Umair Gaines
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are famous for their distinct, deep rumble. However, the company's first electric bike, the LiveWire, features a high-pitched whirring sound. The LiveWire's electric motor is quieter than its combustion counterparts, but Harley-Davidson hopes its new sound will appeal to fans and attract new customers. The LiveWire offers a customizable engine sound option, allowing owners to choose from various engine notes or upload their own MP3 files. While some Harley enthusiasts expressed hesitation about the electric model, others praised its nimble, agile, and light design.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Model Name | LiveWire |
| Launch Year | 2019 |
| Price | $29,799 |
| Sound | A high-pitched whirring sound, like a jet flying by or a jet fighter |
| Customizable Sound | Yes |
| Customization Options | Standard notes, upload mp3 files, online gallery |
| Engine Sound System | Two speakers at the tail of the bike, synched with the throttle input |
| Recharge | Level 1 slow recharge, Level 3 DC Fast Charge |
| Range | Minimum city range of 98 miles (158 km) |
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What You'll Learn
The LiveWire's customizable engine sound
Harley-Davidson's first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire, is sporty and quick, designed for urban environments. It's also quieter than its combustion counterparts, emitting a high-pitched whirring sound.
The LiveWire offers a unique feature: a customizable engine sound. The bike uses a compact "engine sound system" with two speakers located on the tail, producing an artificial engine sound. The system is synched with the throttle input, mimicking an engine at idle and increasing in revolutions as the throttle is twisted.
Harley-Davidson provides a range of engine notes to choose from, including the famous Milwaukee-Eight and the Street Rod's Revolution X V-Twin. For those seeking something more unique, the option to upload MP3 files via the H-D App is available, allowing riders to play their favorite songs or download engine sounds from an online gallery.
The ability to customize the engine sound of the LiveWire is a significant departure from the iconic deep rumble of traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycles. While some enthusiasts may prefer the classic Harley sound and feel, the customizable sound feature of the LiveWire offers a new level of personalization and interactivity, attracting a younger generation of riders.
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The electric Harley's high-pitched whirring
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire, released in 2019, is the company's first electric motorcycle. It has a distinct sound from its combustion engine counterparts, described as a high-pitched whirring.
The LiveWire's electric motor emits a unique sound that is different from the iconic deep rumble of traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The high-pitched whirring sound is a result of the electric motor and gearbox arrangement, which has been carefully tweaked by engineers. This sound is quieter than that of combustion engines but is still noticeable and distinctive.
Some have compared the sound of the LiveWire to a jet flying by or a jet fighter, a roar that even a Hell's Angel could love. The high-pitched whirring is also complemented by the bike's nimble, agile, and light characteristics, making it a game-changer in the motorcycle industry.
While the LiveWire offers a different auditory experience from traditional Harley-Davidsons, the company has also introduced customizable engine sound options. Owners can use the H-D App to upload their own mp3 files or choose from a variety of engine sounds, including the famous Milwaukee-Eight and the Street Rod's Revolution X V-Twin.
The LiveWire's high-pitched whirring and customizable sound options present a new auditory experience for riders, attracting a new generation of customers while still appealing to those who appreciate the iconic sound of a traditional Harley-Davidson.
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Harley's first electric bike
Harley-Davidson's first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire, was released in 2019. The LiveWire is sporty and quick, designed as a street bike for urban environments rather than long-haul cruising. The high-voltage battery provides a minimum city range of 98 miles (158 km) and a maximum speed of 110 mph (180 km/h). The electric motor emits a high-pitched whirring sound, a stark contrast to the iconic deep rumble of traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
To appeal to a broader range of customers, Harley-Davidson introduced a unique feature to the LiveWire: a customizable engine sound. The bike uses a compact "engine sound system" with two speakers located on the tail, producing an artificial engine sound. The system is synched with the throttle input, allowing the bike to mimic the sound of an engine at idle and increase the "revolutions" as the throttle is twisted. Harley-Davidson offers a range of engine notes to choose from, including the famous Milwaukee-Eight, the Street Rod's Revolution X V-Twin, and even classic engines like the 1909 491cc single-cylinder mill. Additionally, owners can upload their own mp3 files using the H-D App, selecting their favourite songs or unique engine sounds from an online gallery.
