Biker Report

News and More for Motorcycle Riders

You are here: Home / Archives for News

News

The Future Has Arrived: Meet the Harley Davidson LiveWire 2019

By Leave a Comment

Adoption of electric vehicles is on the rise. One-third of Americans are expected to own an electric vehicle within a decade. They’re driven by a desire to help the environment and eliminate paying for gas.

Not to be left behind, motorcycle manufacturers are answering the call for electric vehicle (EV) demand. The latest rumor is that Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki are collaborating to create an electric motorcycle standard.

But right now it’s Harley-Davidson’s turn to enter the EV spotlight with what will be the iconic brand’s first-ever electric motorcycle: the LiveWire. Expected to arrive at dealerships starting in August 2019, the powerful little bike may be Harley’s biggest gamble.

Here’s what we know so far about the Harley-Davidson LiveWire.

Basic Features

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is an electric motorcycle that has amazing power, commendable traveling range, and mobile phone connectivity. Here’s a break down of all of its basic features.

Performance

The LiveWire is not stingy when it comes to speed. With a twist of the handlebar, you can go from 0 to 60 mph in an asphalt blistering three seconds. This is due to its permanent magnet electric motor which produces 100 percent of its own torque within nanoseconds.

Want to take it higher, from 60 to 80 mph? That takes just 1.9 seconds more, which means you can merge onto a highway and cruise the speed limit in mere seconds.

There’s no clutch and no gears to sift through. The simple single-speed transmission has a short learning curve, especially for motorcycle newbies.

Battery Life

On a full charge, LiveWire will take you up to 140 miles on city streets. You’ll travel about 88 miles if you combine city and highway driving. This is an improvement over the original 110 miles reported for the traveling range.

Charge it with a standard household outlet (provided you leave it plugged in overnight) or by using a compatible Level 2 or 3 charging station. A public charging station will fully juice the battery up in an hour or give you 80% capacity in 40 minutes.

This Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) runs on lithium-ion cells protected by an aluminum casing. Lift up the seat to find the recharging plug. A separate 12-volt lithium battery supplies power to the lights, instrument display, and horn.

Riding Features

The LiveWire is lightweight with an aluminum frame that delivers nimble handling. You also get an adjustable Showa suspension—just dial it up or down depending upon road conditions and your personal preferences.

The riding position is a little more forward than on traditional Harleys. The handlebar position is upright while your feet sit at mid-body.

An Electronic Chassis Control (ECC) system manages an anti-lock braking system, traction control system, and drag-torque slip control system. These features all help minimize slippage and enable you to navigate corners with confidence.

The bike comes standard with 17″ Michelin Scorcher Sport tires that enhance the riding experience.

Technology and Mobile Connectivity

This is also a highly connected bike. LiveWire offers H-D Connect service, which delivers info to your mobile device via an app. You’ll know how many miles are left on your current charge and the progress of your battery’s charging.

Most importantly, H-D Connect sends security alerts to owners if their bike has been moved or bumped. It will show you the GPS location of your bike and help you locate public charging stations.

The LiveWire features a liquid crystal touchscreen dashboard. The display can be customized to play music, provide turn-by-turn navigation, and more.

Color Options and Price

The LiveWire will be available in three color options: orange fuse, yellow fuse, and vivid black. Harley is currently planning custom accessories such as a speed screen blade and hand and foot controls.

The starting price is $29,799. This is on the higher end compared to other electric motorcycle brands such as Fuell Motorcycle Company (ironically started by Eric Buell, the man behind H-D’s subsidiary company Buell Motorcycle Company.) By comparison, Fuell’s main model, the Flow, is expected to be priced at just under $11,000.

What Does it Sound Like?

One of the LiveWire’s most polarizing qualities is sure to be the sound of the engine. While this machine’s sporty style calls to mind Buell’s models, the bike doesn’t sound anything like a gasoline-powered Harley-Davidson.

