Posted on 06/19/2014 8:12:03 AM PDT by shotgun
Excerpt:
Harley-Davidson will unveil its first electric motorcycle next week, and President Matt Levatich said he expects the company known for its big touring bikes and iconic brand to become a leader in developing technology and standards for electric vehicles
Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/06/19/3026587/harley-davidson-introduces-electric.html?sp=/99/915/#storylink=cpy
Motorcycles get such good fuel mileage I don’t see the advantage of an electric bike.
Might have something to do with selling California carbon credits to automakers. Since it is all electric, riders should be able to take them on HOV lanes.
I’m an old guy who remembers when Harley’s leaked as much Oil as British Sports Cars. They have vastly improved since the days of my ill spent Youth.
I was just being facetious. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around an Electric Harley. They should make it a Kick Start just to appease their audience.
Ah, government interference in the market.
I ride 700 mile days. For that, the Electra-Glide with cruise and a back rest is perfect. I like it better than the Goldwing or Beemer 1600. My knees ache after 8 or 9 hours on bikes with rearward foot positions. For distances under 100 miles, a BSA Thunderbolt or a Ninja 250 do the job, albeit in a completely different fashion.
During the oil stain decades, reving was the only way to keep the crappy gear oil system pumping. Either rev it or rebuild it.
RIP HD? LOL!
I remember the last time they died...when they added electric starters.
No kidding. 53 miles, then stop and charge for 3.5 hours, with 220 volt (meaning, you can’t just stop somewhere and charge it, unless you carry a step up converter around with you). Takes a lot of the fun and spontaneity out of riding. But I do imagine it is “doable” for those who just like to ride around a bit on Sundays.
Curious about other things, such as transmission (automatic? Can it even be manual?) and whether it has an auto-roll feature (it must if it is automatic). The Tesla has an auto roll feature that makes the car feel like a gas car does when you step off the brake. It actually comes in 2 speeds. You need to roll forward before you can pick up your feet, obviously. But maybe you just gas it, no clutch like an ATV or Trike?
It looks cool, and I think Harley Davidson has the right to try to market something in the sports category, something advanced etc... I know most purists don’t want those bikes. That’s why they bought Buell. It’s funny how even the fuel injection was ‘controversial’. I rented a Road King on Maui a few years ago (I ride an 2000 FXST and a newer Triumph T100) and actually liked the fuel injection though maybe it was just the scenery that got into my head.
Riders already get HOV lane access... and in between lanes too :-)
though may just maybe one of those can am 3 wheelers might coax me back
I saw a group of people zipping around town on those Can Am Spyders last Saturday night. Looked like they were having fun, definitely full of pep.
Wow! Them is some serious ape hangers. I’d rather do cafe bars.
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