An AMAZING ride on Harley Davidson’s new electric motorcycle

There's something about riding on two wheels through the mountains here in Virginia that refreshes and recharges me. After outfitting my S2 Del Mar with some new, more aggressive tires, I plotted an epic 80 mile route through the blue ridge mountains and it was just what I needed.

[@Svoloshin]

It was great meeting you yesterday at Patriot Harley-Davidson in Fairfax, VA! I got to see the famous Del Mar in person as we were both getting the recall done on our bikes. Thanks for another great video! Ride on, brother and we’ll pray for your wife.

[@AdventuresonZero]

You too! Appreciate the thoughts and prayers

[@ChitFromChinola]

Another of Ben’s adventures. Legacy bags look sharp.

[@AdventuresonZero]

Yep! Bags are great

[@AdamasOldblade]

Great video Ben! I have been watching every video I possibly can on the Del Mar, and have rewatched a number of yours as well. If all goes well I will be a Del Mar owner in early 2025...I ride an ebike daily and have for two years, it got me more and more interested into wanting to get a motorcycle. Going for a class in a few weeks to get my license and am slowly acquiring my gear little by little. The Del Mar is, seemingly, EXACTLY what I have been looking for. I never travel, live alone and just want something that zips through town and I absolutely love the silence of EV's. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit nervous going for something very expensive (for me) and essentially changing so many daily things about my life due to this. However, I'm nearing 40 and others' opinions about my lifestyle have faded away from me caring. Who knows if this is my mid-life crisis purchase (probably), but I just wanted something different. I toyed around with the idea of getting a Ryvid Anthem because it's literally half the price, but the range with someone like me (250lbs and then plus gear) just seems too little and I feel I'd be recharging it constantly. Other electric motorcycles tend to go for $20,000 plus, but the Del Mar is like RIGHT in that sweet spot for me. Though, I am still nervous about dropping all this cash and then in say 3 years Harley shuts the Livewire brand down.... I don't think they would, but you never know.

[@ChitFromChinola]

I bought a Del Mar this spring. You’ll love it. Superb build and handling.

[@AdventuresonZero]

Thanks! It can be daunting to purchase something for that much, and I think by the time you are ready, you could probably find some really amazing deals on used bikes. I'm 250 as well, without gear, so you could expect the same mileage I get. Harley just got $89million in grant funds for building EV plants - you should be safe for a little while lol

[@JordanRay]

Bike would look sick with a custom rally tower. Get that gps up to eye level. 😉

[@AdventuresonZero]

Yep! Working on fabricating a bracket to mount it just under the screen. Wanted to test it on my phone mount just to see if I liked it, and I didn’t 😆

[@JordanRay]

@@AdventuresonZero they make some systems that clamp under the handlebars, I ended up making my own and adding some plugs and such. Made a world of difference standing aswell.

[@Vanu-i4o]

When the range stuff gets figured out electric bikes will be fantastic for scenic riding. I noticed this when I tried one a few years ago and it was amazing being able to hear everything and speak to my friend without even needing headsets. The problem still is range and why would I spend so much on a bike when I could just buy something else that does the job and often for less money. The only thing I hated about the silence is being on the road in traffic, I didn't like the silence and I got that when I was in a Tesla with my mate as well.... Just too quiet it unsettles you. I'm always going to stick with an engine for that reason on the road, but going off the tracks electric will be the future if the range gets sorted. That or if you're ever able to charge in half hour using solar panels some how.

[@AdventuresonZero]

It really just depends on what you're doing. Electrics are perfect for me, I've got 6 herniated discs in my neck and back - so by the time I'm physically ready to get off the bike for a break, it's time to charge (usually). For me the silence is also perfect, I have PTSD from the military, so the silence helps ground me in the present and not wonder too much. For being on the road with noise, I find it no quieter than my ICE vehicles since there's wind noise on the helmet, not really silent for the rider. There's also been a few studies that show loud pipes don't contribute to rider safety - just drivers that pay attention. Overall though, the range will get sorted eventually. Technically they could do it now, however the bike would be quite heavy. Same for charging - they could make it charge in 15 minutes, however that would severely deteriorate the battery.

[@Vanu-i4o]

@@AdventuresonZero Yeah you have the wind noise on the main roads, but there aren't many of them here in Europe and I avoid them as I'm on a bike. Away from those highways/motorways the speeds are only ever 30-60mph and most of the time you're stuck behind slow traffic. So on the road all you hear are the engines and it freaks me out being on something silent, I miss my 1800cc thumping engine. However on the scenic stuff, I remember riding with my mate on two Zero bikes and it was so amazing having the silence. We were chatting riding and I could hear him talking from his bike, that would never happen normally.... So I loved them for that. Kinda thing where I go I'll have my thumper for the road and the electric bike for the scenic stuff, but it needs the range! I want 200 miles of normal riding at least, but right now you can only get 90 max on the best bikes.

[@GregHassler]

TT-30 plugs at RV parks are 120 volt. Your bike will charge like it's on a regular plug.

[@AdventuresonZero]

Even though it’s 30amps? Wouldn’t it charge around 3.5kW?

[@GregHassler]

​@@AdventuresonZerono, the charger doesn't know the circuit capacity, unless you can manually set it somehow. It will still just charge like it's plugged into a regular wall outlet at 120v.

[@russwright]

@@GregHassler Zero allows you to adjust the max amps. Surely, HD/Livewire does as well

[@hythewoodworkdesigns]

I know you mentioned it briefly, but how's Jen doing? How many more sessions will she need? If too personal, I'll understand.

[@AdventuresonZero]

She’s going ok. We’ve got two rounds left, next one being tomorrow. The two weeks after chemo is rough on her, and in the week that she feels good leading up to it each round, she’s dreading it. So it’s been a rough road for her, still has surgery and a lot of radiation in the next 6 months

[@0e-michigan]

Great adventure video as always! Ah, the TT-30 conundrum. The problem is that TT-30 is 120V, not 240V. So if your EVSE (charge cable) can't handle 24A at 120V, the physical adapter doesn't help get more charging power and thus speed. I use a Gen1 Tesla cable as my mobile charging solution and bought myself a proper TT-30 adapter that tells the Tesla charger that it's OK to pull the full 24A (80% NEC continuous use rule from 30A) and thus you get almost 3 KW. Also, if you get some TT-30 to NEMA 14-50 adapters, they are wired for campers, not EV charging and the leads are crossed so they don't work at all. Anyway, word to the wise: Test your TT-30 setup because sometimes that's all you find or the 14-50 outlets are shot. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWq7ep-QhLB7a9k

[@AdventuresonZero]

There was a little voice that morning telling me I should bring my adapter, but I figured every spot would have at 50amp plug - oh well, live and learn! Will have an adapter for my EVSE soon to prevent this in the future!

[@michaeljuneau8558]

Is it worth the top case? Can you send me some info where you bought it from?

[@AdventuresonZero]

That's the first recommendation I have for owners is to buy the top rack and universal plate - lots of storage options. The GIVI case i have is the Trekker, which I believe can be found on amazon

[@michaeljuneau8558]

How can I tell if I am regening or not?

[@AdventuresonZero]

It feels like engine braking when you let off the throttle