therelativelyrear-setfoot-pegs(foraharleyanyway)andflathandlebarlendsthe
liveWireridera slightlyaggressivepostureanda quickdabofa buttonfiresupthe
motor.Sinceit is anev, thebrandhasintroducedahapticPulseat idle.this is a faint
beatyoufeelinthehandlebarsandthroughtheseattoletyouknowthebikeis onandit
disappearsassoonasyoutwistthethrottle.
theaccelerationonthisbikeis stupendouslylinearwithnoneedtohustlethrough
thegears,andallthatlow-downtorqueandpowerpropelyouforwardwithalmost
unnervingalacrity.the electronic nannies do their job well, keeping things in check as
thespeedorapidlyclimbsandinlieuofanexhaustnoteyouhavethissubtlejet-engine-
meets-wind-turbinewhinethatis quitedelightful,if slightlyalienwhenyoufirsthearit.
therideontheliveWireis setuponthefirmersideasstock,butfulladjustability
meansyoucansoftenit upbya fewnotchestoprovidebetterabsorptiononfractured
tarmac.thefirmridealongwiththeplacementofthemotorlowdownandthesharp
rakeanglemeantheliveWire is quite agile in corners, allowing you to take full
advantageofthe45-degreeleanangle.Youcanfeelthebike’s 249 kgduringslower
manoeuvres,butit isn’ta hindrancewhenyoucornerhard.
thebespokeMichelinScorcherSporttyres(120/70Zr 17 upfront,180/55Zr 17 at the
rear)alsocontributetotheliveWire’shandlingcapabilities.thebraking set-up rises to
theoccasionwhencalleduponaswell,providingmorethanadequate stopping power
whenputintouse.thepositionoftherearbrakeleverslightly
favourstheinstepandtakessomegettingusedto,though.
theliveWireis anabsolutehoottorideandperformslike
nothingelseihaveeverriddenbefore.it also comes with fast-
charging capabilities (40 minutes to 80 per cent, 60 minutes to
fullcharge)withthechargingcableslottingintothetopofthe
“fueltank”andwhichcanbestowedintheunder-seatstorage
whennotinuse.h-d also offer a companion app for the bike
that allows you set up a geo-fence for safety, alerts you if anyone
tampers with your bike, allows you to track charging progress
andotherstatistics,andoffersturn-by-turnnavigationand
musicandcallinfointhedisplayviaBluetooth.
theliveWireis pricedat $29,799(rs 20.54lakh)intheUS
andisn’texpectedtocometoindiaforthenextyearortwoat
least,butwilleventuallymakesitswayhere.asharley-
davidson’sflagshipandthefirstentrantintotheevspace,the
liveWire is a stunning motorcycle and, with the world
skewing towards more polar-bear friendly options, heralds a
new era in the legendary Milwaukee brand’s story.
India spec ta l k
Harley-Davidson LiveWire
Price: Rs 20.54 lakh (in the US)
EnginE
Configuration: Electric motor
Motor type: Synchronous Internal Permanent Magnet, with Water
Jacket cooling
Battery: Lithium-ion
Capacity: 15.5 kWh
Power: 78 kW (105 hp)
Torque: 116.6 Nm
Claimed range: 113 km at 113 km/h; 235 km urban; 152 km
combined; 158 km World Motorcycle Test Cycle standard
Claimed recharge time: 12.5 hours (1 hour with DC fast charger)
Charging:On-boardcharger,standard110Vor220V
Transmission:Clutch-less,single-speed,beltfinaldrive
CHASSiS
Type: Aluminium cast perimeter frame with powertrain
as a stressed member
Front suspension: 43-mm Showa inverted seperate function forks,
fully adjustable
Rear suspension: Single Showa shock, fully adjustable
Front brake: Twin 300-mm discs, four-piston radial mount
monoblock calipers
Rear brake: 260-mm disc with dual-piston caliper
Front tyre: 120/70 ZR17 Michelin Scorcher Sport
Rear tyre: 180/55 ZR17 Michelin Scorcher Sport
Rake/trail: 24.5°/108 mm
Wheelbase: 1,490 mm
Seat height: 780 mm
Kerb weight: 249 kgGearCHeCk
Rider: Harket Suchde
Helmet: Axor Street Beyond
Jacket: Alpinestars Air
Gloves: Ixon RS Rallye HP
Boots: Forma Galaxy50 Bike India August 2019 http://www.bikeindia.in
harley-davidson LiveWiRe