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Harley-Davidson Announces Investment in Electric Motorcycle Manufacturer Alta Motors

In our recent opinion piece, we noted that Harley-Davidson has a strategy to become a world leader in electric motorcycle production. Earlier today, Harley announced that it has made an investment in Alta Motors, which it describes as “a leader and innovator in lightweight electric vehicles”. Alta Motors, apparently, has principals affiliated with the founding of Tesla, the electric car manufacturer. Thus far, Alta Motors has focused on off-road and supermoto bikes.

Here is the press release from Harley-Davidson:

MILWAUKEE (March 1, 2018) – Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) announced today that it has made an equity investment in Alta Motors, a leader and innovator in lightweight electric vehicles, and that the two companies will collaborate on electric motorcycle technology and new product development.

“Earlier this year, as part of our 10-year strategy, we reiterated our commitment to build the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders, in part, by aggressively investing in electric vehicle (EV) technology,” said Harley-Davidson President and CEO Matt Levatich. “Alta has demonstrated innovation and expertise in EV and their objectives align closely with ours. We each have strengths and capabilities that will be mutually beneficial as we work together to develop cutting-edge electric motorcycles.”

Harley-Davidson has already announced the planned launch of its first electric motorcycle, informed by Project LiveWire. That motorcycle is on track for release in 2019.

Since its inception, Alta Motors has designed and commercialized the world’s most advanced electric motorcycles, enabling everyone from pro riders to new riders to experience “the future of fast.”

“Riders are just beginning to understand the combined benefits of EV today, and our technology continues to progress,” said Alta Motors Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder, Marc Fenigstein. “We believe electric motorcycles are the future, and that American companies have an opportunity to lead that future. It’s incredibly exciting that Harley-Davidson, synonymous with motorcycle leadership, shares that vision and we’re thrilled to collaborate with them.”

As electric-drive innovation brings new levels of ease, accessibility and control, Harley-Davidson and Alta Motors aim to attract new audiences who are inspired by motorcycles and drawn to the “twist-and-go” ease and exhilaration of an electric motorcycle with no gears or clutch.

“We believe that EV is where global mobility is headed and holds great appeal for existing riders as well as opportunity to bring new riders into the sport,” said Levatich. “We intend to be the world leader in the electrification of motorcycles and, at the same time, remain true to our gas and oil roots by continuing to produce a broad portfolio of motorcycles that appeal to all types of riders around the world.”


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92 Comments

  1. Dave Park says:

    The future is bleak for excessive speed, excessive noise, and excessive emissions from a device carrying one rider while burning more fuel than a compact car, and Harley knows it.

    • mickey says:

      What does that say for the future of sport bikes… Or motorcycles in general for that matter, even the quiet ones.

  2. Nate says:

    no one wants electric motorcycles. There is literally 0 market. Its purely imaginary.

    God I love watching Harley die.

    • Jeremy in TX says:

      A lot of people seem to take great pleasure in seeing HD’s decline and clamor for the company’s end.

      Why is that? I ask the question sincerely as I just don’t get why this bring people pleasure. I do not ride Harley’s or cruisers of any other make, but I have no desire to see the company become nothing more than a chapter in motorcycle history.

      • mickey says:

        I’m with you Jeremy. If you don’t like them and don’t want to ride one, fine, don’t buy one. But why wish no one else can possibly own what may be their dream bike?

    • Scott says:

      You’re so right. Every time I see an ‘electric’ motorcycle on the road, I think to myself, “Wow, I did NOT see that just now! My eyes are playing tricks on me!”

      And then there are all those Russian bots who post here about their ‘Zeroes’ and ‘Altas’ they supposedly own and ride… yeah, right!

  3. adam says:

    how are all you harley fans gonna feel when they are making electric bikes in thailand. still gonna be buying HD then

  4. bike rider says:

    It’s a good move by Harley. They need a game changer that can be found in electrics. Makes no sense, it’s much too late, and there’s no way to win if they try to catch up to any type of Japanese or European track bike, dirt bike, touring bike, or standard. Good luck with the electric.

  5. MotoMaster39 says:

    This is a pretty genius move by Harley. Alta has a major buzz right now in hipster biker culture AND off-road motorcycle circles.

