Tag Archives: Harley

Harley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

With its aggressive knuckles-to-the-wind riding position, 114-cube Milwaukee-Eight engine and sharpened steering, the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S really does mean business.

And Harley-Davidson Australia will be hoping it means lost of business as did the original, short-lived 2016 Low Rider S with its 110-cube Screamin’ Eagle engine.

That was a twin-shock Dyna. Now it’s part of the updated Softail family with a stiffer and lighter frame and improved handling.

Price is now $A27,995 ($NZ29,995), up from $25,995 in 2016 when it had a 110 engine and $3500 more than the standard Low Rider.

Harley-Davidson Low Rider Softail Dyna electric
Standard Low Rider

Apart from the extra cubes — and there is no replacement for displacement, right? — riders get a cruiser that looks the business. That is, if Sons of Anarchy business is your business!
That little headlight fairing, aggressive mid-control riding position, blacked-out finishes and solo seat is very SAMCRO.

Harley calls it the “SoCal West Coast” look, but we all know they are going for that popular SAMCRO style.

It’s knuckles to the wind for Jax with the 2.5cm (one-inch) diameter motocross-style handlebars mounted on 10cm (four-inch) straight risers.

The Low Rider S powertrain, primary cover and tank console are finished in Wrinkle Black, the derby cover, intake, and lower rocker covers are Gloss Black, the mufflers and exhaust shields are Jet Black and the forks, triple-clamp, riser and handlebar, and rear fender supports are Matte Black. Even the LED layback tail lamps have a smoked lenses.

It sits on very tasty bronze cast-aluminium wheels and comes in Vivid Black and Barracuda Silver.Harley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

Harley flew me to Sydney for the media launch which was truncated by wet weather to a half-day ride from Manly about 30km to Akuna Bay in Ku-ring-Gai National Park with about 40km of riding along West Head Rd for photos.

It was just enough to get an introductory feel for the Low Rider S. A longer review will come in the next month.

The business endHarley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

The business end of this bike is the 114 M8 engine.

While the counterbalanced 107 M8 is a refined and sophisticated engine that feels like two hippos bouncing on a trampoline, this has more thump, more grunt and a little more “character” — like two elephants on a trampoline!

It pulls from low down in the rev range and surprisingly revs out without losing a lot of puff.

Yet for all that mechanical thump, it feels smooth, doesn’t jolt when switched on and clicks into first gear without a lot of clunk.

Clutch pull is fairly heavy, so you will be glad at every set of lights that neutral is quite easy to find.

Harley-Davidson boss Matt Levatich in town for Low Rider S launch
Low Rider S media launch (Image: Lyndon Marceau / marceauphotography)

Click through the gears and it rides around town in fourth. It will even go into sixth as low as 80km/h with enough roll-on acceleration for overtaking without changing down.

At the end of the day, I suspect you’ll return decent figures of around 5-5.5L/100km.

Handling upgradeHarley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

To harness the extra oomph of the 114 M8, Harley has swapped out the traditional telescopic forks for inverted 43mm Showa forks with a steeper 28-degree rake compared with 30 on the standard and 32 on the older Dyna.

This set-up sharpens the steering so you feel more connected to the road with lighter and more precise turn-in.

Yet on the joyously swooping corners of West Head Rd, it still feels balanced and stable thanks to the 19-inch front wheel and long 1615mm wheelbase.

You also have the ability to safely correct your line mid-corner and dodge those water run-off lurking around blind corners.

Together with the underseat single coil-over monoshock hydraulically adjustable for preload, it should have reasonable ride even though it’s a short 11cm spring.

I couldn’t tell because the roads were all fairly smooth.Harley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

As we rode back and forth along West Head Rd, my confidence grew and the bike complied with extra throttle in an exciting, but reassuring way.

The Michelin Scorcher tyres have plenty of grip, even across the wet and dry patchy surface.

As the speed climbed, so did the turbulence from the sporty fairing. Either no fairing or the optional larger fairing might be better.

As it is, there is a blank behind the fairing that is bland and ugly. Perhaps Harley should decorate it with another bar-and-shield logo!Harley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

The analogue speedo and tacho dials sit on top of the tank and are angled toward the rider for a reasonably clear view.

However, the accompanying LCD screen is a little small and difficult to read in bright sunshine.

Harley-Davidson Low Rider S means business
© Lyndon Marceau / marceauphotography

All the info is available via the usual toggle on the left switchblock.

Target marketHarley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

The target market market for this bike is obviously not ageing Baby Boomers like me.

I found the riding position more like a yoga position with my knees sitting high and akimbo which put pressure on my dodgy hip nerve.

Even though I’m 183cm (6’) tall, it is still a bit of a reach to the bars.

The overall effect is like sitting on a potty while holding on to the towel rail.

Not very comfortable for the duration of the expected 380km from the 18.9-litre fuel tank.

That’s a strange tank size for this “coastal cruiser”.Harley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

While I often criticise modern bikes for having small tanks, this is one that could have got away with less fuel capacity.

At least the solo low 690mm saddle is very comfortable with an extra hump of lower back support.

All the same, I would probably go for the optional forward controls to ease the hip pressure and make it easier to flick the side stand up.

They might also improve the already generous (for a cruiser) 33.1-degree lean angle.

However, I’m not the target market for this bike.

Harley is targeting a younger, hipper (no pun intended), more nimble and supple rider who is genuinely excited by the SAMCRO looks and the 155Nm of elephantine grunt.

But not too young as they might not be able to afford it!

Harley-Davidson Low Rider SHarley-Davidson Low Rider S means business

  • Ride-away price: $A27,995 ($NZ29,995)
  • Engine: MilwaukeeEight 114 (1868cc) V-twin
  • Power: N/A
  • Torque: 155Nm
  • Bore x stroke: 102x114mm
    Compression: 10.5:1
    Length: 2355mm
  • Seat height: 690mm
  • Clearance: 120mm
  • Rake: 28deg
  • Trail 145mm
  • Wheelbase: 1615mm
  • Fuel: 18.9L
  • Tyres: 110/90B19,62H,BW; 180/70B16,77H,BW
  • Wet weight: 308kg
  • Lean angles: 33.1deg
  • Brakes: 4-piston front, 2-piston rear

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Gold Coast Harley crowned Australian Custom King

2019 Battle of the Kings

Gold Coast Harley-Davidson
Custom King AU/NZ


Gold Coast Harley-Davidson has won top honours in the 2019 Australian and New Zealand Custom King category after winning the Harley-Davidson custom motorcycle build-off competition, Battle of the Kings as one of five finalists.

Battle of The Kings Harley Davidson AU NZ Gold Coast Harley Davidson
Battle of the Kings 2019 – Gold Coast Harley-Davidson- “Hollister Riot”

From the 26 participating dealerships across Australia and New Zealand, the five finalists were selected by the general public. Each finalist was judged and scored against three categories – character, styling and x-factor – by the carefully selected Battle of the Kings Judging panel made up of experienced industry professionals and ambassadors.

Battle of The Kings Harley Davidson AU NZ Gold Coast Harley Davidson
Battle of the Kings 2019 – Gold Coast Harley-Davidson- “Hollister Riot”

Using a Softail Slim as the base model, Gold Coast Harley-Davidson entered their custom motorcycle into the CHOP category – one of three new design categories implemented for the 2019 build off – to create a masterpiece that pays respect to the old Panheads and Knuckleheads of past years.

The springer front end stands out as a main feature of the build, with custom bars, an original style muffler from a 1930’s Harley-Davidson and a custom made 2-1 exhaust setup with old school ribbing and a chain and sprocket.

Battle of The Kings Harley Davidson AU NZ Gold Coast Harley Davidson
Battle of the Kings 2019 – Gold Coast Harley-Davidson- “Hollister Riot”

The Milwaukee-Eight engine has the most identifiable heads since the Shovelhead and were a key feature in the build alongside an original style Solo Saddle seat slimmed down and a paint scheme that pays respects to Harley race bikes of the 1940’s, completing the vintage look.

The custom build named “Hollister Riot” is a reference to the Hollister Riot of 1947 at the AMA Sanctioned Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Rally in the town of Hollister California, where Harley-Davidson enthusiasts gathered to party hard while the number 16 is a reference to Jimmy Chan, who made history with his three consecutive wins of the Springfield Mile and was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.

Steve Schilling – Dealer Principal from Gold Coast H-D

“It is absolutely fantastic to win, as the competition was very strong, so to take out the ANZ Battle of the Kings Crown is a credit to the team involved from Gold Coast Harley-Davidson as well as those who assisted with the build, photos and video. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to represent ANZ and with the fierce international competition, we know it will be tough to win. I have seen the U.S.A. finalists here in Milwaukee at the 2019 Harley-Davidson Dealer Show and to have ‘Hollister Riot’ in the same category is a credit to our team.”

Battle of The Kings Harley Davidson AU NZ Gold Coast Harley Davidson
Battle of the Kings 2019 – Gold Coast Harley-Davidson
Nathan Hindmarsh – Battle of the Kings Judge

“Once again these builds have amazed me. The creativity and attention to detail has blown me away. Congratulations to everyone involved in this year’s competition.”

Gold Coast Harley-Davidson will now go on to represent ANZ against other International Winners. Four winners will be selected via online voting from International markets, meeting the U.S.A winner at the EICMA in Milan, Italy to battle it out for Global Custom King title on center stage.

The Winner of the 2019 Global Battle of the Kings Competition will be announced this November.

Keith Waddell – ANZ Marketing Manager

“Another fantastic year for the competition, with even more amazing custom motorcycles which generated record amounts of public engagement and excitement. The three style categories, Dirt, Race and Chop showcased the versatility and creativity of our dealers when it comes to creating world class custom builds. However, there can only be one winner and we couldn’t be happier to have Hollister Riot from Gold Coast Harley-Davidson represent Australian and New Zealand with their modern twist on the ageless heritage of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.”

Battle of The Kings Harley Davidson AU NZ BUILDER Rolling Thunder
Battle of the Kings 2019 – Rolling Thunder

Public voting to nominate your favourite international finalist opens on 2nd September. For more information on the Battle of the Kings competition visit www.h-d.com/BattleOfTheKings (link) and for all the information on the models used and genuine Harley-Davidson parts and accessories visit www.h-d.com.au (link).


Australian Finalists:

Source: MCNews.com.au

2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Limited

The big kahuna – 2020 FLHTKSE

At $57,495 the CVO Limited commands quite a premium over the $41,495 sticker price of the Ultra Limited from the regular Harley Touring range that the model is based on. So what do you get for your extra 16-grand..?

