Though they nonetheless have teething issues—they usually have their problems—I really like electric motorcycles. And extra of them permit for extra selection, competitors, and furthering the goalposts to get us to a spot the place these issues fade away. At least, that is the hope.
To that finish, Harley-Davidson’s all-electric LiveWire sub-brand desires extra of us on electrical bikes, as you’d count on, and it is simply launched its third providing within the all-new S2 Mulholland. The bike is a modern, cruiser-inspired bike seeking to lure the bar-hopper-adoring crowd and taking a look at its specs, might very nicely just do that.
So what’s it? Let’s dive in.
The bike is centered round LiveWire’s S2 electrical platform, a ten.5kWh battery pack that delivers 84 horsepower and 194 lb-ft of torque, and a zero to 60 mph time of simply 3.3 seconds. Range varies relying on what you are doing, as should you’re simply tooling across the metropolis, you will see round 121 miles per cost, whereas freeway drops to only 73 miles at 55mph. But once more, that is an around-town, bar-hopper-style bike. Not a long-distance touring machine.
The bike, nevertheless, can deal with both Lvl 1 or Lvl 2 charging, which might both cost from 20-80% in 5.9 hours and 78 minutes respectively. Both are fairly customary throughout the EV motorcycling trade, although they should be bettered in my view.
I did ask LiveWire about NACS adoption, as a lot of the remainder of the EV trade is switching to the charging system, to which an organization spokesperson said, “We don’t comment on future product.”
According to LiveWire, “While S2 Mulholland utilizes the same S2 platform, the riding experience has been reshaped by the rider triangle and updated standard equipment which diverges dramatically from Del Mar. Using a six-inch handlebar riser, the handlebars are positioned higher and further back, allowing the rider to sit with a more upright riding position.” Again, S2 Mullholland is extra akin to Harley’s personal bobbers than to the sportier Del Mar or One bikes.
But whereas LiveWire is pushing the S2 platform to new markets, the corporate remains to be making an attempt to take heed to its environmental impression, in addition to the impression by its prospects. As such, Mulholland would be the first of the model’s bikes to supply CAP Hemp bio-composites in its entrance and rear fenders, whereas its radiator shroud and wiring caddies are made from Hylon® Ocean, that are produced from “discarded ocean fishing nets,” in addition to the seat “using petroleum-free, recyclable silicone rather than leather or vinyl.”
Likewise, prospects might be provided three colorways, Liquid Black/Black, Liquid Black/Red, and a paint-free model referred to as Lunar White.
The firm states that the bike is now obtainable to buy, with “inventory available immediately at all U.S. and Canadian dealers.”As for value, nicely, it is $15,999. That is not out of the realm of actuality, nevertheless it nonetheless looks like a little bit an excessive amount of for the vary you are getting. Or moderately not.
That mentioned, a handful of states do provide incentives that you possibly can be eligible for, together with California, Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Those might assist take the sting off barely.
What is cool to see is how LiveWire’s increasing its choices by utilizing the S2 platform. Similar to different EV skateboard merchandise within the automotive sector, EV bike OEMs have the identical means and I’d like to see what else LiveWire has up its sleeves for different motorcycling disciplines.
Cough, cough, make an off-road version, LiveWire, cough.
But what do you all assume? Is the Mulholland a motorbike in your next-purchase radar? Let us know within the feedback beneath.
