CASE STUDY #3
“Why did I make the switch from the iconic V-twin to electric? It’s all because of the pandemic! I’ve always owned Harley touring bikes right from my very first, a Heritage Softail right up to my last, an Ultra Limited with the Milwaukee-Eight engine, which was really good. I’d been hanging on to the Ultra just so that I could go to Thunder In The Glens, but when it was cancelled due to the lockdown, I decided to sell it on and wait for the new Pan America (Harley’s longawaited adventure bike) to come out, but I was genuinely sad to see the Ultra go. Then I happened to notice that Sycamore H-D in Uppingham had a LiveWire available and thought I’d take the opportunity to have a bit of fun. “I’d already taken it for a spin both as a prototype in 2015 and back when the demonstrators were doing the rounds. I’d recently changed my car for a plug-in hybrid, and the thought of an electric motorcycle was curious and exciting. The LiveWire felt strange at first, with no gears or clutch, but it’s quickly intuitive. That 15-minute ride felt incredible: easy, stuck to the road and so much fun. The lack of sound only heightened the other senses. “However, as much as I liked it, I didn’t think it was practical for touring. So when, thanks to Covid, all the tours got cancelled, I thought why not? “I don’t think I’ve had so much fun on any bike I’ve ever owned. It used to take me so long to get the old Ultra ready that for short journeys I’d use the car. Now I just jump on the bike – it’s light and easy to manoeuvre, just great fun! “Being so used to touring bikes I was concerned that the lack of wind protection might be an issue, but the little fairing works well up to around 60mph so I still can wear an open-face. “The Brembo brakes are probably the best Harley have ever fitted, but it doesn’t really need them because the regen braking is fantastic. It’s perfect on country lanes and B-roads as the on/off acceleration really helps with the battery life – you get a lot more miles with that type of riding.
“Although it’s very exciting to ride, charging can be a bit of a challenge. The LiveWire needs a Level 3 DC fast charger, but regardless of how much charge is available it will only draw 25 kWh to prevent the battery overheating. It takes about 40 minutes for 80% charge, then a further half hour to top off, which I think is at a lower rate to keep the temperature down. The cooler the battery, the better the performance. I’m getting just over 90 miles from full, providing I avoid motorways – at 70mph on a dual carriageway I reckon it’ll do less than 60 miles.
“After just five weeks of ownership it was ready for its 1000-mile service, and the only consumable required was fresh transmission oil. But now that’s done it should be good for another 40,000 miles. Apart from that there was nothing that needed doing.
“I’d still like to get the Pan America when that comes out next year, but I’m also thinking about keeping the LiveWire as a second bike.”