Harley Davidson CVO Limited
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Limited FLHTKSE

The headline act is the 117-cube iteration of the Milwaukee-Eight engine that is reserved only for CVO machines.  With 166 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm the 117, in Australian guise, boasts only modest gains over the 114 engine fitted to the regular Touring models, which Harley rate for 164 Nm at 3000 rpm.  The CVO Limited claims 106 horsepower at 5450 rpm.

Harley Davidson CVO Limited
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Limited

Both the CVO Limited and the Ultra Limited score Harley’s new suite of electronic rider safety aids for 2020. Lean-angle responsive ABS and traction control married to an electronic engine braking control system and hill hold control functions. Tyre pressure monitoring also comes standard on both models. 

Harley Davidson CVO Limited
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Limited

They both also get the BOOM GTS full-colour TFT infotaintment system while the CVO Limited also comes standard with a bluetooth headset. 

Harley Davidson CVO Limited
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Limited

Of course the CVO machine scores special paint and surface finishes along with ‘Tomahawk’ rims. 

Harley Davidson CVO Limited
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Limited

Source: MCNews.com.au

Harley-Davidson CVO Tri-Glide set for Australia at $73,250

Harley-Davidson CVO Tri-Glide

Harley’s Tri-Glide took a long time to arrive in Australia for various reasons, but for model year 2020 H-D have given the Tri-Glide the full Custom Vehicle Operations treatment with the release of a new CVO Tri-Glide for those that love the Tri-Glide concept. 

Harley stated that they have had more requests for a CVO variant of the Tri-Glide than any other model in the two-decades since Harley’s Custom Vehicles Operations department first came into being. 

Starting from $73,250 in Australia it is one expensive take on tripedalism but it might fit the bill nicely for riders that seek an open-air motorcycling type of thrill, but are no longer able to enjoy riding a conventional motorcycle.

Harley Davidson CVO Tri Glide
Harley-Davidson CVO Tri-Glide

Tipping the scales at 563 kg (dry), the CVO Tri-Glide is motivated by the special CVO version of the Milwaukee-Eight dubbed the 117. Shifting is carried out by conventional six-speed Cruise Drive gearbox. 

Harley Davidson CVO Tri Glide
Harley-Davidson CVO Tri-Glide

The front hoop is a relatively narrow 130/60-19 while the 18″ rears are shod with car-like 215/45-18 rubber. The premium touring suspension package controls the ride with rear pre-load adjustable via a hand-wheel. 

The CVO variant of the Tri-Glide scores ‘Tomahawk’ contrast cut alloy rims along with what Harley dub the ‘Kahuna Collection’ acccessories that include special pegs, rider/passenger floorboards, muffler tips and heated grips/seats. 

Harley Davidson CVO Tri Glide
CVO Tri-Glide scores lighted hand controls

All lighting is LED with a ‘Daymaker’ headlamp, fog lamps, trail/brake lights and turn signals. The dome lit Tour-Pak carrier rack is standard on the CVO Tri-Glide which also scores CVO custom-fit luggage along with a trunk organiser. 

The CVO Tri-Glide also sports a lower profile windshield while the front fender is cut more aggressively to better showcase the 19″ ‘Tomahawk’ rim. 

Harley Davidson CVO Tri Glide
Harley-Davidson CVO Tri-Glide

A CB radio accompanies the premium Boom Box GTS infotainment system complete with bluetooth headset. The Tri-Glide does not get the 600-watt system seen on the CVO Street Glide (Link) but gets the 300-watt set-up that is also fitted to the CVO Limited model. 

Harley’s new for 2020 lean-angle reactive traction control and ABS systems are also now standard on all Tri-Glide models along with Hill Hold Control and an electronic engine braking control system Harley have dubbed their ‘Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System’. Tyre pressure monitoring completes the safety suite of electronics systems. 

Harley Davidson CVO Tri Glide
Harley-Davidson CVO Tri-Glide

Source: MCNews.com.au

Harley-Davidson Low Rider S back for MY 2020

2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S


The original H-D Low Rider was launched more than forty years ago and is seen by many as the first Harley model to come from the factory with already somewhat of a custom bent.

The Low Rider has had many, many incarnations since that first model and in 2016 the Low Rider was joined by a more sporting option dubbed the Low Rider S. Combining Harley’s best engine of the range housed in the most agile chassis available in their Big Twin line-up, it quickly became a firm favourite for many. 

For model year 2020 the H-D Lowrider S rides on a Softail chassis suspended by 43mm inverted forks that are raked two-degrees sportier than the regular Low Rider (28-degrees v 30-degrees). The Low Rider S also sports a tweaked version of the single coil-over emulsion shock rear end that promises better travel and damping. 

Harley Low Rider S FXLRS
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S

Matte Black motocross style bars are mounted atop four-inch straight risers for a more aggressive rider stance in the high back solo seat. 

Harley Low Rider S
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S

The Softail fuel tank holds 18.9 litres of go juice and can be had in two different solid colour options, Vivid Black or Barracuda Silver. 

Powering the Low Rider is the 114 (1868 cc) version of the Milwaukee-Eight engine with 119 ft. lb. (155 Nm) of torque at 3000 rpm. The powertrain, primary cover and console are all finished in Wrinkle Black while the derby cover, intake and lower rocker covers are Gloss Black. 

