Harley Davidson LiveWire | First Ride

Harley Davidson is the first major motorcycle manufacturer to mass produce an electric bike, so Fagan heads to Spain to sample the LiveWire...
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[@FortyFourTeeth]

Don’t hate the player, hate the game. Or something...

[@alexpage7292]

44Teeth Why don’t they have gears on electric bikes?

[@FortyFourTeeth]

Brammo experimented with gears a few years ago but it’s pointless. All the power is available at 1rpm

[@alexpage7292]

44Teeth Aha, it looked like fun

[@steveman1982]

@@alexpage7292 Low voltage systems do have some hears, proper high voltage ones do not need one.

[@elliottgilhooly3010]

44Teeth I’ve got 26,000 miles on my evolution c now. I totally agree with you about the weight issues with the EV motorbikes (in regards to handling). However, I disagree with you on the break pads. It takes a while to get used to the regeneration breaking, I’ve only had two sets of break pads in 26k. I also just had my battery efficiency tested and they are 4 years old, with still 100% efficiency. At the moment I think EVs suit commuters mostly. I save roughly £2k a year as apposed to most 600cc motorbikes.... So with those savings I can now buy a Ducati 899 for weekends ;-)

[@barbieandbellaadventuresby9134]

"Why would you not?, Oh! it's 28K" hehehe

[@ookk91]

For city electric motorcycle are awesome. I own 11kW electric bike, it's cheap to ride, quick and silent. What do you want more? :P

[@Forge4yourself]

Loved the review, I had the pleasure of testing one out up and down the coast of Galveston, Texas. Had a massive smile on my face when you roll back that throttle but no matter how sweet the ride was that price tag is a deal breaker.

[@therevenant8537]

I’ve been riding for over forty years and reckon it’s been the golden era of motorbiking, thank fk I’ll miss out on the next era of soulless electric bikes .

[@2nd3rd1st]

Good riddance I say, we don't need you pretencious elitist lot in the community. Fact is, you put the soul and spirit into the bike by becoming part of it and driving it your way, without the rider the bike is a dead machine.

[@James-gk8ip]

just coming into the golden age right now

[@iamtherealzombie]

Great review Al, I gotta say I'm no fan of Harleys but this is likely the first one I'd ever consider... ...You know, if it didn't cost more than my car did.

[@knobblystudios6237]

Awesome. Thanks for the glimpse, Fagan! I am a closet fan of electric bikes. Not because I believe they make trees smile, but because I am grinning ear to ear each time I ride one. All other opinions aside, my personal experience is very positive on these machines. I look forward to trying the Livewire. Thanks for the launch preview!😘😘

[@Desmo904]

28 Grand for an electric Harley is silly money when you can get a Zero for half that with a bigger range and more power and (arguably) better looks. Sub 100 mile range is also poor. I have no doubt it is fun to ride and I DO congratulate HD for going there and having the nads to make the Livewire but at the end of the day it's too expensive and not as good as its competition.

[@miken51bod]

That could be said for any Harley Davidson really, All very over priced for what you get.

[@motsew]

Thing is though, it'll hold its value much better than a Zero. Harley ownership has a big entry fee but once you're in, you're safe. Look after the bike and it'll barely drop in value.

[@Desmo904]

I don't have 28G to drop on a bike. Not that I'd want to spend that much anyway.

[@robertp457]

The nads? It's classic Harley Davidson: build a different kind of motorcycle, make it worst than its competition and charge more money for it.

[@rzu7120]

Al904cc No Zero bike offers DC fast charging.

[@mr.c8682]

"If you crash it, don't touch it" haha

[@delmtron]

Had a go on one at the NEC on the rolling road. I loved it

[@findingneutral426]

Pretty sure we did those roads in the Hire Car Grand Prix after Alcarras. Used as part of the Spanish rally stages from memory. They’re mega!!

[@ChaseN194]

For $30k(28k euro) I could buy an MV agusta limited edition brutale, anything I want from Ducati, a limited edition Fireblade sp2 2020(it is coming out), anything from aprilia, anything from BMW. And have it made with better quality.

[@chris6559]

Which would be your prerogative and I'd see why you'd want to, not really like with like though is it, hats off to Harley for pushing the alternative even though I wouldn't buy one myself either.

[@mooiboyace]

You would've gotten your money back with the Harley because it is electric .. You'd have to ride it everyday for 20 years though lol

[@I_am_Thursday]

@Troy Hatfield You're not wrong. I bought a Fat Bob and have had 10 warranty issues. My Ducati...Nil.

[@ChaseN194]

@@mooiboyace gotten my money back how? I ride more than 200miles a day on average with my fireblade. Ive owned it for 3 rideable months as im now in a snowy winter where I live, and in those 3 months Ive put on well over 4900 miles and had ZERO issues. And when I want to ride more what do I do? I fill up in less than 5min and bam, im back on the road.

[@michaelsteven1090]

and the HD will STILL smoke you..

[@nickmurray721]

It’s perhaps only me, but most exciting moment was when I heard the KTM super duke. I went to watch the MotoGP round in Austria last year and fell asleep during the electric bike “race”. Great video as usual, thanks, I’ll keep my superduke, diavel and 1299s panigale!

[@pyootchnich]

Great first person review. Very insightful. Well produced video. Seriously considering getting this bike. I probably will now. Cheers from Kentucky, USA

[@Unclefacts]

no range, 30k price tag, no thanks.

[@Fieskmask]

38k in Sweden 😢

[@PilotPhteven]

agreed... I like it.. but the price + low range. (+ no idea how much it would cost to eventually replace the battery)... that's almost Tesla car money + some spare left to get a nice bike on the side..

[@Tom-zu9ge]

Great review Al. This really got me interested in taking one out for a test ride, it must be a weird feeling at first. Would I buy one, probably not, but that said, electric vehicles are the future like it or not.. It is kinda sad to, damn I'd miss the sound of dropping down two gears, opening up the throttle up to the red line, going up the gears and listening to that beautiful howl from the exhaust... The future sound seems to just be a quiet "humming" or "whining"....

[@PaulrB1968]

They used them on Long Way Up recently on all sorts of roads and conditions, think its the future.

[@nigelstefani]

Every time you get excited and say ‘Nige’, I want to be like ‘you’re welcome!’ 😂

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

If HD can do that, imagine what's to come...Bravo!

[@MikevanLieshout]

Last test drove a Energica, a little bit more power and a little bit less expensive. Drove very nice with about the same view on electric riding as this Harley. But the sound and gear changes on the way back gave me a little bit more of a smile on my face. But for every day use, this will be awesome.

[@tonydare7614]

Great video. I'm a Londoner living in Paris. I've owned loads of ICEs in both cities. I switched last year to the Zero FXE to be able to continue to park free! The FXE is an incredible urban commuter with everything in the sweet spot, and weighs just 135kg with 106nm of torque. It definitely smokes the Super Duke and almost anything out there up to 50km/h! For a while I've been considering the Livewires, and was eagerly awaiting the forthcoming Del Mar. I test rode the One last Saturday and got a chance to sit on the Del Mar but unfortunately it wasn't available for testing. I prefer the look of the One and found it incredibly stable in all situations and despite its weight and size, felt fine for filtering in dense traffic. The price is now 25k euros, which is still the same as a GS or other top-end ICEs but I reckon that it's a keeper and would satisfy my commuting and fun needs.

[@Timmayytoo]

This is one of the first Harleys I would actually consider owning, but as Jason and so many others have mentioned, it's just too damn expensive. And that's not a result of exchange rates or anything; they start a hair under $30k USD as well, and that's a serious dealbreaker for many people. I like the looks of the Livewire a bit better, but I'd rather get a Zero SR/F which has more range and costs $6k less. I know Harley is a "premium" brand, but it's not 6 grand premium.

[@robertp457]

The SR/F costs $10k less.

[@dennisschoonderwoerd7266]

Well I guess the future has actually arrived... 44teeth doing electric bike reviews😁

[@deanarmstrong8185]

Good honest riders review. Thank you!

[@benmpearson1]

Al loves getting a mention of BMX in the videos. I'm all for it.

[@Bumbaclot213]

benmpearson1 DK sixpack

[@NotHisRealName]

Riding around the Great Dividing Range in Queensland, I'd love an electric motorbike - if there were more charging options here. I have enjoyed a loud bike in the past, but the idea of a weekend ride in near silence through forest and mountains (without having to peddle) is so appealing.

[@semidelta7756]

Somehow love the look. The Harley to ride to the spaceship dock.

[@jhstony]

Did you just pass the police with a speed gun at 6:29 ? Looks like it.

[@Jorsherr]

I want this to be successful for Harley. I'm glad they're trying something new and modern. If the price was lower I'd take one for a test ride. Thanks for the review.

