Although they still have teething problems – and they do have their problems – I love electric bikes. And more electric bikes mean more choice, more competition and more progress towards a point where these problems disappear. At least, that’s the hope.
Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire brand wants more people on electric bikes, as you’d expect, and has just presented its third offering, the new S2 Mulholland.
The bike is centered on LiveWire’s S2 electric platform, a 10.5 kWh battery pack that delivers 84 hp of power and 263 Nm of torque, and a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 3.3 seconds. Range varies depending on what you’re doing, since if you’re just cruising around town, you’ll see around 194.7 km per charge, while highway range drops to just 39.9 km at 55 km/h. But once again, this is a bike for getting around town. It’s not a long-distance touring machine.
However, the bike can be charged on both level 1 and level 2, which allows it to be charged from 20 to 80% in 5.9 hours and 78 minutes respectively.
According to LiveWire, “although the S2 Mulholland uses the same S2 platform, the riding experience has been reshaped by the rider’s triangle and the updated standard equipment, which differs dramatically from the Del Mar. Using a 15 cm handlebar rise, the handlebars are positioned higher and further back, allowing the rider to sit in a more upright riding position.” Once again, the S2 Mullholland is more like Harley’s bobbers than the Del Mar or One sport bikes.
But while LiveWire is promoting the S2 platform to new markets, the company is still trying to be conscious of its environmental impact, as well as the impact of its customers. As such, the Mulholland will be the first bike from the brand to offer CAP Hemp bio-composites on the front and rear mudguards, while the radiator cover and wiring brackets are made from Hylon Ocean, which is manufactured from “discarded ocean fishing nets”, as well as the seat “which uses recyclable, petroleum-free silicone instead of leather or vinyl”.
Likewise, customers will be offered three colors, Liquid Black/Black, Liquid Black/Red and an unpainted version called Lunar White.