KIWI RIDER 08 2018 VOL.1 | Page 14

LIVEWIRE An electric twist and go. We rode the prototype a few years ago. Planned for 2019. HARLEY SHOWS OFF PROTOTYPE MODELS n a move unfamiliar to Harley fans, the American motorcycle manufacturer has announced a range of new models which are not yet available. These are prototypes and concepts for upcoming machines, marking a road map for Harley-Davidson’s near future. The change of marketing style seems to have worked for Harley, when the press release dropped last week it almost broke the internet. Five new prototypes and concepts across three markets are due to be released between 2019 and 2022. Firstly there’s a range of modular 500- 1250cc middleweights covering three segments; Adventure touring, Custom and Streetfighter, all of which are due to be released in 2020, with more models to fill those segments coming in 2022. Next is the small-displacement range slated for ‘Asia emerging markets’, primarily India, covering 250-500cc machines. Then Harley is eyeing the electric motorcycle market with its LiveWire, which we had a test ride on in 2014 – check out the video below. It’s a ‘twist-and-go’ machine scheduled for release in 2019, with smaller machines to ‘tackle the urban landscape’. A complete first for the company is the Pan America 1250, an adventure touring machine. It’s a bold move that’s clearly looking to tap into the burgeoning adventure market. Reaction to the bike’s styling has been mixed. It’s certainly a bold look, but one that’s almost certain to change between now and its slated release in 2020. KR contributor Boris Mihailovic spoke briefly to Keith Waddell, Marketing Director for Harley-Davidson (Aus and NZ) and this