    Even a guy (me) who hates overweight, overstyled bikes can see that this move is a home run for Harley. I wonder what an electric bike carrying a bunch of dead weight will look like?

  6. My2Cents says:

    I like the sound of most motorcycle engines, but I don’t think I can buy into just wind noise because that is mostly annoying. In a family sedan where you know the world has beaten you into a lifeless lump of genetic material it’s okay. The open road and your manhood intact, this requires noise and dead dinosaur squeezings to unleash thyself.

  7. Butch says:

    Battery powered bikes may be the wave of the future but for me, I just don’t get it.
    Limited range, high price, down time while you wait for the recharge and dismal resale.
    I’ve ridden one and it had about as much character as a portable drill.
    If you are looking for a great all around bike at a decent price, you would be hard pressed to beat the current 300-400cc mid sized bikes being offered, particularly the new Kawi 400.
    Harley will never compete with this market.
    I wish them all the best.

    • William says:

      Electric has many advantages for offroad. I think not as many for street except the no stalling and perhaps no shifting and low noise would be included by some. So if you don’t get it, maybe that’s because you don’t ride offroad. For street, the low range problem is a pretty big one for me. For offroad, low noise is huge, no stalling, no gears, no intake to suck water into engine, no air filter cleaning!, hopefully less engine maintenance since there is enough maintenance items from cleaning off the mud and replacing wear items like sprockets, brake pads, chain, clutch cable, and whatever else broke when you fell over.

  8. Frank says:

    The world is as always going through changes. Forget for the moment that people are no happier, safer, or more peaceful because of them. Those of us who’ve lived more than 18-24 years are aware that fashions come and go and come round again. Harley as well as other ‘institutions’ are in the midst of transitional times. Those who can weather them will live on. And if not, give it time…they will resurrect themselves again.

  9. todd says:

    I just hope that Derek at Alta doesn’t end up with the same fate as Erik from Buell. HD will probably want to have too much say since they think they know how to do things better.

    • Jeremy in TX says:

      Unless the Alta crew are primarily looking to cash out (or save themselves from bankruptcy), I think they know to maintain the controlling interest in the company due to recent history.

      I dare say HD has learned from their own history as well and will perhaps know better not to dictate actions concerning a market and product they know little to nothing about.

      Or maybe I’m just being overly optimistic.

      • sbashir says:

        Eventually HD may absorb Alta into its own operations. No sense in having two separate companies. Combining operations saves money. Purchasing power. Advertising. Dealerships.

  10. Dino says:

    LOUD BATTERIES SAVE LIVES!!

    Actually, i wish them well, the more players, the better! Just don’t sell them through a traditional HD dealership UNLESS they want to…

  11. mechanicus says:

    Dirck, Why even post anything about HD anymore? This is not the 1984 Two Minute Hate, is it? Mostly snide remarks from rice rocket types. It’s like turning on CNN or MSNBC to listen to Trump bashing. What’s the point?

    • TF says:

      Clicks.

    • bill says:

      Mostly agree. This is mainly a track squid blog. Mention HD and you get the kneejerks. Keep it race related? I vote yes.

      • MGNorge says:

        Interesting point, M-D does seem to attract the racer, track types and that’s OK. I hardly think about it however as it is what it is. If I didn’t enjoy the reviews and articles presented I wouldn’t visit here. Taking the responses for what they are and the point of view they come from is just part of it. But motorcycling isn’t on the most stable ground today and if it has the best chance to survive into the future it takes us all pulling together. Enjoy your chosen steed(s) but celebrate the differences.

        • Scott says:

          That’s an odd take, because I’d be willing to bet that if you polled the MD readership, you would find less than 10% who are “racer/track types”. Maybe 20% if you count people who hit the track many years ago, but now ride for fun.

          I feel there’s a pretty evenly mixed group of riders that comes here, and if there’s any one group that’s over-represented, it’s probably “disgruntled old guys”. But that seems to match the overall motorcycle market these days, so maybe it’s a fair representation, anyway…

          • mickey says:

            I believe it’s a pretty mixed bag here on MD… some of each sub group but less HD riders maybe, although they are still represented here. Pretty amazing considering we are from all over the world, from different socio-economic backgrounds and lineages, different values, educations, different age groups and upbringings, with the only common link a love for motorcycles. We may not like the same brand, same engine layout, same body style, same displacement class, but we seem to pretty much love anything with a motor/engine, handlebars and 2 wheels (even 3 wheels sometimes).

