Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1154402
2020 HARLEY-DAVIDSON R I D E R E V I E W P114 The throttle response is one aspect Harley-Davidson should indeed be proud of. Project Manager Glen Koval went to great lengths explaining to me that dialing in refined throttle response was one of the top priorities for the LiveWire. They wanted the rider to be able to access the right level of accel- eration, smoothly, at any time, especially given this machine is essentially a large scooter with no gearbox. This lovely, smooth throttle is matched to four built-in riding modes of sport, road, rain and range. Range mode is designed to work the regenerative braking as hard as possible to get more charge back into the battery when you roll off the throttle. You also have three custom modes, giving you a total of seven different riding personalities. Custom allows you to up or minus the power, regen braking, throttle response or traction control to whatever level works for you. All are accessed through an admit- tedly small but easy-to-use 4.3- inch touchscreen dash. The adjustability of the electron- ics is one thing, but the real proof of the $30,000 pie is how it rides. With a 30-inch tall seat height, the LiveWire is a pretty neutral proposi- tion for the majority of riders out there. However, the overall heft of the chassis at a standstill can be a little off-putting. But get the LiveWire rolling, and the weight suddenly becomes less of an issue. One of the main objectives Har- ley-Davidson's designers wanted was to have the center of gravity down low rather than up high like many electric bikes I've ridden in the past. The result is a surprising fluidity in the steering and rock- solid stability in the turns. Side- to-side direction changes are not as labored as you'd expect for a naked bike that weighs over half a ton. Although understanding the electric motor's personality when dialing the throttle back in takes a few minutes. The LiveWire will upright itself more than a petrol-powered equivalent if you roll back the gas midcorner, but it's not that big a deal once you're used to it. The LiveWire simply speaks a differ- ent language to what traditional motorcycle riders are used to. It's just a matter of being patient to understand it. The ride quality leaves a little to be desired. The LiveWire's rear suspension is set quite stiff, and you'll get a solid whack from the shock over sharp bumps. Smooth, twisty roads are ide- ally suited to the LiveWire, but it doesn't love pothole-filled roads, and neither will you. Conversely, over the crappy roads we found in downtown Portland, the seat gave me a good few kicks in the bum. I backed off compression and re- bound damping of the shock to try and get a bit more compliance out of the ride. This made for a slightly more comfortable afternoon, but it's something to keep in mind if you're after a LiveWire. Another is just how much fun that H-D Revolution motor is to experience. Forget the fact Think you won't hear it? Wrong. The LiveWire has a kind of jet airplane sound manufactured into the drivetrain.