Harley Davidson Electric Bike

[DIGGER]

Well, Harley is going from the loudest motorcycle on the market to the quietest motorcycle on the market

https://www.yelvingtonusa.com/blogs/news/when-will-we-see-harley-s-electric-motorcycle

Article says it will be in the $30,000 range.   

It will have 100 mile range but they are making huge leaps in battery technology all the time.   what do you guys think will be the pros and cons of an electric bike?

[Jess from VA]

The pro is it won't need gasoline.

The con is limited miles, and I think that electric and motorcycle go together like a fish needs a bicycle.  I mean, all motorcyclists don't love loud pipes, but most all of them like pure independence and freedom (and not a long extension cord).   

I also think that electric scooters (nee human and stuff transporters) for urban (short) travel could become very popular.  Especially if urban thinking G's begin creating cheap parking and recharge stations for them.  That would seem to make a lot of sense.

So long as electric vehicles are going to need replacement batteries for thousands and thousands of dollars at relatively short intervals, I think they suck (esp when they cost a bucket of money to begin with).

How about an electric bike with a Honda gas generator on back, so it can be recharged anywhere along the trip, since gas for the generators can be found everywhere along the trip.  Or, you could just get a gasoline bike.

[Westernbiker]

RANGE, I think that is the biggest hurdle. Next hurdle would be charging time. Probably would be fine as a bar hopper with that kind of range.
Now we have to look at the size of the bike too. What Harley is showing you with the picture is not an 825 pound motorcycle either. So, 100 mile range on that bike vs a touring machine?
I think when they can get 250 miles out of a charge with a touring bike and be able to recharge in 15 to 20 minutes, then they will have something. IMHO  

[DIGGER]

One of the pros is there is no clutch or gears so just about anybody could learn to drive one .   I bet it has a lot of acceleration .  My brother drove a Tesla.  He said the salesman told him to get down on it as they got on the freeway ramp.  My brother said he has never been in any vehicle that had that much take off .  Said he would put it up against any sports car he has ever driven.   

[Gavin_Sons]

range should be no problem with a harley, They tend to stay within a 30 mile radius bar hopping.

[DIGGER]

range should be no problem with a harley, They tend to stay within a 30 mile radius bar hopping.

Ha........longest distance motorcycle rider I have ever met was Vonnie Glaves .    She and her husband Paul live in the middle of nowhere out in Big Bend National Park area.   Nearest grocery store/Gas station is 40 miles away.    Vonnie is a documented million mile rider in the BMW world.      She asked where we were riding the next day.  I told her we were going from Study Butte to Presideo to Marfa to Alpine to Study Butte about 300 miles.    Her husband spoke up and said "Vonnie calls that Going Around The Block"     Ha

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Strap a Honda generator on your back and " Bring It ... Let's Ride " .  I have no doubt whatsoever I'll ever own a electric motorcycle or car.

[Dagwood]

So guess we will see a little puddle of electrons under them? Just hadda say it 

[Alpha Dog]

That motorcycle does not hit current target Harley Riders.  For the young millennials they are trying to attract, very few will spring for 30 plus grand.  My days of riding a sport bike with pegs directly under are over, the joints, knees, and hips just do not like this.  However I have not seen any manufacturer target a cruiser style electric bike which is still a large audience in the American market.  The only thing I am a target for anymore is big Pharma and healthcare.

I applaud Harley and any manufacturer for their endeavors into an electric bike, and probably this is the future.  I do think they have some work to do to get prices substantially down and range up to bring in buyers.  It surely is going to be interesting.

[Savago]

While is good to see some innovation coming from HD, I would rather buy a Zero DSR: http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-ds/

Proudly made in California (just like the Tesla) and got an autonomy of 204 miles with the Power Tank. Prices start at 11K USD, 'only' 3x cheaper than the HD model.
 

Zero was founded by Neal Saiki, a former NASA engineer.

[3fan4life]

While is good to see some innovation coming from HD, I would rather buy a Zero DSR: http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-ds/

Proudly made in California (just like the Tesla) and got an autonomy of 204 miles with the Power Tank. Prices start at 11K USD, 'only' 3x cheaper than the HD model.
 

Zero was founded by Neal Saiki, a former NASA engineer.

I got a good look at these bikes and had a very interesting conversation with some factory reps at the Washington DC bike show this past January.

The biggest drawback for me is the limited range.

It would work for me as a commuter bike but not as a tourer.

[northernvalk]

While is good to see some innovation coming from HD, I would rather buy a Zero DSR: http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-ds/

Proudly made in California (just like the Tesla) and got an autonomy of 204 miles with the Power Tank. Prices start at 11K USD, 'only' 3x cheaper than the HD model.
 

Zero was founded by Neal Saiki, a former NASA engineer.

That is impressive!!!! Kinda like comparing a HD street 750 to a Hyosung GV650, both are "modern" v-twins, one was developed by HD and one wasn't...guess which is better?

[Savago]

That is impressive!!!! Kinda like comparing a HD street 750 to a Hyosung GV650, both are "modern" v-twins, one was developed by HD and one wasn't...guess which is better?

The only issue in your comment is that you got it wrong. It should be the other way around: Zero were the 'first' and HD is a follower (or a Hyosung).

HD didn't develop their technology, but bought it from some other 'unamed' player (wouldn't be surprised if they bought it from Zero).

Concerning 'better', I would wait 1-2 years after HD releases its bike and we have feedback from real riders using them.

A co-worker has a Zero for the last 4 years and loves his bike.

In the end, I guess some people are willing to pay 3x more for the HD brand.

[..]

So guess we will see a little puddle of electrons under them? Just hadda say it 

Excellent 

[..]

Biggest drawback is the bloody long electrical cord dragging behind.

[northernvalk]

That is impressive!!!! Kinda like comparing a HD street 750 to a Hyosung GV650, both are "modern" v-twins, one was developed by HD and one wasn't...guess which is better?

The only issue in your comment is that you got it wrong. It should be the other way around: Zero were the 'first' and HD is a follower (or a Hyosung).

HD didn't develop their technology, but bought it from some other 'unamed' player (wouldn't be surprised if they bought it from Zero).

Concerning 'better', I would wait 1-2 years after HD releases its bike and we have feedback from real riders using them.

A co-worker has a Zero for the last 4 years and loves his bike.

In the end, I guess some people are willing to pay 3x more for the HD brand.

hd is the copier, just like they copied the liquid cooled small displacement vtwin from other such as hyosung, released in 2007 vs the street 750 in 2014. they 650 makes more power than the hd 750 at a much cheaper price. Ive owned a hyosung and beat the tar out of it. well made bike for the price. Just as the Zero is, imho, a better bike as it looks.

[Razkal]

What with Harley's engineering expertise I wonder if old Ben Franklin designed the motor for them