[@thefooleryoftom]

Brilliant, I can't wait to ride one

[@TRISTANorTRIS]

Reminds me of being pissed in the 90s and nicking milk off electric milk floats.

[@giddyrightonup]

TRISTANorTRIS often pissed in the morning? Or just through the whole of the 90’s? 😂

[@PhilTonic]

Looks cool. I rode the SR and loved it. Hoping to get my hands on the SR/F soon. BTW HD number plates from Offenbach, Germany 🇩🇪

[@neland]

2:43, you should be fine as long as you stay mainly out of the plains. From what I hear that's where the rain stays.

[@woweeoi11]

While there are some things very appealing about electric bikes such as the instantaneous torque availability, there's other things ingrained in my motorcycle experience that I don't want to give up. Dropping a gear and sliding the back end into a corner, power wheelies in 3rd as a standard of measurement for how fun a bike is, the visceral sound of increasing speed, the modification of air and fuel ratios to squeeze out more power... There's a lot missing from the electric motorcycle experience, I look forward to the advances in technology and engineering, hopefully one day it'll be enough to make me a convert. Great review as always AL, cheers.

[@swimmerthon]

Plenty in the tank. That bike is simply lovely

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

Full charge in about an hour is great...although with all of the development going into battery tech, two years from now, the market will be much different. I wonder if there will ever be a secondary energy storage bank (possibly out of a different chemistry like super caps with a high discharge/charge rate) that will charge on regen, then can be used at wot?

[@berniescheid5286]

Amazing road for a bike ride! Lucky boys. 🇨🇦

[@kdz666]

Where do you keep the charging wire when you ride?

[@mgshizzle2213]

Where do u charge these in the states I live in Pennsylvania only charging stations I have seen are the tesla stations unless I'm incorrect

[@mbsnyderc]

The why wouldn't you is the 90 mile range then find a place to charge and wait around for it to charge.the battery is still the problem,and when it goes bad how much to replace it?

[@juniorjr4815]

Nice review Nige! I really hated the thing when it was 1st released. The general EV wave of the future AND that Harley had built it. After watching your video, I've really changed my outlook. Looks like it would be fun to ride. 👊😎 And a pat on the back to HD.

[@Soulrollsdeep]

Why wouldn't it be fun to ride? Why do absolute weapons like you have to slag shit like this when you've never sat on one, or anything like it? The perfect armchair pundit *slow claps*

[@paulaus]

I really like the way it looks and the fit and finish seems really good. Might possibly be cheaper here than the UK as well.

[@ryadhasanahmed5443]

Nope it's nearly £30k that's an absolute rip-off would rather buy a brand new supersport for half of that

[@eddyquik]

The Streets homage was glorious!!!

[@flyaroundyourfire]

You can really see how that thing jumps forward

[@Frejborg]

That is pretty daring from HD... the company known so strongly for never changing.. to be the first to adopt e-bikes? The future truly is now!

[@michalpach1179]

it's called desperation ;)

[@2wheelzarebetter]

Damn i would love to have a go on one of these, just damn that price! hopefully we can get them under 20k in the years to come.

[@robertp457]

Zero already figured it out years ago.

[@dale-fi1fi]

its expensive alright

[@thorstambaugh1520]

@@wudntulike2no32 You probably didnt ride one then

[@TjCox1993]

just got a huge discount near 21k now, time always does the trick!

[@vietnameseloempia]

Very good video! Can't wait to have an electric bike when the price becomes competitive!

[@progste]

That moment when a superduke passes by and you wish you had that instead of a big electric scooter...

[@arvind.surwase]

Timestamp??

[@progste]

@@arvind.surwase 12:52

[@arvind.surwase]

@@progste thanks

[@fivespeed3026]

From a dead stop, the SDR rider would be wishing he had a turbo.

[@lukewalker5111]

Wouldn't go that far. He liked the sound.

[@Renzsu]

You guys should try the Energica Ego/Eva bikes.. perhaps a bit boutique (so that could mean crap), but I hear good things about them, yet don't see them tested a whole lot.

[@a-aron2276]

If they can get that charge time down to like 15mins for 100miles highway that'd be Perfect. It'll help with the regen, maybe have a variable regen for a left lever to replace the clutch.

[@matthewprentiss1460]

awesome, but how'd they get it to leak?

