2019 Harley-Davidson
ELW LiveWire
Harley Shocks The World
THERE’S A BIT OF IRONY IN THE FACT THAT
Harley-Davidson has for many years gone by the title The
Motor Company. Traditionally, the proper journalistic no-
menclature for the powerplant of a conventional motorcycle
is engine, as the term motor has usually been reserved for
electric motors. At last, that wrong has been made right.
There has been a lot of conjecture about this motorcycle
already. Complaints have been aired about the price and
range, or perceived lack of thereof. Yet this is a momentous
time for Harley-Davidson and the motorcycle industry. The
Electric Vehicle (EV) is an important catalyst. This tech-
nology belongs in our sport, and the LiveWire shows that
Harley is looking towards the future. It is part of Harley-
Davidson’s current investments, and will be part of the fu-
ture of Harley-Davidson. Harley will have a broad portfolio
of products, like mid-powered EVs to help inspire the next
generation of riders.
7KLVLVDKDORYHKLFOHIRUWKHHOHFWULßFDWLRQRIWZRZKHHOV
And why lead with a halo product? To showcase Harley’s
power and performance abilities and to halo the other prod-
ucts coming down the pike. This is the high-end product, but
PDQ\RIWKHDGYDQFHPHQWVRQWKLVELNHZLOOßQGWKHLUZD\LQWR
other models. Not to worry though. Harley is not stopping
the production of internal combustion-powered bikes. And
LiveWire is not meant to replace the internal combustion bike.
+DUOH\ORRNHGDWWKHJOREDOPDUNHWDQGLGHQWLßHGWKH
/LYH:LUHFXVWRPHUDV\RXQJHUDIàXHQWXUEDQDQHDUO\
adopter, in-tune with electric vehicles, and in-tune with mod-
ern electronics. The target customer likes luxury brands, is
GUDZQWRVW\OHDQGHQMR\VKLJKOHYHOVRIßWDQGßQLVK
LiveWire was meant to provide thrilling performance,
muscular looks, and groundbreaking technology. You get in-
stantaneous power the moment you twist the throttle. There’s
no clutch to release, and no gears to run through. Its twist-
DQGJRHDVHRIXVHPHDQVDOO\RXQHHGWRGRLVàLFN\RXU
wrist and roll. LiveWire offers seamless acceleration, 105 hp,
and 86 ft-lbs of torque right from 0 rpm. It goes 0-60 mph in
three seconds, 60-80 mph in 1.9 seconds, and has a 110 mph
top speed. It has a realistic range of 146 miles of city, and 95
miles of combined stop-and-go and highway range. A thrill
ride for accomplished riders, the LiveWire motorcycle is the
perfect combination of power, performance, and technology.
Back in 2011, the vision behind the LiveWire motorcycle
began with a small team of Harley engineers: Mike Alstrin,
Ben Lund, Jim Williams, Brian Flick, and Vance Strader.
One ridable test mule was built, and Project Hacker, as it was
internally referred to, was born. Then Project LiveWire was
trotted out as a prototype in 2014 as an effort to gauge the
potential of a Harley-Davidson electric-powered motorcycle.
Finally, the LiveWire, the production bike, was unveiled in
Milwaukee during the company’s 115th anniversary.
Since LiveWire’s electric powertrain requires no clutchAIMag.comIssue #379 / American Iron / 33