LiveWire

Here’s What It Takes to Drag Race a Harley-Davidson LiveWire

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Electric cars have been around for about a decade now, but electric motorcycles are sure taking their sweet time to come into existence. There are a number of startups in the market of making electric two-wheelers now, but the established names of the industry are just beginning to dip their toes into the segment. To date, only one of these established names has ventured into the electric motorcycle sector: Harley-Davidson. Its LiveWire came into the spotlight last year, and came with high hopes in tow. Hopes that, for better or worse, are yet to be met. The LiveWire is not killing it sales-wise, and Harley knows it. That’s why the bike maker embarked on an intensive effort to promote the EV through unconventional means. First, Harley handed two of them (modified) to Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman for their 13,000 miles (21,000 km) trip from the city of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego all the way to Los Angeles, captured on film under the name Long Way Up. Apparently, the bikes not only survived, but they also handled their jobs beautifully. Then, the company took the LiveWire to the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis for some live audience action. There, rider Angelle Sampey (who usually rides an FXDR Pro Stock) accelerated the LiveWire to the records of best elapsed time and top speed for an “electric-powered production motorcycle on a drag racing course.” Following the run, Harley became even more convinced electric drag racing is definitely the future in the motorcycle world. So the company released a dedicated episode of its Science of Speed YouTube series, describing “the mental and physical techniques used by top racers” before, during and after the race. “Let me tell you what’s […]

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Harley-Davidson recalls some LiveWire electric motorcycles citing ‘software issue’

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by Cortney Moore from https://finance.yahoo.com Harley-Davidson Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 of its electric LiveWire motorcycles because they “may unexpectedly shut down and not restart.” Harley-Davidson Motor Company has recalled “certain” 2020 LiveWire electric motorcycles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall, which began on Monday, Oct. 19, has been issued due to reports of some LiveWire motorcycles having powertrains that “unexpectedly shut down and not restart” as a result of a “software issue in the Onboard Charging (OBC) system,” the NHTSA states. “An unexpected loss of propulsion without the ability to restart may increase the risk of a crash,” the NHTSA further explains in its published recall. “In the interest of customers’ safety and satisfaction, Harley-Davidson announced a voluntary safety recall involving certain model year 2020 LiveWire motorcycles, which will require a software update,” a Harley-Davidson spokesperson confirmed to FOX Business via email. “This update will be performed at no cost to customers.” The recall impacts bikes produced between September 23, 2019, and March 16, 2020. “Customer notifications will begin on or about the week of Oct. 22,” Harley-Davidson’s spokesperson added. “Customers with these motorcycles should contact an authorized Harley-Davidson LiveWire dealer to schedule an appointment to have updated software installed.” Owners of Harley-Davidson’s 2020 LiveWire (ELW) models can also contact the NHTSA by phone through its toll-free safety hotline: 1-888-327-4236. For anyone who may have impaired hearing, the NHTSA can be contacted through the federal agency’s dedicated TeleTYpe phone number: 1-800-424-9153. Alternatively, the agency said owners of the recalled Harley-Davidson vehicle can contact representatives at the NHTSA online if they visit www.safercar.gov. The recalled Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycles have been assigned an NHTSA campaign number, which is 20V624000. It is estimated that some 1,012 bikes have been affected by the recall. A redacted notification letter

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Harley-Davidson Continues LiveWire Offensive, Joins National Drive Electric Week

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Starting Saturday, September 26, and through the next week, America is celebrating the National Drive Electric Week. It’s a little known even at this point, meant to “raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles,” but as more and more companies are joining the fun, it might become something major in the not so distant future. As the only established bike maker to already have an electric motorcycle on the market, Harley-Davidson it taking all to opportunities it gets to advertise it. Already a star (in heavily modified form) of the Long Way Up Apple TV+ show, the LiveWIre is getting bumped to celebrity status as part of the National Drive Electric Week as well. “Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure,” said in a statement Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “We build machines that unlock adventure to find freedom for the soul. Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, LiveWire, is a shining example of how we innovate to inspire this mission and how we are leading the electrification of motorcycling. It’s a premier experience that can only be truly understood after riding it.” The Milwaukee company says that to support the event it will extend opportunities to ride, charge and experience LiveWire, but it fails to go into specifics, so you’ll probably have to head over to your local Harley dealer to get more info on this. Heralded as being the first of a whole new breed of bikes, and backed by things like free charging for two years, the LiveWire failed so far to deliver. Maybe it’s the public’s reluctance to embrace electric motorcycles, or the fact that the price of the bike ($30,000) is significantly above what startups competing in this segment, like Zero, have

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Harley-Davidson LiveWire Got Pan America Tweaks for Long Way Up 13k Miles Trip

