I have 10k miles on my Livewire and it still makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning every time I open my garage door...absolutely incredible machine.
One of the best motorcycle reviews that I've ever watched. Great job man... you can tell that you put a lot of consideration, thought and care into this review... I'd happily accept your opinion on any matter. Cheers.
Long distance touring with your mates would be a nightmare. For a 300 mile journey, You would be full on pies & coffee from each lengthy charge, your mates would be almost home again given the 2-3 charges you need. Would be a good work commuter, or shorter ride bike. Eventually the battery technology will be sufficient, but those charge times are the killer for me at the moment (not to mention the lack of charging points)
Charging network is everything. I can easily do a 500+mile day on my LiveWire. Is it the same 500+ day as a petrol bike? No. The EV ownership and riding experience is very different from petrol - even though it's easy to compare the two.
I brought it as a goal to keep me alive and to fight the cancers I've got. And mate even though it cost me $50000 AUD here down under, to me its worth every cent. Every time I ride it, I have a smile on my face. The sheer joy and quietness of the bike, it has rekindled my love of motorcycle riding. No matter what speed you are doing, you have always got more power at hand to get out of trouble if you need it. My old bike of almost 20 years vintage that I traded in on the Livewire had done only 20000 km in that time, the Livewire in just 4 weeks I've done 3900 km. ( And that's in winter here) Yes the range is slack if your tear-arsing on the freeways but who gives a f when it puts a smile on your face. And when you conquer the range by using regenerative braking to put more range in the bike like I did ( I had 127 km to nearest DC fast charger or 102 km to get home and I only had 86 km left on the range. 5 km from home the screen was showing 0% range and 0 km left and the bike got me home, I did not have to push it.) Man I felt 10 feet tall after that.
@@Worldsbestname Thanks Matey, I hope you get to either test ride the bike or it comes down in price so you can buy it and own it. It would not bother me if it did drop big in price, I have already got my monies worth in ear to ear grins and it gives me a goal to keep doing the chemotherapy.
@@markkingston9444 Hey mate, thanks for the great response - glad to see you still fighting you legend (truly wish you all the best) and actually will be checking one out in the next week or so as there’s a couple ‘round me for sale for $34-35k (AUD) which is a sweet price point I reckon. Genuinely made the ‘you know what, let’s do this’ decision thanks to your comment haha so thank you!
Amazing review. I'm just re watching this now I watched it over a year ago and then went out and bought one :) I have had mine now since January and have absolutely loved it. The novelty hasn't worn off yet 7000 kms in. It really is something special.
Exceptionally well articulated review. Fantastic. Interesting bike. Probably quite a bit better than most were expecting. The e-motor whine of any electric will take a while to get used to...
I watched every single review of this motorcycle on RU-vid, including the ones from the major outlets, and this one was the most personal and revealing from a user perspective. So good, I had to watch it twice. I test rode this today, but it was not my first time.... I first rode it two years ago. I just absolutely love this bike!
Thank you for this super nice Video. I really appreciate the balanced style of figuring out the pros and cons of this special Bike. Especially the part where you where talking about Engine noises and engines itself. I definitely agree on liking the sound of an combustion engine. But this new type of riding on a silent electric bike sounds definitely nice to me. I need to get to ride one of these. Maybe it's the only way to keep the roads open for motorcycle rides. Greetings from Germany
Nice review. Balanced and informative. I love that you actually put a bunch of miles on, not just a quick weekend. I don’t think my next bike will be electric, but the one after that…
Really nice review and great style Chris, easy watching and nice multi-cam set-up.... an inspiration for my car review channel. Very cool bike and a chilled review style! 👌🏻
@@BikeWorldTVshow thank you! Back to the LiveWire, I've heard there's a chance the pricing is coming down in the US which the UK may benefit from in 2022. Would it be worth holding out?
I used to watch countless YT channels with motorcycle reviews . . . . nowadays i only have 3 left, and the only one I realy enjoy is Chris for Bike World. Thanks for those great insides on bikes Chris
Intelligent review. Thank you. The bike isn’t for me especially given the price. I don’t think electric bikes make much sense given the poor power density of batteries and the necessary limited space for them on a two wheeler. My quick blast route is about 100 miles. It includes a stop at a nice little cafe in the country. Nowhere to charge there but half a dozen petrol stations on route.