Instead, the LiveWire’s engine has a futuristic wind-up whine to it, making it sound more like a vehicle from a Star Wars or other science fiction movie. Harley purists who love a motorcycle’s deep throttling will probably be turned off by the distinctive sound.

But the company is also willing to bet that the bike will appeal to a whole new demographic of riders who previously weren’t interested in the brand. These customers weren’t raised on hogs. They’re also more open to embracing the physical attributes that come with modern technology.

Harley is promoting the lack of eardrum-shattering exhaust as a good thing, with the tagline “The loudest sound you’ll hear will be your heart racing.”

And if you want to imagine that you’re fleeing storm troopers through Endor’s forests, this bike can fulfill that fantasy for you.

How Soon Can I Get It?

Expect the LiveWire to start sweeping in dealerships in August 2019. North America and Western Europe locations will be the first to receive the model; additional markets not specified by H-D will follow.

Right now you can sign up for email alerts about the LiveWire at the Harley-Davidson website, or locate a dealer near you where you can pre-order one.

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire: Game Changer or Gamble?

Harley-Davidson is willing to take a risk with this bike. Its U.S. sales were down 10% in 2018, marking the fourth consecutive year of lukewarm profits. Can the LiveWire turn things around for the American motorcycle manufacturer?

The Pros and Cons of Owning a LiveWire

There are pros and cons to owning this bike. The motorcycle is quick, responsive, lightweight, and easy to maintain. Without spark plugs, engine oil, clutch, air filter, and a primary drive, the cost of maintaining the motorcycle is cheaper than caring for a gas-run bike.

The motorcycle can tell you via a mobile app how much mileage is left on the battery’s charge, and if someone is tampering with the vehicle. Plus the bike has a sporty stance that makes it look ready for action.

Negatives include the hefty price, particularly when you can purchase other electric motorcycles or gasoline powered ones for a fraction of the $30,000 price tag.

Also, the H-D Connect service is free for only the first year of ownership. After that time frame is up, LiveWire owners will have to pay a subscription fee to keep the service active. As of this writing, the Harley-Davidson site doesn’t specify how much that will cost.

Then there’s the love-it-or-hate-it sound of the engine which is unlike anything you’ve heard on a hog before. Those who are new to riding motorcycles may find the unique turbine-like whine really cool, while traditionalists will be turned off by it.

And although 140 miles of battery life is more than enough range for daily commuting and local trips, this bike probably isn’t suitable for long distance motorcycle trips. That is unless your route gives you access to public charging stations.

It’s obvious, however, that the company is hoping to appeal to younger and newer motorcycle enthusiasts who never considered owning a Harley-Davidson before.

If you’re unsure if the LiveWire is right for you, we suggest carefully weighing the pros and cons and exploring options from other bike companies.

For Harley-Davidson, the LiveWire is Just the Beginning

Whether the LiveWire is a boom or bust for Harley-Davidson, one thing’s for certain: this model is just the first of many for the motorcycle maker.

Harley’s research and development facility in Silicon Valley is where LiveWire was born—in 2014, under the name Project LiveWire. And there are currently more electric models being built and tested at the plant.

Harley has photos of two such unnamed bikes on its website. The plan is that these electric vehicles will be operated without a motorcycle license. There’s no clutch and no shifting required for either concept vehicle.

The company will also be installing Level 3 chargers at its dealers that will carry the LiveWire. This means they’re serious about a commitment to making and showcasing future electric motorcycles.

It appears that Harley-Davidson, with the introduction of the LiveWire, has its eyes firmly planted on the future and the growing popularity of electric vehicles.

Learn More About New Motorcycle Models

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire marks an exciting new phase in the brand’s century-old history. We’re curious to see how the public reacts to the LiveWire and if it helps boost Harley-Davidson’s sales going forward.

Here at Biker Report we strive to be your authority site on motorcycle news, events, equipment, and more. To stay updated about the newest bike models hitting the market, check out our new models posts.