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com You might have already caught the first episode of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s new adventure called Long Way Up. The duo decided this time to travel over 13,000 miles (21,000 km) from the city of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, all the way to Los Angeles. They did so riding bikes, as usual, but not just any bikes: they used electric Harley-Davidson LiveWires. A close look at the images already shown reveals that these were not your regular LiveWires, the ones you’ll be able to get from the neighborhood dealer. They were modified for the task, and the bike maker admitted as much this week, when it announced the launch of a six-part podcast documenting the changes. And with the announcement came, of course, the first details on these modifications. Harley says it established a special team to handle the task of converting the LiveWires to machines that could withstand the rigors of such a journey. And they nearly nailed it, we reckon, as we’re told the job was ready in just a month, and the results are as real as they get. We’re told the LiveWires used for the adventures used the stock Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS), the stock chassis, and the stock Revelation powertrain. What wasn’t stock were the rotors, wheels, and tires, with these last two pieces of hardware taken from the upcoming Pan America. There were also custom windshield, rear shock, and triple clamps. We are not being told, at least yet, whether the range of the two-wheeler changed as a result of the upgrades. “Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “This podcast series is a premier showcase for how Harley-Davidson’s talented staff of engineers and designers go above

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Harley-Davidson pushes EV Technology with 2020 LiveWire Motorcycle

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HARLEY-DAVIDSON PUSHES EV TECHNOLOGY TO THE EDGES OF THE EARTH WITH THE 2020 LIVEWIRE® MOTORCYCLE HOW THE LIVEWIRE MOTORCYCLE TOOK ON THE WORLD MILWAUKEE (September 24, 2020) – The Harley-Davidson LiveWire® model is an exhilarating electric motorcycle that pushes the boundaries of performance, technology and design in the two-wheel world. When an opportunity presented itself to Harley-Davidson to showcase the LiveWire motorcycle’s capabilities and performance in the most extreme conditions, H-D seized the challenge for the unheralded 13,000 mile off-road trek. The process to accomplish this journey is documented through Harley-Davidson’s podcast series. Listen to the H-D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and subscribe to get new episodes of the show automatically each week. This six-part series documents how near-production LiveWire models were modified to shred dirt roads, single track, and desert trails over 13,000 miles of extreme off-road conditions. “Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. This podcast series is a premier showcase for how Harley-Davidson’s talented staff of engineers and designers go above and beyond in their mission to create motorcycles that unlock adventures wherever they may lead. These efforts can be experienced in the 2020 LiveWire – a shining example of how Harley-Davidson innovates to lead in the electrification of motorcycling. It’s an experience that can only be truly understood after riding it.” Utilizing the same talented Harley-Davidson engineers and designers that developed the LiveWire motorcycle, a select group was assembled from the broader development team to modify near-production LiveWire models to complete the journey. Together, this team designed, modified, and assembled a motorcycle in under 30 days. After initial testing, the team incorporated feedback to finalize ergonomic and storage systems on the bikes. In 60 days, the motorcycles were headed to the southern tip of Argentina.

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Harley-Davidson LiveWire Claims the Crown of a Barren Kingdom

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com At the end of last week, drag racing fans were back in business as the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis took place. A lot of interesting things happened there, including an appearance by the 1,400 hp electric Mustang Dragster and some demonstration runs with Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycles. A couple of days ago the Milwaukee bike maker released a very short video showing the highlights of the LiveWire runs with riders Andrew Hines, Eddie Krawiec, and Angelle Sampey holding the handlebars. As it was, the video showed nothing impressive, as fast, drag racing motorcycles we’ve seen before. Socially-distanced people in the stands seemed to confirm nothing spectacular happened, as they seemed unimpressed with what was happening down on the strip. As such, few could have anticipated records being broken. Only that they were (sort of), and Harley confirmed this with an announcement made on September 10. As per the bike maker, one of the three riders, Angelle Sampey (who usually rides a FXDR Pro Stock) accelerated the LiveWire to the records of best elapsed time and top speed. In short, the LiveWire covered the eighth-mile distance (201 meters) in 7.017-seconds and the full quarter-mile (402 meters) in 11.156 seconds, while reaching a top speed 110.35 mph (177.6 kph), which is a bit more than the official top speed of the motorcycle. “Let me tell you what’s amazing,” said Sampey in a statement. “That was the first time I rode the LiveWire. I could not wait to get it on the track. The LiveWire is so easy to ride. Just twist the throttle and go, and you really go!” So, great numbers, and that made Harley confident enough to claim it set the all-new records for an “electric-powered production

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Harley-Davidson LiveWire Drag Races at NHRA U.S. Nationals, Who Was Impressed?

