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Oct 05
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Kawasaki Electric Motorcycle Debuts At Intermot

By General Posts

Launch Expected In 2023
by Staya Singh from https://www.rushlane.com

Kawasaki is aiming for a smooth transition to EVs and doesn’t seem to be in a rush to make the switch

With its ICE-based motorcycles still going strong, Kawasaki has been rather slow in catching up with rivals in EV segment. The company has a long-term plan, wherein it aims to achieve a fully-electrified portfolio by 2035. It will include pure EVs as well as hybrid electric vehicles.

At INTERMOT 2022, Kawasaki has showcased a new EV prototype that appears to be of A1 specification (125 cc, 15 hp). It is the same model, as was showcased at Suzuka 8 Hours endurance racing event earlier this year in August. At the event, Kawasaki had also showcased a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Kawasaki electric two-wheelers could be launched in select markets such as US and Europe in 2023.

Kawasaki new EV prototype
Design and styling of Kawasaki EV prototype unveiled at Intermot 2022 is borrowed from Kawasaki’s Z range motorcycles. The EV prototype has a sinewy profile with aggressive front fascia, sculpted fuel tank, sharp body panels, exposed frame and split-seat design. It will be getting an all-LED setup. Riding stance seems fairly committed with low-set flat handlebar and slightly rear set foot pegs.

In terms of hardware, the EV prototype has standard telescopic forks at front and swingarm rear suspension. Alloy wheels have a trendy design and are shod with track-focused performance tyres. The bike has disc brakes at both ends. Sound note of this bike is close to the typical hum of an electric motor, as was revealed at Suzuka 8 Hours racing event.

While the EV prototype has a captivating profile, key details such as range, battery capacity, charging time, etc. are not available at this point of time. Kawasaki has done well to keep things tightly under wraps. Only the VIN information was revealed earlier, which showed that the prototype will generate 15 PS of max power. That should be good enough for some thrilling rides in an urban environment.

It is not certain if Kawasaki EV prototype will have a fixed or removable battery pack. The batteries are placed in the bike’s underbelly, encased by the frame from all sides. The battery pack should be accessible via the faux fuel tank lid.

Focus on ICE models
While it has started working on its electric and hybrid portfolio, Kawasaki has always maintained that its primary focus will be on ICE-based two-wheelers in the near future. That seems like a logical thing to do, as the company has global operations with a comprehensive range of ICE-based two-wheelers.

The capital investments involved, production platforms, human resource skilling, supply chain networks, etc. cannot be altered at short notice. Kawasaki’s 2035 target to achieve full electrification seems just right for enabling a smooth transition. The company has to ensure that its pure EVs and HEVs continue to offer the same level of performance and reliability, as associated with its current breed of ICE two-wheelers.

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Sep 27
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LiveWire becomes the first EV motorcycle company to list on the NYSE

By General Posts

Harley-Davidson, LiveWire and AEA-Bridges Impact Corp Announce Closing of Business Combination

• LiveWire raises approximately $334m in gross proceeds
• LiveWire becomes the first EV motorcycle company to list on the NYSE
• Trading beings on September 27th under the new ticker “LVWR” on the New York Stock Exchange

MILWAUKEE, NEW YORK and LONDON (September 27, 2022)  —
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“Harley-Davidson”) (NYSE: HOG), the world’s most desirable motorcycle company, and AEA-Bridges Impact Corp. (“ABIC”) (NYSE: IMPX), a special purpose acquisition company with a dedicated sustainability focus, sponsored by executives of AEA Investors and Bridges Fund Management, today announced the completion of their previously announced business combination under which LiveWire EV, LLC (the “Company”), Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle division, combined with ABIC, to create a new public company.

The business combination was officially approved at an extraordinary general meeting by ABIC stockholders on September 16, 2022. Upon completion of the business combination, the combined public company will operate as LiveWire Group, Inc. (“LiveWire”) and its common stock and warrants will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbols “LVWR” and “LVWR WS,” respectively today, September 27, 2022.

Through this combination, LiveWire will become the first and only EV motorcycle company in the U.S. to list on the NYSE.

