2020 LiveWire: A Closer Look

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve already heard news of the arrival of the 2020 LiveWire onto the world stage. Harley-Davidson’s first foray into the world of electric powered motorcycles has been the talk of the industry after making its debut at the CES in Las Vegas earlier this year.

The LiveWire represents a major milestone for Harley-Davidson. Being the first electric powered motorcycle the company has ever offered has pushed the bike into the spotlight. The LiveWire is set to be the flagship model in Harley’s upcoming line of electric powered motorcycles.

This new line of motorcycles has conjured up some strong reactions. Both positive and negative. Whether or not the bike lives up to expectations is anyone’s guess. For now, here is a closer look at what we know so far about the 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire.

Specs

According to the Harley-Davidson website, the LiveWire is able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 3.5 seconds. The electric bike differs from its gas counterparts as it does not have a clutch or gears to shift. Apparently, you just twist the throttle and go.

The simplicity of operating the bike may be one of the features that lure in new riders. By making the motorcycle easier to hop on and ride, Harley can lower the barrier to entry and hopefully attract more first-time riders. This push to appeal to a younger demographic is part of their long-term strategy to breathe new life into their brand.

As for their existing customer base, a motorcycle without gears may not be appealing. Honestly, for the existing customer base, the entire concept of an electric motorcycle is probably going to be unappealing.

The current core of Harley riders tends to favor tradition over innovation. Unless the new electric bikes provide an exceptional bang for their buck, it’s hard to picture a significant percent of current Harley riders going out and purchasing an electric motorcycle.

As for the power, the range of the LiveWire’s battery taps out at about 110 city miles. This could be another potential drawback for riders who tend to travel long distances when they ride.

You can charge it at home with a standard household outlet overnight. It also can use public level three DC Fast Charge stations. As electric vehicles become more popular, these charging stations will start to pop up more.

The bike will also come with the new H-D Connect Service. Connect Service syncs up your ride with your mobile phone. This allows you to connect your motorcycle with your smartphone, and use it to check on the bike’s battery status, location, and security system.

The Harley-Davidson Connect Service will come free with the LiveWire for the first year. After the first year, the rider will have to pay for a subscription fee to continue with the service.

Three color schemes are available to choose from. Two of them, orange fuse and yellow fuse, are exclusive to the LiveWire bikes. The third option is a sleek looking vivid black.

Price

The big question, how much are they charging for this new model? According to the Harley-Davidson website, it appears the LiveWire is going to be starting at $29,799. This is considerably more expensive than the electric bikes that are currently on the market.

Additionally, charging nearly thirty grand for a motorcycle largely aimed at a younger crowd seems like a risky strategy.

The millennial generation has taken a lot of heat for “killing” various industries, motorcycles being one of them. The truth is, the next generation of motorcycle buyers typically have less buying power than the ones that have come before.

The current crop of Harley riders may have the money to spend on a new model motorcycle, but whether it’s appealing enough for them to do so is a whole other question.

Luxury items like motorcycles are simply out of the question for a significant percentage of adults in their 20s and 30s. All of this considered, pricing a motorcycle aimed at younger riders so high may end up hurting Harley in the long-run.

Availability

Pre-orders are now open to the general public. Sources say that Harley will begin delivery of the bikes in the Fall of 2019. The motorcycles will probably be delivered to customers starting around August.

By the 2020 riding season there should be a bunch of LiveWires stocked in Harley dealerships across the country. They will probably be stocked up and ready to go by Christmas shopping season.

Reception

So far, the reactions to the new motorcycle have been mixed. Some riders are incredibly excited about the emergence of electric motorcycles.

Despite being an electric bike, riders will still get to experience a distinct “Harley” sound while riding. The riding position is supposedly next to perfect as well. For riders interested in electric powered motorcycles, Harley-Davidson offering their first ever electric bike is an exciting proposition.

Others, however, are skeptical at best. The 110 city mile range for a single charge is of particular concern for a lot of riders. LiveWire’s range per charge seems a bit short for the amount of money the bike is going for.

As such, pricing is another hot-button issue with the public. There are other electric models on the market for considerably less money. Harley has always been a premium brand, but the asking price for what you’re getting may turn off potential buyers.

Predictions

So, the 2020 LiveWire. Is it the wave of innovation that will carry Harley-Davidson into the future? Or is it simply the desperate attempt of a stagnant giant to remain on top in an industry whose future has never been more uncertain. Time will tell.

This could very well be the first step in Harley embracing the trends of the future. The company has seen sales decline considerably since the 2008 financial crisis, as well as their core demographic begin to age out of motorcycle riding. The next few years are going to be crucial for the health and longevity of the Harley-Davidson brand.

Actively pushing for innovation in their current line-up is essential. As prices for electrically powered motorcycles fall, perhaps Harley will be able to carve out a new niche in the industry with a lineup of efficient and affordable electric vehicles.

So what are your initial thoughts on the LiveWire? What do you think of Harley’s plans to get into the electric motorcycle market? Tell us in the comments below.