Why It Sucks: Exposing the LiveWire S2 Del Mar Scam 

This is the first video with the new mic and also the first video I wrote a script for instead of just rambling stream-of-consciousness style. I still haven't figured out why the room lighting doesn't stay consistent. I've got more improvements to make.

I've owned the S2 Del Mar since November, and have 3500 miles on it. My experience with range is spot on with LiveWire's specs. Range is based on the SAE J2982 standards, which is what all EV motorcycles should be using for range claims. The Daily Rider video didn't specify what speeds they were at to get such a low range, but I would imagine right around 70-80mph as an average. I'm on the east coast in Virginia, and I usually get around 90 miles going 45-55mph. The Del Mar is perfect for my area as we can't really go faster than that unless we want to become part of the view.

I have an S2 and daily it 52 miles round trip. I charge it at work. Pure commuter. Filtering and splitting machine, no clutch or rpm range to deal with, just gobs of torque instantly. Fantastic build quality, made in USA.

“Long Way Dumb” 😂😂 I love Long Way ‘Round and Long Way Down, but you’re spot on about Long Way Up being a commercial.

I have a Del Mar, and it’s terrific. Excellent quality, badass design. I commute 14 miles each way. I get 80-90 miles per charge, not 50. I take the long way home and still have miles to spare. It only takes me 5 seconds to charge - I plug it in and walk into the house. It’s a blast and makes me smile every time I ride it. And that’s why I ride motorcycles - because they’re a blast.

I'm thinking about getting one. From what I can see, if you work within forty or fifty miles from where you live...there is no better commuter bike on the market. Maybe the Mulholland but that's the same platform. People gloss over the amount of torque it has like it's no big deal or like it just can't be true. I haven't ridden one yet but I bet I would have a freaking blast on this thing on my 20 to 30 mile commute each day. The cleanliness and dependability of the electric drivetrain not to mention it's stealthy operation and EASE of opeation make it far more practical as a daily than any gas bike. I could fly home like a jet each night at 2am and never disturb a soul, something my traditional biker neighbors will appreciate ironically.

The problem with most people complaining about the range is that they won’t even use their bikes for the amount of range they are expecting. If you do then the bike simply isn’t made for you just like I won’t complain that the Gold Wing is oversized for offroad riding cause even IF you can use it that way, thats not what it was intended for and I think that’s why Zach is bored of hearing the complaints. Every type of bike has a targeted audience and this one happens to be general daily commuters and city fun.. and of course, it wont hit the mark with every single person, just like general women won’t buy a motocross or adventure bike because of their seat height but you wont see hundreds of vids about complaints on that, because its not a flaw. So just because it’s not for you, does not make it crap.

Like Ben, I’ve got over 3500 real world miles on my S2 Del Mar. I’ve been posting all my rides. I Avg 80-100 miles Highway on a single charge. My 30%-50% charge is maybe 15 mins. Yes its $$$ even with the $1000 rebate and $1000 state rebate ($2000 total). It’s nice not having ANY maintance bills all year. And it costs me about $1:16 to ride per 100 miles. My 40-50 mpg bikes about $7.60-$15.50. It’s so nice to have an automatic full tank of gas every day when you wake up in the morning. But hey, all bikes have compromises. Is this a fatal flaw not even close this is quickly become my goto daily rider. I usually don’t review bikes that I’ve never ridden our owned personally, but I guess that’s just me.

Freeway speeds in total silence...Sensation of "I'm about to die." I'm gonna pass on this one. I'll ride my FX

I have had my Del Mar since Dec and have over 6k miles on it. 40 years of riding and its the most fun I have ever had on two wheels, bar none. Harley's, Buell's, CBR's, Dirtbikes and more. No one is buying a Del Mar to long range trip on. Price is subjective really, there are people who spend that on a vacation.

You raise some interesting points but your issue with range seems akin to criticising a fish for its inability to climb a tree. The Livewire is not designed to be a touring bike, and makes no claims in that regard. It is very clearly intended to be a sunny Sunday ride to the local bistro, or a commuting vehicle, for which purposes the limited range is not an issue at all.

