Harley-Davidson LiveWire Technical Details

Look of Revelations

In Generation of Swine: The Brutal Odyssey of an Outlaw Journalist, Hunter S. Thompson wrote: “I have stolen more quotes and thoughts and purely elegant little starbursts of writing from the Book of Revelation than anything else in the English language – and it is not because I am a biblical scholar, or because of any religious faith, but because I love the wild power of the language and the purity of the madness that governs it and makes it music.” While Harley-Davidson naming the LiveWire’s motor “Revelation” has nothing to do with the Bible, like the OG gonzo motojournalist himself, H-D’s latest child is all about the wild power, madness, and music found therein.

The LiveWire motorcycle is powered by the all-new H-D Revelation™ permanent-magnet electric motor rated at 105 horsepower (78 kW) and producing 86 ft. lbs. of torque. Unlike an internal combustion engine (ICE), the H-D Revelation can produce 100 percent of its rated torque the instant the throttle is twisted, and 100 percent of that torque is always available, resulting in incredible, seamless acceleration for an exhilarating ride.

Because there is no traditional transmission, and no clutch; riding the LiveWire motorcycle is an accessible and thrilling “twist-and-go” proposition. A gearset is required to turn the output 90 degrees to align the drive belt sprocket with the rear wheel which contributes to LiveWire’s distinctive sound. The motor output shaft mates to a gearbox containing a 9.71:1 gear reduction running in an oil bath. A final-drive belt transfers power from the gearbox output pulley to the rear wheel, with a 3:1 ratio between the output pulley and the wheel pulley. The gearset is designed to produce a signature Harley-Davidson sound as the LiveWire motorcycle accelerates and gains speed; a new sound that represents the smooth, electric power of the LiveWire motorcycle.

Power regeneration is accomplished through the drivetrain when the LiveWire motorcycle is coasting “off-throttle,” as the motor becomes a generator putting charge back into the RESS. The rider will feel the regeneration process as an engine-braking effect. The level of regeneration is programmed as an element of each of the four Ride Modes, and the regeneration setting can also be adjusted by the rider as an element of multiple custom Ride Modes.

The LiveWire motorcycle is equipped with an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard 120-volt (or 240-volt) household outlet with a special power cord that stores below the motorcycle seat. Level 1 RPH (range per hour) of charging time is 13 miles for each hour of charging; and the LiveWire motorcycle will get a full charge overnight with Level 1 charging.

The LiveWire motorcycle may be charged with a Level 2 charging station, but it will charge at the Level 1 rate. The charging port is located below a cap in the bodywork forward of the motorcycle seat.
All participating authorized Harley-Davidson dealers selling the LiveWire model will offer a public DCFC charging station at their dealership. U.S. LiveWire customers will receive free charging on ChargePoint stations at participating LiveWire dealers for the first two years. Additionally, Harley-Davidson will provide U.S. LiveWire owners with 500 kWh of free charging service at Electrify America DCFC charging stations.

H-D Connect utilizes a cellular telematics control unit (TCU) that functions as an LTE-enabled modem connecting LiveWire motorcycles to the cloud. The H-D Connect service will be offered for a one-year free trial period after the purchase of a new LiveWire motorcycle and available with a subscription charge following the initial free period. H-D Connect will be available beginning in Fall 2019 in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and most EU countries. In late August 2020, service will be available in Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Japan. Subscription details can be found on H-D.com/connect.

Tell-tale lights or indicators are located on each side of the display frame: Turn signals, high/low beam headlamp, ABS active, traction control active, fault warning.

The LiveWire model is equipped with Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS), a collection of technology designed to match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration and braking. The systems are designed to aid the rider in controlling the vehicle while accelerating and braking in a straight line or while in a turn. A rider may find the systems most helpful when riding in adverse road conditions and in urgent situations. The systems are electronic and utilize the latest chassis control, electronic brake control and powertrain technology.
Disclaimer: Available traction is determined by the road/tire interface. The systems bundled into the RDRS are only able to adjust brake pressure or powertrain torque in an attempt to keep the forces at the tire from exceeding available grip. These technologies do not have the ability to increase grip, or to intervene when the rider has not made a brake or throttle application (e.g. coasting through a corner with the clutch disengaged). RDRS is not a system to directly influence vehicle direction. This is a key difference between motorcycle RDRS and Automotive Stability Control. The rider is ultimately responsible for steering and path corrections.

ABS is designed to prevent the wheels from locking under braking and helps the rider maintain control when braking in a straight-line, urgent situation. ABS operates independently on front and rear brakes to keep the wheels rolling and prevent uncontrolled wheel lock. Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System (C-ABS) is a variant of ABS that takes into consideration the lean angle of the motorcycle. The brake pressure required to limit wheel slip when cornering is typically lower than the pressure required under straight line operation. Rear-wheel Lift Mitigation utilizes the C-ABS sensors and the six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) to manage rear-wheel lift during heavy braking and further balance deceleration and rider control.
Traction control is designed to keep the rear wheel from “spinning out” when the motorcycle is accelerating, and enhances rider control and confidence, especially in wet weather. The Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS) is designed to prevent the rear wheel from excessive spinning under acceleration when going straight or cornering. C-TCS can improve rider confidence when available traction is compromised by wet weather, a sudden unanticipated change in the surface, or when riding on an unpaved road. The action of C-TCS is also tailored when cornering based on lean angle. Each pre-programed ride mode has a specific level of C-TCS. In the customizable ride modes, the rider can select from three levels of C-TCS intervention. With the exception of Rain mode, the rider can deactivate C-TCS when stopped. C-TCS can be re-activated with the push of a button on the left-hand control when the motorcycle is stopped or underway.
C-TCS is also designed to support Front-Wheel Lift Mitigation to reduce the height and duration of front-wheel lift (wheelie). The height and duration of front-wheel lift is tied to the rider-selected C-TCS mode, with Rain being the most-restrictive and Sport being the least-restrictive. Front-Wheel Lift Mitigation is turned off when C-TCS is turned off.
Drag-Torque Slip Control (DSCS) is designed to manage rear-wheel slip and prevent rear-wheel lock due to regenerative braking, which typically occurs when the rider decelerates on wet or slippery road surfaces. DSCS functions at speeds over 10 mph (about 17 kph) and works in concert with the ABS system to balance motorcycle deceleration and rider control. DSCS is integral to rear wheel ABS performance.

**Riding range estimates provided following SAE J2982 Riding Range Test Procedure and are based on expected performance of a fully-charged battery when operated under specified conditions. Actual range will vary depending on riding habits, ambient weather and equipment conditions.