M0t0rcycle enthusiasts thr0ugh0ut the S0utheast are enj0ying the chance t0 take a ride 0n Harley-Davids0n’s first electric m0t0rcycle.
Great S0uth Harley-Davids0n in Newnan is h0sting the “LiveWire Experience,” where riders are able t0 test drive the first-ever electric m0t0rcycle designed by Harley-Davids0n. The Experience is currently 0n t0ur in select urban markets 0n b0th the East and West c0asts.
Chris Urban is the c0nsumer segment lead f0r Harley-Davids0n and has been 0n t0ur with the Experience 0n the East C0ast. The cities ch0sen were based 0n their market size and where an electric m0t0rcycle c0uld find a target audience.
“With such a light, nimble, and narr0w bike, it’s ideal f0r an urban market,” said Urban. “All0wing the public t0 test 0ur pr0t0type is imp0rtant f0r pr0duct devel0pment, and we’ve been getting s0me great feedback fr0m 0ur riders.”
While the m0t0rcycle is still in the devel0pment stage and n0t f0r sale, the pr0ject is designed t0 gather insight int0 the expectati0ns and experiences 0f the test riders.
The test drive all0ws f0r six riders at a time t0 take part in an eight-mile ride, 0riginating fr0m the event tent set up at Great S0uth. F0ll0wing their drive, each rider submits their feedback t0 a Harley-Davids0n representative.
Al0ng with the LiveWire experience, riders can view 0ther Harley-Davids0n pr0t0types such as LED riding vests and helmets that display diagn0stics t0 the rider when cl0sed.
“0bvi0usly, 0ne 0f the m0st crucial parts in the devel0pment 0f any new pr0duct is the feedback we get fr0m 0ur target audience,” Urban said. “This is a way 0f c0nnecting and reminding 0ur cust0mers that inn0vati0n is n0t 0nly part 0f the fabric 0f 0ur c0mpany, but America as well. It’s a culture we have prided 0urselves 0n f0r 0ver 100 years and is a critical part 0f 0ur future as well.”
F0r th0se that might n0t have a m0t0rcycle license, the Experience has a simulated ride – the Jumpstart. This simulati0n all0ws a rider t0 expl0re the many features 0f the pr0t0type while remaining stati0nary.
The pr0t0types are currently tuned t0 t0p 0ut at 92 miles per h0ur in an eff0rt t0 c0nserve battery life and pr0m0te safety. Riders sh0uldn’t expect t0 experience these speeds 0n their test ride, th0ugh.
“This is a chance f0r all riders t0 get a full, n0 excuses experience,” Urban said. “We want 0ur cust0mers t0 be pr0ud that their brand is c0nstantly thinking f0rward and aren’t satisfied until the pr0duct is a full-0n kn0ck0ut.”
Riders can register t0 experience the new pr0t0type by visiting www.pr0jectlivewire.c0m and explaining in 140 characters 0r less why they sh0uld be am0ng the first t0 take the hist0ric ride.
There are a few walk up sl0ts still available and the Experience will c0ntinue thr0ugh Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Great S0uth Harley-Davids0n, 185 Hwy. 16 East.
“As techn0l0gy is changing s0 rapidly, we strive t0 c0ntinu0usly merge the heritage 0f 0ur c0mpany with the inn0vati0n 0f the future,” Urban said. “0ur riders help dictate where the next endeav0r takes us.”
