http://youtu.be/t6F8O5A__Ds

It will be interesting to see how it will be received by the masses.  Thoughts?

Initial thought: the jokes will write themselves.
After thought: I thought it looked pretty good, maybe kind of trying to appeal to the hipster crowd, which would be a good idea to get some younger blood into HD.  The advertising was interesting, struck me a funny how HD took credit for inspiring innovation and expression. Yeah, innovation. 

I would ride one, and would like to see it become a viable alternative in the market, especially as a commuting tool. I have worked a few electric vehicle programs, and I find HD's claim to wanting to define standards for any electric vehicle laughable. The auto companies have not done that, and the federal gov't really doesn't even have any set guidelines, just interpretation of existing guides by each companies engineers.

It did have a rattley, clunky sound, unlike any other e-vehicles. I wonder if that was dubbed in, or if they actually went for that sound. It's not potato-potato-potato, it's more like: ***insert your joke here***

It doesn't have any clunks or rattles, handles very well and it is a quick as my FJR.  The 53 mile claim in in the 'Power' mode the 'Range' mode will give you about 100 miles.

It uses a charger (I'm not sure of the standard) and it charges in 2-3 hours.  It does have regenerative braking not that it would add much to the range.

The bike will be going on tour and if you can find a stop you can ride one, you should...it is definitely un-harley like!

It doesn't have any clunks or rattles, handles very well and it is a quick as my FJR. 

I read it had some sort of gear mesh whine to give it a unique sound. Although I know it can be done, it doesn't make much sense to me as I don't really understand why it would require anything as far as gears are concerned.

I think it's a really good looking ride, but I also read it's not a production bike and not to expect anything from H-D in an electric bike for years to come. It's more of a proof of concept thing and being used to get a feel for what people think.

I just don't see how it fit's into their marketing strategy. I guess it puzzles me since it looks a little sporty and after the whole Buell fiasco I just don't understand why they would go down that path.

Closest tour stop to here seems to be. H-D HQ in Wisconsin.  Too bad, would be fun to check out.  It's an interesting step, but there's a lot that has to change before EV's are anything close to the norm.


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Our new work facility will have free electric vehicle charging. Hummmm...........

I'm all for HD making an electric bike. Good on them! But it will be an ABYSSMAL FAIL with their core market...because, let's face it: LOUD COMBUSTION---along with lots of chrome---is what appeals to the HD core market. A bike that sounds like a Tie Fighter whooshing past is NOT going to go over well with the leather vest crowd.

BUT...HD is nothing if not a bunch of marketing geniuses. (After all, they've convinced legions that riding a Harley is the ultimate act of rebellion, when in reality it's the ultimate act of conformity.) So they may, in fact, be able to make this bike popular. But I doubt it.

For the bushy-bearded, leather-vest-wearing crowd to adopt this bike, they'd have to be willing to save the whales, hug trees, grow their own vegetables, and settle down and be ruled by their wives. 

Scott

It looks Ducati Monster-esque. I like the looks of it.

Elon, over at Tesla, has announced he's releasing all trademark/patents to his electric motive power developments into the public domain. Have at it people.

I think this is a good thing. Probably the best thing since the early '80s when they re-invetend themselves with the EVO and the second best deal when they had Elton John headline their cenntenial celebration.

That second thing was a joke. A poor one, at that.

Tip your waitress.