I don't know how they could include Brembos and Ohlins for that price and I don't know what their international distribution looks like but, hey, so many electrics coming. That's good, right?
That is good news, the more models and wider price range will make for an electric motorcycles to have a quite interesting market. For example, while I fear some shortcuts may be cut to yield such prices, truth may be that in fact this will eventually bring the price down to reality. Also, Brembo does have low end components, wich while still of decent quality are more run of the mill. I am not sure if Ohlins has similar lower end products. But the presence of such brand names sure makes up for a nice flashy presentation. And just reading the article made me think how would Harley's LiveWire model justify the 3 X cost?
There's Brembos and there are Brembos. Same with Ohlins and Showa.
Why does any H-D cost significantly more?
Part of it is in the 'dealer experience', some of it is in the componentry, some of it is in US Wages, some of it is in shipping ex-US, some of it is because enthusiasts are willing to pay more for what the perceive is a superior brand.
In the Livewire I also suspect there is a healthy R&D and dealer compliance component.
It's undeniable that a rooted manufacturer, with nearly a century experience can't be compared with a brand new one no one ever heard about. And that there certainly is expected a wealth of design experience to have had supposedly trickled down, to use an electric term hahahaha. But my perception is that seeing what's around me, HD riders stick to their classic models. Looking back at how Buell was regarded or the V-Rod, for that matter, it seems no one of their loyal fans would ever swing a leg over some such electrical "contraption". I really don't think their aim is the US market with that model.
Agreed - but I don't think any existing market is the target.
The rusted-on brigade are just gonna hate no matter what H-D do if it's 'different'. There are still plenty that can't get over the no more Dynas thing, regardless of the fact that they are dinosaurs compared to the new Softails. "Harley is dead to me." - for discontinuing a platform that first came out 28 years ago.
I'm the only one of the Harley guys that I ride with (when I have a press bike) that doesn't look like I've been sucking lemons when they hear the word 'electric'.
Me, I'm like, 'where can I plug it in'. But I'm a 'large minority'.
Nah - this is a change-up - and it's a crucial one.
It's not my style of bike and the mileage would never suit me but I do like seeing where the electric bikes are going. I think there are going to be great things in the future. One of the super fun things about getting older is remember how things once were and and relating it what is happening now. I remember when computers were huge, the size of a a large room, and old big companies had them. I also remember when people speculated that some day computers would be smaller and people would have them in their homes. Then there was the phone thing. As a teenager I would have never imagined having a phone that I would carry everywhere with me and it has so many features it make my head spin.
I'm now imagining what electric bikes are going to be like in 20 years. In my mind the only thing that will prevent great and wonderful things happening in the motorcycle world is the lack of young people entering the fun of motorcycling.
As I was out riding last weekend on the ski, it got me thinking about these CAKE motorcycle electric posts....as battery-powered motorcycles successfully fill the marketplace, it is just a matter of time before all smaller watercraft can benefit and also go electric.
I don't mind the sound of my 1500cc Kawasaki motor on the jetski, BUT, cut the motor sound out and it would be sublime. Same with snowmachines (sorry, snowmobiles for lower 48 folks).
For all the room it takes to put a 1500cc motor in the jetski, it seems like a simple drop-in replacement for a battery-pack. And, a person typically does not ride more that 75+ miles in any given day.
Also, from an environmental standpoint replacing fuel pumps at the marina with battery charging stations. We have some awesome tech sure to arrive in the next 10 years!
The only aspect that gives me pause, is how well water and electricity work on an "acrobatics" kind of recreational vehicle. I will wait for a while before I try one.. hahaha..
But solar electric power on a cruising yacht? Sign me up!
sorry @Chris for being off topic..
Actually, there are plenty of electronics going on as is. But, it is A/C versus D/C. Actually, I think D/C would be so much better in a water based environment and a much lower "shock" than A/C if something did short.
In the same regards, we ride motorcycles in the rain and through puddles and all sorts of stuff. That is not going to change with an electric motorcycle.