Rovert

Review: Harley-Davidson Livewire There is a lot to be said about the Livewire in more ways than merely the fact that it is an electric motorcycle. First impressions were “oh my goodness, what is this machine and how did it come back from the future?” Once familiarised with the controls, which didn’t take too long considering there is no clutch lever, starter motor or even an engine! The bike was ‘energised’ via the power on switch, along with the brake being applied, you can hear a slight clicking noise as well as the engine giving a very slight ‘pulsing’ to make you aware that it is live and ready to ride. Once moving, it is incredibly well balanced and you immediately feel in control. The temptation to go for the clutch lever and also to find the gear shifter is not there is slightly disconcerting and takes some time to lose this thought pattern. The brakes are incredibly effective (compared to my Dyna) and pull up to a standstill in no time at all. This braking is accentuated by the ‘regenerative braking’ from the electric motors. This is amplified by selecting different drive modes (e.g. extreme braking effect in Sport mode and Rain mode has significantly less) This would equate to engine braking by dropping a gear to assist deceleration. Regarding acceleration, it has to be said, it is phenomenal in most modes but Sport mode is insane. Because an electric motor delivers linear acceleration without any drag or time lost while changing gears, it is smooth and relentless in delivering the power up to a neck-breaking level. Again, the Modes can easily be altered by the Mode button on the hand controls and viewed on the electronic display panel. The only thing that is missing is the thumping V-twin engine sound, but it is substituted for a futuristic noise, somewhat similar to something from Star Wars. The display panel also displays the charge rate and remaining mileage until a recharge is needed. Other vital readings from the bike are also displayed here although the font size is rather small for some items. Ride comfort is quite satisfactory but more a street stance than a cruiser, so again took a lot of getting used to coming from the Street Bob. The bars tip your weight over the front more so which gives good balance and handling in bends. The suspension is more than adequate in handling most road conditions and the weight is down low so slow speed manoeuvres is precise and light in traffic. To summarise - it is a fantastic leap in the current future of electric bikes and one which Harley-Davidson has embraced the technology and positioned the Livewire in the marketplace for anyone who wants green credentials and a huge amount of fun at the same time. If I had the money I would definitely get one!

Agrati Capri - bought it off a mate and had this for 46 years. Only sold it last year - never did finish restoring it 😪 Honda CB50J which I fitted a rickman style sports fairing (on a 50cc I know, what was I thinking). First legal bike I rode 😀 Lambretta TV175 (series 3) 😀 Lambretta GT200 (series 3) 😀 Numerous other Lambrettas and a few Vespa scooters (approx 28 in total) Suzuki RM125 (got it road legal) 😀 Suzuki RM 250 (also got it road legal) 😀 Yamaha YZ250 (and this one as well) 😀 Yamaha YZ490 (off road use only) 😀 Kawasaki Z400 (road that every day for years in all weathers and never failed me) 😀 Mobylette - really great unrestricted moped - never failed me as a daily bike 😀 Yamaha XT660X - probably one of the worst bikes I have ever owned 😡 BMW R1200GS - had that for around 10 years and rode all through Europe on it - never let me down 😀 😀 Harley Davidson (VRSCA 100th Anniversary model) - great bike but a bit pointless 😀 Honda ST1100 Pan European - bit big and bulky but nice to ride 😀 Suzuki Bandit 1200 (K1) - probably one of the best allround bikes and commuted 750 miles a week all year round 😀😀 Harley Davidson Dyna Street Bob (103ci) - love this bike and still have it 😀😀😀 Honda Africa Twin 1000 DCT - probably the second most hated bike I have owned - maybe it was just me ☹️☹️ Vespa PX200 (2000 model) - just got this and loving it 😀😀 If I think of any others i have missed out I will post up later ***I've used a rating system with smiley faces, etc to show the extent of how much I liked or loathed a particular bike

Hi all, just popped in to say 'Hi' to all of you. Been riding for around 45 years and still vertical which is sometimes surprising. Started off on Lambretta scooters and then progressed to Harleys via quite a few different styles of bike. Gone back to a Vespa scooter but still have a Harley so a foot in both camps one would say. Be good to chat with you all over time :-) Cheers!

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