[@xyber81]

In my eyes electric bikes are missing a massively important safety aspect. The rev bomb. Several times a week I use it to alert cars that they are about to cut across me or punish via making them jump, general shitty driving. I had one on the way home last night, some old boy drifted across lanes after not even seeing the Range Rover in front of me. Clutch in, shriek, he got back in lane. On an electric bike, he’d have probably taken out my front wheel.

[@andygreenwood1989]

xyber81 horn normally does the trick for me

[@SirCptAwesome]

Small correction. DC fast and level 2 are different. Level 2 is 240 volt ac. Also check out energica, they pioneered the tech in that harley.

[@robertp457]

The Livewire charges at the same rate at level 2 chargers as it does on level 1 chargers according to Harley's own website.

[@SirCptAwesome]

@@robertp457 you're not wrong...

[@Penguinius]

A great watch and an enjoyable overview of the bike. It really is quite an exciting thing, I used to think electric bikes were nonsens but I totally get it. The question is, what price point would Harley realistically should have hit to make it a realistic choice for people? 20k, 15k?

[@palanthis]

If you are in Spain and there is no rain, ride mostly toward the plains?

[@petebusch9069]

Still cant get past that RC car sound these electric bikes make, sounds really really chinsey.

[@paule5812]

Maybe you guys will take a look at the Bronx once Harley gets them ready for press release

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

I wish Harley would offer a kit to give all their models a normal left hand control indicator switch, nearly bought a 2018 Fat Bob but the indicators honestly did my head in that much I didn’t! You can’t just push the lever down to make sure you’ve cancelled them like on every other bike, you actually have to look down because there’s no specific cancel button! I know they’re ‘self cancelling’ but it didn’t work 100% of them time.

[@H-D-gl6gc]

I know the price is crazy but you have to give H-D some kudos for coming up with something really different from an H-D perspective. They have to reinvent themselves to some degree to survive. First time we have seen anything different from them in many years other than engine and suspension changes on standard models.

[@shaunbarclay1309]

Like the look of it. Makes me think HD should get into the naked game!

[@dennisthemenace5150]

Absolutely beautiful bike

[@roldannunez9866]

Would love to ride one. Pricing will be up to par in 5 to 10 years, I don’t think it will completely eliminate the ICE motorcycle but just be another choice

[@Dug6666666]

Sounds better than a normal Harley.

[@robbikebob]

I really like it. Most of my riding is under 80 mile round trips so range would be around perfect for 80% of the time. Love the looks. If I had a shed load of cash (which I definitely don't) I'd buy one. I'm very keen to see what the Japanese and European will do with e-bikes though. Hope they go all out fun and not glorified scooters!

[@BDBMX]

DK six pack! Yes mate, jealous if youve managed to keep one of them.

[@roberticvs]

"You've got to wind your neck in on the brakes." - Good advice. Thanks!

[@fattymcgee123]

I'd kill to live in that weather. Currently -41c here, snow will be here til May at the earliest.

[@fattymcgee123]

@Sam Yaza yeah, when it was that cold here, as a low, the high on Mars was -25c. Our high that day was -29. Still, colder north of us, -48. But to answer your question, Calgary.

[@TheAgalmic]

You immediately know it's a 44Teeth review as soon as you hear the words fart or ball sacks.

[@jamest5149]

If you want noise, put a playing card in the spokes like you do as a kid 👍 On my Raleigh Grifter, I used to turn the mud flap under the mud guards to get the ‘motor bike sound’.

[@garethlewis3743]

What happens if the throttle gets stuck open, you won’t be able to disengage the drive.

[@Burnningsoul]

I would love to have one to just buzz around town and short trips around here would be perfect. Saying that no way I could afford one but Harleys have always been more expensive. I mean there are electric bikes, not motorcycles bikes, that cost as much as my FJ1100 new now. Still to move along only hearing the wind for some of us is a nice dream.

[@bithynian3700]

An amazing design and craftsmanship no doubt. But the feeling in my gut tells me, there is something missing about electric bikes:) Btw keep these videos coming, cheers :)

[@NWSTRX850]

Great vid and review, personally I think Harley have done a pretty good job. Unfortunately I’m in love with the internal combustion engine and I will still be when it’s out performed by EV’s. Plus EV’s really need to come up with a battery tech other Lithium as they take way more resources to manufacture than ICE

[@arthurrobey4945]

What's this "mile" of which you speak? For a good motor sound, try putting a piece of cardboard in the spokes. It's guaranteed to turn heads.

