Live Wire, yes, an electric Harley

[Dirt_Dad]

At first I scoffed when I was offered to take the electric motorcycle. I walked by it and took my second round with the V85TT.

That night I kinda regretted my decision. I mean, why wouldn't I want to experience something I would never consider purchasing. I decided to take the Guzzi back the next day and grab the bizarre little Harley.



I knew next to nothing about the Live Wire. One of the guys at the dealership had done some research and briefed me on what I needed to know, and away I rolled...silently. I heard my tires on the pavement, and a slight whirring sound, much like a two wheeled golf cart.


I rode a short distance to a local park and broke out the camera. This is odd and I need to record it. This video is what I learned during my multi day, 80ish miles on the Harley designed machine.

Unfortunately, my XD4 helmet on a naked bike made my microphone mostly useless.

To summarize the experience:
The tiny bike is fast and an entertaining ride.
It handles better than it should in the twisties.
Oddly, it is not as uncomfortable as I expected the little thing to be.
I would be happy to ride it again in the future. It's a hoot.
I would not consider buying it. I generally don't do short rides. This doesn't do long rides.

Bottom line, much better than I expected. Still, range makes it an out of the question machine.

 

[audiowize]

95 miles is indeed a very short range!

 

[Sierra1]

I still want to ride one of these too. (Not sure I'll fit on one though) The Niken is another bike I really want to ride. Probably wouldn't own either one, but they're different from most other bikes out there.

 

[RCinNC]

Long Way Up was probably the best advertisement for why not to ever buy one of these if anything even resembling practical motorcycle use was on your agenda.

 

[Mad_Matt]

I got to ride the Zero DSR/X at last summer's Touratech Rally. Of all the ADVs I got to take offroad that weekend, I was the most surprised by the Zero. It was a blast and surprisingly capable offroad. Range issues means its not ready for real adventure, but I have seen the future

 

[Sierra1]

Zero has been doin' their thing for a long time now. I would expect that since they are the "Tesla" of motorcycles, if they can't make it work, not likely anybody else can do any better.

 

[RIVA]

Thank you Dirt Dad for a real world review. My thoughts on electric motorcycles are similar to yours and for me can be summed up in one word. RANGE. It is hardly worth while putting on riding gear for a 100 mile spin . The other concern at least here in Ireland would be the availability of a charging point when on the road. Charging points are available in most fueling stations but are not always vacant. I don't want to spend an hour or two waiting for one to become available and then kill another hour waiting to charge up to cover another 100 miles. I can only drink so much coffee.

 

[tntmo]

I rode the LiveWire a few years ago, pretty sure the review I posted here started some emotions from people?

Anyway, I had similar thoughts as you: nice bike, better than I expected it to be, big fun but I wouldn't buy one (especially at the price they want). If I found a crazy cheap one, maybe. If my buddy won the lottery and gave me one, I'd enjoy the heck out of it. If they increased the range to 150-200 and I knew that I could charge quickly and easily, maybe.

Thanks for your review!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Good review.

I've ridden a couple of Zeros and at the end...
Too small for anything other than a commuter.
Too expensive compared to bikes of similar size and comfort.
Lots of fun on twisty roads.
The instant torque and power without shifting make them almost too effortless. No soul.

 

[Sierra1]

Oh, I don't know. Gliding silently through curves or around town would be great, to me. Almost like flying. Nothing but wind noise. But not until they can increase the range and charging speed.

 

[Mad_Matt]

The silence of electric motorcycles is pretty amazing, especially when you get out into nature.

 

[tntmo]

I compare electric vehicles to sailboats, it's amazing how much different the experience is when you have a silent propulsion system.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Good review.

The instant torque and power without shifting make them almost too effortless. No soul.

Thanks. I didn't have enough miles to determine if it had a soul. In my head I was thinking it must be similar to the Honda DCT.

Since I am contemplating adding a Goldwing with DCT to the fleet next year, I hope it's not soulless.

Oh, I don't know. Gliding silently through curves or around town would be great, to me. Almost like flying. Nothing but wind noise. But not until they can increase the range and charging speed.

Funny you put it that way. Several times, while weaving under hard acceleration, I had the sensation and thought that this is how a flying carpet must feel. It was a thought I've never had on any other motorcycle. It was pretty cool.

I liked the bike, but without endless money and endless garage space, it just doesn't work for me. If anyone is interested in the Live Wire, as far as I know, it's still available at less than 1/2 the original price at Motomember in Purcellville, VA.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . I liked the bike, but without endless money and endless garage space, it just doesn't work for me. . . .

That's where it loses me too. The Tenere is my favorite bike ever. But an E-bike would be cool, I think. But they're gonna have to address the shortcomings to get my money. Norman Reedus did a segment on Zero bikes years back. It was in CA in the mountains. And except for a slight hum, there was no noise. Magic carpet is a good description.

 

[holligl]

Rode the Livewire and Zero FXE at the International Motorcycle show a couple years ago. Instant torque is what I liked. Kept reaching for a clutch that wasn't there. Opted for the smaller Zero as most folks were going for the SC2. Zero did a group ride and they specifically told everyone, once the key is on DO NOT go blipping the throttle like you might normally. Sure enough, the gal just ahead of me did it. Instantly smoked the tire and dropped the bike.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . Sure enough, the gal just ahead of me did it. Instantly smoked the tire and dropped the bike.

Had to have been a Harley rider. They lo-o-o-o-ve blipping their throttle(s). (Southpark had an episode about that)

 

[tntmo]

I have heard the same thing happening to Honda riders on the DCT bikes, revving at a stop light doesn't work when you are always in gear!

 

[Madhatter]

not a fan of electric ... its a fad idea and long turn will not work for most people ... one day the elite will drive their EVs the masses will be on foot. they want you walking and eating bugs for your protein ... think Hunger games .

 

[thughes317]

not a fan of electric ... its a fad idea and long turn will not work for most people

I'm not a fan of electric vehicles either but I'm pretty sure the horse-and-buggy people said the same thing about automobiles back in the early 19th century.

 

[Sierra1]

I don't have anything against them per se. They will work perfect for some, but not others. At this time, the infrastructure just isn't there for the current level EV "sophistication". And the price(s) will have to be greatly reduced. We'll see.