Harley Low Rider S FXLRS
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S

In Low Rider S guise the powerplant is fed by a Gloss Black Ventilator intake with an exposed element while spent gases exit via Jet Black 2-into-2 offset shotgun cans. 

Tipping the scales at 295 kg the Low Rider S is certainly one of the lighter Big Twins.

Harley Low Rider S FXLRS
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S

Low Rider S rolls on 110/90-19 front Michelin Scorcher 31 rubber up front partnered with a 180/70-16 at the rear mounted on cast-alloy Radiate rims finished in Matte Dark Bronze.

Harley Low Rider S FXLRS
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S

The 2020 Low Rider S will retail in Australia from $27,995 and $29,995 in NZ. 

Source: MCNews.com.au

2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide FLHXSE

2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide


Harley’s Street Glide has been a popular mainstay of the American icon’s Touring range since 2006.  With hard bags as standard and plenty of creature comforts for the rider it has been a popular for those that like to tour solo. 

Harley CVO Sreet Glide
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide in Premium Sand Dune monotone finish with Pearl topcoat along with Smoked Satin Chrome, Gloss Black and Black Onyx finishes. The rims are called Fugitive and in this colour scheme are finished in a Denim Black/Gloss Black mix. The air cleaner is a Gloss Black Heavy Breather.

The Street Glide has also often been the base of a higher end CVO offering and again for model year 2020 Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations have gone the whole hog on the FLHX to produce the FLHXSE. 

All CVO models for 2020 receive new lean-angle sensitive traction control and ABS systems along with electronic engine braking controls and hill hold control. Tyre pressure monitoring is also integrated into the motorcycles. 

Harley CVO Sreet Glide
2020 CVO FLHXSE in Smokey Grey and Black Hole with 1970s inspired race graphics highlighted by Gloss Black, Satin Black and Black Onyx finishes while the Fugitive wheels are finished in Denim/Black/Gloss Black. This colour choice is accompanied by a Gloss Black Heavy Breather air cleaner.

A bluetooth headset designed to interface with the ‘Premium Boom’ infotainment system. A public mode allows the rider to automatically connect to other nearby riders using the same system.  The headset also enables the Apple Car Play system to be controlled by voice prompts while riding. 

The speaker system on the CVO Street Glide is of an even higher specification than the full dresser CVO Limited model. The FLHXSE sports a quartet of bi-amplified three-way speakers, each rated to 150 watts and each pair of speakers is powered by their own four-channel 300 watt amplifier which brings the total power of the system up to 600 watts of power. 

Harley CVO Sreet Glide
2020 CVO FLHXSE in Smokey Grey and Black Hole with 1970s inspired race graphics highlighted by Gloss Black, Satin Black and Black Onyx finishes while the Fugitive wheels are finished in Denim/Black/Gloss Black. This colour choice is accompanied by a Gloss Black Heavy Breather air cleaner.

Both the CVO Street Glide and the CVO Limited also score a new adaptive headlight system that Harley have dubbed ‘Daymaker’. It is similar to the system used on some KTM Adventure models whereby extra LED cornering lights are illuminated the further you lean the motorcycle. 

All 2020 CVO models score the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powerplant displacing 1923 cc, the largest factory installed engine available from H-D that boasts 125 ft. lbs. (166 Nm) of torque.

Harley CVO Sreet Glide
2020 CVO FLHXSE in Smokey Grey and Black Hole with 1970s inspired race graphics highlighted by Gloss Black, Satin Black and Black Onyx finishes while the Fugitive wheels are finished in Denim/Black/Gloss Black. This colour choice is accompanied by a Gloss Black Heavy Breather air cleaner.

The CVO Street Glide carries 22.7-litres of fuel, tips the scales at 377 kg dry, and rolls on a 130/60-19 front hoop and a 180/55-18 rear.

The 2020 CVO Street Glide will retail from $54,995 in Australia and $56,495 in New Zealand. The FLHXSE will be available in the three different colour schemes shown detailed in this article. 

Harley CVO Sreet Glide
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide in Black Stardust Fade to Stormcloud with subtle graphics highlighted by Satin Chrome and Bright Chrome finishes. The Fugitive wheels are finished in Gloss/Black/Satin and the bike in this finish sports a Ventilator air cleaner.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Elvis Presley’s Harley set to be most expensive

Elvis Presley’s last motorcycle, a 1972 1200cc FLH Electra Glide, will go up for sale on 31 August 2019 at Kruse GWS Auctions and is expected to set auction records.

GWS Auctions believe the motorcycle is worth about $A3m.

If it does, it would smash the current auction record set on Australia Day 2018 by an Australian-owned 1951 Vincent Black Lightning.

Jack Ehret set an Australian speed record on the bike which was bought at the Bonham’s annual Las Vegas motorcycle auction for a record $US929,000 ($A1,155,000, €748,500) by an unknown collector.

Jack Ehret's Vincent Black Lightning collection valuable - speed twin
Jack Ehret’s Vincent Black Lightning

The new owner has returned the bike to Australia.

The Black Lightning beat the previous motorcycle auction record set by Steve McQueen’s 1915 Cyclone which sold at a 2015 Las Vegas Mecum auction for almost $A1 million.

