Harley Dudilson Scraps Electric Bike

I'm glad an American company is ahead of the curve on this type of innovation. Motorcycling has been trending older and downward for years. I think this is a good opportunity to tap into the youth market. Hopefully, H-D's growing pains don't last long.  And, the new Ewan McGregor Long Way Up series should showcase the bike well. (Disclaimer: I own a Honda and a Suzuki and have never owned a Harley.)

I have met several people who claimed to have electric motorcycles over the years. They are only limited by range. I would love to have one. The price for electric vehicles is still out of range for 99% of the would be buyers. I like the V-Rod and the new smaller Harleys, I just can't stand the people that ride them with straight pipes and pirate clothes.

I knew a guy that paid over 25k for one about 10 years ago. He also had an Ultraglide and a BMW 1200GS. He also drove a BMW M5. So there are those people. I have friends who are retired and living on pensions that have recently bought new Gold Wing Trikes for over $40k. If the electric bikes become more desirable, people will buy. For instance I don't know anyone who would buy a Tesla, even if they had the money. I probably would if I won the lottery, but the price of one is all the money I have to live on for the rest of my life.
The biggest joke of the electrics is all the money you will save on fuel.

I believe I hold no illusions about electric power. I just like the torque of an electric motor, the lack of odors and the silence. I guess my next vehicle will be a sewing machine.

That is an interesting story. I had an experience similar. This was in 1971. I had recently purchased a Norton Commando. As you know, this bike sits on 19 inch wheels. It has a swing-arm frame with spring suspension in back. The rider, therefore, sits high in the air. He reaches down low to the handlebars. Now, my riding experience to that point, included an Ariel Red Hunter, rigid frame, and a HD WL, also rigid frame. With both these antiques, the rider sat low with his arms stretched out and up a little. Well, I got a nose bleed from the heights of the Norton padded seat, so I took it off and sat directly on the frame. This helped some. I rode that way for months. The swing arm frame with rear springs made for a ride more cushy than what I was used to. One day, I rode up Highway 1 in northern California. This was a mostly deserted highway and great for motorcycles. It was there I encountered two gentlemen of the California Highway Patrol, each mounted upon their own Harley Davidson FLH. Seeing me meant instant violation as I was not seated upon a factory butt holder. Whilst writing up my equipment violation, one of the older men said, "I heard about these Nortons. Mind if I take it for a ride?" What could I say? This guy is certainly trust worthy and went through that tortuous motorcycle training program the CHP offers. So, off he he sped on my seatless Norton. I remained behind with his partner and sat on the unused HD FLH.We chatted a while about modern law enforcement, its problems and opportunities. Officer 1 was gone a good 40 minutes. He returned with a big grin and reported he had not more fun than in a long time. He sure wished the CHP equipped their motor officers with something other than a farm tractor. I mentioned to him that The Sixth Army MPs, stationed at the missile base north of the Golden Gate were issued HD Police Sportsters. Not that it did them any good in catching up with me while speeding through the Nike silos. It was a pleasant exchange all and all. I put the factory seat back on and made myself accustomed to it. The point being that an honest HD rider usually appreciates nimbleness and speed when they have that opportunity.

I like Harleys, but a silent one I would have to think about that. Quiet,I'm thinking. lol

That reminds me of when the San Francisco Police Department turned in their fleet of Harley Davidson FLs for the new Motoguzzi Police bike. The Dealer was Frank Servetti also the local Norton Dealer and the guy I had bout my Norton Commando from. You remember the HD FL? That was a 74 inch Shovelhead with a foot clutch and a three-speed shifter next to the fuel tank. Enormous tires mounted on wheels which could support a small car. The ride was as soft a living room couch. Anyway, Frank wanted me to test ride one these Police FLs to see if there was any hope I might buy one. He was overstocked and nobody wanted newer Harleys in those days. So, I took it for a ride out Mission Street in San Francisco. What a hog! First of all the FL is as slow as they come. How the cops ever caught up with anyone is hard to understand. I could manage the shifting despite all the linkage. You have to hold the forks a long time with one hand. The FL has so much low end torque, it can pretty much be run in top gear from a dead stop. Then came trying to get it around a corner. What a whale! First, the thing drops down on its springs as it crouches to get around the turn. The floor board drags on the pavement as I haul it around a turn. If I am not careful it will fall over and getting the beast upright again is a challenge. That was not a performance machine. Yet, the CHP Academy used FLs off road to teach riding to many cops. I have seen those guys do some amazing feats of maneuverability in the dirt with them.