            I love talking motorcycles and like reading the various comments whether I agree with them or not. Don’t think I’m alone.

      • cw says:

        wait…I thought the whole point of squids is that they don’t go to the track.

        Are you saying you want the site to focus on racing?

    • Tank says:

      If you don’t like the remarks, don’t read them.

    • bmidd says:

      To hear people like yourself cry and listen to them make snide remarks about “rice rockets”. I have lawn equipment that is more technologically advanced than a HD motorcycle. Most of us that post about their lack of love for HD ride a different style of bike. If I wanted to hang out at bars and polish the shit out of my $30k bike, then I would get a Harley. But since I ride at a very spirited pace, a blingy bike with a whole 30 degrees of lean angle and weighs half a ton, does zero for me.
      Go ride what you like and close your browser when you get offended, or go polish your Harley.

  12. Michael P. says:

    As one that always rode singles and twins because of the added character (and torque), I now own an Alta super moto and love the bike, if someone like me can appreciate them, anyone can. I know the charge time and range is still not quite there but performance wise, they’re there, their new MX-R weighs 250 lbs and makes 147 ft lbs of torque and 50 hp, charge time on that bike is 1.5 hrs and yields 4+ hours of ride time.

    I am surprised at Harley going in deep with this though, I’m not a cruiser guy but I’ve been around bikes a lot and owned close to 200 myself, I just don’t see the harley crowd backing this, maybe they see the potential of Alta and want to be a part of it and possibly use their tech on some of their own bikes, as long as Alta keeps churning out these top shelf bikes, I’ll be happy. Me personally, look forward to dropping all my ICE bikes in favor of electrics. (dodging rocks as I type this)

    • Jeremy in TX says:

      Out of curiosity, what kind of riding nets you 4 hours of ride time from you Alta?

      • cw says:

        Probably the dirt/trail/motocross/trials type that Alta specializes in.

        But that 4 would also be good for the daily commutes of many.

    • Huck369 says:

      Imagine a Harley Electric Flat Tracker to run in the singles class……
      150 Foot pounds of torque available…..would be a great on a flat tracker…and can swap batteries between heats…..the competition wouldn’t even hear ya coming…….

    • sbashir says:

      Good for you and glad you got a Alta. HD has long term electric bike development in mind and is using Alta as a fast way to get there. In a few years you will find a whole line of electric motorcycles from HD which will be nothing like the cruisers they build today or any electric bikes currently on the market. They are serious about this.

  13. Dirty Bob says:

    I don’t want a computer thinking for me. Don’t want a quiet motorcycle. I own the last HD Dyna made. And it’s bare to the bone and has beautiful lines. HD have lost their minds, M8 and electric.

    • sbashir says:

      The computer doesn’t think on a electric bike or on the M8 for that matter. Your right hand on the throttle controls everything.

  14. ABQ says:

    The millenials are more interested in electric powered bicycles. I like the electric mountain bikes. They are affordable, light weight, and can handle just about any place those dirt bikes will go. Harley could add them to the boutique with the brand name on them as collectibles.
    But if they insist on those dirt bikes or the Live Wire, make the deal with Elon Musk. He can get half the cost subsidized by we the tax payers, and get millions of suckers to buy stock in the motor company. He has a gift the size of P.T. Barnum for that sort of thing.

  15. Tim says:

    Any wagers on how long it will take for Harley to sell back its stock intrest in Alta for $1, like they did MV? Harley has proven in recent years they know one way of designing and selling bikes, and one way only. I hope they reinvent themselves and become relevant with the next generation, but don’t hold your breath. They’ll probably be trying to slap their gas powered V-Twins in supermoto electric bike designed frames before we know it. I hope they give the Alta people some autonomy or they’ll end up just like Buell or MV.

  16. Ricardo says:

    When can I put down my deposit on the Livewire electric bike?

