The LiveWire One is a very good looking motorcycle. It has a stance that looks aggressive, yet familiar to enthusiasts who like ‘naked” bikes. Looking more closely, it is also fitted with parts that are known for their quality and performance in every space. There is a promise made that the LiveWire will live up to its name before it ever turns a wheel, simply based on its appearance alone. I was smitten by the chance to ride one of these babies, and I had even started contemplating the notion of purchasing one when I kicked my leg over the seat for the first time.
Before I delve into the takeaways from my ride, I feel compelled to tell you more about his fully electric two wheeler (is it really a motorcycle if it doesn’t have an internal combustion engine? What is this gas tank for? In the words of Arsenio Hall, “Things that make you go ‘Hmmm…’”). First off, it really looks like a proper motorcycle. Everything from the Brembo discs and Michelins tires (a meaty 120 front/170 rear combo, no less) suggests that this thing is ready to go (quickly), and to ignore that tone would be to miss a rather large point. Further, the specs of the LiveWire do not let its riders down, with 100 horsepower and 84 pounds/foot of torque on tap to propel the 562 pound vessel to 60 miles per hour in three seconds. To add to that an athletic 56 inch wheelbase and a low center of gravity, and we have a recipe for a fun tool to tackle twisties with. The the placing of the handlebars and the pegs puts the rider in position to effectively take advantage of the LiveWire’s features without it becoming uncomfortable after an hour or less, and an overall feeling of being on a very well-built machine is immediately present. The missing sound and vibration of an engine was intriguing for me atthis stage of my ride, for there is virtual silence when the Wire goes live.
There are four preset modes that the rider can select (sport, road, range, and rain), and an option to customize a fifth to one’s taste, so I swung for the fences off the rip and chose sport for my ride. Right away it is clear that the LiveWire can accelerate and brake with authority. Rather its pulling away from a stop light, or a car that is already traveling at highway speed, rapid pace is always a flick of the wrist (with a quiet “whirrrr”) away. That, coupled with agility that is impressive without feeling twitchy results in a ride that is… Satisfactory.
Yes, I did mean to describe this good looking, fast, nice handling motorcycle with an adjective that does not conjure feelings of emotion or passion, because (to me), the LiveWire One lacks those elements. I reach this conclusion acknowledging that so much of the thrill of riding a motorcycle (and even a scooter) is associated with the noises, vibrations, and the smells that come from riding around with “a missile between your legs,” as a friend of mine once described my antics after I passed him on the way to our office one September morning many moons ago. While I undoubtably looked the part of a seasoned motorcyclist while speeding around on The One, I came away not feeling like one. It took me a while to process just what it was I felt, but in the end it was the definition of anti-climatic. I do, however, think that this bike has a place in the market. For new riders, it will allow them to look the part without having to learn how to shift, or brake and accelerate without skidding (anti-lock brakes and traction control are both standard equipment). Adoptees of pure electric propulsion can also ride the LiveWire One while staying green and going fast while doing it, which will likely attract some riders.
So, while I am impressed with what LiveWire and Harley-Davidson have brought to the buying public, I would not recommend it to all riders with a massive sweep of the pen. Instead, I’d suggest deciding what is is one likes about enjoying two wheels before opting for the The One.