[@josephbrowne3533]

I'm curious how the livewire will do against the naked sports bike their putting out. It does look good, expensive yes, but Evs aren't exactly cheap anyways. Have a 2012 switchback I got cheap, it's my only transport and it kicks the shit outta my old v-strom for reliability despite it having 3 times the mileage.

[@ranmckalser9844]

I can't wait for its release in australia

[@tonto_will1129]

Best vocab of any reviewer.

[@krayzieegg7294]

I was actually wondering if you guys reviewed a harley bike. Then you released this and i think this is the first. My father just got a 2020 street glide couple of weeks ago. Not my cup of tea but riding it for awhile i can see why alot of people like harleys. Its freaking comfy and also freaking heavy. I actually enjoyed riding it. So relaxing. The brakes are crappy though but itll do if your just cruising 120kph and below.

[@whatleytom]

Does look pretty good and braking aside seems to ride well. Didn't realise Harley were working on this and it's a pretty interesting brand direction for them to have taken considering what's gone before. Must have taken a huge amount of investment, but I guess it's potentially going to bring in a lot of non-typical Harley customers.

[@mitchelm9828]

Are we forgetting the Victory electric bike? Wasnt that a major manufacturer making an all electric bike?

[@devanois]

After watching the whole video I understand the laughs at the beginning: I can imagine it’s not the first test bike that you would have crashed as you drive too fast for the roads and the limitations there are. As for the bike, it seems an excellent one but the range is still a bit limiting and the price, as expected high. The dc fast charging looks a great addition.

[@djkenn77]

Loving the SLB reference nige

[@marcdavis2840]

Guy with the black Bell helmet was certainly on it 😀At £28k I think it will struggle to find buyers

[@compuhombre]

As you say you open the throttle and puts a smile on your face! We call that #torquegrin

[@QuikeNavarro]

Great video ride!!!

[@steveo1413]

Man this thing is rad. Hope this ignites a tech war with other manufacturers. Wish I could afford it.

[@thomasdixon7152]

There goes the loud pipes save lives motto Harley guys love

[@Banditmanuk]

It looks fun but costs nearly 3 times what I paid for my MT10. It maybe juvenile but part of the fun of a powerful naked bike is wheelies, didn't see any of those from the Livewire. I see that it's the future but I don't much like it. At the weekend I went to the Classic bike show, watched 100s of folks crowding around 20- 50 year old bikes, to see them start, hear their engines and smell the two stroke. Will these bikes be held in such affection in 30 years time?

[@Bamwich]

what's the warranty on the batteries?

[@Gandalf606]

Just came over from watching Ricky Martins review of his Indian Scout Bobber, with a Freedom Performance 2 into 1 Combat Exhaust. It sounds fantastic. And this is at least 50% of what motorbikes are all about - the sound. Some may say that % is even higher, and I wouldn't argue. So how on earth can any serious biker be drawn to a bike that sounds like a milk float? I seriously doubt electric bikes will attract old school bikers like me. They may attract the kids of tomorrow who've never ridden a twin, triple, or 4 cylinder bike before. Electric bikes? Not for me.

[@BryTheBiker]

I love this bike I took one out for a GoPro video was amazing I could stop LOL it was like being a kid again.

[@Bumbaclot213]

Seems like an all-round cowabunga machine then 🏍⚡️⚡️

[@paultheexscientist]

Looks interesting but range still an issue. 80ish miles when it's brand spanking new on a launch Weekend, What'll it be after three years? If its down to 50/60 won't be useable.

[@rocketrollsvlogs7625]

absolutely loved riding the LiveWire. I love riding Zeros as well, but the LiveWire did just feel "better". Not sure if it's worth the extra. Waiting to see what other e-bikes HD releases.

[@PabloConcrete]

Al looking slim in that RST jacket!!!!

[@M4Hamm]

I guess what Fagan says is our inevitable fate, "...the time is going to come sooner or later..." Also Fagan, "...oh you can't beat the sound of a Super Duke, can you..."

[@OOOHYEAAAHH]

Are these roads right out of Barcelona Nygel?

[@thomasphilyaw8593]

You had me at 28k... where do I sign up, oh wait I can get 2 super bikes for that price... never mind. Cheers Al

[@jonkelly1920]

My job just won’t allow for the future at $44,000! here in Australia 😂 love yer channel. Cheers

[@brenthill3241]

This will be one of those remember when: Harley had a Japanese copy called the Rikuo. Harley made a flat twin like BMW. Harley experimented with an electric bike.

[@jamiecox2506]

A DK Six-pack, no less! I wonder how many others new what that was?