  17. mickey says:

    I’m not sure I will be here when electric bikes take over, but since I was a kid Harley Davidson has been making motorcycles enjoyed by people all over the world whether they are technically great motorcycles or not. Harley makes the best product for it’s customer base and that cannot be argued.Sales figures back that up. It’s the only company that has produced and sold new motorcycles out of their stores every year for 115 years.That is a legacy.

    That being said although I have had seven Harley’s, I have not had one since 1994. Each Harley I bought I thought would be better than the last, and they just never got any better for me. They vibrated, they were heavy, they were slow, they braked poorly, they handled poorly when compared to the stuff coming out of Japan. They weren’t BAD motorcycles per say, they just weren’t GREAT motorcycles. Japan was producing GREAT motorcycles. Still Harley had such a stranglehold on the market that it forced Japan to manufacture copies, so to speak, in order to stay in business. That is quite a testimony to the love that people have for the V Twin cruiser. Even though it is considered an inferior motor/chassis design, it’s what most people seem to want. Like fried food if you will, not the healthiest for you, but fried food is on the dinner plate of most people every night.

    I don’t want Harley to go out of business. I want them there for the motorcycling enthusiast that want’s that type of product. Their money, their choice. But unless HArley designs something I want, there won’t be any more in my garage.

    • William says:

      Good comment about unless they design something you want then you won’t be buying one. I also think that way. Over the years I have not bought a new bike because they seem like the same old thing that I don’t want. So I suppose if motorcycle buyers are falling in numbers it might not be all from a shortage of new buyers. I casually read up on the Alta because I like offroad and dualsport type of bikes. It took them a long time to get to what they have today. They have different models but they are basically the same bike. Very narrow product line. I guess time will tell if either company improves from a team effort.

      • mickey says:

        Honda built a motorcycle I liked in 2013 (CB1100) so I bought one. They built an upgraded version in 2014 (CB1100DLX) so I bought one of those. I have been waiting for Honda to make a new updated sport tourer to replace my ST 1300. They have not done so, so now I am looking at a Yamaha FJR which I will most likely buy.

        Build what we want, and we will buy them.

    • sbashir says:

      Harley didn’t force anyone to build cruisers. HD has done so well in that market that everyone wants a piece of the pie, but no one has the “secret sauce” so they have all failed. You can buy Japanese cruisers for 10 cents on the dollar even though they work “better” than Harleys in every way. And that’s the problem. Harley buyers want something “macho”, not a smooth running, smooth shifting, well suspended, fast and quiet bike from Japan or Europe. So Harleys will always be here as long as there are “macho” men and women alive. The electric bikes HD comes out with will also have this element of excitement and danger. Looking forward to exciting times ahead.

      • mickey says:

        “You can buy Japanese cruisers …. even though they work “better” than Harleys in every way. And that’s the problem. Harley buyers want something “macho”, not a smooth running, smooth shifting, well suspended, fast and quiet bike ”

        Congrats they got what they wanted even though they are inferior in every way (according to you). Seriously? I want a crappy bike and I’m willing to pay more for it because I’m macho? lol. What flavor Kool Aid is that?

  18. Pacer says:

    Alta is a solid product, and they need money. If Harley has learned a couple of lessons from the past this could work.

  19. WSHart says:

    Harley-Davidson makes Harley-Davidsons. Other manufacturers make their own bikes too, but many of them rip off Harley’s style. Starley and Kawacopy come to mind but rarely do they make it out of the mouths of the haters of HD. Why is that?

    Because most of these individuals are whiners. If Harley were to go out of business, what would this clASS of typist do here on MD? They would look everywhere but the mirror for something to complain about and what they complain about is without a doubt ridiculous.

    Having said that, I could care less about electric motorcycles. If they make it, good. If they don’t, fine. I suppose the whiners here, both from a love and hate side of the HD coin should start investing in playing cards to put in the spokes of their e-bikes. It may not make a potato-potato sound, but it will help them feeeeeel better about their choice in scoots. Hopefully the batteries will only allow them to go about 20 miles before needing a lengthy recharge. This should fit in with their desire for lightness above all else, including range.

    All the best to HD and any other manufacturers that take on the challenge of making a truly usable electric motorcycle.