“This transaction represents a proud and exciting milestone for LiveWire towards its ambition to become the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, and Chairman and CEO of LiveWire. “We believe LiveWire is well positioned to define the two-wheel EV market, and we’re excited about the future – in celebration of our listing today, we’re pleased to open reservations for the production version of the S2 Del Mar for the U.S. market.”

LiveWire will be ringing the opening bell at the NYSE today, to celebrate LiveWire’s public listing

Soulful by design, LiveWire is transforming the everyday into urban adventure and beyond. Building a future for riders differentiated by look, sound, and feel. LiveWire is leading the electrification of motorcycling by means of design, software and experience. Backed by 119-years of engineering and manufacturing heritage but with the agility of a start-up, LiveWire is well positioned to define the future of two-wheel EV.

About LiveWire
LiveWire is the future in the making for the pursuit of urban adventure and beyond. Drawing on its DNA as an agile disruptor from the lineage of Harley-Davidson and capitalizing on a decade of learnings in the EV sector, LiveWire’s ambition is to be the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world. With a dedicated focus on EV, LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and to invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling. LiveWire benefits from Harley-Davidson’s engineering expertise, manufacturing footprint, supply chain infrastructure, and global logistics capabilities. Innovating by design and attracting industry-leading talent, LiveWire is headquartered virtually, with initial hubs in Silicon Valley, CA (LiveWire Labs) and Milwaukee, WI. www.livewire.com

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About Harley-Davidson : Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Our ambition is to maintain our place as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture by delivering a motorcycle lifestyle with distinctive and customizable motorcycles, experiences, motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get riders on the road. www.harley-davidson.com

Advisors : J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisor to Harley-Davidson, and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel to Harley-Davidson. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC served as financial advisor and capital markets advisor to ABIC. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. served as capital markets advisor to ABIC. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to ABIC.

Forward-Looking Statements Legend
This communication may contain a number of “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning LiveWire’s possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, debt levels, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities and the effects of regulation, including whether the business combination between the Company and ABIC (the “Business Combination”) will generate returns for shareholders. These forward-looking statements are based on Harley-Davidson’s or LiveWire’s management’s current expectations, estimates, projections and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. When used in this communication, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside Harley-Davidson’s or LiveWire’s management’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to: (a) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of LiveWire to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (b) costs related to the Business Combination; (c) changes in applicable laws or regulations, including legal or regulatory developments (including, without limitation, accounting considerations) which could result in the need for LiveWire to restate its historical financial statements and negatively impact the trading price of LiveWire’s securities; (d) the possibility that Harley-Davidson and LiveWire may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (e) Harley-Davidson’s ability to execute its business plans and strategies, including The Hardwire; (f) LiveWire’s estimates of expenses and profitability and (g) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of LiveWire, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other documents filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Harley-Davidson or LiveWire. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Harley-Davidson and LiveWire assume no obligation and, except as required by law, do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither Harley-Davidson nor LiveWire gives any assurance that LiveWire will achieve its expectations.

Riding Free since 1996

May 19
Love0

NAWARacer Hybrid Battery Electric Motorcycle Prototype

By General Posts

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) back in 2020, battery maker NAWA Technologies presented what it called back then the Racer. It was a motorcycle concept designed to showcase the company’s newest idea for a battery. More than a year has passed since then, and now we’re finally getting word of a fully rideable dynamic prototype being in the works.

That means that yes, we will not be getting a production run of the two-wheeler, at least not for now. Yet NAWA is determined to show its technological innovation has its merits, and if it succeeds, we might get to see it integrated into other electric motorcycles.

But what does the company do differently? Well, it doesn’t use a standalone lithium-ion battery but somehow integrates it with ultracapacitors. By doing so, the company promises increases in energy efficiency and battery lifetime while reducing charging times.

We’re not told in numbers what exactly that means, but the French do say the NAWACap, as it calls the tech, should provide ten times more power and five times more energy than existing ultracapacitors. The size of the battery is reduced by half, while range doubles, we’re told, although we have no idea compared to what.