Steve McQueen's Cyclone valuable
Steve McQueen’s Cyclone

Elvis bike is leaving the buildingElvis Presley Harley-Davidson Electra Glide

Now the “King” is expected to eclipse those records with even more star power.

After buying a Harley Davidson Sportster 1000 as a gift, Elvis purchased the customised FLH full dresser in California on 11 August 1976 and shipped it to his home at Graceland, Memphis.

He barely rode the bike, clocking up just 202km in less than a year before he sold it to a local Harley dealership 90 days before he died in 1977, aged just 42.

Elvis often gave away his favourite “toys” after a short time of enjoyment, substantiating his lifelong charitable nature.

The immaculately preserved Harley includes a number of custom features, with Presley choosing a black and blue two-tone paint job, stitched leather seat and chrome accents.

Incredibly, the bike i

s still registered in Presley’s name and has been on show at the Murdo South Dakota Pioneer Auto Museum for over 30 years.

The motorcycle has been housed in a glass museum quality display for its entire stay at the museum and guests have never been allowed to touch it.

There are also two Presley cars up for auction: the last limo he bought, a 1973 Lincoln Continental with all-white leather interior, and a fully restored Circle G Ranch 1967 GMC Pickup Truck with a slick green paint job.

All three vehicles go under the hammer August 31 and you can find out more information about each item at gwsauctions.com.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley affair is a real-life true love story

If you are interested in reading a true love story with motorcycles as a central theme, check out Mary Jane Black’s debut novel, “She Rode a Harley”.

The 256-page book is a tale of abuse, true love and loss. It is published by She Writes Press and goes on sale in October 2019.

You can pre-order the paperback at $US16.95 and Kindle at $US9.95 from Amazon.

Harley build is a true love story

True love

“She Rode a Harley”  starts with the school teacher’s account of her escape from an abusive marriage.

Mary Jane then meets and falls in love with Dwayne on a blind date.

Dwayne, a biker since he was 13, teaches her how to save herself by believing in her own strength, power, and individuality.

Harley build is a true love story
Mary Jane

They marry and Dwayne also teaches Mary Jane how to build and ride a Harley.

On our wedding day, Dwayne and I made a vow to love each other until death and to buy a Harley together,” Mary Jane says.

“Within a year we bought and rebuilt together our first Harley, a 1980 Shovelhead. It’s called that because the top of the motor looks like an upside-down shovel.

“Eventually, Dwayne brought home my first Harley which was a police Road King. Hesitant at first, I loved the feeling when the large motorcycle rumbled beneath me as we danced down the highway.

“Even though I don’t own a Harley now, I still see myself as a biker, a Harley rider.”

The bike becomes a symbol for Mary Jane’s newfound independence and strength.

Tragedy strikes

Mary Jane ends up following the white lines with Dwayne through 15 years of marriage.

Traveling together, they learn to be partners, both on and off the road, until Dwayne is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Mary Jane writes of caregiving, and the joy and pain inherent in a love meant to last.

She not only has to take on a new role as caretaker, but also bike mechanic.

The story I tell of my marriage to Dwayne was building inside of me from the moment we sat in a doctor’s office and received his cancer diagnosis,” Mary Jane says.

“We had a remarkable love story. know everyone probably says that. However, we were both over 40 and love had almost wrecked both of us before we got together.

“I escaped an abusive relationship before I met him.

“At my first memoir workshop three years after Dwayne’s death, the dam inside me broke, and I wrote the first essay for the memoir. By the time I went home, I had three essays completed. 

In the pages of my book, Dwayne lives again. I want my readers to meet this remarkable man, for them to join us on the incredible road trip that was our life together.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley-Davidson launches new soundtrack

The famous Harley-Davidson “potato-potato” soundtrack now has a sister act with the electric LiveWire introducing a turbine whine.

Check out our video from the recent global media launch in Portland, Oregon.

You can get more details on the LiveWire, including price, tech specs, ride impressions and technology by clicking here for our full review.Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

Riding soundtrack

However, the most important thing about the newest Harley is the soundtrack to your riding.

Harley is famous for its distinctive exhaust soundtrack which many refer to as “potato-potato”.

Harley-Davidson’s name, trademark, and bar-and-shield and bald eagle logos are among the world’s most recognised.

In fact, in the late 1990s, the company even tried to trademark the “potato-potato” exhaust noise, but failed in US courts.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle soundtrack
LiveWire

Harley could have produced an electric motorcycle with virtually no sound like all the other electric motorcycles and scooters.

However, the engineers knew that they had to have a distinctive sound to satisfy the Harley fans.Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle soundtrack

And since there is no exhaust, the engineers meshed the primary spiral bevel gears to achieve the turbine whine that we hear in the above video.

You don’t really hear it much at low speeds.

The whine really kicks in when you give a fistful of throttleHarley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

And it disappears behind a wall of wind noise over about 80km/h.

So we wonder why they even bothered with the sound.hat do you think of the new-age Harley sound?

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley-Davidson LiveWire is electrifying

Two things stand out about the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle: it is literally electrifying and cool!

That’s more than just a couple of gratuitous puns.

This bike is not an electric toy! It’s a real bike that is claimed to go from 0-100km/h in three seconds and we proved it on the world media launch with several impromptu drags on a lonely country road outside of Portland, Oregon. So that’s electrifying performance in anyone’s lexicon.Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

Many moto journos talk about the nirvana of having ultimate linear power delivery. That’s exactly what this supplies. There are no surges or lags, just a hand-of-God thrust in the back as you hurtle forward and the world tons to a blur.