The LiveWire's innovative design and electric performance represent Harley-Davidson's step into a new era of two-wheeled transportation. The company aims to attract new customers, particularly in urban centres and overseas markets like Asia, where electric scooters and motorcycles are already popular. The LiveWire also caters to environmentally conscious riders, offering a thrilling yet responsible way to hit the road.
The LiveWire has received mixed reactions from Harley-Davidson fans. Some traditionalists associate the brand with its distinctive sound, look, and feel, which the LiveWire deviates from. However, others appreciate the environmental benefits of electric motorcycles and believe they will appeal to younger generations. The LiveWire's high price tag, starting at $29,799, may also be a factor in its reception among potential customers. Despite the mixed responses, the LiveWire has achieved notable milestones, such as breaking the 24-hour distance record for an electric motorcycle in March 2020.
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The electric Harley's jet-like sound
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire, released in 2019, is the company's first electric vehicle. The electric Harley has a distinct sound that some have likened to a jet flying by or a jet fighter. This is a notable departure from the iconic deep rumble of traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The LiveWire's electric motor emits a high-pitched whirring sound, which has been carefully engineered by arranging the motor and gearbox in a specific way. While it does not have the same growling sound as its combustion counterparts, Harley-Davidson hopes that its new sound will appeal to fans and attract new customers.
To address the importance of sound to their brand, Harley-Davidson has introduced a unique feature to the LiveWire: a customizable engine sound option. This feature allows owners to personalize their bike's sound by uploading their own MP3 files or choosing from a variety of engine sounds and songs available in an online gallery. The system uses a compact "engine sound system" with two speakers located on the tail of the bike, which can mimic the sound of an engine at idle and increase in revolutions as the throttle is twisted.
The LiveWire's jet-like sound is part of Harley-Davidson's strategy to attract a new generation of customers while maintaining the brand's iconic status. By embracing electric motorcycles, the company is targeting urban centers and overseas markets, particularly in Asia, where electric scooters and motorcycles are already popular.
Overall, the electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire presents a unique and futuristic sound that combines a jet-like roar with customizable engine notes, appealing to both traditional Harley enthusiasts and a new generation of riders.
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The LiveWire's price tag
The LiveWire, Harley-Davidson's first electric motorcycle, has a hefty price tag of $29,799. The bike was first announced more than four years ago and finally hit the market in 2019.
The LiveWire's high-voltage battery provides a minimum city range of 98 miles (158 km). The bike also offers a Level 1 slow recharge, which uses a regular wall outlet, and a Level 3 DC Fast Charge, which fills the battery most of the way in about 40 minutes.
The LiveWire's unique selling point is its customizable engine sound. The bike features an electric motor that emits a high-pitched whirring sound, a stark contrast to the iconic deep rumble of traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycles. To address this change in sound, Harley-Davidson has offered owners the ability to customize the engine sound of their LiveWire motorcycles. The system uses a compact "engine sound system" with two speakers located on the tail of the bike, producing an artificial engine sound. Owners can choose from a variety of engine notes, including the famous Milwaukee-Eight and the Street Rod's Revolution X V-Twin. Additionally, owners can upload their own mp3 files using the H-D App, allowing them to select their favorite songs or unique engine sounds.
Despite the LiveWire's innovative features and customizable sound options, some Harley-Davidson fans have expressed mixed reactions to the electric motorcycle. Traditionalists who associate the brand with its signature sound, look, and feel may be hesitant to embrace the new model. However, the LiveWire targets a different type of customer and aims to attract new, younger riders who are environmentally conscious and seeking a sporty and quick electric motorcycle for urban environments.
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Frequently asked questions
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire, released in 2019, is the company's first electric motorcycle. It emits a high-pitched whirring sound, which has been likened to a jet flying by or a jet fighter.
Yes, Harley-Davidson has confirmed that owners will be able to upload their own mp3 files using the H-D App. Alternatively, you can download other engine sounds from the online gallery, including the 1974 two-stroke X90, the 1936 EL "Knucklehead", and the 1909 491cc single-cylinder mill.
The company wants to attract new customers and target growth in urban centres and overseas markets, particularly in Asia, where electric scooters and motorcycles are popular.
The LiveWire has a high-voltage battery that provides a minimum city range of 98 miles (158 km). It is sporty and quick, built for urban environments rather than long-haul cruising. The launch power is impressive, going from 0-100km in 3 seconds, and the lack of gear changing makes it smooth and easy to ride.
