The second generation of electric bike from Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire subsidiary has been previewed and the company has taken deposits on the first 100 ‘Launch Edition’ versions even though production is still a year away.
Based on the all-new ‘Arrow’ modular platform that will form the basis of three entire model ranges – the middleweight ‘S2’, lightweight ‘S3’ and heavyweight ‘S4’ lines – in coming years, the S2 Del Mar is a flat-track-inspired machine that was first glimpsed in an official sketch two years ago. Back then, it was still carrying Harley-Davidson branding and named ‘EDT600R’ but the overall styling and the monocoque-style chassis are clearly carryovers from that project.
The Arrow platform incorporates a central, structural battery case with bolt-on front and rear subframes to allow various chassis geometries and styles to be adopted around the same main components. The battery case itself can carry a variety of battery sizes and configurations, either air or liquid cooled, and be fitted with different motors and control electronics to suit, hence its ability to be used across such a broad spectrum of bikes.
The Del Mar gets a 59.6kW motor and is liquid-cooled, with relatively compact dimensions and tracker styling including 19-inch alloy wheels front and rear with relatively narrow rubber and a number board style nose cowl carrying a lozenge-shaped headlight. The battery capacity has yet to be announced, but LiveWire says the bike’s estimated city range will be around 100 miles (160km). In comparison, the LiveWire One has a 78kW motor and a 146-mile range at city speeds (235km). LiveWire has yet to reveal the Del Mar’s highway range but given the One manages 70 miles (112km) at high speed, the Del Mar’s figure will probably be around 50 miles (80km) between charges if you’re heavy-handed with the throttle.
On the plus side, the smaller motor and battery in the Del Mar contribute to a weight of less than 200kg, compared to the 255kg of the LiveWire One, and since the bike is clearly aimed at urban riders rather than long-distance tourers, the range may not be a big sticking point, particularly if the bike has the ability to charge quickly.
The other big advantage is price. The initial ‘Launch Edition’ version of the S2 Del Mar – which comes with unique, intricate wheel spokes that evoke a printed circuit board, plus special paintwork that takes five days to complete by hand – costs US $17,699 in America, with the mass-made version with simpler wheels and paint expected to come in at US $15,000. In comparison, the LiveWire One costs US $22,799 in the States.
Both the Launch Edition and the mass made S2 Del Mar are due to reach production in around 12 months’ time. At the bike’s announcement order books opened for the Launch Edition, with all 100 examples finding buyers in a matter of minutes.
Ben Purvis