I've had mine here in Australia for 2 years and 11,000 kms from new. Fantastic. I've been riding for 62 years, yes since I was 5, and have owned 64 motorbikes. This is VERY unusual, but a ton of fun! When I go from, say my BMW R18 to this, I have no clutch or gear changes, no vibration, no sound, so you are deprived of many inputs that help you "know" where the bike is. In this regard, it's tricky and not to be messed with. The instant acceleration has to be treated with care!
Riding the LiveWire (and most electric motorcycles) is a very grounding experience. The lack of engine and exhaust sounds doesn't diminish or drown out the surrounding noises (sans the rushing wind), a really peaceful and calming experience.
Great description thanks brother. Harley definetly stepped up their game on this .hopefully harley will keep growing in the performqnce and fun factoe to bring in younger riders
I really like the Livewire. I don't really have an issue with the electric part despite having a 208HP V4 in the garage. But the range is just not quite there yet. When I can get 200-250 miles from a charge, I'll be all for it. Also, the Damon looks super interesting and if that becomes a reality, I think I may prefer the looks of that.
I like the concept and the initial offering, but for me, the $$ is too high and I would not purchase one without a 200 mile range and true fast charge for on the go.
Best review I've seen on any bike in a long time. Answered all the questions I had with regard to what it would be like to live with beyond the gushy short term reviews I've seen on these bikes.
"WOW there's no clutch!" - so many 'reviews' are like this. So hard to find a good review on these bikes, especially for someone researching to purchase. I agree, this was a great review!
I own an Electraglide, a Buell Ulysses, a Bourget custom and a ‘20 HD LiveWire. After three years of ownership I continue to really like the LW. It is great for local riding . No regrets here.
Another great, balanced review. The arguments against electric are starting to sound a little thin. We know for sure that prices will come down and power density will go up, so it’s great to hear a proper review that treats this like a “real motorbike”. I may keep an ICE bike of some kind for nostalgia, but I’m sure that I will get an electric within the next few years. Our kids won’t know any different.
I'm no fan of factory HD bikes, but this bike and this review really have me thinking. I'm not a massively fast rider, primarily because even after 22 years of riding I'm just not good enough to be, but this actually has me considering it as my next bike. Great review 👏 👌 👍
Brilliant review Chris! Petrol ICE has a soul that electric can't quite match. The explosions and use of fluids make it seem more like heart beats and blood in symmetry with your own body. However it would be nice when I ride my honda cbf 600 to know that if the price comes down I could commute tour do track days on something that's made of a less moving wearing parts and a little bit better for the planet. So yeah bit in limbo for me still right now. 28 yr old btw 2 years riding
Great review. I have a Zero SR/S which I love but it has had it’s issues, now waiting for a battery replacement after 5.5k miles… Keen to try the Livewire on the strength of your review, so thank you
Beautiful machine, would love to ride one at some point. Definitely couldn’t own it though, lol. Really makes me hope they decide to bring the Bronx to market.
I've always and will always love loud exhaust noise from bikes but this on really does interest me if I'm being honest. It is the sound of the future and the future is here. Would love to test that bike out someday!
I see a lot of people who are happy with the sound of the ebike, which is fine obviously, we all our opinions and preferences but sound is a safety feature for riders.
I've had a chance to test ride the Livewire and a few Zero motorcycles, the Harley was a hoot, the price they wanted not so. The larger battery Zeros pretty much the same, the diamond in the rough was the Zero FXS their 15kW supermoto it was fantastic, for a commuter bike it's the one I would choose. In fact lobbying the company I work for to bring the likes into its bike to work scheme where you get the tax relief off from your wage at source. My only true concern is how they will hold up under winter conditions?
Great review and very necessary to help understand the complete shift in approach to riding this bike brings. Im interested in owning one, and consider getting rid of my Yamaha for one, would it be worth it to keep a gas bike and EV for different purposes?
Idk if other places did this but my dealer had one left and listed it for 20k brand new. It was gone in 2 days. If that doesn’t speak volumes idk what does.
I am lucky, I like petrol engines, their noise when moderate and switching gears, but also like the prospect of not having the noise, having to switch gears, checking oil. It won't be a sad transition for me. About that bike, still amazed that of the established manufacturers, it's HD that did it first (Zero is different, they're new) but maybe they feel the imparative for renewal the strongest. Such a balanced review too, I find Chris's keeps his views relevant despite his riding skills being uncomprehensible to the relative noob and that's whether he's thrashing on muddy trails on a scrambler or going round a track in racing leathers. Great great job.
