A cool, steely gray sky hung overhead as our small group of electrical LiveWire bikes departed from the parking zone in Berlin. Our lineup included the LiveWire One and the brand new S2 variants: the S2 Alpinista, S2 Mulholland, and S2 Del Mar. The LiveWire One has been on sale in Germany since 2023.
As anticipated from an electrical bike on this value vary, the acceleration at visitors lights was spectacular, permitting us to navigate by metropolis visitors with ease. As soon as we hit the Autobahn, we really put the bikes to the take a look at. The LiveWire One, being the quickest of the bunch, boasts a high velocity of 177 kilometers per hour and might speed up from 0 to 96 kph in simply three seconds. Following carefully was the S2 Mulholland, which has a high velocity of 159 kph. The vary for the LiveWire One varies relying on driving fashion; the primary determine signifies most energy use, whereas the second worth optimizes regenerative braking.
Specs
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S2 Alpinista:
- Prime Velocity: 159 kph
- Acceleration 0-96 kph: 3 sec
- Torque: 263 Nm
- Vary: 122 km (WMTC) / 194 km (MIC Metropolis)
- Battery: 12.6 kWh
- Charging time (20-80%): 78 min
- Value: €18,832
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S2 Mulholland:
- Prime Velocity: 159 kph
- Acceleration 0-96 kph: 3 sec
- Torque: 263 Nm
- Vary: 122 km (WMTC) / 194 km (MIC Metropolis)
- Battery: 12.6 kWh
- Charging time (20-80%): 78 min
- Value: €19,427
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S2 Del Mar:
- Prime Velocity: 163 kph
- Acceleration 0-96 kph: 3 sec
- Torque: 263 Nm
- Vary: 111 km (WMTC) / 181 km (MIC Metropolis)
- Battery: 12.6 kWh
- Charging time (20-80%): 78 min
- Value: €19,129
- LiveWire One:
- Prime Velocity: 177 kph
- Acceleration 0-96 kph: 3 sec
- Torque: 263 Nm
- Vary: 154 km (WMTC) / 167 km (MIC Metropolis)
- Battery: 12.6 kWh
- Charging time (20-80%): 40 min (DC)
- Value: €24,990
Regardless of their quick acceleration, the dealing with at decrease speeds felt comfy. This enchancment could be attributed to the diminished weight in comparison with earlier LiveWire One fashions, enhancing maneuverability and vitality effectivity. The brand new bikes are roughly 50 kg lighter, with the battery capability lowering from 15.4 kWh within the One to 10.5 kWh within the S2 fashions. Nonetheless, the vary solely barely decreased, going from 234 kilometers for the One to 193 km (metropolis vary for the Alpinista).
All LiveWire fashions now come outfitted with driver help applications to assist in difficult climate situations. The system subtly engages on moist or sandy roads, that includes anti-lock braking and traction management to help the rider and reduce the danger of accidents. Regenerative braking has additionally develop into a normal function throughout the electrical bikes.
LiveWire describes the dealing with enhancements: “Because of this expertise, the LiveWire S2 fashions are outfitted with a package deal to adapt the acceleration and deceleration forces to the accessible tire grip. These digital assistants are principally imperceptible throughout regular driving however show extraordinarily useful in adversarial highway situations and harmful conditions.”
Concerning the S2 lineup, whereas they share the identical platform, the fashions aren’t similar. LiveWire goals to cater to a number of markets with the S2 vary. The Alpinista, with its title hinting at mountaineering, is positioned as an city commuter, that includes faster acceleration, a small windscreen, and distinct wheel setups in comparison with the Mulholland, the primary S2 mannequin launched. It feels unconventional that LiveWire didn’t permit prospects to customise their bikes, which is often accessible for Harley-Davidson fashions, regardless of the three-bike vary offering a wide range of choices.
Though we couldn’t take a look at the charging capabilities throughout our trip, the charging specs are identified: the bikes could be charged through commonplace family shops or devoted charging stations. Charging from 20% to 80% takes about 78 minutes for the three S2 fashions utilizing a 19 kW connection. In the meantime, the LiveWire One helps DC quick charging, which considerably reduces charging time to about 40 minutes.
One rider identified the benefit of no warmth radiation from the motor throughout slow-moving visitors in summer season. Nonetheless, by the top of our take a look at trip by Berlin, all riders felt a bit chilly, as temperatures barely reached 6 or 7 levels Celsius that day, despite the fact that it was late March.
Essentially the most notable criticism of the LiveWire fashions is their pricing. The Alpinista begins at €18,832, adopted by the Del Mar at €19,129, and the Mulholland priced at €19,427. This value level is kind of steep, particularly in a rustic the place bikers can primarily get pleasure from their bikes from Could to October. Nonetheless, driving the bikes is extremely satisfying, offering the liberty of biking whereas producing no emissions or the everyday bike noise.
Pricing may additionally develop into a difficult challenge resulting from new tariffs from the US authorities, putting transatlantic enterprise in a precarious place. It stays unsure whether or not the European Union will retaliate with its personal tariffs.
LiveWire has already diminished the costs for the One resulting from demand, which initially launched at €32,995 however at present sells for €24,990, indicating that adjustment for tariffs could also be attainable. A question about LiveWire’s technique in mild of the political local weather has but to obtain a response as of this writing.
The competitors within the electrical bike market inside Germany is fierce, with notable contenders like Zero Bikes. The Zero S presents a variety of 248 km, a high velocity of 139 kph, and a price ticket of €17,400. Costs escalate from there, as Verge Bikes presents its TS Professional mannequin, beginning at €36,581, that includes an modern in-wheel motor design.