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com There’s only one mainstream bike maker with an electric motorcycle on the market: Harley-Davidson. The Americans launched the LiveWire last year, hit a few snags along the way, and now the entire thing looks like a lost bet. Maybe it’s the fact that the world is not yet ready for electric motorcycles – we lost track of how many startups came and went while promising a revolution in the industry – or it could be that Harley really messed up the LiveWire, but the reality is riders do not really flock to dealers to order one. Truth be told, the bike maker itself didn’t make a big fuss about the electric two-wheeler, and kind of left it fending for itself because, well, it really has no competition. That approach is about to change as of this month. Harley is finally putting some big names and some more dollars behind promoting the bike, in the hopes its fortunes would change. Starting September 18, people with an Apple TV+ subscription will have the chance to see what the LiveWire is really capable of. After all, it did travel over 13,000 miles (21,000 km) from the city of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego to America’s West Coast, ridden by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they were shooting their Long Way Up show. And also from September, expect to see it more on the drag strip, just like it happened this past weekend in Indianapolis, where the NHRA U.S. Nationals took place. Three Harley riders – Andrew Hines, Eddie Krawiec, and Angelle Sampey – enjoyed themselves between races by taking the LiveWire down the strip in exhibition runs, trying to convince people an investment in the LiveWire would not be a bad idea. Don’t expect anything spectacular to

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Harley-Davidson LiveWire Apple TV+ Unveils Official Trailer for “Long Way Up,” Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s Epic

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OFFICIAL TRAILER (will be live at 8:30am PT/11:30am ET): The trailer for “Long Way Up,” the epic, new Apple Original series from stars Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman is now available. The first three episodes of the 11-part unscripted series will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, September 18. New episodes will roll out weekly, every Friday. “Long Way Up” reunites McGregor and Boorman for the ultimate adventure in travel and friendship after more than a decade since their last motorbike adventure around the world. In their most challenging expedition to date, the two cover 13,000 miles over 100 days from Ushuaia at the tip of South America to Los Angeles.  In order to contribute to the sustainability of the planet, the duo travels on modified electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire® motorcycles. Using cutting-edge technology, they travel through 16 border crossings and 13 countries along with their longtime collaborators, directors David Alexanian and Russ Malkin, who follow in the first two electric Rivian trucks ever made. “Long Way Up” was created and executive produced by Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, David Alexanian and Russ Malkin.  

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Livewire: a plug for a whole new generation of Harley-Davidson bikes

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By Mathieu Day-Gillett from https://www.driven.co.nz Who on earth expected that it would be Harley-Davidson that would become the first major motorcycle manufacturer to bring to market a fully electric bike? Okay, all cards on the table, I’ve really been looking forward to riding Harley’s Livewire on behalf of DRIVEN and www.onthrottle.co.nz. In fact, I was lucky enough to have ridden the Livewire’s precursor – 2014’s Project Livewire – and I was so blown away by the bike that I gave it my Bike Of The Year gong for that year. For the production model, all the rough edges have vanished and Harley has given the bike a charging port in the traditional fuel filler location. The lightweight alloy frame no longer has a rough finish to it, and while I was at first sad to see the cool textured finish of the concept bike make way for the smooth new frame, I can appreciate that owners of the Livewire would struggle to clean such a thing. Imagine the damage to your trusty old sponge if you had to wipe it over the sandpaper-like finish of Project Livewire? Other minor changes come in the form of a small fairing around the LED headlight unit, a new sub-frame with space for a pillion, a variety of colour options (our pick is the Yellow Fuse colour scheme), and rather importantly the addition of a numberplate carrier which integrates the rear tail light and indicators also. Most importantly, however, the Livewire now has functioning rear-view mirrors. Yup, as cool looking as the mirrors on Project Livewire were, in terms of function all they gave you a good view of was your kneecaps. But what we really want to know is how it rides. Thankfully, Harley-Davidson sorted us out with a guided ride around Portland,

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First Border-to-Border Trip Across the U.S. Done on Harley-Davidson LiveWire

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by Elena Gorgan from https://www.autoevolution.com Electrification is coming to motorcycles slowly, slower than it seems to be happening on the automotive market. the Harley-Davidson LiveWire, the first all-electric bike from the iconic American manufacturer, is a good example in this sense. While certain riders will vouch for the LiveWire and its awesomeness in terms of rideability and performance, many still can’t get past the $30,000 price point – which, they believe, is simply too high for the kind of range it offers. Assuming money is not the issue, range anxiety can also not be a problem, as the first border-to-border trip across the U.S. on a LiveWire can attest. Diego is a long-time Harley rider and an early adopter of EVs. He owns a LiveWire and, to mark his 50th birthday, he decided to use it to show the world that long-distance trips can (and should) be made on an all-electric motorcycle. With careful planning, backup plans crafted ahead of time, and patience, the experience can be an extremely beautiful and satisfying one. Bring your family along and you’ve got yourself an awesome road trip, one that will create memories to last a lifetime. That’s what Diego did. He documented it all on social media (Harley-Davidson LiveWire Rider on Facebook): nearly one week and a half on the road, covering more than 1,300 miles (2,092 km) from the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S.-Canada one and passing through California, Oregon and Washington. The trip was not rushed, so he wasn’t aiming for a certain number of miles to be covered daily. The key to making it work on the LiveWire’s mixed city / highway range of 95 miles (153 km) was, of course, careful planning. He used the Plugshare app and only Charge Point and Electrify America stations. He would make

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