleration, but it also means a linear power curve that offers the same torque right through the…err…rev range. So whether you’re cruising along a 50km/h road, or blasting down a 100km/h freeway, you can be sure that there is power available when you need it.

And believe me when I say it is an otherworldly experience. From a standing start, the LiveWire will accelerate to 100km/h in just 3 seconds, plus it will go from 100km/h to 130km/h in 1.9 seconds. The result kind of reminds me of Star Wars when the Millennium Falcon enters into hyperspace. You feel like you’re being sucked into a vortex, and it’s important you grip those bars tight. The other issue is the permanent grin that it will leave on your face.

But don’t be fooled – despite the blistering acceleration and speed, the LiveWire is a very rideable and manageable bike. The power is smooth and the electronic safety features help keep you in check. That said, I certainly wouldn’t put an inexperienced rider on it.

I heard another journalist say that the LiveWire’s power delivery is pretty much everything we aspire for in a motorcycle, and I think that’s pretty accurate. If it wasn’t for some of the electric limitations such as range, price, and charging, the LiveWire could possibly be the perfect motorcycle.

Designed as a sort of hybrid between a streetfighter and a power cruiser, the LiveWire also handles better than any Harley before it. The adjustable front and rear Showa suspension does a fine job, although I’d be inclined to make quick use of that adjustment – especially for the shock.

The LiveWire doesn’t quite handle like a sportsbike or naked bike, but it does tip from side to side very easily and holds a steady line through corners. Given it weighs about 251kg (thanks to that enormous battery), the agility and cornering ability are surprisingly good. You really only notice the weight when you’re moving it around the shed.

A big complaint about electric bikes is the lack of sound, but contrary to popular belief, the LiveWire is not exactly silent. From take-off it makes a subtle whirring noise, but when you open the throttle, that whir turns into a fighter jet-like scream. It sounds great, and while the LiveWire is still extremely quiet compared to any internal combustion bike, the noise was enough to keep me satisfied.

And at a standstill, there is something blissful about sitting there with only the sounds around you in your ear. Ever since riding the LiveWire, I am now kind of annoyed by engine noise when I pull up at the lights. Some people are afraid they’ll miss the noise of ICE vehicles, but trust me when I say you get used to the idea of silence very quickly.

Elsewhere, the LiveWire is very well-equipped. We’ve already mentioned the battery, motor, and Showa suspension, but you can add Brembo stoppers, ABS, traction control, cruise control, programmable ride modes, Michelin rubber, and a 4.3-inch colour TFT dash to that list.

The electronics are superb and offer plenty of information and customisation. As well as four standard ride modes, the LiveWire also has three custom ride modes which allow you to select a combination of traction, throttle and regenerative braking settings. Interestingly, you can only unlock the bikes full power potential by using a custom mode.

Regenerative braking is a handy feature that will become increasingly common as more electric motorcycles surface. It is basically a form of engine braking that converts kinetic energy to help extend the battery range. In the simplest terms, it charges the bike when you roll off the throttle or hit the brakes. The regen braking is much more abrupt that a standard road-going motorcycle’s engine braking, but you can reduce its effects manually or via the switchable ride modes.

If I was to end this story here, then you’d just about call the LiveWire a near-perfect motorcycle. But despite the coming electric revolution, there is still plenty of puzzles to solve and work to do – and sadly, the LiveWire is not immune.

Let’s start with battery range. Harley-Davidson claims a maximum city range of 235km, but this is largely wishful thinking. In reality, a result of around 150-160km is more achievable, but that is at a pretty sedate pace. If you really want to push the bike and experience its full potential, then you’ll be happy to get 100km out of the battery.

As a commuter, the range is excellent – nobody is doing more than 150km of city riding in a single day. But the LiveWire is far too expensive and far too powerful to be considered a viable commuter. This is a bike that begs you to hit the twisties and have fun, but when you get outside the city limits, the dreaded range anxiety begins to set in.

As an electric bike, the battery range isn’t too bad. But all electric bikes suffer from charging times and lack of infrastructure. If you’re running low on petrol after 150km, you simply find a fuel station and fill up. You can’t do that with an electric bike. And even as the charging infrastructure gets better, there is still the issue of charging times to be solved.

The LiveWire takes about 12 hours (or overnight) to get a full charge from a standard Level 1 home power outlet. A Level 3 DC fast charger, however, will do the job in just one hour. That is quick, but still not even close to a quick splash and dash at the petrol station. You might be able to find a fast charger on your route, but you’ll have to wait anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour for it to charge. And that is assuming there is no one queued up in front of you.

The charging cable/plug itself is stored under the seat, while the charging port is where the fuel cap would normally be. The design of both the seat storage and the charging port cover are a little clunky, but they are two of very few complaints about the actual build of the bike itself.

I don’t want to get too negative about the range and charging dilemma, because those issues will no doubt be improved in the coming years. But the fact is that the LiveWire is currently limited in its intended applications. That would be bearable, if it wasn’t for the huge price tag.

At $49,995 ride away, the LiveWire is one of the most expensive motorcycles currently on the market. This is likely due to the complexity of building an electric motorcycle – especially one with as much performance as this – but it is still out of reach for most of us.

Notably, the upcoming LiveWire One (basically a rebadged Harley LiveWire) will be released in America with a price tag of $21,999USD. That is significantly cheaper than the Harley-branded version, giving us hope for affordable high-performance electric bikes in the future.

And it’s important to remember that you’ll save money on fuel, oil, and engine servicing, and you’ll be helping to create a more environmentally-friendly future. But the question remains – who will actually buy the Harley-Davidson LiveWire?

I imagine that this first electric bike from H-D will become somewhat of a collector’s item. Those with deep pockets might see it as a good companion to their flash car, boat or jetski, while some might want to store one away in case its value increases somewhere in the future. Outside of that, however, potential buyers might be hard to find.

But my theory is that H-D never intended to sell the LiveWire in high volumes. Instead, it is more of a statement from a company that has specialised in big American V-twins for 118 years. Electric motorcycles are the future whether we like it or not, and H-D decided to get on the front foot.

In a sense, it is a brilliant move. The LiveWire has helped thrust the struggling company back into the limelight by igniting conversation and by its dazzling performance. Featuring in

There is no question that electric motorcycling has its flaws at present, but that is sure to change. And despite its limitations, the LiveWire is the type of bike that will leave you grinning for days.

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is like no other motorcycle I’ve ridden before. It is fast, agile, and super high-tech. Sure, it may not be the most practical machine at this particular time, but if this is what the future looks like, then I for one am very excited.

Specs: 2021 Harley-Davidson LiveWire

MOTOR AND CHARGING
Type: Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Cooling: Water
Battery: Lithium Ion 12.8V
Charging: Onboard DC to DC
Charge range: City 235km, combined 158km

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 105hp (76kW)
Claimed maximum torque: 117Nm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Single speed
Final drive: Belt

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Cast aluminium
Front suspension: 43mm Showa upside-down fork, fully adjustable, 115mm travel
Rear suspension: Showa shock, fully adjustable, 115mm travel
Front brake: 300mm discs with Brembo radial mount four-piston calipers
Rear brake: Disc with twin-piston caliper
Wheels: Five-spoke cast aluminium
Tyres: Michelin Scorcher Sport – 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Trail: 108mm
Rake: 24.5 degrees
Claimed on-road weight: 251kg
Seat height: 780mm (unladen)
Wheelbase: 1490mm

OTHER STUFF
Price: $49,995
Local distributor: Harley-Davidson Australia
Warranty: Five years (battery)