Erik Buell is Back with Fuell, an Electric Motorcycle Company

By Leave a Comment

Erik Buell is well known for his former company, Buell Motorcycle Company. Buell has now created a new motorcycle company called Fuell. The new electric motorcycle company appears to be a play on the Buell name.

According to Fuell’s website, they’ll be “creating emotion and freedom through innovation.” They plan to create urban-friendly motorcycles. The bikes will, according to them, “[bring] back the pleasure of city riding.”

The History of Buell in Motorcycles

Erik Buell created Buell Motorcycle Company in 1983. As a motorcycle racer, Buell started the company to create racing motorcycles. Buell Motorcycle Company was later acquired by Buell’s former employer and motorcycle powerhouse brand, Harley-Davidson. In 2009, Harley-Davidson shut down the Buell brand.

Following the shutdown, Buell created a new company. He formed Erik Buell Racing (EBR). Going back to his roots, the name company focused on racing motorcycles. That company had mixed success, and according to MCN, eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2015. EBR was acquired in a liquidation auction. The new owner, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, says he’ll “keep it boutique and high performance driven.”

The Origins of Fuell

Buell, the CTO of Fuell, will be joined by two new partners. First is Frédéric Vasseur, a French engineer. He is an award winning racing team manager. Vasseur is the CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG.

The other partner, Francois-Xavier Terny, will serve as CEO of Fuell. According to Bloomberg, Terny is CEO at Vanguard Moto, Inc. and a partner at his own consulting firm, Masaï.

Buell, Vasseur, and Terry describe Fuell’s vision as “[putting] freedom and emotion back into urban travel.” They want to offer rider “something different, innovative, upgradeable and attractive.”

The Motorcycles of Fuell

Fuell plans to start by offering two motorcycles. Both models are electric and aspire to increase “urban mobility.” They hope to increase accessibility to their bikes by keeping prices competitive. Fuell plans to also keep upgradeability, security, and connectivity in mind.

The Fuell Flow

The first model available from Fuell is the Flow. It will be an electric bike with two versions. The first is 11kW. That is the equivalent of a 125cc gasoline engine. The other is a more powerful 35kW that will require a traditional motorcycle license. The Flow starts at $10,995 and will be available in early 2021.

The Fuell Fluid

The second model is more of a traditional electric bicycle. This model features 1kW of power that can deliver a 125-mile range. The Fluid starts at $3,295 and will be available later this year.

This model also has two versions. One version has a top speed of 20mph, and the other tops out at 28mph. Depending on your state’s helmet law, the faster version may require a helmet and/or insurance.

Response to Fuell

Fuell’s offering joins a number of other 2019 entrants to the electric motorcycle market. Their offerings are cheaper than most. They also are helped by having motorcycling veterans as founding partners.

The reception for the motorcycle has been generally positive so far. Motorcyclist reported, “Fuell has a well-functioning, enthusiastic, and experienced team. It’s a good foot to start on.”

The Fuell announcement also comes shortly after the debut of the Harley-Davidson LiveWire. As Forbes said, Buell “strangely seems to shadow Harley once again.”

What do you think of the new offerings from Erik Buell’s new electric motorcycle company? Does Buell have any added power thanks to his previous motorcycle companies? Does Fuell have a chance to make a splash into the electric motorcycle niche? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Top 5 Electric Motorcycle Announcements of 2019

By 1 Comment

It seems every week someone is announcing news about an electric motorcycle. A year or two ago, electric motorcycles were virtually unheard of. They were about as common as flying motorcycles.

Now, tons of companies are releasing their offerings. Most electric motorcycles are coming from new companies. But some old-school players, like Harley-Davidson, are also getting into the market. Let’s recap the offerings that have been announced or updated in the first quarter of 2019.

2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire

Rumbles about this electric bike started in 2014. Harley-Davidson unveiled the concept to the media. They also made public test rides available in the United States, Canada, and Europe. In 2018, they announced the LiveWire was going into production. Then, in Las Vegas at CES, the all-electric motorcycle made its debut.

