The first electric motorcycle from Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc. is now available for pre-order from U.S. dealers with a suggested retail price of $29,799, the company announced Monday.
Harley executives said last year the company would launch a production version of LiveWire this year. The much anticipated project has been in development since 2014. Adding an electric bike is part of the company’s More Roads plan, an effort to bring more people into the sport of motorcycling amidst sagging demand from Harley’s traditional customers.
“We’re at a historic juncture in the evolution of mobility, and Harley-Davidson is at the forefront,” said Matt Levatich, president and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson. “Innovation that moves the body and soul has always been at the heart of our brand, and this next chapter in our history is about creating products and opportunities for existing and aspiring riders of all ages and walks of life.”
The production LiveWire has an estimated range of 110 miles on a single charge in urban traffic. A standard household outlet will add 13 miles of range per hour of charging while a DC Fast Charge station will provide full range in under an hour.
LiveWire will be available in orange, yellow and black at select dealerships in North America and Western Europe this fall.
The motorcycle also comes with H-D Connect, a connectivity service that allows owners to see vehicle health and security information on their smart phone. Harley is partnering with Panasonic Automotive on the service.
The service is free for the first year but will require a subscription fee afterwards. H-D Connect will also collect vehicle usage data to improve quality and rider experience. Riders will be able to opt out of the service.
Harley also says the LiveWire “is designed to produce a new signature Harley-Davidson sounds as it accelerates and gains speed.”
LiveWire will be produced at Harley’s York, Pennsylvania facility, spokeswoman Patricia Sweeney said in an email.
