LiveWire continues to find ways to separate itself from its parent company.
The electric motorcycle brand has just unveiled two new concepts—one designed for the street and the other for the trail. The lightweight two-wheelers are part of LiveWire’s continuing plan to make electric motorcycles more accessible.
An electric powertrain isn’t all that differentiates LiveWire’s e-motos from Harley-Davidson’s gas-guzzlers. The more established brand continues to churn out hulking cruisers and touring bikes, whereas its younger spin-off has focused on smaller, more efficient models. LiveWire’s two-wheelers are designed for quickly and conveniently maneuvering around the modern city, not living out one’s Easy Rider-inspired dreams of hitting the open road.
LiveWire/Facebook
The concepts, which made their debut at Harley Davidson’s recent “Homecoming" event, are meant to preview the company’s new low-powered platform and are the equivalent of 125cc bikes, according to a post on Facebook. They are both powered by removable batteries that can be recharged or swapped out for a set at full capacity. They may not be as powerful as anything else in the brand’s current lineup, but they can still accelerate to 30 mph in three seconds, hit a top speed of 53 mph, and travel up to 100 miles on a single charge.
The first of the unnamed concepts was designed for street riding. The brand says it is “readily customizable" and “approachable," making it well-suited for an e-moto newcomer looking for something that can make running errands around town easier. The versatile trail model, meanwhile, is geared towards both work (riding around the ranch) and play (taking it around a pump track).
While neither of the prototypes has been officially confirmed for production, it’s clear that both bikes could eventually make their way to the market. In its Facebook post, LiveWire specifically asks for feedback from its followers regarding everything from colors to accessories, suggesting that the concept may preview a future range of bikes. It they do get added to the brand’s lineup, which currently sits at four models, it wouldn’t be a surprised if they are priced lower than its current entry-level bike, the Alpinista, which starts at $15,999.
From the article by Bryan Hood