You are already able to pre-order the Harley-Davidson LiveWire. Its price starts at $29,799. According to Harley-Davidson’s page about the bike, pre-ordered motorcycles will be delivered in August of 2019.

Unlikely previous Harley-Davidson bikes, the electric motor provides instantaneous power. The LiveWire will go 0 to 60 in 3 seconds. But it might not be traditional Harley riders buying this bike. CNET described the bike as an “electric Hail Mary” to attract younger riders.

It is powered by a high-voltage battery with lithium-ion cells. The range will be 140 miles in the city or 88 miles of combined city and highway driving. The battery can be charged overnight using a standard household outlet. A Level 3 (DC Fast Charge) charging station will charge the bike to 80% in 40 minutes or 100% in an hour.

2019 Lightning Strike

Lightning Motorcycles started in 2009 as a Silicon Valley startup. Lightning Motorcycles revealed their first electric motorcycle available for sale. They launched the Lightning Strike in late March of 2019.

The Strike will come in three model options. First is the Strike Standard for $12,998. Next up is the Strike Mid Range at $16,998. The top tier option is the Strike Carbon Edition at $19,998.

The Strike Standard and Mid Range both have less power at 90 hp. They also don’t support Level 3 charging. The Mid Range will have 50% more battery capacity than the Standard. The Standard provides 70-100 miles of ride time. The added battery power on the Mid Range brings it up to 105-150 miles.

The Strike Carbon Edition features an added performance package. It’s also constructed from a carbon fiber body. It adds 30 more hp and brings the top speed from 135 mph to 150 mph. This version offers twice the battery capacity of the Standard. It also adds support for Level 3 charging stations. They will charge the bike to 100% in 35 minutes for a range of 150-200 miles.

You can already make a reservation to purchase the motorcycle on their site. The bike starts at $12,998. A reservation requires a refundable deposit of $500 or $10,000. The more expensive reservation ensures you get one of the first produced. It also comes with all the available options.

Electrek reported a generally positive reception about the Lightning Strike. However, they added that the Strike is “a major step forward in the electric motorcycle industry, but not the paradigm shift that some had anticipated.”

It’s certainly a lot cheaper than the Harley-Davidson LiveWire.

2020 Zero SR/F

Zero Motorcycles has been in the motorcycle business since 2006. They’ve been releasing production electric motorcycles since the early 2010s. They’ve been met with mixed results and reviews. They’ve received some bad press about recalls, quality issues, and lawsuits.

But according to many, their motorcycles have improved substantially over the years. Earlier this year, they announced their newest model, the Zero SR/F. Zero Motorcycles said in their press release that the bike “sets a new standard for premium electric performance.” And it does include a lot more than their previous motorcycles.

The Zero SR/F boasts 110 horsepower, a 124 mph top speed, and a 200-mile range (with an added Power Tank option). Without the Power Tank, the bike will have a range of 161 miles. The bike can charge to 95% in one hour using Level 2 charging.

The standard version of the motorcycle will start at $18,995. A premium version with added accessories is also available starting at $20,995. That price puts it slightly higher than the Lightning Strike, but still far cheaper than Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire.

2021 Fuell Flow

If that wasn’t enough, a big motorcycle player from the past is also starting a new brand. In early March, MCN announced that Erik Buell, of Buell Motorcycles, is starting a new electric motorcycle brand. The brand is Fuell.

Buell formerly started the motorcycle brand of the same name to create racing motorcycles. Buell Motorcycles was eventually acquired by Harley-Davidson. Buell continued to design the Buell motorcycles. Harley-Davidson discontinued the Buell brand in 2009.

The motorcycle Buell will be releasing is the Fuell Flow-1. According to Autoblog, the bike will start around at $10.995. They also say additional information will be available on their website in mid-April of this year.

If the Fuell Flow does indeed remain near that price point, it could be very competitive. It’d be cheaper than all of the offerings from Harley-Davidson, Lightning, Strike, and Zero.

