LIVEWIRE ONE TESTED: RANGE, CHARGING, AND RIDING HARLEY'S FORAY INTO ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES

EV Channels Review

The Livewire One is presented as Harley-Davidson's electric motorcycle future, now operating as its own brand. While the initial concept bike garnered significant attention, the production version, though well-built and aesthetically pleasing, has toned-down performance specs compared to competitors like the Zero SR/F, with less horsepower and torque. However, the reviewer emphasizes that on-paper specs don't tell the whole story, praising the bike's handling, planted feel, and surprisingly capable performance, especially in Sport mode and in canyons. The integrated front/rear braking and strong regenerative braking (nearly one-pedal driving) are highlighted as positives. Downsides include a lack of onboard storage, a premium price point (though significantly reduced from the original Harley-Davidson Livewire), and a riding position that may not suit everyone for long distances. The charging system exclusively uses DC fast charging, omitting Level 2, which is seen as a missed opportunity for home charging convenience, despite a respectable 0-100% charge time of around an hour and seven minutes. The highway range test yielded a real-world 83 miles at a constant 70 mph, exceeding expectations and positioning it as a capable city commuter and enjoyable canyon carver, rather than a long-distance tourer.