And after a vigorous 110km test ride through the streets of Portland and beautiful surrounding country, the bike was still cool to the touch, even the water-cooled motor, battery and radiator.

So it doesn’t just look cool and represent a cool trend in motorcycling, it’s literally cool to touch which makes it an ideal summer commuter bike!Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

Price

The dual-seat LiveWire is made in Cork, Pennsylvania and has been in development almost a decade.

It finally goes on sale shortly in the USA at about $US30,000 in a choice of cool lime, a bright orange and gloss black.

It will arrive in Australia late next year probably at more than $A40,000 which is more than most of their Touring models.Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

Harley-Davidson Australia and New Zealand say they won’t have a definite figure until closer to our launch.

It’s expensive, but it also has suitably premium components, a high quality of ft and finish (not a cadmium bolt in sight!), thick and lustrous paint, plus premium controls including a proximity key fob.

Styling is a subjective matter, but I like the modern, minimalist look and the big cooling fins around the battery, although the gloss black model looks way too dark. Maybe they should have made the calling fins silver on that one.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle
Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

The remote rear fender with number plate allows for a tidy wasp-like tail with the pillion seat suspended in mid-air.

Underneath the seat is a small lockable compartment for the the mains charger and cable that includes a handy helmet hook. Harley put the key fob under the seat so we wouldn’t lose it and it was the only mechanical sound in the whole bike. Most riders would keep it in their jacket pocket!Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

You can also get a small “speed screen blade”, decorative trim, different hand and foot controls and a cover that includes a charging cord port. Many traditional Harley accessories such as wheels and bars can also be fitted.

LiveWire comes with two batteries. The big 15.5 kWh high-voltage Lithium-ion battery or “Renewable Energy Storage System (RESS)” made up of Samsung battery modules has a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle
Battery

Harley chief engineer Glen Koval says the recyclable battery should last 10 years without significant loss of capacity unless it is not treated well or used extensively in extreme cold conditions.

There is also a small 12V lithium-ion battery to power instruments, lights, etc.

Harley has not said how much a replacement main battery will cost, probably because in five years from now it will cost a lot less, anyway!

Silent running

Of course, the electric LiveWire is quiet, especially at low speeds, but not exactly silent.

When you switch it on, the headlight and instrument screen lights up, but there is no accompanying motor noise.

As you take off,  you can feel a gentle buzz which is induced by the rocking of magnets. Harley wanted riders feel the “heartbeat” of the machine.

When you give it the berries, the bike makes a turbine “whoosh” noise thanks to the belt drive and “meshing” of the primary spiral bevel gears. At highway speeds all you can hear is the wind.Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

While I missed the throbbing sound and feel of a Harley V-twin engine, I actually found it made you more aware of surrounding noises from other vehicles.

It also meant that when I listened to music, GPS directions or phone calls on my helmet intercom, I didn’t need to turn the volume up quite as high.

The lack of noise also seems to have a calming effect on the rider.

However, I was acutely aware that other road users couldn’t hear me coming and a couple of times I tapped the horn to announce my presence.

RangeHarley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

Harley recently released details that claim city range of up to 235km and 152km of highway range.

While they don’t give total charging time from a mains outlet with the provided cord, they do tell us that a 120/240-volt outlet will provide about 20km (13 miles) per hour of charging. That means it will probably take at least 11 hours from flat to reach full capacity. And the cost would be less than $4.

They also claim their Fast Charge (DCFC) technology will recharge a flat battery to 80% in 40 minutes and full in 60 minutes.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle
Mobile DC fast chargers at work

They brought in three mobile DC fast chargers for the event which they say are not as powerful as the permanent ones that will be at Harley dealerships. These chargers were only used at the end of the day’s ride.

None of the bikes ran out of “juice” on the road test, even though we mainly rode hard and fast in the electrifying “Sport” mode.

We covered about 110km and my bike still showed 30% charge left.

The charging port is in the top of the “fuel” tank for easy access.Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

You can check the battery recharging status and time left to full on the instruments or on an accompanying H-D Connect app.

The Android and iOS app also alerts you if someone is tampering with your bike, includes a GPD tracker if its stolen, shows the closest charging stations and reminds you when the bike needs a service. But since the only consumables are the brake pads, servicing should be cheaper. Still, service intervals are 1600km first and then every 8000km like their conventional bikes.

Harley PR rep Joe Gustafson says the app gives the rider “peace of mind”.

H-D Connect uses a cellular telematics control unit (TCU) that functions as an LTE-enabled modem connecting LiveWire motorcycles to the cloud. Owners will get the service free for a year.

It will be available soon in the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and most EU countries and becomes available in late August 2020 in Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Japan. Subscription details and pricing will be available online.

Electrifying modesHarley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle

There are seven riding modes: Range, Rain, Road and Sport, plus three customisable modes.

Each mode affects the acceleration and response from the twist-and-go throttle.

It also affects the amount of “regeneration” which is like engine braking and helps to recharge the battery.

Both of these also affect the range.

The modes also vary the amount of cornering-enhanced traction control that includes a wheelie control to stop the front wheel lifting and a rear-wheel lockup control.