The bike NAWA will be making together with AKKA Technologies, Pronergy, FAAR, and YSY Group will have an aluminum body that will integrate the battery into the chassis, thus removing the frame out of the equation. It will move along thanks to an in-wheel motor.

NAWA says the demonstrator should be ready to roll in a few months. If successful, the tech (the world’s first hybrid battery system, as the company describes it) might be adopted by others, especially considering how it has been designed to be scalable. What’s more interesting is that it could probably be adapted for cars as well, not only electric motorcycles.

Jan 07
Love0

Damon’s Electric Motorcycle Will Have 200-Mile Range, 200mph Speed, Safety Suite

By General Posts

by Bill Roberson from https://www.forbes.com

2019 was a big year for the nascent electric motorcycle niche, and it looks like 2020 is going to start with another shock to the system with Vancouver B.C.-based Damon Motorcycles announcing some eye-opening performance numbers and cutting-edge safety tech for their upcoming machine, called the Hypersport. A prototype Hypersport and specifications were revealed Tuesday morning at the 2020 CES electronics expo in Las Vegas.

Damon claims the Hypersport will be be capable of some fairly hyper numbers, including 200 horsepower, a 200 mile-an-hour top speed, and 200 miles of highway range, as well as 300 miles of range in urban riding. Additionally, the Hypersport will be bristling with technology heretofore unseen on most any motorcycle, including on-the-fly adjustable ergonomics and a car-like rider safety system.

Damon had previously sent out emails ahead of the CES reveal teasing the fact that “200” was their “magic number,” so while it might have been easy to deduce those figures, they still stand out against the specs of competing bikes, which often struggle to achieve half of those performance figures.

A run of 25 premium high-spec bikes with a price of $40,000 will be the focus of an initial Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, while a more mass-market Hypersport will come in at $24,995. The crowdfunding campaign will complement additional financial backing from Round 13 Capital, Techstars, Fontinalis, Extreme Venture Partners and Pallasite Ventures.

Ahead of CES, Damon CEO Jay Jiraud told Forbes.com the Hypersport will feature their exclusive on-the-fly adjustable ergonomics package, called Shift, and an extensive rider awareness/safety system they call CoPilot. The Shift ergo system will be able to change things like seat height, handlebar height and footpeg location, changing the riding position from a tucked-in sport posture to a more standard-style sit-up arrangement for more comfortable city riding. The bike itself has the form of a sleek sports machine. And while a specific torque figure was not released, Jiraud told Forbes.com the Hypersport will make a “s**tload of torque.” Some of the features can be seen in this video from Damon:

Forbes.com was the first publication to take Damon’s two test bikes for rides this past summer, including the shape-shifting Hypersport prototype and another test machine outfitted with an array of cameras, sensors and electronics designed to give riders a digital heads up on what’s happening around them via a sensor package not unlike what many cars now feature.

Jiraud explained that his vision is to give Hypersport riders more comfort, range and utility from the bike, while also introducing pre-collision safety features that, as of now, have been largely missing from motorcycles while they have gotten ever more sophisticated in cars.

However, the CoPilot system will differ from the automotive systems in that it won’t have the ability to take over operation of the motorcycle; it only gives warning cues about possible dangers around the rider. The reason for the non-intervention is that a motorcycle is an inherently unstable platform, unlike a car, and unexpectedly taking control of the bike away from the rider in any way could result in a crash. Instead, the CoPilot system uses video screens, a rear-facing camera, multiple radar units and position sensors, small LED lights and handlebar vibrations to let the rider know what is happening around the motorcycle. Again, CoPilot does not activate the brakes or affect steering, although Jiraud did not rule out those features in some iteration much farther down the line as A.I. systems, vehicle interconnectivity and other technologies improve.

During a test ride of the system several months ago, I found the tech to be innovative and effective. While it does add some input to the rider while in operation, I found that even after a few miles, it became second nature to see, feel and understand the warning system’s cues.

Likewise, riding the sleek electric bike with the adjustable ergos was also interesting. While some modern bikes allow owners to tailor things like seat height, handlebar rise and footpeg placement, those adjustments typically have to be made with tools while the bike is stopped, and once made, riders are essentially stuck with them until they can be changed again with tools.

