Okay, so you have a handful of automotive companies dipping their toes in the electric propulsion segment these days, from mild hybrids to full-on electro-mobiles. But seriously, Harley-Davidson, purveyor of American badassery, big V-twin engines, and loud chrome pipes? I thought they would be the last ones to try out electric systems on their iconic motorcycles. Anyhow, Milwaukee seems to have come around to the fact that times are changing and they need to move along with new, cutting-edge tech to diversify its customer base and appeal to younger buyers, something what Brammo and Zero Motorcycles are doing.

Tech specs are scarce, but we do know that the Livewire is propelled by a 3-phase induction motor with 55kW of power (which translates to around 74hp), and 70Nm of torque from 0 rpm, which is more than either the Brammo Empulse and the Zero SR. Asphalt and Rubber say that, due to the hefty casing size, the Harley-Davidson Livewire is a little weak when it comes to battery capacity, their guesstimate on battery pack size is somewhere in the region of 7 kWh nominal, which is slightly less than its rival duo.

It is no doubt a shift of Tectonic proportions, and Harley-Davidson is releasing bucketloads of images and videos for customers, existing and prospective, to see and form opinions. To that end, Harley-Davidson is taking a bunch of LiveWire motorcycles on a tour, called ‘Project LiveWire’ across the USA and Europe, where selected people get to ride it and provide feedback. What do you think of the Livewire? Let us know in the comments below.

Image source: Bothan Spies