They label their traction control High, Medium and Low, but high is not for high intervention but high slip, so it is opposite to what it appears.

Riders can select the modes on the fly with a button on the right-hand controller. Your selected mode is displayed on the big, easy-to-read 11cm colour touchscreen which is like a mini iPad.

  • Sport: Full, seamless power and 80% immediate throttle response. This offers truly electrifying performance. I thought it might make it a little jerky, but it so smooth and predictable, even in slow-speed manoeuvres. Traction control is also set to High which is the lowest level of intervention. However, you can turn it off when stopped. Regeneration is also quite significant at 80% so you don’t even need to use the brakes to come to a full stop. The only time I touched the brakes was in emergency brake tests and when riding hard.
  • Road: This mode softens throttle response to 55%, power delivery to 80% and regen to 30%, plus medium traction control. Harley says it feels more like a traditional petrol-powered bike and they are right, but because of its twist-and-go transmission (like a scooter), you can’t slip a little clutch to smooth out power delivery for tight, feet-up u-turns. But guess what! You don’t need to. It’s super-smooth with plenty of feel, unlike any EFI fly-by-wire throttle. Medium traction control can be turned off when stopped.Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle
  • Range: Obviously this is the economy mode to squeeze extra range out of the bike. Throttle response is smoother at 55%, power 40% and regen 80%, making it quite jerky when you roll off the throttle. Traction control is medium and can be turned off when stopped.
  • Rain: Like the rain mode on many conventional bikes, this has 0% power, 30% soft throttle response, 15% regen and Low traction means high intervention and cannot be turned off.
  • Three Custom Modes: You can select your own levels of power, regeneration, throttle response and traction control and save them to A, B or C modes. Power, regeneration and throttle can be adjusted from 0-100% in 1% increments, and traction can be set to Low, Medium or High intervention.

Since most riders won’t touch the brakes to slow down, the rear brake LED light will light up on regenerative braking to alert traffic behind your that you are slowing, avoiding rear-enders.

Lively LiveWire

Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire parade silicon standardise
Harley’s LiveWire electric motor

Harley says the H-D Revelation electric motor has 78kW of power. That’s not too bad for a 249kg bike which is about the same as a 1200 Sportser or Ducati Diavel.

That power figure is the same as a KTM 1190, but the porky LiveWire weighs a substantial 32kg more.

More importantly, the bike has 116Nm of torque which is substantially more than the 95Nm in the 1200 Sportster .

Full-tilt torque is available as soon as you twist the throttle, which is why traction and wheelie control is so important.

It feels lively and lithe, like many streetfighter-style bikes with its flat bars.

On the highway it’s stable, around town it’s manoeuvrable and in the twisties it feels planted and precise, thanks to the premium Showa suspension.

It’s fully adjustable, but rather than playing around with the clickers, you can go to the instrument screen and put in the weights of you, pillion and any luggage and it will calculate the right settings. How clever is that!

Some claimed it felt top heavy, but I didn’t think so. The weight is carried low in the underslung motor. It feels a little heavy coming up off the side stand, but then it feels perfectly balanced.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle
Clever locking sidestand

I love the use of Harley’s clever stable side stand that won’t allow the bike to roll forward when parked downhill.

The low centre of gravity makes it easy to turn and quick to change direction.

However, the seat is 779mm high and is narrow so even shorter riders can get their feet flat down on the ground. I’m 183cm tall and I could still bend my legs with my feet flat on the ground. There is also a Slammer seat that is 25mm lower.

The Brembo brakes are powerful and have plenty of feel, but with the regenerative braking of the motor, you really don’t need to use them that often, although it’s nice to know they are there when you need them in an emergency.

Conclusion

At this price, it’s going to be a hard sell, even for cashed-up, early adopters and techno nerds.

But they will find this is not just some toy. It’s a serious, full-size, hard-charging, fun motorcycle that is both easy to ride and a hard charger for the adrenalin junkie.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire tech specs

  • Price: $US29,799 (about $A42,500)
  • Available: Next month in North American and Europe, late next year Australia and New Zealand
  • Colours: range, lime and black
  • Battery warranty: five-year, unlimited-km
  • Motor: H-D Revelation permanent-magnet, water-cooled electric motor
  • Power: 78kW (105hp)
  • Instant torque: 116Nm (86ft lbs)
  • Battery: Air-cooled 15.5kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery (Rechargeable Energy Storage System)
  • Transmission: motor output shaft, 9.71:1 gear reduction, belt drive
  • Acceleration: 0 -100km/h 3 seconds; 100-130km/h 1.9 seconds
  • Top speed: 177km/h
  • Range: 235km (city), 152km (combined stop-and-go and highway range using MIC City and MIC Combined tests), 158km (World Motorcycle Test Cycle)

    Harley-Davidson electric LIveWire parade
    Charging points on the LIveWire are under the “fuel” cap.

