H-D reveals LiveWire project – the Motor Company’s first electric bike
HARLEY-Davidson is to dip its toe into the controversial waters that are electric motorcycles with the unveiling of the 'LiveWire' project - a road going pre-production prototype with which it intends to gauge and garner consumer reaction.
The Motor Company intends to tour dealers along America's historic Route 66, giving riders the chance to test-ride the 'LiveWire', in an outreach market research exercise aimed at softening-up dealers and traditional Harley riders for a brand extension exercise that could easily come back to haunt the company if not handled creatively.
The plan is to continue the program domestically and internationally through 2015, with no firm commitment yet being made as to whether or not the bike will ever make it to retail at all, or as to what the eventual specification will be.
By leaving themselves open to respond to feedback, and allowing the present concept to put down roots, Harley-Davidson are being smart, both in brand management and technology terms; vehicle e-power, for 2 and 4 wheelers, remains a fast moving and unstable landscape defined by compromise.
"America at its best has always been about reinvention," says Matt Levatich, H-D President and COO. "And, like America, Harley-Davidson has reinvented itself many times in our history, with customers leading us every step of the way. Project LiveWire is another exciting, customer-led moment in our history".
Harley say that in order to gain as much feedback as possible, interested parties who do not get the chance to actually ride the bike can still offer their opinions through Jumpstart – a simulated riding experience.
The ride and feedback operation will begin on Route 66 and visit over 30 Harley dealerships in 2014. The ‘LiveWire Experience’ will then continue not only in the US, but also Canada and Europe in 2015.
"This builds on many recent reinvention successes for Harley-Davidson," continued Levatich. "In just the last few years, we've broadened our reach to serve an increasingly diverse society, as well as reinvented our approach to product development and manufacturing. This has resulted in cutting-edge products like the recently launched Project Rushmore touring bikes, Harley-Davidson Street 500 and 750 models, and this reveal of Project LiveWire."
In a classic demonstration of Marketing Rule One, Mark-Hans Richer, Harley-Davidson Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer, addressed the sound-issue head-on in order to start the process of heading-off the complaints that will pour in from traditionalists and take ownership of a primary brand differentiator and place it into a differentiated context.
"The sound is a distinct part of the thrill," he is quoted as saying. "Think fighter jet on an aircraft carrier. Project LiveWire's unique sound was designed to differentiate it from internal combustion and other electric motorcycles on the market.
"We offer a no excuses riding experience in everything we do and we are led by what our customers tell us matters most. Because electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, we are excited to learn more from riders through the Project LiveWire Experience to fully understand the definition of success in this market as the technology continues to evolve.”
www.h-d.com
S&S Cycle sponsors 2014 WMDRA Sturgis races
WESTERN Motorcycle Drag Race Association's AMSOIL Sturgis Nationals has announced that S&S Cycle is to be an Associate Sponsor of the 2014 races at the Sturgis Dragway in Sturgis, South Dakota
"Drag racing has always been a major factor in the history of S&S Cycle. Drag racing is what got George J. Smith, our company founder, interested in developing go fast parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the first place," said S&S Racing Manager Justin Bramstedt. "We think it's important that S&S should promote drag racing both on the professional and grass roots levels."
In addition to the races, S&S will also be holding T124 demo day events on both days of the race event, offering riders the opportunity to run one of its T124 big motors down the drag strip.
www.sscycle.com
www.westernmotodrags.com
New products from Zodiac
ZODIAC is now stocking the latest spark plug leads made by Taylor/Sumax. The 9mm Firepower spark plug leads feature black high-tension wires matched to silver 9mm gun-style spark plug boots. The Firepower wires provide a solid stream of fire power, which is said to eliminate carbon deposits on sparkplugs, resulting in more horsepower, more torque and better mileage.
Available as stock replacement kits or universal sets, the leads are compatible with all Harley ignition systems.
Among the Burly products stocked by Zodiac are the company’s sissy bars for use on Sportsters. The TIG welded, one-piece bars are available in a choice of short or tall versions, with the latter including a compact pad. The bars mount to the outside of fender rails for simple install and removal, and fit all 2004 to present XL Sportster models.
Zodiac customers can now purchase Danny Gray seats that have been equipped with the AirHawk ‘Comfort Seating System’, which distributes the rider’s weight equally over the entire seating area, minimizing hot spots during long rides. An integrated pump and bleeder valve lets the user easily adjust the amount of pressure while seated. AirHawk air cells are also said to provide shock absorption for the pelvis, seat and spinal column. All AirHawk seats are available with a rider backrest receiver and a range of accessory options.
Among the options available at Zodiac are the Weekday Extra Large 2-up, Longhaul 2-up, and Driver Big seats and matching pillion seats. The Weekday Extra Large 2-up seat is designed for daily rider and passenger comfort and provides improved lower back support and highly contoured leg passage. The seat hugs the frame and matches the fender width on ‘06 to present FXST Softail and FLSTF Fat Boy ‘07 to present, ‘97 - ‘07 Road King, ‘08 to present Touring, and ‘08 to present Touring models.
The Danny Gray Longhaul 2-up is said to offer all day comfort for touring with lower back support for rider and passenger and a highly contoured shape that promotes re-positioning, inhibiting body fatigue on long rides, and it is available to fit all ‘08 to present Touring models.
