The Motorcycle riders thread

[Deuce]

 

[Deuce]

Zero SR, 52kw, 152nm, 163kmph max speed, 18kwh battery, 145 - 359 km range, 2 hour recharge, regenerative braking @ $15500 - $18400 USD.

Harley-Davidson Livewire , 78kw, 116nm, 15.5kwh battery, 160km minimum range, 1 hour fast charge, no regenerative braking and no price listed on their website but here it states HD’s ridiculous pricing starts at $29,800USD . Downunder it’s in the $50k range

Really, why would anyone want the HD livewire when the Zero SR is arguably seems a better bike at a much lower cost. Is the company basing its price on the fact HD riders may be blind to anything else?

I read an un-biased review comparing the 2 bikes. With many of the same facts as you stated. And lots of comparative testing between the two.
But the writer in the end said the finish of the bikes and real world feel swayed him to the livewire.
I remember mention of cheap crappy hand controls vs refined hand controls. Also a mention of the zero relying on torque from the electric motor, where H-D used gearing and a very high revving electric motor to achieve results. Like comparing a traditional V-twin to a jappa in line 4.
You also missed the top speed of the livewire (which may or may not be 184kph. Ask me how I know in a PM please)
I admit I have not tried a zero. But keep in mind I don't even know if there is any dealer in this country, which is definitely a stumbling block for it in any fair comparison.

 

[Deuce]

What was the test ride like?

Best bike I have ridden.
EVER!

 

[Skylarking]

Best bike I have ridden.
EVER!

Never ridden an electric motorbike myself and haven’t even sat on one to play with zero or HD switchgear, so just don’t know and can’t compare. But I’m sure it’s tje Livewire is a hoot to ride.

The real issue is, assuming the Zero SR was actually available in NZed, whether one would still buy the HD Livewire at a 50% price premium as compared to the Zero SR. The SR’s direct drive, crude gear and other “deficiencies“ may be easier to cope with when its ones hard earned money

Maybe I should go and test drive an electric motorbike though I worry I’ll won’t be able to rest is not giving it a fang and may loose my licence

 

[Skylarking]

... Curious as to why a Hub Drive may not have been used...

Like the spokeless hub drive on this bike?

https://www.vergemotorcycles.com/

 

[Ginger Beer]

Got a fly screen from Dart for my dyna.

Like others here, I'm old and my joints dont do sports bikes anyone, I always took the piss out of mates who rode Harley's, calling them pirates and their bikes water pumps.

How things change..

 

[Drawnnite]

Like the spokeless hub drive on this bike?

Nah. not quite like that.
Was reading that for hubless there are more issues in regards to friction, bearings and so on.
As instead of having it spin on 1 central hub, it requires 3 hubs as such to keep it central and they have to spin incredibly quick thus the friction and wear.

More the idea of say having an electric motor in the centre of the wheel,
Its hard to explain what i am picturing, but with it directly driving the wheel from the centre, with the wheel running on multiple bearings but those are central to the wheel spinning (ie one really large OD bearing around the back side of the motor and then a smaller one where the shaft is so its still a wheel that can come on and off, or the rims bolts up to a configuration of such.

 

[Ginger Beer]

The bike was not liking traffic soooo...... Jagg oil cooler.
Tightening the 5 internal hex heads was a PITA, but it is in and doesn't leak.....yet....

 

[Deuce]

The bike was not liking traffic soooo...... Jagg oil cooler.
Tightening the 5 internal hex heads was a PITA, but it is in and doesn't leak.....yet....

View attachment 214469View attachment 214470

Nice addition.
I also noticed that you have a 15" AN front disc too.
Does your engine number tell me that this is a 2017 dyna (street bob maybe?) or did I read it wrong.

 

[Ginger Beer]

Nice addition.
I also noticed that you have a 15" AN front disc too.
Does your engine number tell me that this is a 2017 dyna (street bob maybe?) or did I read it wrong.

Close, it's a 16 mate