Forums » Off-Topic Discussions
WOULD YOU BUY AN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE?
-
WOULD YOU BUY AN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE?
Harley-Davidson announced that it will begin taking preorders for LiveWire, its highly anticipated electric motorcycle, in August 2019. There are many electric motorcycles already on the streets, and given the prevalence of electric vehicles glutting the market, it was only a matter of time before the quintessential American motorcycle brand went electric. The question for motorcyclists is, would you buy one?To get more news about ev, you can visit davincimotor.com official website.
The LiveWire was featured at EICMA 2018 (Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori, or the Milan Motorcycle Shows), an annual trade show in Milan, Italy, in November, along with other electric models. Test riders have already tested out LiveWire prototypes, and reviews are starting to hit the presses. Here is what we know so far.
The LiveWire is fast, and it’s got great torque: at 74 horsepower (hp) and 52 foot-pounds (ft-lb) of torque, it will rev from 0 to 60 in under 3.5 seconds. It has an estimated travel range of 110 city miles on a single charge. It’s quiet – but that may be an option; we’ll address that below.
It has a state-of-the-art customizable touchscreen display, and, Harley-Davidson says, will be the world’s most connected motorcycle experience. It comes equipped with H-D Connect, an application that allows users to remotely connect to real-time data about battery status, service needs, location, and security alerts if someone is tampering with the bike.
Of course, the LiveWire is not the first electric chopper, or the only option out there; time will tell if it’s the best electric motorcycle.
There’s a lot to like about today’s electric motorcycle models. For a start, they’re zero-emissions vehicles, so they’re better for the environment. There may also be tax incentives for purchasing a green vehicle, and you’ll save more money on gas than you’ll pay in electricity to charge your EV bike.
Unlike electric scooters, the high-performance models usually have high torque (the force behind acceleration). The Lightning LS-218 electric superbike produces 168 ft-lb of torque, and can go from zero to 60 in less than 3 seconds. And they’re fast: the LS-218, the fastest production electric motorcycle on the market, was so named because it hit 218 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats in 2013.
Because there’s no clutch or gearbox, they’re easier to ride than traditional motorcycles, even for novices. They also require minimal maintenance – although if you like to tinker on your bike, that may be a drawback. Another plus: the engines don’t heat up as fast, so, no more hot legs on long rides.
Like traditional motorcycles, riders can find styles that are modern and sleek, or aggressive like traditional electric “chopper” styles, so in terms of look, most motorcyclists can find a model that appeals.Finally, they’re quiet – which, again, may not suit everyone. And the quiet ride does take some getting used to: it’s easy to forget it’s running, twist the throttle and watch the bike take off without you. Many motorcyclists like the rumble and the vroom of acceleration, and some models, including the H-D LiveWire, try to replicate that sound.Zero emissions, high performance, low maintenance – why wouldn’t you buy one? Because you might not be able to afford it. Like electric cars, electric motorcycles tend to be much higher-priced than traditional ones. For example, a Lito Sora starts at $77,000. You’ll find plenty of lower-priced options, and some even higher, but most are between $20,000 and $40,000.
Another concern is the travel range. Most will go around 100 miles on a full charge – the Brutus V9 and Zero SR can go over 200. But once the power’s gone, it’s not as quick and easy to recharge as it is to simply fill your tank with gas. Battery pack charging times range from two to eight hours – although some models offer “fast charger” add-ons that will give you a full charge in as little as 30 minutes. For those who commute short distances, and can charge their vehicles at night, this may not be an issue. However, with the shorter-range vehicles, road trips may cause range anxiety.