News: Harley-Davidson Electric Motorcycle Coming in 2019

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Making a Future Move

Harley-Davidson, purveyor of classic American two-wheel rides, is planning to introduce an electric motorcycle in the next 18 months. Amidst declining sales and an aging-out of its core customer base, the company told the Milwaukee Business Journal it is looking to the future as it closes a Kansas City, MO, plant and consolidates production in York, PA.

Zero Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson will be up against established electric bike makers like Zero Motorcycles

The new model would likely be based on the LiveWire concept that debuted in 2014. Its motor put out about 74 horsepower and 56 pounds-feet of torque, good for a 0-60 time of about four seconds. Electric motors are good at providing instant torque, without gear changes.

The LiveWire’s 50-mile range would likely be an issue. However, with today’s more advanced battery technology, a range of around 100 miles could help sell the new product to environmentally conscious motorcycle enthusiasts. An electric motorcycle would be best-suited for commuting and local travel, rather than cross-country touring. We’ll have to see if the new bike comes with DC fast-charging capability, which would make it easier to take off on longer trips.

Harley-Davidson,LiveWire,electric motorcycle,electric bike
Harley makes an electric move

So much of the riding experience of a motorcycle is the sound and feel of the engine, meaning the new buyer would likely not be from the traditional pool of enthusiasts. Brands such as Zero Motorcycles already offer electric two-wheelers, but H-D is large enough to make an impact in the marketplace with its established dealer network.

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Two Wheels Get Electric

Zero Motorcycles at WAJ Media Day

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Steve Schaefer

Steve Schaefer is Micromobility Editor and plug-in vehicle specialist at Clean Fleet Report. He has written a weekly automotive column for almost three decades, testing more than 1,300 cars. Now, he’s focusing on EVs and plug-in hybrids. Steve remembers the joy of riding in his father’s Austin-Healey. After discovering the August, 1963 issue of Motor Trend, he became entranced with the annual model change, and began stalking dealers’ back lots to catch the new models as they rolled off the transporter. Coming from a family that owned three Corvairs, Steve was one of the first Saturn buyers, earning him a prominent spot in their 1994 product catalog. Steve had a Chevrolet Bolt EV and now drives a Fiat 500e. A founding member of the Western Automotive Journalists, Steve is a Climate Reality Leader, trained by Al Gore. Read his EV/green living blog at Stevegoesgreen.
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