    • Ken says:

      Harley won’t go out of business overnight, they will just fade away as their relevance from a bygone era and generation goes out of style.
      I watch my own kids, millennials, who could care less about chrome, tattoos, leather, noise and shiny things, to see the future of HD, and it ain’t pretty.
      I’m not a whiner or HD hater by any stretch, all bikes are good bikes, but I am a realist, and over the next 10-15 years HD will need to change the format as the baby boomers die off if they are to survive.

      • William says:

        Sort of like Sears compared to Amazon. These 2 companies have the same business model. Sears did well in a time when a paper catalog allowed people to buy all sorts of things. Now with internet, Amazon has an electronic catalog. Sears did not stay up with the times very well. So Amazon copied them with an update for the times. HD is doing like Sears, not keeping up with changes in society.

    • gt08 says:

      Starley and Kawacopy ??? Come on! Do you now anything in motorcycle.
      Kawasaki H2, Zx14R, Concours 14, Ninja 400, versys 1000. And about Yamaha only one that say it all, V-Max.
      There all supreme bike and nowere look like HD.
      Get out off bar and on the road it not 1912 anymore out there.

      • WSHart says:

        Really? No…really? What part about “Other manufacturers make their own bikes too, but many of them rip off Harley’s style” did you fail to understand?

        Oh, I see. All of it. Reading is not your strongest attribute, eh? 😉 Oh…That’s a smiley. It’s “winking”, that denotes tongue in cheek (i.e., mouth not butt) humor.

        I shouldn’t have to explain this but since reading is no longer fundamental…

    • paquo says:

      “All the best to HD ” lol that’s funny

      Harley sucks on every level.The culture is disgusting, both in the company with its sleaziness and the riders with their incredible cheesiness. The technology is pathetic , warmed over 1950s motors renders the bikes ridiculously under powered while being overweight resulting in very poor handling. In short harley blows and it will be a great day when it no longer exists.

      • Bob K says:

        Now that’s just pure hatred for the sake of wanting to hate. HD makes nothing I am interested anymore and I just sold my last HD last summer because I just don’t use it anymore. But HDs are actually really good bikes for what they are designed to do. Cruise all day and night and they do it well. Like any other bike, if taken care of and not modded by idiots who don’t know what they’re doing or selecting, they can last seemingly forever. The one I just sold, had 120k on the clock, about 90k done between 2000-2006 and it’s had zero problems despite the power increase I put into it which is nearly double at the rear wheel. And I was getting low 40s in fuel economy with those mods, down from nearly 50 when stock.
        .
        What really sells them for people is that they are the most easily customizable bikes around and there’s just no end to products to personalize them. Not just in looks and ergos but performance per dollar is better than any other brand. $1000 gets you a lot. Whereas $3000 might only get you 2 peak HP on a high performance sport bike. Not exactly worth it, especially if the power delivery is still the same. On an HD, you can change where the power goes, high or low rpm or real wide or focused. You’re kind of stuck with one kind of delivery on any other bike. It may be old tech but I guess the Corvette is too. Still using pushrods and rocker arms and all that. There’s benefilts to some old designs that OHC designs don’t have. That’s why they still exist.
        .
        While I don’t personally subscribe to blinging out a bike, only performance mods, I truly understand wanting to own something beautiful, to just sit and admire as much as use. I’m a custom guitar addict. While an expensive guitar made to my specs of exotic woods, unique features and finishes won’t make me play better than I do on a straight shootin’ basic shredder, I truly get as much pleasure looking at it as I do playing it.
        .
        Sure you can blow a year’s paycheck on the Rizoma catalogue for blind and Sato for rearsets and custom paint your fairings, but these bikes all still end up looking the same. Are they better performing bikes? Depends on what you’re using them for.

        • Kent says:

          I understand what you’re saying about HD perfomance being less expensive than for other bikes.

          Getting 50 hp for $1,000 sounds like a deal, because it costs $1,000 to get 5 on a different bike.

          However, the reason you can get 50 hp in the first place is because the factory didn’t do it. The reason it’;s so expensive to get more power from a modern bike is that the factory has invested massive dollars (or Euros or Yen) to extract every single bit of power available. HD leaves that to the aftermarket.

          I don’t consider a lack of power to be a feature.

    • TimC says:

      They aren’t copies, they stay together and don’t break down

      • Bob K says:

        They will if neglected or improperly modded, like anything else. Owners tend to be the problem.

