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/1467929
2023 LiveWire Unviels S2 Del Mar Launch Edition P airing with the OG LiveWire that was a Harley-Davidson but isn't anymore, the recently revealed S2 Del Mar Launch Edi- tion will be limited to 100 units. They will sell for $17,699 and be delivered in the Spring of 2023, and if you want one, sorry to say, they're all gone. But that doesn't mean a Del Mar S2 is out of reach. The stan- dard model Del Mar S2 will go on sale for $15,000 immediately after the 100 First Editions are delivered. Both bikes share the same "ARROW architecture," which is LiveWire's proprietary bat- tery, motor, charging and control system, with LiveWire claiming 430 pounds, 80 horsepower (curiously, torque has not been disclosed) and a projected 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. LiveWire is also claiming 100 miles of city riding range, which means little as riding range varies significantly depending on how you ride, not where you ride. LiveWire even has an asterisk next to the claimed range in the press release that goes on to state at length, "Range estimates are based on expected perfor- mance on a fully charged battery and are derived from SAE J2982 Riding Range Test Procedure data on a sample motorcycle under ideal laboratory conditions. Your actual range will vary de- pending on your personal riding habits, road and driving condi- tions, ambient weather, vehicle condition and maintenance, tire pressure, vehicle configuration (parts and accessories), and vehicle loading (cargo, rider and passenger weight)." So, take the claimed range with a grain of salt. There will be four different rid- ing modes, plus a custom mode, which will influence power and torque delivery but also range. "The S2 Del Mar model represents the next step in the evolution of the LiveWire brand," said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley- Davidson. "The ARROW architec- ture underpinning the Del Mar, developed in-house at LiveWire Labs, demonstrates our ambi- tion to lead in the EV space and establish LiveWire as the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world." A fully stressed member of the chassis, the battery is made up of 21,700 cells that is similar to what Tesla uses in its cars. The Del Mar can run on Level 1 and Level 2 charging, although not a Level 3 fast charge like regular electric vehicles. LiveWire has not given a claimed charge time. The Del Mar channels Harley- Davidson's flat track heritage, running 19-inch wheels with Dunlop DT1 rubber similar to the original Indian FTR1200. A Brembo four-piston radially mounted caliper slows things down, but we don't have specs yet on the suspension. The Launch Edition will come in either Jasper Gray or Comet Indigo, and both paint schemes are applied by hand over the space of five days. This is the first midsize S2 LiveWire to be produced, and there's going to be at least another two in the works soon. LiveWire has also indicated a sis- ter machine to the main LiveWire One is also coming. CN IN THE WIND P62 The second LiveWire model is on its way in the S2 Del Mar Launch Edition.