American electric motorcycle manufacturer, LiveWire, last night revealed its first bespoke model since the brand spun off from parent company Harley-Davidson in 2021 – the LiveWire S2 Del Mar.
The Silicon Valley based company opened the order books for the S2 Del Mar ‘launch edition’ variant, with all 100 units reportedly sold out domestically within 18 minutes. LiveWire says that it will release a mass-production version later this year, although it is unclear if the model will launch in Australia.
INFO MOTO has contacted Harley-Davidson’s local wing to see if it can find out more, and will update this story accordingly. Currently, the Harley-Davidson-branded LiveWire ($49,995), not to be confused with the new independent LiveWire brand, is the only electric bike offered locally from the United States outfit.
It is understood that the LiveWire One (a rebranded version of the H-D LiveWire), as well as the new S2 Del Mar, will be significantly more affordable than its Harley predecessor.
LiveWire says that the S2 Del Mar has ‘targeted specs’ of 60kW, which should push the 200-kilogram bike from zero-to-100km/h in ‘3.5 seconds or better’. If these specifications are achieved, the S2 Del Mar can be considered a middleweight naked bike equivalent.
The bike is said to be capable of a 160km ‘city’ riding range, however, this claim has not been backed up or proven. For reference, the original LiveWire electric model offers a range of 235 kilometres and a zero-to-100km/h time of three seconds.
In terms of styling, the S2 Del Mar harks back to flat track models like the H-D XR750, juxtaposed with modern camouflage-style Comet Indigo or Jasper Gray colour schemes.
The dirt-bike inspiration is especially noticeable with its long and low-profile seat and tail section, as well as its chunky Dunlop DT1 tyres and tall stance. Brembo brakes, a small round LED light, 19-inch multi-spoked wheels, bar-end mirrors and a round dash complete the look.
What is LiveWire?
Harley-Davidson has set up a new, independent electric motorcycle brand called LiveWire, to facilitate the development of new electric vehicles from establishments in Silicon Valley and Milwaukee.
Not to be mistaken as Harley-Davidson’s own LiveWire electric motorcycle that is on sale now, the new LiveWire brand is its own company that will design and build future electrified models.
LiveWire will initially work with the Harley-Davidson’s dealership network before opening dedicated showrooms, though LiveWire admited last year that it will benefit from Harley-Davidson’s “engineering expertise, manufacturing footprint, supply chain infrastructure and global logistics capabilities”.
Electric movements
With ever increasing pressure to reach emissions targets, motorcycle manufacturers are investing heavily into electric bike resources as they prepare for the inevitable death of internal combustion as we know it.
Giovanni Castiglioni, a key figure in the global motorcycle industry, this month penned a deal with Chinese electric bike super-power Vmoto, to expand its international footprint with new large-size electric motorcycles.
Giovanni Castiglioni’s father, Claudio Castiglioni, was instrumental in the rise of Italian brands MV Agusta and Ducati, presiding over the companies for the launches of the MV Agusta F4 and the Ducati 916, to name just a couple.
Vmoto’s Super Soco electric bike brand currently offers four models in Australia, and is expected to expand rapidly. Australia’s own Savic Motorcycles said late last year that it plans to have at least 20 electric bikes delivered to owners in the fourth quarter of 2022, with a larger production run slated for 2023.
Ducati, Triumph, Honda and BMW are also developing new electric motorcycles.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