  • Charging: 120/240-volt outlet 20km (13 miles) per hour of charging; DC Fast Charge (DCFC) 0-80% in 40 minutes or 100% in 60 minutes
  • Weight: 210kg
  • Suspension (rear): fully adjustable Showa Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite mono-shock
  • Suspension (front); Showa Separate Function Fork-Big Piston

    Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire
    Fully adjustable Showa rear shock

  • Brakes: Dual Brembo Monoblock calipers, 300mm rotors
    Tyres: H-D/Michelin Scorcher (180mm rear and 120mm front)
  • Rider aids: Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS), Cornering Enhanced Anti-lock Braking System (C-ABS), Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS) and Drag-Torque Slip Control System (DSCS)
  • Technology: 4.3” colour TFT touchscreen, Daymaker LED headlamp, LED lighting, H-D Connect service connectivity and Harley- Davidson App
  • Riding modes: Seven selectable Ride Modes electronically control motor performance and level of RDRS intervention
  • Accessories: dual seat and tail, speed screen blade, decorative trim, hand and foot controls and cover with charging cord port
Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire
Touchscreen instruments

More tech specs

2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire MODEL SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions

84.1 in. (2,135 mm)

Overall Width

32.7 in. (830 mm)

Overall Height

42.5 in. (1,080 mm)

Seat Height, Laden / Unladen

30 in. (761 mm) / 30.7 in. (780 mm)

Ground Clearance

5.1 in. (130 mm)

Rake (steering head)

4.3 in. (108 mm)

58.7 in. (1,490 mm)

Tires, Type

Michelin® Scorcher® “Sport”

Scorcher® “Sport”

Tires, Front Specification

120/70 ZR17 58W

Tires, Rear Specification

180/55 ZR17 73W

Transmission Capacity

0.34 qt (0.32 L)

Coolant Capacity

0.8 qt. (0.72 L)

Weight, As Shipped

549 lb. (249 kg)

Weight, In Running Order

549 lb. (249 kg)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

949 lb. (430 kg)

Gross Axle Weight Rating, Front

434 lb. (197 kg)

Gross Axle Weight Rating, Rear

580 lb. (263 kg)

Drivetrain

Primary Drive (*Cert)

Spiral bevel gear , 55/17 ratio

Final Drive (*Cert)

Belt, 3/1 ratio

Transmission

Single Speed

Gear Ratios (overall) 1st (*Cert) (X.XXX)

Aluminum cast

Aluminum cast

Front Fork

SHOWA® 43 mm Inverted Separate Function Forks – Big Piston (SFF-BP®), fully adjustable

Rear Shocks

SHOWA® Balance Free Rear Cushion Lite (BFRC-lite®), fully adjustable

Wheels, Type

Black, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum

Wheels, Front Dia. / Width

17 in. (432 mm) / 3.5 in. (89 mm)

Wheels, Rear Dia. / Width

17 in. (432 mm) / 5.5 in. (140 mm)

Brakes, Caliper Type

Dual 4-piston monoblock radial mount front, dual-piston rear

Brakes, Rotor Type

Dual floating rotors (front), floating rotor (rear)

Brakes, Front Diameter / Thickness

11.8 in. (300 mm) / 0.2 in. (5 mm)

Brakes, Rear Diameter / Thickness

10.2 in. (260 mm) / 0.2 in. (5 mm)

Brakes, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

Suspension Travel, Front / Rear

4.5 in. (115 mm) / 4.5 in. (115 mm)

Performance

Lean Angle Testing Method

Lean Angle, Right / Left (deg)

Lithium Ion, 12.8V , 24 Wh, 120 A

Onboard DC to DC conversion

Lights (as per country regulation), Headlamp

All LED, low beam, high beam and signature position lamp

Lights (as per country regulation), Tail/Stop

LED with light pipe tail

Lights (as per country regulation), Front Signal Lights

Lights (as per country regulation), Indicator Lamps

High beam, turn signals, ABS, traction control, EV fault

Lights, Rear Turn Signals

LED, Amber

4.3” WQVGA 480×272 TFT Color Display with Ambient Light Sensor, 9 warning lights, Real Time Clock and Integrated Bluetooth Connectivity to a Smartphone to provide infotainment features including turn-by-turn navigation, telephone, music, and voice recognition.

Electric Power Outlet

USB C-type; output 5V at 3A

EV Specific Content: Motor

Internal Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with Water Jacket cooling

Motor Name

Revelation®

Inverter type

Pole Count

Power (hp/kW)

105 HP (78kW)

6.69 in. (170 mm)

Stack Length

3.94 in. (100 mm)

EV Specific Content: RESS

Lithium Ion

15.5kWh total, 13.6kWh min usable

EV Specific Content: Charging

Charge Plug Type

SAE J1772 Combo Inlet (CCS1) / IEC 62196 Combo Inlet (CCS2)

On-board charger, charge rate

AC wall charging time (not verified)

Target – Full charge in 12.5 hrs
– Capable of 12.6 miles/hour charge rate (MIC city cycle)

DC fast charging time (not verified)

Target – Full charge in 1.0 hr
– Capable of 192 miles/hour charge rate (MIC city cycle)

DC to DC conversion

450W at 14.2V

EV Specific Content: Range

146 mi (235 km)

Highway (70 mph sustained)

70 mi (113 km)

95 mi (152 km)

WMTC (World Motorcycle Test Cycle)

98 mi (158 km)

Infotainment

Hands-free Mobile Phone – via Bluetooth

Voice Recognition Languages: Phone functions only

Via paired iOS or Android device

Voice Recognition Languages: Tuner/Media/ Navigation

Via paired iOS or Android device

USB Type-C

Phone/media supported

Telematics

(Harley-Davidson paid for our flights, hotels and meals.)

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com