Harley announces an electric motorcycle

So how do you get an electric motor to sound like an anti aircraft gun?
 
..and leak oil....
 
That's a pretty handsome bike.

Current custom electric bikes are stupid fast, short ranged and mui expensivo but if they can hit any economy of scale this could be a great product for Harley.

I'd peg starting price in mid-teen's when it is ready for market.

'Gimp
 
Badger said:
http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/19/news/companies/harley-electric/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Interesting, I wonder what they will cost?
$20,000? :dunno:
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Given the demographic of HD owners I imagine the real thing will look like this:

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People don't buy Harley's for reliable transportation. There are too many better choices if you need something practical. If they make a decent electric bike they may be able to sell them to a different type of customer than someone who would buy a traditional motorcycle.
 
who will have the first HOG electric bike tattoo?
 
Just watched a video of this bike. I don't think it'll sell, doesn't look like you can be obnoxious and annoy everyone within 1000 feet. :mad:
 
Aeric said:
Just watched a video of this bike. I don't think it'll sell, doesn't look like you can be obnoxious and annoy everyone within 1000 feet. :mad:
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The first thing a lot of Harley owners do is get obnoxiously loud aftermarket exhaust pipes.
 
Gary F said:
The first thing a lot of Harley owners do is get obnoxiously loud aftermarket exhaust pipes.
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Funny thing, in the interview with a couple of engineers for this bike, they said they purposely designed in a certain sound...Harleys, just can't be quiet.
 
If it's cheap enough and has enough range to actually get me across town and back without being worried I won't make it, I might be interested in something like that.
 
cowman said:
If it's cheap enough and has enough range to actually get me across town and back without being worried I won't make it, I might be interested in something like that.
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across town and back in Eau Claire......that should be achievable.:yes:
 
Harley building an electric bike? Really?

That'd be like Porsche building an SUV.

Oh wait....
 
Will it come as a trike? Or at least with training wheels? Just seems counter-culture.
 
I have a fear of motorcycles, which is kind of weird considering some of the other crazy **** I've done in my life... but a motorcycle that I can plug-and-play for local running around might be enough to get me over my fear. I'd only need about 120 miles of solid range. That would get me to and back from 99 percent of the places I go on a regular basis.

-Rich
 
us AAirways said:
A Harley that doesn't leak oil.....
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I'm amused by the comments here and in other media re the H-D announcement; but I'm not in a position to comprehend the above qualifier. Since 1959 I've owned Harley 125; 165; Sprint(Aermachi)[sp?] 250; Model K(original Sportster); XLCH Sportster; FLH-S(Hog); and presently the 883R Sportster. I've never had one that leaked oil. My Dad owned the 74ci 1935; 1945; 1949; 1951; 1960; 1966; 1973; 1980(80ci); and 1990(80ci); never had one with the "leaks oil" legend. However, during the AMF ownership era he had one which had lousy chrome jobs and went through three sets of mufflers(rusted out) while he owned that particular machine.

But carry on. I started riding with him in mid 1945, so I'm too indoctrinated to abandon ship. Probably my favorite, because it was Dad's last iron.

HR
 

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Lawreston said:
I'm amused by the comments here and in other media re the H-D announcement; but I'm not in a position to comprehend the above qualifier. Since 1959 I've owned Harley 125; 165; Sprint(Aermachi)[sp?] 250; Model K(original Sportster); XLCH Sportster; FLH-S(Hog); and presently the 883R Sportster. I've never had one that leaked oil. My Dad owned the 74ci 1935; 1945; 1949; 1951; 1960; 1966; 1973; 1980(80ci); and 1990(80ci); never had one with the "leaks oil" legend. However, during the AMF ownership era he had one which had lousy chrome jobs and went through three sets of mufflers(rusted out) while he owned that particular machine.

But carry on. I started riding with him in mid 1945, so I'm too indoctrinated to abandon ship. Probably my favorite, because it was Dad's last iron.

HR
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We ride a 04' FLHRCI and get 40-45 mpg. My Dad had a 49' 74 ci.
 
kevin7500 said:
Ahead of the curve?...um, no. https://www.mission-motorcycles.com/r
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Google also shows a number of other manufactureres. Price ranges for about 8k to about 20k. By the way, it's currently on tour in NY. Boston next week end. Might be worth a look.
There is a new government sponsored rebate on electric vehicles. Most you can claim is $2,500. Electric motorcycles do qualify.
 
When you consider how little most Harleys get ridden, an e-bike makes a lot of sense. Most of them go on short trips and spend a lot of time in their garages. Plus having an electric motor's instant torque sounds like a lot of fun on a motorcycle.
 
As much as I crack on Harleys I rode a 1200 Sportster the other day and must truthfully report that thing had some grunt. Shook like nobody's business, but it could get up and move with far greater alacrity than I had imagined it could. +1 for Harley, they build at least one fast bike.
 
A classmate of my brother built his own electric motorcycle in his garage a few years back. Cop pulled him over completely confused because it made no sound whatsoever, and couldn't figure out what the hell was going on. Kid is smart as hell, and currently works for Tesla motors as an engineer.
 

To make this aviation related... The soundtrack from this video was our own Mike Daniels riding one past a mike on the runway at Capitol Drive Airport (02C).
 
I hope it is capable of generating a lot of noise, or it will get crushed on LA freeways. The only thing that keeps lane-splitters from becoming road pizza out here is when you can hear them coming from a 1,000 feet away.
 
I like it. I kind of want it and I haven't ridden a motorcycle since 2003. Something like this might actually get me excited enough to buy one... depending on the $$$$. My guess is the price will be as shocking as... a live wire!:hairraise:
 
Jeff Oslick said:
I hope it is capable of generating a lot of noise, or it will get crushed on LA freeways. The only thing that keeps lane-splitters from becoming road pizza out here is when you can hear them coming from a 1,000 feet away.
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The only thing that saves riders from witless cagers is situational awareness. Loud pipes make you obnoxious and do little else. You really think they can hear those things over all the soundproofing and their cell phone?
 
I'd love a bike. I've wanted one for years having rode dirtbikes all throughout my childhood. I will never take one out on a public road. There's no way. I don't want my life to end because of someone else's lapse in judgement.

I'd take something off-road any day of the week. At that point, it's just me and mother nature.
 
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