• Harley-Davidson will bring to market its first all-electric bike ‘within 5 years’
    36 replies, posted
[QUOTE]Harley-Davidson unveiled its Livewire project two years ago almost to the day. While the all-electric concept with only ~60 miles of range was lacking compared to other models already available today, it showed that one of the most iconic motorcycle company, which is also obviously entrenched in internal combustion engines, is at least looking at other powertrain technologies. At the time, Harley-Davidson made it clear that Livewire was only a concept (and good-looking one – see pictures below), but now the company confirms that it plans to bring its first electric bike to market “within the next five years”.[/QUOTE] [URL="http://electrek.co/2016/06/14/harley-davidson-electric-bike-within-5-years/"]Source[/URL]
I'm definitely interested in an electric motorcycle. I'm too afraid of dying to do anything more than city riding, so I'm not all that concerned with the range issue. :v:
[QUOTE=Most wanteD;50520258]I'm definitely interested in an electric motorcycle. I'm too afraid of dying to do anything more than city riding, so I'm not all that concerned with the range issue. :v:[/QUOTE] There's already some other companies with electric motorcycles on the market with 150 mile range.
Its good that they are diversifying a bit. While ICE bikes have a great sound to them that I would miss (and Harley's have a very characteristic sound to them), the power with an electric would be so satisfying.
I feel like an electric motorcycle would sound really weird.
[QUOTE=IKTM;50520503]I feel like an electric motorcycle would sound really weird.[/QUOTE] nah they will just put aftermarket volume knobs on it like they do gas bikes
i feel motorcycle companies will try and replicate the classic noise with some sound mechanic if you really want it, otherwise im interested in seeing a concept vehicle
[QUOTE=fruxodaily;50520573]i feel motorcycle companies will try and replicate the classic noise with some sound mechanic if you really want it, otherwise im interested in seeing a concept vehicle[/QUOTE] I'd say they sort of have to. Harley Davidson is all about looks and noise. It's what made it iconic.
[QUOTE=IKTM;50520503]I feel like an electric motorcycle would sound really weird.[/QUOTE] Well you wouldn't hear much at all. Which would be a big problem because the reason why motorbikes don't have mufflers is so that even though you might miss seeing one passing you or merging, in your blind spots or in your mirrors, you'll definitely hear it. It's a safety concern.
[video=youtube;8EsZL-fxs1g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EsZL-fxs1g[/video]
Harley Davidson is falling behind technology wise. They've relied heavily on tradition and brand loyalty to continue to be successful. Victory has already beaten them to the punch with the [URL="http://www.victorymotorcycles.com/en-us/electric"]Empulse TT[/URL], along with other companies that have already released electric bikes. How can they expect to be successful with a timeline of [I]5 years[/I] to release their [I]first[/I] electric bike?
[QUOTE=Morgen;50520826][video=youtube;8EsZL-fxs1g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EsZL-fxs1g[/video][/QUOTE] I imagine that would be good for some military recon assuming it has good range. It's barely louder than a bicycle. [editline]14th June 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=Demache;50520421](and Harley's have a very characteristic sound to them)[/QUOTE] [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGyKBFCd_u4[/media]
[QUOTE=Morgen;50520826][video=youtube;8EsZL-fxs1g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EsZL-fxs1g[/video][/QUOTE] It sounds so cool when it passes by.
[QUOTE=Morgen;50520826][video=youtube;8EsZL-fxs1g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EsZL-fxs1g[/video][/QUOTE] [img_thumb]https://s15-us2.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/serveimage?url=http:%2F%2Fimage.made-in-china.com%2F4f0j00aBVQOPTWurqE%2FScooter-JL150T-3A-VI-.jpg&sp=b5d60f047919eb8db666b1d21724ca0f[/img_thumb] [QUOTE=Amaurus;50520901]It sounds so cool when it passes by.[/QUOTE] You could say that for anything really. Doppler effect is p cool. Still would prefer the noise of any ICE vs high pitched whining, but that's just me.
[QUOTE=OvB;50520878]I imagine that would be good for some military recon assuming it has good range. It's barely louder than a bicycle. [editline]14th June 2016[/editline] [/QUOTE] 186 miles at city speeds, 86 going 70 MPH with a 15.9KWh battery.
[QUOTE=lNloruzenchi;50520945][img_thumb]https://s15-us2.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/serveimage?url=http:%2F%2Fimage.made-in-china.com%2F4f0j00aBVQOPTWurqE%2FScooter-JL150T-3A-VI-.jpg&sp=b5d60f047919eb8db666b1d21724ca0f[/img_thumb] You could say that for anything really. Doppler effect is p cool. Still would prefer the noise of any ICE vs high pitched whining, but that's just me.[/QUOTE] i think he's talking more about the electrical element to the sound than the fact that it go wish woosh sideways
[QUOTE=OvB;50520878]I imagine that would be good for some military recon assuming it has good range. It's barely louder than a bicycle. [editline]14th June 2016[/editline] [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGyKBFCd_u4[/media][/QUOTE] Nah, Zeros have shit range. They are also expensive as fuck, was looking into them awhile back. I'll probably never have an electric bike sadly. I like to ride long distances and without the ability to instantly refuel I'd get fucked pretty hard. That said, I fucking hate Harley riders and those shitheads on crotch rockets that feel the need to go to a stop light and rev their bike for no fucking reason.