      • WSHart says:

        They’re stylistic rip-offs of another’s (HD’s) heritage. To deny that is to, well…is to deny the obvious truth. And to deny that is to be a pusillanimous piggy.

        🙂

        Look it up. The “names” Starley and Kawacopy are sheer genius. It describes perfectly what the two makes did to sell their imitation of a lifestyle.

        Oink! Oink! Kiddo.

  20. joe b says:

    Cant everyone see, this will be a big sales flop? Complete opposites, water and oil, dont mix.

  21. CrazyJoe says:

    Green Tech are micro electric car manufacturers filed for bankruptcy. Apperently a car good for delivering pizza won’t sell to the public. There’s more of an intrest $170,000 sports car with an iPad for a dash board that may or may not drive all by itself albeit for a few miles per charge.

    I think you guys are wrong and Harley is about half right the public doesn’t want a cheap electric alternative the can commute with. What ever they build should cost much more than they intend. At least $50,000. Something the wealthy could show off with. Something that says their larger carbon foot print is holier-than-thou’s. That’s where the market is.

    • Jeremy in TX says:

      There is no denying that what Tesla did right was to market the electric car as a status symbol. I am not sure that is the best course for motorcycles or not. Electric cars are at least very usable for most people 98% of the time. I don’t envy the decision makers trying to decide how to position and market an electric motorcycle.

      • MGNorge says:

        Of course, when you produce a product toward the upper end, and it’s accepted as a status item, you’re then able to sell the product for a few shekels more related to content which goes to the bottom line.

      • cw says:

        So you’re saying Harleys aren’t status symbols?

        • Jeremy in TX says:

          According to some of the most recent market research, no, they aren’t. HD are effectively what Oldsmobile and Cadillac are: relics from the past that are no longer “cool” in the eyes of the younger generations. Or so says the consensus among analysts, anyway. Caddy is still trying to be relevant. GM threw in the towel with Olds. Now HD is trying not to fade.

          But no, that wasn’t my point. My point was that I don’t think status and lifestyle projection can sell electric motorcycles as well as they sell electric cars.

  22. steveinsandiego says:

    um, what happened to the prototype HD unveiled a couple of years ago?

    so, lookit – i’m ready for an electric scoot. i’d prefer a 100-mile range at 60-70 mph. yep, will require some costly upgrades, but i will pay, upon analyzing the competition, so it might NOT be an HD.

    i hope HD succeeds in wooing later generations, whether with electric and/or gas, sportbikes and/or cruisers.

  23. Sam says:

    Like the South, Harley will rise again 🙂

    Every time I go inside a Harley Dealership, it is absolutely full of seasoned/ older affluent people with money to spend who still enjoy riding iconic pieces of ‘Eye candy” machinery.

    These latest attempts by the company in diversification is just to appeal to a younger and poorer buyer.

    Some of us may be old but we have the money and control the purse strings so get over it.

    Sam 🙂

    • Ken says:

      “Every time I go inside a Harley Dealership, it is absolutely full of seasoned/ older affluent people with money to spend“…..who in ten years will either be taking a dirt nap or will be too old to even throw a leg over the latest HD incarnation. HD need to redefine themselves and move away from the “Rebel without a cause” nostalgia and move into the real world if they are to survive in the coming decades.

      • Grover says:

        Those of us that actually ride motorcycles are about one ride away from taking a “dirt nap”. Young sport bike riders in the canyons even more so.

  24. Trpldog says:

    If I couldn’t have an intelligent conversation in a Harley dealership and not be treated like a red-headed stepchild as a Buell owner, how do you think an electric bike customer would be treated in the same potato-potato-potato graybeard environment? Good luck with that.

  25. cpsseals says:

    Yet maybe Harley, by skipping past the costs of 50 years of serious research and development that other manufactures have spent on staying current, will surprise all of us by producing the 2 wheeled Tesla that others will need “weeks” of design time to make obsolete.

  26. Mick says:

    Invest in Alta? Sure! Buy parts and technologies from Alta? No problem. Sell them in their dealer network? Cool.

    Ownership or control? NO! Absolutely not.

