ROAD NEWS
H-D ETCHES LIVEWIRE INTO THE RECORD BOOKS
I f there is one standout memory from our time on the Harley-Davidson LiveWire in Portland , it was just how quick the newest motorcycle from Milwaukee is . With a 0-100km / h time of just three seconds , the electric Harley accelerates like very few motorcycles this side of a fully-fledged superbike . Now the US-based manufacturer has laid down official records with the LiveWire in an exhibition at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis . Behind the ‘ bars of the LiveWire was three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion , Angelle Sampey , who stepped off her Harley-Davidson FXDR Pro Stock competition machine for the LiveWire in order to lay down world record-breaking runs on the quarter and eighth-mile at the drag strip . Sampey and the Livewire covered the eighthmile distance in a best time of 7.017-seconds , while the full quarter-mile course was completed in just 11.156 seconds at a top speed of 177.59km / h ( 110.35mph ). Interestingly the 2020 LiveWire is top speed limited to 110 mph meaning the bike was tapped out as it crossed the beams at the end of the strip .
“ Let me tell you what ’ s amazing ,” said Sampey , “ that was the first time I rode the LiveWire . I could not wait to get it on the track . The LiveWire is so easy to ride . Just twist the throttle and go , and you really go !” Sampey and her Harley-Davidson Screamin ’ Eagle / Vance & Hines teammates , Andrew Hines and Ed Krawiec made a number of head-tohead drag race runs on stock LiveWire models , with Sampey posting the quickest times . Sampey is one of the most successful women in motorsports history with three Pro Stock Motorcycle championships ( 2000-2002 ) and 43 Pro Stock motorcycle wins to her name . The LiveWire recently arrived in New Zealand dealerships with a price tag just shy of $ 54,000 . Harley-Davidson is offering licenced riders a complementary test ride of the new LiveWire through these dealerships – currently limited to Auckland Harley-Davidson and Road and Sport Harley-Davidson in Hamilton – to try and convert the internal combustion faithful to the electric Revelation powertrain .
20 KIWI RIDER