X

Harley-Davidson shows off updated electric motorcycle concept

The LiveWire wasn't the last electric motorcycle -- in fact, H-D even has an electric scooter in the works.

Harley-Davidson middleweight concept

Looking good so far.

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson knows it needs to adapt or be left behind. The shift in thinking began when the company announced its intentions to build the LiveWire electric motorcycle years ago. With that halo model on the market finally, we've also received a glimpse at what comes next.

H-D's official website has published an updated concept sketch of its upcoming "middleweight" electric motorcycle. Electrek first reported on the images last Thursday. The sketch follows a previous piece of design art we saw over a year ago, and it's shaping up well so far.

There's an updated look for H-D's signature headlight at the front, but the overall body embraces the battery on board, rather than work around it like the LiveWire. It's arguably a better-looking machine because of this. The sleek frame working with the battery feels almost distinctly un-Harley like. For a company working to attract a new customer base as its riders grow older, that's probably a good thing.

Harley-Davidson middleweight concept

Here's the first sketch we saw over a year ago. Things are progressing well.

Harley-Davidson

Other things easy to spot from the updated sketch: there's a larger battery, a set of pegs for whomever is along for the ride and a forward-mounted controller. Since the LiveWire was always supposed to be the halo atop this new electric motorcycle lineup, hopefully this unnamed middleweight bike stands to be a lot cheaper. The LiveWire starts at an eye-watering $30,000.

Beyond this bike, there's more to come from H-D's updated take on the business. There's a low-power lightweight model in the works with scooter-like looks and E-bicycles in the pipeline. All of these are planned for the 2021-2022 timeframe, according to a presentation photo.

Even though we have a couple years to go, things appear to be shaping up quite well inside H-D.

2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire shows us the way forward

See all photos
Watch this: Join us for our first ride on the first electric Harley, the LiveWire
Sean Szymkowski
It all started with Gran Turismo. From those early PlayStation days, Sean was drawn to anything with four wheels. Prior to joining the Roadshow team, he was a freelance contributor for Motor Authority, The Car Connection and Green Car Reports. As for what's in the garage, Sean owns a 2016 Chevrolet SS, and yes, it has Holden badges.
Sean Szymkowski
It all started with Gran Turismo. From those early PlayStation days, Sean was drawn to anything with four wheels. Prior to joining the Roadshow team, he was a freelance contributor for Motor Authority, The Car Connection and Green Car Reports. As for what's in the garage, Sean owns a 2016 Chevrolet SS, and yes, it has Holden badges.

Article updated on January 23, 2020 at 7:04 AM PST

Our Experts

Written by 
Sean Szymkowski
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid. Reviews ethics statement
Sean Szymkowski
It all started with Gran Turismo. From those early PlayStation days, Sean was drawn to anything with four wheels. Prior to joining the Roadshow team, he was a freelance contributor for Motor Authority, The Car Connection and Green Car Reports. As for what's in the garage, Sean owns a 2016 Chevrolet SS, and yes, it has Holden badges.
Why You Can Trust CNET
174175176177178179180+
Experts Interviewed
030405060708091011121314+
Companies Reviewed
108109110111112113+
Products Reviewed

We thoroughly evaluate each company and product we review and ensure our stories meet our high editorial standards.