    Harley should be Harley and make a sort of steam punk electric bike with a cool industrial looking motor from the 1930s. Make cool looking batteries, gnarly wires, the whole bit. Not the blobcycles that have been making the rounds.

    Grover posted that the Alta bikes cost $15K. They used to. The base model is $11K. The R model is $12K. The Enduro bike is $13K and the Supermoto is $13.5K. They do cost more than ICE bikes. But they require a lot less maintenance and consumables. No air filters, a lot less oil, no gas, no top ends. 5.8kw, a “tank of gas”, cost around fifty cents in most areas. About a quarter in some areas.

  27. Don says:

    Next will be the matte black Harley-Davidson scooter with genuine simulated V-twin sound. Gotta milk those old baby-boomers for more sale.

  28. ApriliaRST says:

    If H-D had had a gasoline powered bike that looks like the ones on Alta’s site, they might have a younger pool of dedicated brand-loyal buyers today. Was talking to a couple of friends over beers yesterday, one wants to buy his first Harley and was onto a decent deal from a Harley owner’s ESTATE. There’ll be deals if you don’t mind following the Grim Reaper around.

    I wish Harley the best.

  29. Grover says:

    Alta’s dirt bikes cost $15,000. What will a Harley electric bike cost? How will the younger generation afford it?

  30. Paul246 says:

    I would be more interested in a diesel/electric setup. A small diesel generates the electrical power that goes to two hub motors, one in each wheel. Great range plus 2 wheel drive.

    • Cowlitz Boy says:

      I am seriously thinking it should be a V-twin diesel with a staccato exhaust rumble, tied to the “twin” wheel motors.

  31. Stuki Moi says:

    When income to buy bikes with are stagnant or worse, while freshly printed funds to “invest” in bike naufacturers’ stock with, is free and plentiful; the name of the “maximize stock price” game changes from building bikes, to building hype about future bikes.

    • Provologna says:

      I double dare anyone to top this post for relevancy and uniqueness. IMO you nailed it.

      If HD is not already selling/marketing “money” as much as bikes (i.e. “no money down, no interest, no payments for a year, double trade in value” etc., etc….) I am sure they shall soon do so.

      Unfortunately for HD, their demographic now prepares for their dirt nap and has little interest in kicking cruiser tires on the HD showroom floor. HD has as much chance of finding buyers for $20k HD E-bikes as they do of converting carnivorous birds to a vegan diet.

      It’s fureehkun over HD. Find an Asian buyer before your grave freezes, dude.

      I wish Joe Glydon of City Bike was around to see his prediction come true, 30 years late, but it’s here.

      I admit that I have ridden only 2-3 HDs in my life, the last one being the XR1000 Sportster, so I’m no authority. Apparently performance has improved steadily. But even the very first Indian Scout just incinerated the Sportster, performance wise. The first Scout incinerated a Sportster with $10k worth of performance mods, because it’s still just a refined farm implement motor from a C ago.

      Looks-wise, I mean, c’mon: Is there really anything new under the sun with HD styling since my buddy at work bought a nice new ’84 HD, or well before that?

  32. William says:

    Harley has a reputation for over priced motorcycles. The trend now seems to be lower cost. I wonder if they plan to follow their standard method of high prices. Or maybe they don’t have a plan yet. Not sure if this team effort will make anything good happen, but I can hope.

  33. Trpldog says:

    Oh boy. I think hear the death bells for Harley sounding in the distance. I think your own battery is about dead. Hey, where’s Mr. Buell HD?

    • Ken says:

      Yep, you can almost smell the desperation with moves like this.

      • mike says:

        I am not sure but HD has done this partnership 3-4 times, right?

        Buell and MV Agusta were the most recent.

        HD might be 0-4 on partnerships.

  34. viktor92 says:

    Can’t imagine what device will develop H&D to make the electrical engine vibrate in order to satisfy the preferences of its clients… 😛

  35. Random says:

    “Broad portfolio of motorcycles” says Levatich. Ha! good one.

    • Scott says:

      Hey, they run the entire gamut – from small V-twin cruisers all the way to larger V-twin cruisers with saddlebags… and everything in between!

      • Random says:

        Yeah, I jest… Hard to overlook the amount of variation in blacked-out or chrome parts and all the different handlebar sizes.

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