Harley-Davidson now taking orders for its first electric motorcycle.

MSN ^ | 01-08-2019 | MSN

[dinodino]

It’s almost as if you didn’t read anything I wrote. You are fixated on cost per unit of fuel, for some reason. May I point out, since you want to gripe about the cost of the car’s battery, that an internal combustion engine is not an inexpensive component, and one can draw a direct comparison between the cost of the engine and the cost of the battery?

Regarding high performance cars: if you don’t want to drive a fast car, don’t. Buy a Toyota Corolla or whatever slow car tickles your fancy. As for your statement that “EVs are supposed to be for the regular consumer,” where did you get that? Who told you that a Model S is a mass market economy car?

The Tesla is indeed a practical car for me. It may not be for you. Perhaps you tow a trailer full of horses to the barn every day, or perhaps you drive a gravel truck—I really don’t know what you require. For me, and many consumers, EVs tick the boxes nicely.

[martin_fierro]

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[Salamander]

Hardly-Davidson

[Hot Tabasco]

When it gets crushed by a truck, who do you call first, the undertaker or the HASMAT unit....?

[harpu]

Just what we need an f’n electroscooter scootin’ silently down highway. DANGEROUS and DUMB!

[adorno]

...an internal combustion engine is not an inexpensive component, and one can draw a direct comparison between the cost of the engine and the cost of the battery

Totally out of whack comparison.

The EV battery is not the equivalent component of an ICE car's engine. The components that should be compared are the EV motor and the ICE engine. They are the driving forces that use the 'fuels' to get the cars on the road. The comparison that works is the EV battery + charges and the ICE fuel-tank + gasoline. So, it's the EV battery+charge vs the ICE car's fuel-tank+fuel. IN the case of the ICE fuel tank, it hardly ever if ever needs changing, while the EV battery needs to be swapped out after it fails to hold the charges. Apple's vs oranges. Not even close.

Now, when it comes to EVs and the target consumers, the original idea, especially as regards the environmental wackos, was to entice ALL consumers out of their fossil-fueled cars, including even the well-off that could buy the 'luxury' cars. The only reason that Teslas are now in the category of "luxury" is because of their very high price tags, but, equipment-wise and options-wise, even the mid-priced and affordable ICE vehicles are competitively made. For example, I don't know of a luxury that my EV is missing that a Tesla can carry, and I 'only paid' $33,000 for it, and it's still going as good as new after 5+ years, and it still can hold the 'same charge' as when new.

Most EVs being made are not for the luxury market, since their prices are more affordable and some even come with comparable driving range as the Tesla. Then, the hybrid vehicles have the Teslas and any other EV beat when it comes to range and other must have characteristics to appeal to most buyers.

But, I'm not knocking YOUR preferences and I'm not knocking why people want Teslas. But, they are not for the regular consumer and Tesla marketing often makes the mistake of thinking and selling the vehicles as 'affordable' and for the regular consumer and regular family. Not so.

[Blue Jays]

"...scootin’ silently down the highway. DANGEROUS and DUMB..."

---

In my motorcycle experience, threats to us rarely appear from behind.
Loud pipes typically serve just to annoy motorists following on the highway.
To my mind, excessively loud pipes creates resentment and potentially causes folks to dislike motorcyclists...for no real reason.

My preference is to be predictable, ride aware, be noticeable via loud aftermarket horn, plus remarkably bright headlamp and auxiliary lights.
I naturally ride wearing a helmet / full leathers / boots / gloves.

My main concern is to protect against left-turning vehicles in front of us. That is where the biggest threats reside, in my experience. Happy Riding!

[dinodino]

The most expensive component in an EV is the battery, and the most expensive component in an ICE vehicle is the engine—hence, the comparison. An ICE also needs to be rebuilt after some interval, as does an EV’s battery. Tesla warrants the batteries in the S to 125k miles, which is more than the powertrain warranty on any ICE that I am aware of.

I have driven other EVs, including the 500e, i3, i8, and Model 3, and none of them have anything like the level of luxury of the S. Which EV do you own? By the way, my car is a 2013 and the battery holds exactly the same charge as it did when it was new, and it has 65k miles on the clock.

I’m not sure where you have seen ads describing the Tesla as “affordable.” The Model 3 is still currently a $50k car, although the price is supposed to drop to $35k for a base model late this year. The Model 3, though, is definitely an economy car.

[dinodino]

May I also point out that you’re griping about high-performance and luxury EVs on a thread about a freakin’ ELECTRIC HARLEY?

People who buy motorcycles, whether ICE or EV, like speed...and risk. People don’t choose motorcycles because they’re more fuel-efficient (at least, not in the USA).

[Blue Jays]

"...griping on a thread about an ELECTRIC HARLEY..."

---

Thank you. The marketplace for electric motorcycles will be much different altogether. :-)

[dinodino]

Yes, the market for $30k electric Harleys is completely different than the market for economy commuter cars. :) Harleys are toys.

[adorno]

Griping?

How ‘bout, pointing out the deficiencies of EVs, either electricity powered motorcycles, or electricity powered 4-wheel vehicles?

BTW, when you don’t agree with a topic or the arguments being advanced in the discussion, the thing to do is to either skip the arguments you don’t like, or offer your own argument. Your “griping” remark offers no contribution at all.

[adorno]

May I also point out that you’re griping about high-performance and luxury EVs on a thread about a freakin’ ELECTRIC HARLEY?

Well, dude, YOU'RE the one who brought up YOUR love and EXPERIENCES with YOUR Tesla vehicles. I was merely pointing out the deficiencies with battery-powered vehicles. That's not griping, and in your case, you turned it into a defense of Tesla vehicles.

Making a few points about EVs is not the same as griping. There are pros and cons to EVs, but mostly cons when compared to ICE vehicles.

[adorno]

The most expensive component in an EV is the battery, and the most expensive component in an ICE vehicle is the engine—hence, the comparison.

Cost-wise, yeah, they might be the most expensive components in the different vehicles. But then, APPLES and ORANGES.

The only reason to bring up the expensive battery is because it is what brings their prices to such sky-high levels. An ICE vehicle is still a lot less price-wise. The component-to-component comparison should always be with the corresponding function in mind: which means that, battery+charge should be compared to gas-tank+fuel. Apples to apples; oranges to oranges.

[dinodino]

Still waiting for you to reveal which EV you drive...

[Rebelbase]

That could have been a Super Dave video.

[harpu]

SERIOUSLY...I’m so unimpressed but thanks for sharing - NOT!

[Blue Jays]

"...SERIOUSLY...I’ so unimpressed but thanks for sharing - NOT!..."

---

I am happy when people embrace any kind of motorcycle. The more people into motorcycles and motorcycling, the better it is for ALL of us who are enthusiasts. They become friends who lobby for better engineering, better roads, and better safety.

I have never seen an electric motorcycle out on public roads yet. When I do...I will be sure to greet them. If I encounter one while walking around, I will absolutely ask them questions about their experiences with it. Who knows, it might be another patriotic and pro-Trump rider!

[BraveMan]

An informative and entertaining video about the LiveWire from Jay Leno's garage.
Harley-Davidson Project LiveWire - Jay Leno's Garage

[Salamander]

Okay...so I’ll be waiting with bated breath until the “manly men” start riding these, so I can not emulate them then, either.

:D

[but my dearest wish is a moped..true story]