Harley-Davidson Goes Electric With “Livewire”

A model isn’t going into production anytime soon, but Harley-Davidson today announced plans to gauge potential customer interest in a motorcycle that will never have exhaust pipes – an electric motorcycle dubbed Project Livewire that the company will take on tour.

Even though pictures of the bike that show a model that looks ready for production, Harley says “…retail availability of Project Livewire  will be influenced by feedback from  riders along the Project Livewire Experience tour.” The company plans to take the prototype to more than 30 dealers in the U.S. by year’s end, with the tour continuing in the U.S., Canada and Europe in 2015.

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The Project Livewire Experience tour will be at H-D of NYC in Manhattan on Tuesday and Wednesday and at Boston H-D next Friday through Sunday.

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“America at its best has always been about reinvention,” said Matt Levatich, Harley’s president and CEO, in a press release. “And, like America, Harley-Davidson has reinvented itself many times in our history, with customers leading us every step of the way. Project LiveWire is another exciting, customer-led moment in our history.”

No details were released regarding the powerplant. However Harley promises the bike will have “tire-shredding acceleration and an unmistakable new sound.”

Mark-Hans Richer, the company’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, said, ” The sound is a distinct part of the thrill. Think fighter jet on an aircraft carrier. Project LiveWire’s unique sound was designed to differentiate it from internal combustion and other electric motorcycles on the market.”

Here’s a video from Harley: