IT’S the electric motorcycle that’s set to shake up the market. The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is the first mass production two-wheeled EV to launch, and it’s already setting new benchmarks for elapsed time and top speed on the drag strip.
Taking to the eighth and quarter mile on September 4, the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines backed Angelle Samprey (a three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion) jumped on the electric bike to set some world record breaking runs.
Normally aboard a Harley-Davidson FXDR Pro Stock competition motorcycle, Samprey covered the eighth-mile distance in 7.017-seconds and the full quarter-mile course in just 11.156 seconds at 110.35mph (177.59km/h).
What’s significant is that the 2020 LiveWire motorcycle’s top speed is limited to 110mph. The records were set during exhibition runs at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.
“Let me tell you what’s amazing,” said Sampey. “That was the first time I rode the LiveWire.”
Sampey and her Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines teammates, Andrew Hines and Ed Krawiec, made a number of head-to-head drag race runs on stock LiveWire models, with Sampey posting the quickest times.
Sampey is the winningest female in motor sports history with three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle championships (2000-2002) and 43 Pro Stock motorcycle wins.
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycle is an all-electric model designed to offer riders a thrilling and high-performance motorcycling experience infused with a new level of technology, and the premium look and feel of a Harley-Davidson product.
As Sampey proved at Indy, the instant torque provided by the H-D Revelation power train delivers exhilarating acceleration from a stop; the LiveWire motorcycle can rush from 0 to 100km/h in 3.0 seconds.
In other Harley-Davidson news, the company is re-launching The Enthusiast magazine as a print and digital publication designed to showcase motorcycle culture and the riding lifestyle through the lens of the Harley-Davidson brand.
Originally published by Harley-Davidson from 1916 to 2008, The Enthusiast magazine will replace HOG Magazine as the official publication of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and will become more widely available through other distribution channels.
All Full and Life Harley Owner Group members will continue to receive a complimentary subscription to The Enthusiast magazine as part of their membership benefits. Free App versions of the magazine are also available for iOS and Android phones and tablets.