Damon’s Shift system works more like your car’s interior. Using a bar-mounted controller, the seat can rise and fall, the bars can move up and down and the footpegs will lift or lower. While the test bike had only two positions for the ergos, Jiraud said future versions would be more adjustable for a true custom fit. Best of all, the Shift system is adjustable while riding.

BlackBerry On Board

Damon CEO Jay Giraud has made some key moves to bring his vision of an electric bike with all the elements of the two test bikes rolled into one battery-powered package. A key development in the quest to get the data-hungry CoPilot system up to par performance-wise was a partnership with BlackBerry and implementation of the BlackBerry QNX suite to power and talk to the numerous sensors, radars and other tech involved in CoPilot. There will also be 4G cellular connectivity.

Once famous for their cellphones, BlackBerry has largely transitioned to a company that makes control systems that work behind the curtain in numerous data systems, with a focus on cars and medical equipment. The QNX system has been installed in over 150 million vehicles and is used by almost all top automakers worldwide, so it’s quite a coup for Damon to have them dip into the electric motorcycle world at this early stage.

Alta Influence

Clearly, this is not Jay Jiraud’s first tech rodeo. While the Damon team was spooling up the Hypersport, Jiraud also added a key player in Derek Dorresteyn, from now-defunct but long-time electric motorcycle maker Alta Motors. Dorresteyn signed on as COO at Damon, which will need his expertise to tease out the promised performance figures for the Hypersport models. Even though both are legacy technologies, batteries and electric motors are two parts of a rapidly developing tech frontier that is seeing huge investments by both corporate and even state-sponsored players.

Jiraud told Forbes.com that Dorresteyn was in the midst of working on a “completely new” electric superbike powertrain system at Alta when the company closed up shop, and he brings a wealth of expertise to Damon. Among the bike’s tech features Jiraud talked about with Forbes ahead of CES was a 700-plus volt, liquid-cooled 20kWh battery pack for the Hypersport, which would be quite large for a motorcycle, but Jiraud says the Hypersports’ architecture can handle the battery pack and that the battery will not be the typical rectangular lump found in many current electric bikes. For comparison, the largest battery available on the class-leading Zero SR-F is just over 16kWh (the standard battery is 14.4kWh), with the bike tipping the scales at a tick over 500 pounds. Meanwhile, the Harley-Davidson LiveWire uses a 15.5kWh pack. Jiraud says he is planning on keeping the weight of the Hypersport under 500 pounds through design and weight-saving measures.

A Challenging Future

The transition of the motorcycle industry from gas to electric has lagged (with some exceptions) behind that of cars due to the challenges of design as well as the space and weight-sensitive platform a motorcycle presents, but battery and motor advances in the bike industry can also represent opportunities to the EV industry as a whole. With the addition of Dorresteyn from Alta, Blackberry’s QNX handling the tech and a clutch of investors, Damon may be in position to lead in terms of range, safety and power once the Hypersport arrives. But things can change fast in the EV world, so stay tuned.

The Damon Hypersport prototype bike can be seen at BlackBerry’s booth at CES 2020. Deliveries are slated for 2021.

 

Mar 28
Love0

Porsche’s New Electric Motorcycle?

By General Posts

 

Miguel Angel Bahri is a Spanish designer and here is his vision for the Porsche 618 Electric Motorcycle. Although not an official Porsche concept, Bahri’s two-wheeled experiment was indeed inspired the Porsche 911 Turbo.

Bahri’s bike features a single-shock rear suspension, and a front swingarm with an in-hub steering system that’s reminiscent of the iconic Bimota Tesi.


“This is my vision of a Porsche electric motorcycle, I made this project for the subject Two Wheels Project,” says Bahri. The brief consisted of making a pure electric motorcycle concept, as close to reality as possible. “I chose the Porsche 911 turbo, 917, 918 & 919 as main inspirations.”

It’s called the 618 because it would be the entry level two wheels vehicle for the brand. I wanted to represent the spirit and character of Porsche in this Futuristic-looking, pure electric and exclusive power cruiser.

Updates will be coming soon, as Bahri is currenbtly working on the “RS” Version of this concept bike.