Anyway, it was no-sale. I stuck with my Norton. BTW, the Poh-Lease loved the Guzzis.

That quote seems odd. He should have said "1965" as that is about when he rose to prominence.

In those days, those guys would be on Knuckleheads, Panheads, the occasional Flathead. Living in the Bay Area, running into the HA and Sonny Barger was no surprise. Certainly, in the late 60s Hippie Days, they are often at the concerts and events. Sonny always came across as an unpretentious, down-to-earth, working guy who loved motorcycles.

Its difficult to justify spending so much on an electric bike when the brand has lost its trademark sound and riding experience and there are far more affordable options in th ebike market.

I think that the Motor Company is trying their best to make a good motorcycle and progress into the model era. If they just dump the tractors they will dump most of their profits. I considered buying a Buell, just before they quit selling them. I like the looks, and the company, just not the pirates. I am sure you know what I mean. They HAVE to put tractor engines in the bikes to maintain their market share. They are aggressively improving them as fast as they can get away with. In another decade, they will have a completely modern engine and the still living pirates won't notice or care. Do you know that the new ones have radiators, water cooled heads, anti-lock brakes, traction control and more? They also do not leak as much and they are more dependable. The latest chassis gets high marks for handling. Sure, they haven't caught up to 1996 Honda Valkyrie, but they didn't start trying until 2009.

HD has resumed production of the Live Wire today.

I'll chime in at the end of this to say that HD, despite themselves and despite The Image/Lifestyle, makes a tremendously unique product that just is unlike others. You either pick up on the vibes or you don't.

Years ago, in frustration with my favored brand - BMW - for constantly treating me like dirt in multiple dealerships, I went to HD out of spite more than anything. That and I knew day of the big V-twin air cooled engine was in it's twilight due to emissions and sound regulations and I wanted to see what all the hype was about.

Now, I'm an unabashed fan, but not one who thinks the sun rises and sets in Milwaukee. Their stuff is overpriced and they desperately need to figure out how to market products that don't rely on the word "retro". Truth be told, I think just about everything rolling on two wheels is cool, but, at the same time, HD just has a way of making everything you touch feel like Quality. I realize it's not always been that way. Plus, we must separate the concepts of quality, reliability, and durability. But, it's where I drop my motorcycle money.

Electric vehicles are in their infancy so buy-in will be steep. But, if anyone can do it without feeling chintzy or thrown together, it will be HD. Yeah, you will pay a premium, might not have every technological bell and whistle known to man, but it will be what motorcycles desperately need to be - Interesting.

My nephew bought a Buell.
He & his girlfriend started in Ft. Lauderdale, up to Chicago, west to the pacific on route 66 (whats left of it), and back to Lauderdale.
And camped in a pup tent most of the way.
First bike, had it about a month and did that.
And he isn't totally nuts, quite brilliant actually.
So it was a good bike. I think HD dealers used them for training new riders before they & their new rides ran over the curb to the real world of motorcycling.
His dads 52 Panhead couldnt have done it.

I guess you did not fit the BMW customer profile, LOL! After all, they are the Gentleman's brand and ever desirous of encouraging that image. Were you wearing a tweed shooting jacket with turtle neck sweater underneath? Was there a flat cap on your head? A pipe clamped between your teeth? Did you look like a BMW rider?

I had similar problems with both the Nissan and Toyota dealerships near my home in Los Angeles. They would not speak to me either. That happens sometimes for reasons I have never understood. Something about not appearing to be a "sale"?