Great review. Harley is dropping the HD name, rebranding it as Livewire (the brand), and reselling it for 30% less, which is what it should have been from the get-go. It's a great bike, and on the money (when a third cheaper). It's not for everyone. But as Henry Ford said, when building the Model T - if I asked people want they want, they'd of said a faster horse. You can't stop progress, and EV is our future.
Seems like it is kind of like when one loses the use of one of their senses, the others are more enhanced. When you lose the sound of the engine, you gain extra awareness of the tire sounds which tell you a whole lot too.
I love it.. it's probably not a typical touring bike, but in the streets of a city, this bike can be really convenient, especially for young professionals. I only wish it had some luggage space and a lower price.
I think it's a great bit cause it will lead the company works toward fuel efficiency, I'd like to see hybrid model cause it will give that range people want
Hi Chris, glad you found us! Not sure if we will, Harley don't seem to like us. They've not been inviting us to the launches, they'd sooner invite obscure influencers.
@@BikeWorldTVshow I'm hopeful ( can you knock on the door , they seem to want alternate views for this newy ) Be looking out for you , love this Guys reviews and ways ...
I bit the bullet and bought this because I really wanted an electric motorbike and this was the only one currently selling in Australia of this size. I don't regret it at all. Price point high, but the bike is too good not to fall in love with - I can't see myself going back to traditional gas bikes any time soon, it's too addictive. Those in America have the Livewire One for a much lower price now so that's good!
I'm a fellow Aussie and I too brought the H.D. Livewire. And I absolutely love it despite it costing me 50 grand AUD. But its paid me back in the smiles that are plastered on my face every time I ride it. I love the fact that it is very quiet when you are stopped in major traffic. It allows you to take in the scenery and also listen for the semi or car that is trying to do a emergency stop 3 car lengths behind you, so you can take evasive action. I also like the power it still has on hand, no matter what speed you are doing. I was going to have a look at the Zero company of fine electric motorcycles but like their name, a few years ago, they had zero confidence in the Aussie public buying their product and so they pissed off out of Australia and went back to the USA with their f'n tail between their legs. Its ironic, if they were still here, I may have brought one of their bikes instead of the Livewire. Anyway I too will not go back to a ICE motorcycle, I will stick with electric.
I also tested a Livewire and loved it, I've now finished with petrol bikes, the price tag is OTT , I also tested the Zero DSX similar bike similar performance less than half the price, in fact I bought one I will never ride a petrol bike again .
Motorcycle engines good for 100,000 miles? That's crazy. I expect my bikes to go 500,000km before I do anything to them. One of my bikes is a 1991 Goldwing 1500SE with 240,000km and I've done nothing buy wearable items. I expect it to outlive me. Great video, ride safe.
HD singlehandedly saved their company from extinction with the Livewire, then instantly signed their own death sentence by pricing it like a Ferrari and then crying like a spoilt child when people wouldn't buy them at that price and then cancelled the bike entirely. HD will be remembered as the single most stupidly managed motorcycle company of the century. RIP HD.
A great bike but well ahead of meaningful supportive infrastructure. Basically have to double your travel time for any trips outside of the city (an hour ride for an hour delay charging) and your route is set by where you can charge it. I would have an electric bike if only I could use it the same way I use my current bike and I certainly can’t - yet.
Excellent review. I love the way it looks and think it sounds like a star wars tie fighter. I grew up wanting a light cycle from tron, so I've no problem with electric bikes. I have got a problem with the price though, as I had to scrape 1k together for my present, 27 year old bike..... I'll have to keep entering the lottery then.....
How many watts does it take to full charge the battery? Knowing this I can compute how much it will cost here in our country. How long will the battery last? How many years before we replace the battery? How much is the cost of the battery?
If it were cheaper and I mean a lot cheaper it would be a great commuter bike to get to and from work. As a main bike I'd still prefer something like the Road King Special or a Fatboy.
Great review and I don't mind stopping for 'fuel'. Stop, get a cup of tea and enjoy the ride. I think relaxing, eating a sandwich, and spending an hour or so in reflection and contemplating the ride is part of the whole experience.
Yep! This is something that others can't wrap their heads around. EV is great for the adventuring spirit - I often explore my surroundings whilst waiting for a charge.
I think it looks stunning, I really like the slimeball green/yellow colour. I can believe I love it, it's electric and a Harley but its stunning. Now anybody want to buy a slightly used kidney.
Also dont forget this is the first genaration of E-motorcycle ,more genarations to go like 1000mile in a single charge, charge time only 10 min and go up to 400khmp.may be 🤠😉