2019 Fly Free Electric Motorcycles

If that wasn’t enough, there is yet another new entrant to the market. Fly Free was founded in 2016. Their goal was to produce a “visually appealing electric motorcycle based on the scrambler models.” They raised over $42,000 on Indiegogo for three different electric motorcycles.

There are vintage looking bikes they’re offering: the Smart Desert, the Smart Old, and the Smart Classic. The bikes will have a top speed of 50 mph, 50-mile range, and a 5 hour charge time. Indiegogo backers pre-ordered their motorcycles for as little as $4,159. The retail prices will start at $6,399.

The Fly Free Smart line of electric bikes are substantially cheaper than others in the news recently. They also offer far less in terms of range, speed, and charging capabilities.

These motorcycles are likely going to targeting a slightly different market. As Electrek reported, “[t]hese aren’t going to be highway-capable rides.” That doesn’t mean it’s not a great option for someone looking to get started with an electric motorcycle.

Electric Motorcycles in 2019

Lots of small and new companies are trying to make a splash with electric motorcycles. Will any of them really take off? Will they take market share from traditional motorcycle brands? Or will they carve out their own niche?

All of those questions are big unknowns right now. Some big players, like Harley-Davidson, are also jumping into the arena. Kawasaki might be working on something, according to Visordown. But others like BMW, Honda, and Yamaha have yet to release anything concrete.

Do you think electric motorcycles have a future? Is it in 2019? Will they replace existing motorcycles or become a new market? Would you ride one? Let us know your thoughts or opinions in the comments.

The Most Expensive Motorcycles Ever Sold at Auction

By Leave a Comment

The price tag on some of the most expensive motorcycles in history often has little to do with how they’re made.

The motorcycle doesn’t need to be from one of the best motorcycle brands in the world. More often than not it has more to do with the bike’s story.

Is a historically-significant event attached to the motorcycle? A famous owner can also turn a bike into an instant collectible.

Some of those who have been lucky enough to get their hands on these instant classics have turned a trip to the auction house into quite a lucrative venture.

And the most expensive motorcycle in the world has never even seen an auction house floor. Lucky for us plenty of other exciting motorcycles have. Let’s look at a few of the most expensive.

[Read more…] about The Most Expensive Motorcycles Ever Sold at Auction

Limited Edition Flying Motorcycle is Real and Available to Order

By 1 Comment

The French automaker, Lazareth, has taken motorcycling to the next level with their flying motorcycle. The new vehicle is part traditional motorcycle and part flying hovercraft. With their new LMV496 flying motorcycle, you won’t be limited to just the open road. Now, you’ll be flying cage-free as well.

[Read more…] about Limited Edition Flying Motorcycle is Real and Available to Order

Ride into the New Year With The 10 Best Motorcycle Buys for 2019

By Leave a Comment

There will be 2 million new riders joining the motorcycle world over the next 10 years. What types of bike are they going for?

It’s official, retro is in. New rides are embracing the lighter and more affordable designs that manufacturers are producing.

These bikes have an old-school cool feel about them.  Think back to when it was about the ride, and not how souped up the engine is, or how much chrome you have.

[Read more…] about Ride into the New Year With The 10 Best Motorcycle Buys for 2019

11 Most Epic Motorcycle Movie Scenes of All Time

By Leave a Comment

There have been more motorcycles in movies than we can count. But only a handful of the scenes have been so epic that we can’t ever forget them.

Some are from old Hollywood classics while others are from modern day blockbusters. There are the ones most memorable for breakneck action sequences. And then there are the ones that are just plain funny.

[Read more…] about 11 Most Epic Motorcycle Movie Scenes of All Time

11 of 2019’s Hottest New Motorcycle Models

By Leave a Comment

Have you been keeping up with motorcycle trends? The motorcycle industry is in an exciting period of flux. Millions of people are riding, including more women than ever before.

Manufacturers are well aware of the need to evolve with the times. This is why they continue to push boundaries with new releases and updated models every year. 2019 will be no exception.

[Read more…] about 11 of 2019’s Hottest New Motorcycle Models