Harley-Davidson has released the long-awaited technical specifications for its first electric motorcycle. Jumping right into the details, the LiveWire will be able to accelerate from 0-96 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds thanks to its electric powertrain which can produce 100 percent of its rated torque at a twist of the throttle. That’s common for electric vehicles, minus the handle part, but Harley-Davidson declined to mention the bike’s horsepower or torque ratings.

While the company only revealed a few performance specs, the company did confirm the bike will have an estimated range of 177 km on “urban roads.” When it comes time to recharge the bike, Harley-Davidson says a household outlet will deliver approximately 20.9 km of range for every hour charged. A Level 2 charger doesn’t speed up the process, but a Level 3 DC fast charger will deliver 309 km of range per hour (ie: the bike can be recharged in less than hour).


Besides releasing some specifications, Harley-Davidson confirmed the bike will have a 4.3-inch touchscreen display. Another interesting feature is the H-D Connect Service which uses a cellular connection to talk to the Harley-Davidson app.

This will allow users to remotely monitor the bike’s charging status and current available range as well as find nearby charging stations. The app also provides service reminders and shows where the bike has been parked. In the event the LiveWire is stolen or tampered with, the owner will receive an alert and it can be tracked down via GPS. The H-D Connect Service will be free for the first year of ownership and the company says the technology makes the LiveWire the “first North American mass-market cellular-connected electric motorcycle.”


Perhaps the biggest revelation was the confirmation that the bike will start at US$ 29,799 in the United States. The LiveWire is currently available to pre-order at U.S. dealerships and the first deliveries are slated to begin this fall.

In related news, Harley-Davidson revealed two other electric concepts. The company didn’t say much about them, but one is a muscular scooter while the other appears to be a minimalist dirt bike. While the company was tight-lipped on details, they did confirm both were designed to be operated without a motorcycle license. They also have “single-hand-carry battery packs and a style grounded in H-D design philosophies.”