I love the idea of a big known brand like Harley Davidson to promote electric transportation.. .. but I really feel there's an elephant in the room, as aren't Harley Davidson bikes very popular due to their rich sound?
[QUOTE=sb27;50520599]Well you wouldn't hear much at all. Which would be a big problem because the reason why motorbikes don't have mufflers is so that even though you might miss seeing one passing you or merging, in your blind spots or in your mirrors, you'll definitely hear it. It's a safety concern.[/QUOTE] Most do have mufflers and baffles, they're just not as effective as the comparatively big setups you'll see on cars. There's always a big argument between the "loud pipes save lives" and "you're an obnoxiously loud twat" crowds. I don't really believe it makes all that much difference, I just love the sound of my straight piped CBR. I love the idea of an electric motorcycle, but they're too impractical as of right now, especially when you factor in the cost of actually buying one. And I can only imagine one made by Harley would be especially expensive.
[QUOTE=OvB;50520878]I imagine that would be good for some military recon assuming it has good range. It's barely louder than a bicycle.][/QUOTE] If I recall correctly a few militaries have actually expressed interest in Stealth's electric bicycles already for stealth insertion/recon. They're a bit slower and lower range than something like that, but they're also about a quarter of the weight and can be recharged as you ride with the pedals. [editline]15th June 2016[/editline] Oh, and they cost about a third of the DSR too
Electric bikes have been on pikes peak a few years now, there was an American company also a few years ago offering bikes but nobody bought then so they shut down
[QUOTE=IKTM;50520503]I feel like an electric motorcycle would sound really weird.[/QUOTE] Rev it up and show off those soft purring sounds it makes.
[QUOTE=sb27;50520599]Well you wouldn't hear much at all. Which would be a big problem because the reason why motorbikes don't have mufflers is so that even though you might miss seeing one passing you or merging, in your blind spots or in your mirrors, you'll definitely hear it. It's a safety concern.[/QUOTE] No. It is so the rider can feel like he has something other than a small penis.
I'm guessing this is part of Harley's strategy to entice a younger audience to their bikes. The only people buying Harley's are middle-aged men having a crisis. Then they put straight pipes on so the whole neighbourhood can think they're a knob at once
I feel like electric bikes won't be a huge hit for a while considering a lot of Harley owners I've met (older folks) can't stop talking about how loud their bike is, and even go to put a larger exhaust on it so it's louder
[QUOTE=Most wanteD;50520258] I'm too afraid of dying to do anything more than city riding[/QUOTE] Its city riding where riders die most.
[QUOTE=Cocacoladude;50540532]Its city riding where riders die most.[/QUOTE] This. I've had countless near misses in the city. However, the amount of close calls I've had on rural interstate and highway riding is near zero. Short of hitting an animal or some freak accident of bad timing, rural driving and riding is actually comparatively very safe, despite the higher speed. Its why 99% when I go on rides, I go outside of town. Its far less stressful. I went 70 miles without seeing another driver the other day. :v:
[QUOTE=Demache;50540765]This. I've had countless near misses in the city. However, the amount of close calls I've had on rural interstate and highway riding is near zero. Short of hitting an animal or some freak accident of bad timing, rural driving and riding is actually comparatively very safe, despite the higher speed. Its why 99% when I go on rides, I go outside of town. Its far less stressful. I went 70 miles without seeing another driver the other day. :v:[/QUOTE] I cant wait to get the fuck out of Hawaii. I miss seeing nobody for miles.
I'm super interested in an electric bike, but the quietness is what worries me. My bike isn't the loudest, and I've had a few people try to merge into me because they couldn't hear/see me, and I can only see that getting worse with a quieter bike. Still doesn't stop me from wanting one though.
[QUOTE=Demache;50540765]This. I've had countless near misses in the city. However, the amount of close calls I've had on rural interstate and highway riding is near zero. Short of hitting an animal or some freak accident of bad timing, rural driving and riding is actually comparatively very safe, despite the higher speed. Its why 99% when I go on rides, I go outside of town. Its far less stressful. I went 70 miles without seeing another driver the other day. :v:[/QUOTE] Come to NJ and drive on our parkways and you'll see a bunch of assholes on their Kawasaki motorcycles doing over 100 swerving in between cars like it's a Mad Max movie.
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