The most iconic bike-builder in the world, Harley-Davidson, caught the electric bug and announced on Monday it will launch its first ever production electric motorcycle in 2019.
To be called LiveWire, the electric motorcycle will be the first in “a broad, no-clutch twist and go portfolio of electric two-wheelers” created as a means to make Harley a leader of the electric bike segment as well.
The bike is based on the LiveWire project first presented in 2014 and available for test rides at dealerships across the world ever since. Seen at the time of its introduction as a major departure from the traditional motorcycles built by Harley, the LiveWire was powered by a longitudinal three-phase AC motor developing 74 horsepower.
Harley says that as opposed to the Project tested until recently, the production version of the LiveWire will be making full use of all the lessons learned during the thousands of test rides taken by customers.
"The bold actions we are announcing today leverage Harley-Davidson's vast capabilities and competitive firepower – our excellence in product development and manufacturing, the global appeal of the brand and of course, our great dealer network," said in a statement Matt Levatich, Harley-Davidson CEO.
"Alongside our existing loyal riders, we will lead the next revolution of two-wheeled freedom to inspire future riders who have yet to even think about the thrill of riding."
The LiveWire will be manufactured in York, Pennsylvania, and will at first only be available in North America and Europe. No actual technical details of the production version were released, nor any information on the pricing.
Following the introduction of the LiveWire, Harley will launch a series of lighter, smaller versions, to be made available starting 2022. The conventional motorcycles lineup will be expanded with more technologically-advanced Touring and Cruiser machines, the company's first Adventure Touring motorcycle, called Pan-America, a a 1250cc Custom model and a 975cc Streetfighter model.
The bike is based on the LiveWire project first presented in 2014 and available for test rides at dealerships across the world ever since. Seen at the time of its introduction as a major departure from the traditional motorcycles built by Harley, the LiveWire was powered by a longitudinal three-phase AC motor developing 74 horsepower.
Harley says that as opposed to the Project tested until recently, the production version of the LiveWire will be making full use of all the lessons learned during the thousands of test rides taken by customers.
"The bold actions we are announcing today leverage Harley-Davidson's vast capabilities and competitive firepower – our excellence in product development and manufacturing, the global appeal of the brand and of course, our great dealer network," said in a statement Matt Levatich, Harley-Davidson CEO.
"Alongside our existing loyal riders, we will lead the next revolution of two-wheeled freedom to inspire future riders who have yet to even think about the thrill of riding."
The LiveWire will be manufactured in York, Pennsylvania, and will at first only be available in North America and Europe. No actual technical details of the production version were released, nor any information on the pricing.
Following the introduction of the LiveWire, Harley will launch a series of lighter, smaller versions, to be made available starting 2022. The conventional motorcycles lineup will be expanded with more technologically-advanced Touring and Cruiser machines, the company's first Adventure Touring motorcycle, called Pan-America, a a 1250cc Custom model and a 975cc Streetfighter model.