The Driver Big seats and matching pillion seats have a low profile design and contoured to cradle the user’s anatomy for maximum comfort, and the narrow cut leg pass is designed to get both feet firmly planted on the ground when stationary. Fitment options are ‘06 to present FXST Softail and FLSTF ‘07 to present, and ‘97 - ‘07 Road King.
The Easy Start clutch shell from Zodiac is supplied with a 66-tooth starter ring gear and nine-tooth starter motor pinion gear to improve starting of high compression and big inch engines. The shell features a factory installed bearing and bearing retaining ring, and takes stock style clutch hub and clutch discs. The shells are available for ‘94 - ‘97 Big Twin, ‘98 - ‘99 Big Twin, ‘99 - ‘06 Touring, ‘99 - ‘05 Dyna and ‘00 - ‘06 Softail applications.
The Variable Pressure Clutch (VPC) by Tak's Performance Parts uses a system that reduces spring pressure at idle, and as the centrifugal force increases in line with rising engine rpm it provides the clutch with the required pressure to match engine torque. This system is said to make for easy clutch lever work from idle to 3,000rpm, which requires many gear shift changes.
The unit fits behind most stock derby covers, works like a lock-up clutch, and is claimed to make it easier to find neutral and provide better clutch disengagement and feel than stock.
Zodiac has versions of the clutch to fit most H-D models and has now added the ‘13 to present CVO Touring and ‘08 to present V-Rod applications to the application list.
ZODIAC INTERNATIONAL
Mijdrecht, NETHERLANDS
Tel: +31 (0)297 288 621
sales@zodiac.nl
www.zodiac.nl
New Gel Grip design handlebars
AVON Grips has released a new design of handlebar grips – the Gel Grip. This latest product from the specialist manufacturer is a rubber and billet aluminum grip for both Harley-Davidson and metric cruisers.
“The new Gel Grip is a very ergonomic grip, featuring the softest rubber that Avon has used in a street bike grip,” said Dave Kelly, President of Avon Grips.
The rubber used for the grips has a unique dimple texture and tacky feel, said to help reduce unwanted road and engine vibrations and "hand tingle". The new style grip is completed by billet aluminum, triple chrome plated or black anodized end caps and collars.
Matching foot pegs and shifter pegs are also available.
AVON GRIPS
Kingwood, Texas, USA
Tel: 281 358 6738
debbie@avongrips.com
www.avongrips.com
41mm Wide Glide triple trees for FLH Dressers
CUSTOM Cycle Engineering continues to develop its range of triple tree options, and one of its latest product launches is a top triple tree for use on Touring models.
The company’s 41mm Wide Glide triple tree features a new billet aluminum top plate, which has been designed to replace the old stock steel forged top tree that the Factory has been running from 1950 through 2013 models. The new top plate is a pinch bolt style and offers over 2-1/4in of clamping stability to the front forks to improve handling, tracking and overall stabilization.
CUSTOM CYCLE ENGINEERING
Oceanside, California, USA
Tel: 760 941 6487
rick@customcycleengineering.com
www.customcycleengineering.com
Forward controls for Big Twin four-speed and Softail
MID-USA has two new sets of forward controls available. Machined from billet aluminum, and available to fit Big Twin four-speed ’58-’86 and Softail ’86 onward applications, the controls are offered in a choice of holes or concave styles. Finished in black anodizing, the controls are drilled for a contrast cut look.
MID-USA MOTORCYCLE PARTS
Hazelwood, Missouri, USA
Tel: 314 595 5555
midusa@mid-usa.com
www.mid-usa.com
Ride Wright Wheels announces new forged line
RIDE Wright Wheels, best known for its comprehensive range of spoked wheels, has now introduced a new line of forged wheels –the El Camino.
The new forged El Camino wheels are manufactured from aircraft quality 6061 T-6 billet aluminum and available polished, chromed and painted, or can be ‘personalized’ to meet customer requirements. Ride Wright Wheels claim no other manufacturer can match the selection of options available.
The new El Camino line of forged wheels is made up of 19 different designs, all available with matching rotors and pulleys.
RIDE WRIGHT WHEELS
Anaheim, California, USA
Tel: 714 632 8297
sales@ridewrightwheels.com
www.ridewrightwheels.com
Digital multi-language battery chargers
FORELETTRONICA, the Italian manufacturer behind the BC Battery Controller brand, has introduced a new series of “smart, digital” battery chargers and testers featuring an LCD display and selectable languages. The range includes their BC BRAVO, BC 3500 EVO and BC 9000 EVO.
The backlit LCD display digital voltmeter helps the user follow every step of the charging and testing process. All the BC chargers automatically execute a microprocessor-driven 8-step charging algorithm, offering the opportunity to check the battery’s state of charge and cranking power, as well as the function of the alternator.
BC chargers are 100 percent made in Italy, and Forelettronica say that their technology represents a “complete solution for car and motorcycle battery care, allowing recovery and reconditioning of deeply discharged batteries and recharge, desulfate and maintain all kinds of 12V lead-acid batteries, including gel, sealed and AGM start & stop batteries”.
The company says that the charger can remain connected to the battery indefinitely, with no risk and no need to disconnect it from the vehicle. Languages can be selected from English, French, Italian, German or Spanish, and the package includes a waterproof battery cable and insulated clamps.
BC BATTERY CONTROLLER
Cisliano (MI), ITALY
Tel +39 02 903 85059
export@batterycontroller.it
www.batterycontroller.it
