THE ELECTRICKERY
So with the LiveWire being an EV, the
battery and electric motor are key aspects
of the entire bike’s makeup.
The battery itself is a Lithium-Ion unit rated
at 15.5kWh and has a five-year, unlimited-
mileage warranty. Keeping its temperature
controlled (LiPo batteries really don’t like
getting too hot) was a key aspect of the
design, so H-D encased the battery in an
alloy box complete with cooling fins like
you’d expect to see on an air-cooled engine.
For the top of the battery, which houses the
charging intake module under the ‘tank’,
Harley opted to direct air via intakes on
either side of the bike to assist with cooling.
The major downside to the lithium-ion
battery, however, is cold temperature
running as these batteries don’t like the
cold. This means that in cold conditions
battery life might not be as good as during
a nice summer day. Plus, since the battery
doesn’t give off any heat you’re going to get
50 KIWI RIDER
cold legs as there’s not a nice warm engine
to warm yourself on.
The “Internal Permanent Magnet
Synchronous Motor with Water Jacket
cooling” which Harley simply calls the
“Revolution motor” is a simple unit when
compared to the internal combustion
engine, but remarkably puts out a strong
116Nm of torque and 106hp of power right
off idle. It’ll then rev all the way out to
15,000rpm producing that power in a nice
steady stream. There are no wavy torque or
power curves here.
The best part is there are considerably
fewer serviceable items, with no engine
oil to change, no spark plugs, air filter or
primary drive to service. The LiveWire
does require inspection or servicing of
some mechanical and consumable items,
such as the drive belt tension, gearbox oil,
brake fluid and brake pads, and tyres, at
recommended intervals and pre-ride.