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