Posted on 11/12/2019 1:13:10 PM PST by Red Badger
Harley-Davidson hasn’t been shy when it comes to talking about its ambitious electric bicycle goals. In fact, Harley-Davidson electric bicycles are a big part of the More Roads to Harley Davidson plan.
But what H-D hasn’t done is show off its electric bicycles in public. Instead, they’ve only shown us renderings and pictures. Until today that is, when Harley-Davidson included the first three H-D electric bicycle prototypes in its sprawling display at the EICMA 2019 Milan Motorcycle Show.
The three electric bicycles were front and center at the vast H-D booth, though they were surrounded by a glass barrier to keep people like me from copping a feel.
Even so, we’re able to glean a lot of info from the prototypes on display.
Harley-Davidson electric bicycles seen with high-end components
We first published an exclusive leak regarding the pricing structure of the H-D e-bikes last month. At the time, we learned from a dealer that the Harley-Davidson e-bikes would range in price from $2,500 to $5,000. That would certainly put them in the premium category of e-bikes.
And now we’re getting a better look at why the bikes might command such high prices. And no, it isn’t just because of the bar and shield logo.
The prototypes were displayed with H-D’s proprietary mid-drive motor connected via belt-drive to an internally geared rear hub. One of the prototypes even sported an automatic shifting Enviolo continuously variable transmission, a component only found on premium electric bicycles.
All three Harley-Davidson electric bicycles also feature high-end hydraulic disc brakes clamping down on what appears to be massive 203 mm rotors.
Such components are normally reserved for higher end mountain bikes, and their inclusion on H-D’s e-bikes indicates that the company isn’t here to mess around with budget-minded, $600 e-bikes.
Other interesting design features include taillights that are built into the frame of the bike, though they appear to be mounted fairly low on the bike at the rear of the dropouts. And I’m not 100% positive on this, but I believe the border around the H-D logo on the headset of the bikes is also an LED light, which would function as a headlight in this case.
The battery appears to be a removable unit with a key lock built into the shell of the mid-drive motor. However, the battery case itself looked to be rather small, perhaps indicating a lower capacity battery. However, it’s hard to tell how deep the battery extends into the motor case. And it’s also quite possible that there’s no battery in the case at all, especially considering the early prototype nature of these e-bikes. LiveWire received prominent display as well
The Harley-Davidson electric bicycles weren’t the only electric vehicles on show. Nearby were a set of four prominently displayed LiveWire electric motorcycles.
There were also two more LiveWire bikes set up on dynos to give people the experience of revving an electric Harley. I decided to skip that experience since I’ve been fortunate enough to already track test a LiveWire electric motorcycle on a Formula E race track.
And while we’re on the subject of Harley-Davidson’s E-things, we might as well include the whole family. Harley had its pint-sized electric balance bikes on display as well for the young riders. And before you say H-D ain’t woke, check out their little pink one designed to get girls riding early!
What do you think of Harley’s e-bikes? Let us know the comments below!
Ping!................
Doe it have a drag pipes sound effect option?
Comes with a pack of playing cards.............
i heard the auto pilot mode was to die for...
Thank you Red Badger!
PING!
E-bikes aren’t cheap. But $2500 to $5000 is on the high end for one. Paying for the name, I guess.
PS- would be interested in how this compares weight-wise.
Why yes it is!.....................it doesn’t do curves well..............
For $3500 you can get a really good used Harley or Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki/BMW bike...................
My last bike was an 850 Norton.
It’s in Australia now...
Master and Commander on the far side of the world?...............
A 50cc scooter will go much faster and further, and cheap
I don’t get the electric bike thing...
Coming to a sidewalk near you.
I have 2 elec hubmotor bicycles. The 20” i made myself for free.
And the 26” cost me $400 for the front wheel with hubmotor.
Former was clocked at 15mph. Latter 30mph. Both of which is faster than i care to slide on asphalt.
I have a $2500 E-Bike. I use it to commute to work on my 5 mile trip. It gets me to work faster than driving a car. If I could just figure out how to beat the rain issue. Ok to get wet going home, but not on way in. Also ebikes don’t like the rain. Wet = bad for electrical stuff.
It’s to make Greenies feel good about themselves so they can look down their noses as we blow by them at 95 MPH on our BIG GAS POWERED BIKES!.................
Comes with Mom...fanny pack too!!!
There are add ones for regular bikes that make it and bike.
That make it an E bike.
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