Ducati Monster: 0-60 time = 3.3 sec Torque = 81.6 pound-feet of torque at 7,600 rpm Del Mar beats that handily.

You get what you tolerate & what’s available; competition breeds lower prices. With time the tech, range & prices will improve. There are more options becoming available, but I won’t open that can of worms.

If you see them as just toys, then it's "not bad." It's somewhat interesting looking and electric motorbikes are still unique. An electric motorbike by HD is doubly interesting, so it will amuse the owner for a while even if very impractical.

I have a 2020 Livewire one. I tend to get about 120 miles per charge. It does suck charging it out in the wild. Trying to find a DC charger can suck. But 97% of my charging is at home. I use my bike for commuting to work everyday as long as it’s not raining. I’m lucky because I can charge at work and it takes all the range anxiety out of it. Plus if something happens I still have enough battery to get home with extra to spare. But with that said in no way would I take my bike in a long long adventure. I don’t trust that the charging station s would be available or working or full. I don’t want to wait hours for someone to charge there car so I can charge mine. Ok. That’s the bad. But this is the best commuter bike ever. lol. That’s not a lie. Just with any bike there’s good and there’s bad.

I have literally just had a test ride on the Del Mar, about 2 hours ago. It started at 100% charge and I rode it for 30 miles. When I handed it back to the dealer, it was showing 75% charge. Those are facts, not the uninformed speculation of a youtuber. Would I like more range? Yes, but realistically probably enough for what the Del Mar would represent to me. If I wanted to go touring through the Alps, I'd choose a different bike, but boy oh boy, the Del Mar would actually be a hoot up and down those passes. Handling is terrific, it's light and chuckable and oh so fast. Personally I'm bored of idiots like this youtuber who quotes stats that don't suit them and raise their eyebrows as if they are the arbiter of what is right and what is not. So he doesn't like electric bikes (obviously). Fair enough. That's his opinion. Mine is quite different and I doubt he has any bikes that appeal to me in the slightest. Does that make me 'right'? No, they're just opinions. Just as his outpourings are mostly just opinions and as irrelevant to anyone else as are mine. Then when he gets to facts, like the Del Mar makes 194 foot pounds at the motor, he raises his eyebrows again and essentially claims it's a lie. Clearly he knows nothing about engineering, nor about how torque is produced and transmitted to the ground to push you along. Don't waste your time watching this. Go somewhere else and watch something worthwhile.

100 miles no problem LiveWire one, have you driven one. Masterpiece of technology that handles amazing with Brembos standard. I had a Kawasaki 750 Turbo, the pull from 0 is Amazing

I sort of share your opinion and glad to hear yours on this. I will never own a electricity only powered vehicle; car or bike {or boat}. A hybrid I might consider after researching one. But with no engine it is a waste of money {to me}. I have seen the video of the big 4 cyl bike they got to run well on water. Now there is an intelligent way to go. But currently there is no money in water so you never hear of it from anyone other than some "way out there" individuals. They can just stuff electric anything and should concentrate on alternative fuels that work and cost way less than fuel currently. We are almost at $2.50 per litre. They are training us to accept this type of rip-off for fuel.

Have you ridden the Del Mar?

oh by the way can you make this bike yourself for 15k?I dont think so

Love your sense of humor!

i cried after watching this. Im still srying

103 top speed, 50 mile range (when brand new). $17,000? Why are we here?

Totally agree. I'd love to have an electric motorcycle, and my commute is only about 25 miles. But I'm not paying $17000 for the privilege when I can do it on a $5000 internal combustion bike. You're right. We don't need lots of hp or torque; we need range.

Well said dude.

Yeah 50 miles? Give me a break, sounds more like a 15K ebike.

Reviewers like Zack need to maintain themselves on the good side of motorcycle brands so they won't really diss on a bike when they need to. The livewire is a toy for rich people, not a vehicle/tool for normal people.